You and Your Money: It's More Than Just the Numbers

Every once in a while I run across a personal finance book that is a pleasant surprise. This is one of them. Decent money psychology books are unfortunately rare, but Alvin D. Hall, an investment educator, has done an outstanding job presenting the complexities of this discipline in a manner that anyone can understand. The material is presented in logically organized chapters, each dedicated to a specific type of money relationship (to yourself, your partner, your children, your career, your retirement, etc.). Each chapter begins with a quiz to help you think through some of the issues connected to that particular relationship. I found these quizzes to be extremely powerful and helpful in assessing my personal money attitudes. Hall comes across as a knowledgeable, kind friend who is genuinely interested in helping others understand how our money attitudes shape our financial destinies. His writing style is clear, straightforward, and witty. He uses many interesting anecdotal stories to support his research material. It's not often that I can say I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book on finance, but it is true in this case. Although Hall is an American, he is actually more popular in the UK. I am amazed that this book is not more heavily promoted, because it deserves to be on a bestseller list. It is that good. Highly recommended.

Books about personal finance are usually so dry and present a scenario for life that can only be followed by a monk. "You and Your Money" is anything but. It's vibrant, lively, witty. It gives a path towards perennial solvency and smart management that not only makes sense, it shows how to afford a lifestyle without feeling the monetary equivalent of hungry. I can honestly say reading this book changed the way I approach my personal finances, and gave me usable -- even indispensable -- information on how I can live well today and still have a tomorrow without crushing debt. Alvin Hall should be on TV sharing his savvy, as opposed to the dime-store pop psychologists who currently are on air. Bravo! (And I might add, the book is also truly literate. The gent can write!)

What a fascinating read. We all respond differently to money and it was fascinating -- and a little scary -- to identify my money personality (and some of the factors that influence me). I think it will be much easier to manage my money now that I have a better understanding of some of the things driving these decisions. A must read for anyone who doesn't fully understand why they make the money decisons they make. Very entertaining as well as informative.