2012 by Mary Hunt
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2011
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
ISBN 978-1-4412-3610-4
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Published in association with the literary agency of The Steve Laube Agency, 5025 N. Central Ave., #635, Phoenix, Arizona 85012-1502.
7 Money Rules for Life, Debt-Proof Living, Everyday Cheapskate, and Rapid Debt-Repayment Calculator are registered trademarks of Mary Hunt.
The internet addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers in this book are accurate at the time of publication. They are provided as a resource. Baker Publishing Group does not endorse them or vouch for their content or permanence.
Packed with practical, easy-to-digest advice, 7 Money Rules for Life is a no-nonsense approach to money and life that really works! Mary provides a road map to recovery driven by a realistic, deliverable promise for a better life that isnt contingent on the actions of anyone but you. If you want more out of life, take on the 7 Rules and see what happens. You wont be disappointed.
Rob Bernab,
author, Mind Your Own Mortgage; speaker;
and former president of E*Trade Mortgage Corporation
Without a doubt, Mary Hunt is in my Favorite Authors Hall of Fame. Whether you are in desperate financial condition seeking hope and a plan or in good financial shape striving to be better, 7 Money Rules for Life is a book I wish everyone would read and then pass on to their friends.
David Briggs,
director, Enrich Financial Ministry,
Central Christian Church of Arizona
This powerful book is a must-read for you and everyone you care about. Mary Hunt provides a recipe for the art of living below your means. She is an advocate for ordinary people like you and me to do extraordinary things with our finances. 7 Money Rules for Life comes loaded with tools that are applicable to all of us as we progress toward debt-proof living. Take control of your financial future!
Stephen Komanapalli,
pastor, deputy chief of staff, Saddleback Church
Simple rules of the road that cut through confusion, mystery, and misery. This is what Mary unfolds in her latest treasure that can transform the lives of individuals and families. Financial freedom is possible! And Im sharing it with my kids, graduates, and newly marrieds. Top of my gift list for 2012!
Lisa Rose,
founder, First Friday Women
Mary gives us the raw reality of our deadly financial status but empowers us to overcome the obstacles by taking control of our own financial destiny. Every family should have this in their home.
Melissa Montana,
CEO/president, STAR Educational Media Network
The brilliance of Mary Hunts latest book, 7 Money Rules for Life , is that it is a real story. She tells her story of how she got her family into massive consumer debt and their journey to financial health. 7 Money Rules for Life inspires hope in seemingly hopeless situations and invites people to begin to take steps toward financial health. I can imagine people everywhere reading Marys 7 Money Rules and saying, I can do that!
Allen Thiessen,
Stewardship Team Member,
Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
This book can help no matter where you are financially. It is easy to read and easy to follow. If you put in a little effort, it will change your life! Well worth every penny!
Marie Barger,
Debt-Proof-Living member and forum moderator
Mary Hunt entered our life in 2006 and transformed it forever. With the help of Marys rules, our commitment, and the grace of God, we were able to completely rid ourselves of credit card debt. We arent completely debt-free yet but we are getting there day by day and step by step. We have a plan, and it works!
Galen and Kathryn Gritts,
DPL members
Mary has done it again! Rich, informative, enlightening, and educational. A simple read with a powerful message for anyones financial life from Boomers to Gen X. Every household should have this book.
Kathleen Hairston,
DPL member and forum moderator
Marys 7 Money Rules for Life reads more like a conversation with a friend than a financial book, and comes from a place of understanding and encouragement. Those floundering in financial distress and wondering how they got there would find this book a great blueprint for how to climb out, create margin, and keep going.
Megan Lalli,
DPL member and community forums moderator
For Harold, again and always
Contents
: Spend Less Than You Earn
: Save for the Future
: Give Some Away
: Anticipate Your Irregular Expenses
: Tell Your Money Where to Go
: Manage Your Credit
: Borrow Only What You Know You Can Repay
Acknowledgments
I am fortunate to be surrounded by so many incredible friends and colleagues. Words cannot properly express the gratitude I have for them and for the profound impact they have had on my life and the writing of this book.
To Steve Laube, my agent, who works miracles on my behalf; to Cathy Hollenbeck, who shares my soul, knows my thoughts, and embodies the true meaning of loyalty and support. Thanks for embracing my mission and making it your own.
Thank you to Vicki Crumpton, editor extraordinaire, and the entire Revell and Baker Publishing Group team, especially Dwight Baker, Twila Bennett, and David Lewis. Its so good to be home.
Thank you to the many friends who keep me focused, on track, and happy: Susan Anderson, Marsha Willsey, Carol Vaughn, Herta Thiessen, Kathleen Chapman, Jan Sandberg, Mary Brock, Rosalie Copeland, Posy Lough, Kathy Chapman, Carolyn Walthall Haber, Melissa Montana, Paula Cowan, Judy Bergman, Lynn Fann, and Hannah Linden. Your unconditional friendship means the world to me.
Thank you to those I consider my spiritual mentors, all of whom have taught me so much about stewardship, personal finance, and right living: Mark Copeland, Rob Bernab, Dave Briggs, Dick Townsend, Rick Warren, Greg Laurie, Chip Ingram, Randy Alcorn, and Sarah Young.
Thanks, Dan and Molly Rice, for the keys to your lake house and Lexus for two weeks to write in total seclusion. I didnt know how brave I was.
Finally, thanks to my wonderful husband Harold, to my children, Jeremy, Josh and daughter-in-law Wendy, and to my grandson Eli, with love; I am so proud of you.
Introduction
The Great Recession hit Americans like a bucket of cold water in the face. We awakened from a 35-year drunken credit orgy with a terrible hangover. Almost overnight the American dream became a national nightmare as millions found themselves unemployed and underwater, owing more than they earn.
Here we are, several years later, and things arent much better. Unemployment is still high, gas prices continue to soar, it appears that the real estate market is still losing ground, and the US dollar is heading into a downward spiral.
Kinda makes you want to pull the covers up over your head and go back to sleep, doesnt it? Actually, that might not be such a bad idea because theres absolutely nothing you can do about any of that, anyway. So, Ive got a better idea: forget the national economy. Stop dwelling on what you cant change and focus on the economy you do controlyour personal economy.
Next page