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The 10 Commandments of Money

Title: The 10 Commandments of Money: Survive and Thrive in the New Economy

Author: Liz Pulliam Weston

Publisher: Hudson Street Press

Type: Non-Fiction

Released: January 20, 2011

Length: 304 pages

The recession has shattered many people's notions of how money is supposed to work. The old rules of money management no longer apply in this economy. In her new book, The 10 Commandments of Money: Survive and Thrive in the New Economy, personal finance columnist Liz Weston advises readers on how to avoid critical mistakes, survive the bad times and thrive in the good ones. Weston offers several ideas and advice such as: Balance Your Budget, Pay Down Toxic Debt, Get the Right Mortgage, Pay for College, Save for Retirement and Maximize Your Financial Flexibility.

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About the author

Matt Berger is the Digital Director at Marketplace.
Bob's picture
Bob - Feb 12, 2011

I am always surprised when I read advice by the experts that no funds are set aside for charity, either community or for the church. I don't think we can feel very satisfied with our lives if everything if for us.

Claudia's picture
Claudia - Feb 12, 2011

I agree with Bob. Between our cash donations and the value of the time we volunteer, we aim donate between 5-10% of our income. We are enriched and our efforts make a difference in our church and community.

Catherine's picture
Catherine - Feb 12, 2011

I have a question about the 50/30/20 breakdown. Where does paying down credit card debt fit into that? I just made a list of all the "musts" I have to pay every month, including mortgage, student loans, childcare. I also have a high credit card balance I am working at paying off. I've included the minimum in the "must pay" amount. I am currently using a big chunk of monthly cash to pay toward that balance, over and above the minimum. Do I take that amount from the 30% discretionary amounts? Or from the amount I should be putting toward savings? I am not putting cash into savings right now. If something awful happened right now, we have a fair amount of available credit (including low-rate HELOC) but no emergency cash.

My thinking has been to get the credit card balance paid way down and then start putting money back toward savings.

Liz Weston's picture
Liz Weston - Feb 12, 2011

Hi, Catherine. Minimum payments on any loans, including credit cards, would go under the "must have" category. Any additional amounts you pay on credit card balances carried month to month would be included in the 20% for savings and debt repayment. Hope that helps.

Catherine's picture
Catherine - Feb 12, 2011

Thank you! That does help.