I am not the type of person to pick up a book about money and finances.

Those subjects are as boring to me as waiting in line at the grocery store. For years, I have tried to get some kind of a handle on budgeting and keeping track of my income, but since it is a task I hate, I tend not to follow through.

Cue Money A Love Story by Kate Northrup. When Kate writes about how she felt about money, she sounds just like me!  I feel like I am getting advice from a good friend. She explains how she chose to keep herself in the dark about her finances for so long because she just didn’t want to deal with it. She also guides the reader through the process of  overcoming this negative attitude, and highlights avenues to become better at controlling your money.

Kate suggests keeping a money journal to explore the reasons why your perspective on earning and spending may be skewed as well how to become more comfortable with fiscal matters. Through the use of exercises, she prods into subjects that you may not even realize effects how your attitude is formed.

Statements to fill out such as “My mom was ________when it came to money,” and “I really wish______would take care of the money thing for me,” reveals your inner feelings about money. While this doesn’t solve all of your financial problems, it can shine a light on how and why you deal with them the way you do.

I know for me, when I get a bill in the mail I don’t even pull the whole thing out of the envelope.

I tear it open and peek inside to glance at what I owe. I’m not sure how that will help, but it definitely shows my lack of assurance regarding my income. Kate addresses this feeling of dread that comes when you receive a bill.

She refers to them as “invoices for blessings already received” which she states is not a new concept but something she employs when dealing with any kind of debt to remove your negative outlook, and exchange it for a positive approach.

Kate doesn’t sweep debt under the rug, but encourages you to not only face it head on but realize just because you have incurred it, you are not a deplorable person. She frames it in a matter of fact way by providing strategies to lessen and eventually be free of debt in small, manageable steps.

This book also imparts an unexpected gift of possibility.

Kate not only helps you change your view of money, but she inspires you to make use of your talents and transform them into marketable skills. Making an impact and being happy in the work that you do on a day to day basis is essential to your well-being. Having the ability to dream and see your dreams become reality is truly what makes this book exceptional.

Don’t wait. Start building your dreams now.

*Note: I was given this book by the publisher and remain unbiased in my review of the author’s work.

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Ed: Sara Crolick