Your Money or Your Life, by Joe Dominguez, Vicki Robin, and Monique Tilford, is one of my all time favorite books. An easy read, it provides a simple straight forward system for reevaluating your relationship with money. I suggest reading it through once and then reading it again carefully.
My copy was given to me early in the 90’s. Now in its third edition, Vicki Robin has taken this very practical approach into this century. As noted in the companion post, she will be speaking at the Petaluma Community Center on Thursday, September 24 from 7-9pm. $5-10 sliding scale . This wonderful event is sponsored by GoLocal and the local Transition Town groups: http://www.transitioncotati.org/ and www.transitionsebastopol.org/.
I have seen copies at used books stores and you can reserve it at the library. The Sonoma Coounty Library, www.sonoma.lib.ca.us, has at least 10 copies. Go ahead and read a older version if that is all that is available. I hope to ask them to add the audio version to to their download list. (If you know how to do that please let me know.)
Does Money Own You? There’s A Big Difference Between “Making A Living” And Making A Life.
Snipped from www.simpleliving.net:
Do you spend more than you earn? Does making a living feel more like making a dying? Do you dislike your job but can’t afford to leave it? Is money fragmenting your time, your relationship with family and friends? If so, Your Money or Your Life is for you.
If you are looking for a serious, no-bones-about-it approach to simplicity and financial independence, we recommend that you read and follow the nine-step program outlined in Your Money or Your Life, by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin with Monique Tilford.
There is simply no better, step-by-step program available than this. It has helped thousands of people simplify their lifestyle and dramatically change their relationship with money.
The 3rd edition offers the exact same nine-step program as presented in the 1st and 2nd editions. However, it has been updated for the 21st century, contains a new introduction, expanded Resource Section and Index.
Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin took back their lives by gaining control of their money. They both gave up successful – and stressful – careers in order to live more deliberately and meaningfully. Now, in this inspiring and empowering book, they explain their nine-step program that shows you how to:
get out of debt and develop savings
reorder material priorities and live well for less
resolve inner conflicts between values and lifestyles
convert problems into opportunities to learn new skills
attain a wholeness of livelihood and lifestyle
save the planet while saving money
and much more
WHY READ THIS BOOK?
Ask yourself these questions:
Do you have enough money?
Are you spending enough time with your family and friends?
Do you come home from your job full of life?
Do you have time to participate in things you believe are worthwhile?
If you were laid off from your job, would you see it as an opportunity?
Are you satisfied with the contribution you have made to the world?
Are you at peace with money?
Does your job reflect your values?
Do you have enough savings to see you through six months of normal living expenses?
Is your life whole? Do all the pieces – your job, your expenditures, your relationships, your values – fit together?
If you answered “no” to even one of these questions, this book is for you.