cover image DEBT-PROOF YOUR MARRIAGE: How to Achieve Financial Harmony

DEBT-PROOF YOUR MARRIAGE: How to Achieve Financial Harmony

Mary Hunt, . . Revell, $19.99 (278pp) ISBN 978-0-8007-1847-3

Hunt, founder and publisher of the money-saving newsletter Cheapskate Monthly, offers advice for couples wanting to keep their finances on track. She begins by recounting her own financial missteps, which started when she and her husband incurred incredible debt while trying to start their own business. To regain financial security, they cut back dramatically and spent several years rebuilding a nest egg. This is a common pattern, says Hunt, even for those not facing a hefty investment, because spouses often have different "money personalities." When spenders marry savers, conflict is inevitable unless the pair works out a financial plan. With Hunt's deep Christian sensibility, she presents the "10-10-80" plan: giving 10% of one's income to charity, paying oneself 10% and living on the remaining 80%. Following this strategy can be liberating and prevent most major financial crises, writes Hunt. She offers an array of useful, though not original, budgeting basics, from living frugally to borrowing smartly. While the information is helpful, Hunt's religious and generally old-fashioned attitudes aren't for everyone. For example, she advises men to make deposits in their wives' "Love Bank" by "bring[ing] her little presents for no particular reason" and "put[ting] the toilet seat in the down position. Every time." Hunt also offers "A Call to Faithfulness" chapter. Given the abundance of books on this topic, Hunt's will be best appreciated by her existing fans. (Sept.)

Forecast:With the popularity of Cheapskate Monthly (it has about 100,000 subscribers, says Hunt) and a five-city author tour, the book should enjoy strong initial sales, but whether it will have sustained success remains to be seen. Hunt's approachable style is reminiscent of Suze Orman's, but may appeal more to Christian radio listeners than Orman's QVC-watching readers.