Mary Hunt (2) (1948–)

Mary Hunt is the founder of Debt-Proof Living. I am always interested in comparing ideas found in debt-proof living books, as well as getting new ideas for instilling this in the lives of my children.

I found this book to be very easy to read because Mary Hunt is very personable and open. This is full of great advice from a mom that came from someone on the brink of financial ruin. Although most things are common sense for people that are raised by budget conscience parents these are the very show more ideas the very foundational things that somehow were not communicated to the last generation. This book is a wonderful book for young couples to read and to start putting into action.

I only found one place where I did not agree with Mary Hunt - and that is her statement that it is best to leave your children at home when you go shopping. As a home school mom I see the stores as an extension of our school room. My goal is to teach my children the virtue of self-control and keeping their "wanters" under control and learning to say "I want that but I do not need that so I choose not to spend my money on that". I also want my children to see me put into action what I preach with my mouth. My husband and I do not use the debit cards or checks we use cash only method. Since my children only see us use cash they learn that cash only is the best life style - when you don't have it you don't buy. They also are taught that our debit card is like cash and can only be used if cash is at the bank. I take my five every where including shopping even through the "I want" years. They are shown my grocery list told how much money we have and are often given their own lists and a certain amount of cash to get that amount of groceries and taught to buy on a budget and given praise when they come out below budget.

I think the over all theme of this book is to accomplish the mindset of living on a budget. She has done a great job and I will be recommending this book to others to read. I was very impressed with her personable writing and can find no fault other than the one statement, which I really don't see as a fault. Mary Hunt's book is something that should be required reading for young couples.

Thanks to Revel for this review copy. show less

There are few books for women on retirement, so I read every one I find. This is written primarily for married, Christian women, but the advice is good for any woman of any belief. Not much was new, since I've read a lot of books on retirement, but the information was presented in an easy-to-read format, cheerful and supportive, with a bit of humor thrown in, and never condescending or kitschy. Hunt's suggestions for building a retirement nestegg are realistic and apply to issues that are show more important to women: develop a budget, build an emergency fund, pay off debt, pay off your house, maximize your retirement investments, don't get into them before retirement, and figure out how much you will need for retirement. The author addresses how to maximize each decade of life for retirement. If you haven't saved enough for retirement, and you're in your 60s, she doesn't coddle or scold, but gives good advice on what to do now to make yourself as secure as possible. She touches on divorce and how to protect yourself for retirement if it pops up in your life; the things that money can't buy - good health, good relationships, and meaningful activities - are discussed. Hunt warns of the actions that lead to financial suicide: living on credit, living a high-maintenance lifestyle, eating up home equity, plundering retirement accounts, co-signing your kids' student loans, and procrasting on retirement savings. The book includes a glossary, index, and a brief history on retirement in the U.S. show less

Mary Hunt delightfully encourages her readers to give and save their money plus reduce their debt completely. She diligently reiterates her tips in ways that are easily understood, well defined, and lightly salted with humor. She knows her business since she has been in serious debt herself which is a consolation to anyone reading her book. Her plans sound very reasonable and she includes responses from people who have used them and succeeded. She explains financial terms with detail so the show more newest person can grasp how to handle their funds without sounding condescending or too simple for the more educated earner. Her heart is to help and the reader will feel that to the end of the book. I would recommend this to your high school student getting his/her first job, your college bound student as she/he applies to schools and is deciding how to finance his/her education, to engaged couples or newlyweds. Anyone who needs to manage their money without going into debt is a candidate for reading this book not just those who are already in debt. Those who owe money on many credit cards will find specific assistance in reducing their debt, becoming debt free, and finding ways to handle those unknown emergencies without turning to credit cards again. I highly recommend Debt-Proof Living!

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. show less

The Affordable Christmas: How to Have a Fabulous Holiday without Breaking the Bank
Story starts out with how the author got into debt one year and it followed them even after the holiday. I've always been one to make things and hope this book would be one of those do it yourself kind of books.
I am always willing to learn how to make decorations in a different way.
Discussions on how the credit card make it possible to always have a nice holiday and pay for it later....
The holiday is so show more commercialized now we have gotten away from the true meaning of the holiday.
Preparing and planning and other ways to cut back are discussed. Each chapter ends with a letter from how one person's Christmas holiday and how they coped with a change.
Liked the sections on bargain shopping and the recipes and listings of books for the holiday season.
Lots of gift ideas and traditions that are easy to make/do that won't break your budget. Very extensive index at the end.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end of the book. show less