I’ve pulled a few books off my library shelves to encourage you this month during the Great Pause to start having more open money conversations. Find an audiobook or borrow these great titles:
Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze. As a result of reading this book, I’m giving my four-year-old granddaughter 3 jam jars for her birthday in June. One is labeled SPEND, one is labeled SAVE, and the third is labeled GIVE. Ramsey is the well-known founder of Financial Peace University. His graduates were on a recent Susie Larsen Live Podcast raving about the tools they learned to get out of severe credit card debt. I can only imagine the stories you’ve heard this winter about folks really struggling with finances. Ramsey uses the word “commission” not allowance when teaching kids to manage money. Check out his videos and be prepared to be challenged on your current money scripts.
Advice that Sticks by Dr Moira Somers. This book is a great one for advisors with the tagline “How to give financial advice that people will follow.” Dr. Somers is my financial psychologist and is helping our family navigate wealth transfer. Her work is also very helpful as I coach farm families struggling with maintaining family harmony and navigating the division of assets. She talks about being a “new immigrant” to wealth. Find her course at www.arlanacademy.com
The Naked Opus…a novel approach to estate planning by Chris Delaney. Chris is a lawyer with a holistic approach to planning which aligns beautifully with my coaching process. The naked reference alludes to open, honest, communication, and the opus alludes to your greatest work, the work of transferring the wealth of all kinds to the next generation, not just money. Chris Delaney also has a podcast called “Inception Family Wealth Hour.” Wealth continuity planning in his eyes is a process of planting, growing, and harvesting. (Sounds a lot like farming!)
Moolala..why smart people do dumb things with their money by Bruce Sellery (www.moolala.ca) was such a great book, I bought a case to give to clients. Sellery asks “What does money mean to you? “ I attended one of his workshops and have great respect for his plain yet penetrating language. His podcast is “Moolala. Money made simple”. Podcasts are great company on walks or while cleaning, so get started today!
Wired for Wealth by Brad Klontz, Dr. Ted Klontz, and Rick Kahler helps you change your money mindsets that keep you trapped and unleash your wealth potential. You may not have been spending a lot during isolation and lockdown, but you might also be surprised that a scarcity mindset has kept you trapped. I agree with these authors that conflicts about money are really conflicting about money scripts. Get this book if you want to challenge your spouse and find some breakthrough tools to resolve family money issues, including financial infidelity and financially dependent children. February is a great time to face your money fears, understand your present reality, and make changes for your future.
Beyond Gold…true wealth for inheritors by Thayer Cheatham Willis. Willis is also the author of Navigating the Dark Side of Wealth…a life guide for inheritors. I’m in the middle of these books and love the style of Willis’ writing. She specializes in helping people of all ages handle the psychological challenges of wealth. It’s become clear to me with these resources that we need to spend more time in agricultural families preparing the next generation to manage large amounts of wealth.
Dr. Somers calls this a “financial apprenticeship” of sorts. It is an intentional learning process to help the next generation manage small chunks of wealth to gain the skills to work with large sums. Another great book on being intentional is “Intentional Wealth” by Courtney Pullen.
Most families that I work with are very realistic with the thought “they cannot take wealth with them when they die.” Their heart’s cry is for the family to get along now, and after the estate has been dispersed. I like to use the Twitter hashtag #healingstories4ag because the sad stories are not motivating folks to get things done!
Visit www.aninheritance.com or www.familyfight.com to find a book by two wills lawyers Les Kotzer and Barry M. Fish called “Where there’s an inheritance..stories from inside the world of two wills lawyers. Be sure to read my post “Writing a will with Joy.” You did get your will updated this winter right?
We are not over-run this winter with meetings, bonspiels, tournaments, bingo, hockey, etc. There is time to ponder what you truly want from your life. I am saddened when meeting peers who are living on meager incomes, facing a future of tight cash flow. “Bank on Yourself…why every woman should plan financially to be single, even if she is not” by Ardelle Harrison and Leslie McCormick, shows how to build confidence and protect yourself financially.
Money is a form of energy. It is also laden with tons of emotion in farm families. In my view, money does not equal love, but I don’t know what money means to you.
Use this blog to order audiobooks, buy books, or borrow e-books from your library. Every day is a great day to learn new skills to manage the resources that are at our disposal.
Be thankful for what you have. Be content. Be willing to find new ways to generate revenue and decrease spending.
Keep putting deposits in the emotional bank account of your farm family and be rich in relationship.
Send me your book recommendations!
Elaine Froese, CSP, CAFA coaches farm families across Canada and the US to find harmony through understanding in their transition process. She was recently awarded the Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer award, along with her mom, the late Lois Edie. Buy her books here.
Did you enjoy Intentional Wealth…books to spark money conversations? You might want to check these articles out too:
Being Smart with Your Personal Wealth Bubble
Farm Women: Say Goodbye to Money Issues by Identifying Your Money Scripts
What does money mean to you?
I read a few different books such as Smart Money Smart Kids before tackling being a leader for the money unit in 4-H for my daughter and her friend. We all believe we understand money but there is always more to learn and most importantly different perspectives to see. The newest book on money I read was “It’s not about money, except when it is” by Amy Dingman. Short book but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to checking out the others you have suggested here.