Enjoy Your Money: How to Make It, Save It, Invest It & Give It (Book Review & Giveaway)

When J. Steve Miller contacted me about reviewing his book, I was unbelievably excited. That might seem like an odd response for a personal finance book, but I had just heard about Enjoy Your Money from a couple Yakezie friends. Debt Ninja & Enemy of Debt were talking about how interesting the book is and how totally different from typical non-fiction books.

I couldn’t wait to read it, since I’m a non-fiction fan already. Wait, let me rephrase. I enjoy learning from non-fiction books, but they’re often tedious and, let’s be honest, a little dry & boring. This book was far from boring! While it is a non-fiction, personal finance book, it is set up as a story, with characters whose diverse backgrounds & personalities come together in an effort to achieve the financial peace their parents lack.

You’ll learn valuable lessons on earning, saving, investing and being charitable through the stories & lives of the Counter Culture Club—4 high school kids who learn from their financially savvy teacher, Mrs. Kramer. The book—and her lesson plan—is divided into 4 sections. The book opens with lessons on investing, including compounding interest, showing the students how quickly money can double when invested safely & smart.

It was fascinating and very motivating, but it is followed quickly by a lesson on saving that discourages you to start investing too early. Emergency fund of 4-6 months salary first. Period. There are also money saving tips, most of which I already knew, but it was cool to learn that even Warren Buffet uses coupons! The section on enjoying your money fits right in line with Inexpensively’s philosophy—just because you want to save money, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your life along the way.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, and I’ve passed it on to the hubby to read next. I wish I’d had a book like this—or a teacher like Mrs. Kramer—15 years ago. My entire life would have been different. Alas, we’ll have to jump in where we are. I think this book would make a fabulous gift for a graduate or a newlywed couple. I may just have to buy it for my sister & her fiance. If you can begin your life with lessons like these (in a format that is fun to read), you’ll be in a much better position at any age.

You can buy the book on Amazon for only $15.99, but it is worth so much more! Plus, you have the chance to win a copy of your own right here. Simply leave a comment, and tell us who you’ll share this book with (after you’ve garnered all the lessons yourself, of course). You can earn additional entries by:

• Subscribing to our site by email or RSS
• Following Inexpensively on Twitter
• Writing about this giveaway (blog, forum, public Facebook note)
• Tweeting about this giveaway: Win a copy of Enjoy Your Money by @JSteveMiller from @Inexpensively! {link}

For your extra entries to be counted, be sure to leave an additional comment directing us to your entry. Only one additional entry per method (i.e. While multiple tweets are appreciated it, only one will count as a drawing entry.) The contest runs until May 25th at 11:59pm est. One winner will be notified by email on May 26th and receive a copy of Enjoy Your Money: How to Make It, Save It, Invest It and Give It. Winner will have 48 hours to complete the claim form or a new winner will be chosen.

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There are numerous products and tools designed to help you live your life. Some will work, while others won’t. Each Tuesday, we’ll share something we’ve tried so you won’t have to spend money until you know it’s worth it! Our selections usually include items that will also save your family money while others will save you time or just make your inexpensive life easier to manage. I was provided with a free book to read for this review, but the opinion is 100% real.