Book Review - Money Secrets of the Amish

About the Book
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.


My Take on the Book
I am always looking to save money, who isn't. This book takes this concept to the extreme and allows the reader to get a in-depth glimpse at what the Amish are all about and how they live in a frugal but smart way.

What was nice about this book was that the author immersed herself in the culture and did not write from afar, but instead interviewed many Amish about their ways and this is what she is bringing to the world through her writing.

The Amish have always been something of a mystery to me. I have seen them on the road, in stores or at other public locations in my years traveling and living in different places, but I have really not interacted with any of them. This book opened my eyes to the way they live and provided me (and you in the future) with some great ideas to save money and live within your means.


If you are looking for ways to to cut costs, and live simpler this book is a must read!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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DVD Review - Rock 'N Learn Money and Making Change

Penny and Bill know how to shake things up when it comes to counting money and making change. Cool songs and games provide plenty of practice with real-world skills. Learn about coins and how they relate to one another, strategies for counting cash, "skip counting," expressing money in written terms, how to make change, and more. You’ll have lots of fun as you gain valuable skills you can bank on.

For ages 6 & up. Approx. 57 minutes.

About the DVD

Penny and Bill have a problem. With their big concert to play, they must repair a broken speaker. Fortunately, Penny has been saving money in her piggy bank. But just how much does she have?
Penny and Bill learn how to recognize coins, a little about the history of money, why coins and bills are starting to look different, and much more. They learn strategies for sorting coins and cash and use "skip counting" to find out exactly how much money they have.

After lots of counting money, Penny and Bill learn how to make change by pretending to buy funny items at a garage sale. You'll have time to practice counting money and making change right along with them before you hear the answers. Finally, at the big concert that evening, guess who's invited to join Penny, Bill on the front row?



My Take on the DVD
This DVD does a great job at teaching kids the difference between American money (coins). Through fun characters and music the DVD presents a topic that always intrigues kids (what child does not want money or their parents' money). 

What I loved about this DVD was the fun characters that led the change in learning. With fun names (Penny and Bill), viewers are taken on a journey into all of the coins that we have and how they can keep track of and count the money that they currently have and the money they will have in the future.

The DVD was fun and engaging and my eldest loved it, as she is my entrepreneur in our family!

Overall, this DVD is a great resource for all kids to help them in being more knowledgeable about how money works. I just hope that it helps with my girls' chores, as maybe now they will do them without a hassle... but only time will tell!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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TO CATCH A DOLLAR Sparks New American Financial Literacy Campaign!

The Allstate Foundation, Dress for Success and the producers of the documentary To Catch a Dollar today launched an innovative new financial literacy initiative that encourages Americans to take concrete steps to improve their financial futures. The ‘My Dollar My Life’ campaign will provide Americans with the opportunity to make specific promises to change their financial health and, for the first 10,000 promises made, The Allstate Foundation will make a $1 donation to Grameen America.

“We’re honored to spearhead the ‘My Dollar My Life’ project,” said Vicky Dinges, Vice President for Public Social Responsibility at Allstate Insurance. “With each promise, we grow closer to an America where people not only understand the importance of planning for their financial future, but where people are actively building a stable financial future for themselves and their families. It’s our hope that this campaign will bring attention to financial empowerment for all Americans.”

To participate in ‘My Dollar My Life,’ users can visit tocatchadollar.com/promise and facebook.com/tocatchadollar, where they will have the ability to commit to one of a number of promises to improve their financial future, from contributing to a 401K to passing up an unnecessary purchase to save money. With each promise made, users will have the option of sharing their commitment on their Facebook newsfeed and The Allstate Foundation will donate $1 to the Grameen America branch fund for the first 10,000 promises made.

“Dress for Success has long placed a priority on improving financial literacy for women – especially those seeking to lift themselves out of poverty,” said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. “The ‘My Dollar My Life’ initiative is a unique way to pursue this objective, combining the power of storytelling with the reach of social media to create real impact.”

Audiences in hundreds of theaters across the country watched To Catch a Dollar on March 31, the story of the first Grameen America branch in the United States and how its borrowers are using small loans to build businesses and improve their lives. The Allstate Foundation and Dress for Success were supporters of the film’s launch event and are partners in its ongoing economic empowerment campaign designed to educate, assist and activate a growing community supporting microfinance services in the United States. Throughout the month of April, in partnership with leading activist and advocacy organizations, the To Catch a Dollar community is exploring issues related to the film and relevant for America today: women in poverty, the plight of the “unbanked” in America, savings and financial literacy, and policy solutions. Visitors can learn more at www.tocatchadollar.com.

“To Catch a Dollar tells an important story, but more than that, it demonstrates to audiences that there are challenges facing women in this country, but there are also solutions – so long as we are willing to take the steps needed to reach them,” said Gayle Ferraro, director and producer of the film. “As a filmmaker, it’s an honor to work with organizations like the Allstate Foundation and Dress for Success to extend the reach of my film to have real impact in people’s lives. We’re excited to get started.”

The My Dollar My Life campaign will begin today and continue throughout the week on www.tocatchadollar.com.

About the Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people's well-being and prosperity. With a focus on teen safe driving and building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, The Allstate Foundation also promotes safe and vital communities; tolerance, inclusion, and diversity; and economic empowerment. For more information, visit www.allstatefoundation.org.

About Dress for Success

Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 110 cities in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the UK and the West Indies. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 600,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.

About Grameen America

Grameen America's mission is to provide affordable microloans to financially empower low-income entrepreneurs.  Since January 2008, Grameen America, a 501(c)3, has loaned out over $16 million dollars in microloans to over 5,500 members.  Started in Jackson Heights, Queens, Grameen

America has quickly expanded to Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Omaha, Nebraska.  Our vision is to help create a world free of poverty. We predict a market where any individual with a dream can receive affordable financial products regardless of income, previous credit history, education, or business experience.  We envision a world where burgeoning entrepreneurs are empowered to lift themselves out of poverty through hard work and determination to forge better lives for their families and future generations (www.grameenamerica.org). Please contact krosenberg@grameenamerica.org / (212) 735-4023.

About To Catch A Dollar

Immediately following its theatrical premiere on March 31, the producers of To Catch a Dollar launched a text-to-give campaign to raise funds for a future Grameen America branch. By texting ‘AMERICA’ to 85944, the public will give a $10 donation to Grameen America and in a unique online selection process, users are simultaneously choosing from four candidate cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, DC. Using their Facebook accounts, voters will be able to vote once per week for the life of the contest.

To Catch A Dollar is an independent documentary owned and funded by the director Gayle Ferraro of Aerial Productions.  For more information go to www.aerialproductions.com or contact gayle@aerial-productions.com

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

   

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