Monday, July 18, 2011

Money Secrets of the Amish

553416_1_ftcMoney Secrets of the Amish – Finding True Abundance in Simplicity, Sharing, and Saving
Written by Lorilee Craket
Published at Thomas Nelson

About the book

Discover the money-saving and wealth-building secrets of America’s thriftiest people, the Amish.

Author and journalist Lorilee Craker was just like the rest of us, feeling the pinch from the financial fallout of 2008. As a freelancer, her income was going the way of the dodo—family dollars seemed like an extinct myth, the bank account some archeological evidence of past prosperity.

Then, inspired by a news segment covering the Amish and how they emerged from the economic crisis unscathed, she realized it was time to learn a thing or two about their time-tested approach to personal finances. While the middle-class was wringing its hands over the family budget and the wealthy were weeping over their slashed portfolios, the Amish were content as always, spared from the cares of the world and worldliness. They not only had financial health to support their lives, they exuded a wholeness that eludes so many when the financial bottom drops out.

In Money Secrets of the Amish, readers go on an “Amish money makeover,” learning the choices, secrets, and disciplines that safeguarded the contentment and the coffers of America’s favorite plain folk by spending less, saving more, and getting happier doing it.

Who is Lorilee Craker?

Lorilee Craker is the author of eleven books, including The New York Times best seller Through the Storm with Lynne Spears, and A is for Atticus: Baby Names from Great Books. When she’s not shuttling her three children to hockey, gymnastics, and everywhere in between, Lorilee moonlights as an entertainment and features writer for the Grand Rapids Press in Grand Rapids, MI, and has written for magazines such as Parents and Parent and Child.

My Thoughts

I have so enjoyed reading this book that I think I devoured it with my eyes in a matter of a couple of days!    Mind you I had received a PDF version of the book so I had to read it using my iPad.  Still I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to discover the money saving secrets of the Amish and simplify their lives.

While reading this book, I have discovered that we were already applying some of their ideas like buying second-hand and bulk purchases.   Last year, we decided to make some jam, salsa, chutney and onion jelly.    We did this in a few days spread out throughout the summer.   Reading this book, reminded me that we have saved some money throughout the rest of the year on salsa, jam and other expensive products that can be purchased at the store. 

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Yes it takes time to do canning but the precious time spend together chopping the fruits/vegetables, talking together and learning is priceless.    

This year we look forward to do this again – and yes we still have a couple of salsa left but they won’t last long!

I have also discovered other precious ideas to apply in our own household to try to save money as much as possible.  One being the purchase of a beef and get it cut for our meals.    Another one that I am thinking of investigating would be to purchase of weekly produces from a local farm. 

I think the book is an eye opener on all the stuff we have in life and the fact that often we are never content.    Discovering the mentality of the Amish on money savings is fantastic and I intend to apply some of their techniques in my life.

Money Secrets of the Amish is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: I received the book in PDF format for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

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