Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Review/Giveaway: Financial Purity

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Financial Purity
Author: Jessica V. Psalidas
Genre: Christian nonfiction/self-help
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: February 25, 2010
Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway. This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.

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It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:


Financial Purity

Infinity Publishing (June 8, 2009)

***Special thanks to Paula Krapf of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Jessica V. Psalidas is the authority on purity and spiritual growth. She has impacted the lives of many and continues to do so through her bestselling books like Everlasting Purity (which also won the 2008 Christian Choice Book Award). Jessica is requested by all walks of life for coaching and the teaching on spiritual growth and purity.

Jessica is a cum laude graduate of the Inter-American University in Puerto Rico with a degree in Business. She also has completed studies such as Faith Foundations at the Institute for Christian Living with Charles Stanley and The Way of the Master at The School of Biblical Evangelism. Fueled with a passion to continue to study the Word of God and to serve the Lord, Jessica continues to have a daily commitment to learn as much as she can. Jessica also serves the Lord by helping younger women understand the importance of purity and how to apply it in their everyday life.

Jessica is a successful entrepreneur and President of two companies. A much sought after writer and coach, Jessica has over 17 years of experience working in the sales and business world and lives to reach out to people to impact their lives.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $15.95
Paperback: 263 pages
Publisher: Infinity Publishing (June 8, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0741453169
ISBN-13: 978-0741453167

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


This book will provide an in-depth look at what we spend our money on, why we should stay away from certain things that waste our money, and why we need to have a vision about money. I think money – the use and management of it – is very important in our lives. Once you develop a vision, you will have a clear idea of what you want in life and what action you will need to take in order to get there.


What is your financial purity portfolio? Many people have heard of a financial portfolio, but what is a financial purity portfolio, and why is it different? As we discover the answer to that question we will examine money in a different light, in a simple way that allows us to be clear about the use and management of our money. We will go beyond what we have in savings and investments and look into some of our day to day spending habits and frequent purchases, as well as why we save, why we tithe, why we should have a will, and what can happen when we spend our money on wasteful vices. Most importantly, in this book I will encourage everyone to develop a financial vision for themselves and their family.


Having a vision gives you clarity as to what you want and what you need to do to get there. It gives purpose and focus to your money management and to the outlook you have concerning your money. Many people that I talk to about money have a grim view of it because they do not have enough of it on hand at any given time or they do not earn enough of it. I encourage you to have a positive, realistic outlook and attitude toward money for your own financial welfare. It does you no good to be irritated or upset about your financial status right now, because with a great attitude and determination, you can change your situation.


Developing a vision for your finances is the first step in building your financial purity portfolio. Utilizing and managing your money purely and cleanly, meaning spending your money on necessary and wholesome things, is one of the most important steps in developing your financial purity portfolio.


Some people may think it is hard to focus on developing a vision due to their own difficult financial situation or, as some call it, the “financial crisis” we are experiencing in the U.S. at the time of this writing. If this describes you, please be encouraged! I would like to share with you some steps that I have implemented in my life to remain joyful and hopeful during any trying situation that comes along.


Everyone seems to be in a state of panic over the financial situation in the U.S. economy, and it both saddens and frustrates me at the same time. We are, to a certain extent, part of the reason why our country is the way it is. When our morale goes down, so does everything else. We are gripped by fear over temporary difficulties that will soon pass. This country has experienced many challenging situations before, and we have always gotten through them. We will get through this too. We need to remain positive, encouraged, and stimulated to find new and exciting ways to spur our economic growth. We need to be stronger in prayer, which will keep our morale high. If we all lifted our spirits up higher and kept a positive attitude, we would experience a change for the better. Nothing good will come out of us being depressed, upset, angry, or fearful. These emotions will not get us ahead but rather will only hold us back. Stay in prayer and remain hopeful in God.


Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7


Have I not commanded? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9


This is not the first time we have ever gone through a financial situation (or “crisis” as some may call it) in this nation. We will survive, and we will get through this. Do not corrupt your mind with negative thoughts such as, “Oh, no … the world is falling apart!” Thinking this way will cause much devastation to your otherwise positive mindset, and it will keep your fears very much alive. On the contrary, you will be amazed at what can happen to your morale and your spirits when you remain positive, jovial, and at peace about the situation. Because this is not the first time our country has experienced something like this, I know the situation will get better soon. We will get better. I believe that by changing our outlook, adjusting our lifestyles, and remaining positive, we will do a great service those around us and to ourselves. Stay in prayer, remain spiritually strong, and most importantly, remain happy.



My Review

I seem to be reading several personal finance books lately! I love the Christian focus of this one. It's all about managing your money purely: spending your money on pure and wholesome things.

One of my frustrations of many money management books, including Christian ones, is that the focus is on planning and/or getting ahead financially - making sure you've saved up and prepared. And honestly, if God calls me to dump my entire savings account out into a person or project, I don't want my own plans to get in the way. (And if that person or project "fails," then that's God's issue, not mine.)

While this particular book doesn't preclude planning and preparing, it's all about being conscious and thoughtful of where your money goes. Making smart spending decisions. Godly ones. Tithing. Budgeting. Helping your kids with money. And THAT is something I can use help with. Because somehow, at the end of the month, no matter how much we earn, we're always at the same place. What comes in goes out, and we're not sure exactly where.

Between this book and the next one I'm about to review, I've been doing a lot of thinking about finances. I just downloaded Quicken onto my iPod Touch, and I'll start tracking my expenses over the next few months.

The book itself is loaded with good, thoughtful ideas for a Christian. The layout isn't terribly appealing and easy to follow, but it is organized and definitely worth a read.

63 comments:

Annette W. said...

We could always use some help with this!

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog.

mommiesgotfivechildren at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to see what this authors prospective is on this matter.

mommiesgotfivechildren at hotmail dot com

Nancye said...

This sounds like it would be a vry helpful book. In this recession, who doesn't need financial wisdom?


nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

Simply Stacie said...

I follow.

Benita said...

Sounds good. We all can we revisit how we spend our money.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Email subscriber and GFC follower.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

This is a subject that we are trying to think more about this year, especially as we begin to teach our kids about finances. Thanks for the chance.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow with google reader.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family said...

We're working on our finances this year and can use all the help we can get :).

jennifer AT quiverfullfamily DOT com

Jennifer said...

I'd like to win this one and get a copy of Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover.

Jennifer said...

I'm a subscriber too!

moonstar said...

i would love to have this one.

moonstar said...

and I am a subscriber too.

EVA SB said...

This looks like an interesting book. Please count me in.

EVA SB said...

I'm a follower

Anonymous said...

This sounds wonderful!
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Following (june_spirit2628)
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Appreciate the chance to win!
BETH
bethnaf at hotmail dot com

demmi said...

sounds interesting please enter me

Jennifer Wilson said...

I REALLY would love to win this. A friend of mine was challenging me in this very direction recently. I'm good at managing my fianances, but he was challenging me with the 'purity" of them.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I follow google friends connect.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD BOOK THAT A LOT OF US SHOULD READ

Unknown said...

Please enter me into the giveaway. I love new books!

rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

409cope said...

This sounds like a very useful book! cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I am an email subscriber. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

snytar said...

Enter me. snytar@netscape.net

Misusedinnocence said...

I could really use this book.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow. :)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

David Johnson said...

Please count me in, thanks.

Bcteagirl said...

I have been needing a book on frugality to give me that extra push. I have the basics down, but could use some extra help. :) Thank you for the contest!
teagirl1 at telus dot net

Bcteagirl said...

I follow via google friend connect!

Cheryl B said...

Please enter me. Hubby is out of work and we definitely could use this right now!
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

Cheryl B said...

I'm a follower & email subscriber:
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

chromiumman said...

sounds like something really useful in this economy

chromiumman (at) mail (dot) com

wmmahaney said...

I would love this book.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Renee G said...

Would like to read this.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Emmy Coffee said...

I'd like to read this book! I'll pass it on when I'm done :)

Emmy Coffee said...

I'm a follower

erma said...

I'd love to read this book.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Would love to read this one.
shawnac68@hotmail.com

Nickolay said...

A very eye opening book. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Yes, I want to be pure!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

AmyLynn said...

I think everyone could use all the advice they can get about their money these days. At least I know that my family does. Thanks!

AmyLynn said...

I'm following your blog.

Anonymous said...

lex.redding@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Subscriber.

lex.redding@yahoo.com

Kathy P said...

Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in :)

Kathy P said...

following your blog as klp1965

Maja said...

love it

Maja said...

follower

Anonymous said...

looks intriguing!

Anonymous said...

follow blog

ardy22

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book. It sounds great. garrettsambo@aol.com

disneyfanheather said...

I would love to win this book!

disneyfanheather said...

Following your blog!

cman said...

Please enter me :)

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I would love to read:
Copy of Financial Purity
zestywonderland@gmail.com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I subscribe & follow!

zestywonderland@gmail.com