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Summary: An Integrative Model for Navigating Personal Finances
Review: My experience of George Kinder's breakthrough book, The Seven Stages of Money Maturity, has been life changing. As a financial planner I was first drawn to reading it out of professional curiosity and to learn something about the emerging "Life Planning" movement within financial services. What I discovered was the most comprehensive understanding about how our relationship with money forms, and what throws us out of balance with money, that I had encountered. As the book progresses through the Seven Stages, what emerges is a clear and specific model that leads one out of confusion, fear, distortion, or insecurity about money and personal resources. The process progresses towards a healthy, vigorous state that supports appropriate choices and strategies that allow one to financially organize the life that is genuine and congruent with whom an individual is, the values that matter, and the activities one wants to be engaged with. There are numerous case histories that illustrate the unfolding stages, including the obstacles that had to be addressed and the layers of change that occurred.One of the outcomes from the study of the Seven Stages is that I now have a much more expanded vocabulary and conceptual framework for describing and communicating with myself and with clients about subtle issues concerning money. Money and finances are tough subjects for many people to talk about - there are still many taboos in our culture about open and frank discussions of money. As my clients read The Seven Stages of Money Maturity and begin working through some of the basic exercises Kinder has designed, a new capacity for clear and direct conversations emerges. I watch as embarrassment, denial, and anxiety lessen, while enthusiasm, engagement, and exploration increase. Defining one's real goals, implementing new strategies, and tracking the progress over time have increased the sense of empowerment and possibility in my clients, and for me as their advisor. My recommendation is that anyone who has an interest in having a healthy, functional relationship with their financial and personal resources would benefit from reading this book and going through each exercise honestly and thoughtfully. It will have an impact, and may bring awareness to habits, patterns of thought, and personal beliefs that are no longer helpful or useful in our adult development and growth. In addition, I found The Seven Stages of Money Maturity to be beautifully written and insightful as a text about being human and the challenges of everyday life.
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Summary: Voodo Therapy Mascarading as Life Planning
Review: Sorry but I couldn't get though this tome. George starts with the premise that all of us are broken and need fixing. That may be true, but George is risking practicing Voodo Therapy without a license. If you want to focus on what isn't working for your clients, read this book. If you want to help your clients move towards a positive future using their money as a resource, read Martin Seligman's Authentic Happiness. It is more readable and more upbeat.
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Summary: I loved this book! I will truly benefit from it.
Review: The author really gets at the heart, for me, of what money problems are all about on a very deep level. I think i've come out of reading it with an understanding of how feelings about money function in my everyday life, and that is invaluable. More than that, he gives me some ways of changing my realtionship to money in very concrete ways that will change my life. This book is unique in that respect -- it digs deep, and although i've worried about money, i've never understood very clearly why. The Buddhist perspective he brings to the discussion seems right on. Bravo.
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Summary: Maturing in economic and spiritual fields.
Review: The book taught me not only about investments and management of my money, but it was a great spiritual guide as well. The principle of Aloha emphasizes the qualities each of us should have - grace, knowledge and geniuneness. Also, the book shows real examples of people experiencing difficulties and explains how to deal with problems. There's a great deal of literature involved - Divine Comedy, Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience, Buddhist Cycle of Samsara. On simple examples of books, people's experiences and principles of Aloha, we learn self confidence, investing.
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Summary: Remarks from the field
Review: THE SEVEN STAGES OF MONEY MATURITY "With a sure and gentle touch, George Kinder shows us the human meaning of the whole of our life with money and helps us ponder at every point the close interdependence between our personal and financial maturity. A wonderfully clear and wise book of guidance." --Jacob Needleman, author of Money and the Meaning of Life " Reading George Kinder's The Seven Stages of Money Maturity is like holding the hand of a wise and loving father who calmly guides you down the path to the land of financial freedom." --Cheryl Richardson, author of Take Time for Your Life "I love this book! It's what people really need to know about money, including practical advice on budgeting and investing. But if it focuses on the real core of financial planning: goals and choices. The advice is easily accessible and translated into usable advice, as well as enriched by the fascinating life stories sprinkled throughout. You can read this book for pleasure, for emotional guidance, for financial common sense - or for all three." --Peg Downey, former President, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors "Quite wonderful. Anyone who reads this seriously should find his or her life enhanced in most significant ways. I intend to recommend the book to my friends and colleagues, aware of how this can enrich their lives." --John Levy, former executive director, C.G> Jung Institute of San Francisco
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Summary: A Life Altering Book!!
Review: This book has literally changed my life and the lives of my family and clients. I only wish that every human being could have the opportunity to read George's book and begin to connect their money, their values and their lives.
Holly Hunter CFP Financial Life Planner Holly@HunterAdvisorLLC.com
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Summary: Needed Thought
Review: This book is a jewel on many levels. 1- In a fast,complicated world Kinder provides a thoughtful look at the big picture: plan your life then plan your money. 2- The financial specifics at the end are good lessons in basic finances often overshadowed by dazzling, passing trends. 3- It is an interesting reflection on the maturing process. Parents of teens will likely benefit by having a maturation model. 4- There are elements of gentle self-care. Reading it a second time uncovers even more depth. It is a pleasant, easy read best enjoyed in a cozy, quiet setting.
Rating:
Summary: Needed Thought
Review: This book is a jewel on many levels. 1- In a fast,complicated world Kinder provides a thoughtful look at the big picture: plan your life then plan your money. 2- The financial specifics at the end are good lessons in basic finances often overshadowed by dazzling, passing trends. 3- It is an interesting reflection on the maturing process. Parents of teens will likely benefit by having a maturation model. 4- There are elements of gentle self-care. Reading it a second time uncovers even more depth. It is a pleasant, easy read best enjoyed in a cozy, quiet setting.
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Summary: Relief for those suffering from money angst!
Review: This book is a wonderful financial book for anyone who wants to develop a sense of ease in their "money life": it is full of stories--thus, very interesting to read; full of practical financial information, and most importantly, full of easy to do exercises that will lead to an understanding of the role of money in our life. The premise is that we all have painful money memories that are today impacting how we function around money--do we charge enough for our work? Are we comfortable investing? Have we identified our life goals and organized our money accordingly? Do we have problems with spouses and friends because of money? George Kinder's book can address ALL these issues AND any others you have about finances.
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Summary: An enlightening book
Review: This book sets out to address 3 questions: What is your attitude towards money? What is your relationship with money emotionally? How can you live a spiritual and meaningful life by putting yourself in the pilot seat in terms of controlling money and not the other way around? This book points out that a lot of people simply don't really understand where they stand emotionally when it comes to money. Their conceptions of money are often the result of all those things they've heard and picked up over the years from parents and others. These become our psychological burdens which often prevent us from using or allocating money wisely. As a result, we 'suffer' so to speak. To come to terms with this and to overcome it, the author suggests that there are 7 key stages from which we must all go through in order for us to build a strong and healthy relationship with money. They are: Innocence, Pain, Knowledge, Understanding, Vigor, Vision, and Aloha. This book is enlightening and should be invaluable to those who wants to develop a sense of purpose and control over money.
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