[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/marriagekidsandmoney/MKM46.mp3″ social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” image=”https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Marriage-Kids-and-Money-Podcast-Artwork-1400×1400.jpg”]If you’re like me, your relaxation and decompression time comes with reading a good book. It is an excellent way to relieve stress, work your brain and learn something new.
This month, I’ll be challenging myself and YOU to read one book focused on …
- Improving our Marriage
- Enhancing the relationship with our Kids
- Bettering our current Money situation
And when we finish our book together, we must take some of the advice we received and put it into action.
1 book, 1 month and 1 action step.
So where do we start?
Let’s start off by asking ourselves one simple question …
Where do I want the most improvement in my life right now?
- Is it with time management?
- Do you want to grow the love between you and your spouse?
- Are you struggling with communicating with your kids?
- Do you want to learn more about investing for your family’s future?
Take a moment and think about what that one focus area might be for this month.
If you have more than one, that’s cool. For this challenge, let’s keep it to one challenge so we can make some actual progress together. I often overwhelm my brain with too much information and don’t put any action steps in place to make the improvement I need. So, let’s stick with one to make a bigger impact.
If you have an idea, that’s great. If not, no worries. The idea will come to you in the next 24 hours, I’m sure of it.
Now let’s choose that book …
Lately, I’ve been using Audible to listen to most of my books while running or during car rides to work. I also like hitting up the library or borrowing a book from a friend I respect.
Whatever your route, do some online searches (or good old fashioned physical searches at your local library) and find a book that will help you tackle your challenge for this month.
You could also take advantage of the power of social media. Put out a tweet or a Facebook post asking people about a book that’s helped improve their lives in your topic of interest.
For me, I’ve gotten myself all excited about real estate investing, but I know it's not as easy as buying a home and renting it out. There is a ton of information that I need to learn in order to be a successful real estate investor.
For that reason, I am choosing to read The Book on Real Estate Investing* by Brandon Turner from Bigger Pockets. I know this will be one of many books I read on the subject. I want to make sure I’m approaching this new area of passive income growth with as much education on the subject as possible.
When I’m done reading that book, I’m planning on putting at least one important action into place. I’m going to ask you all to do the same. Because honestly, what good is reading a book about improving your life if you don’t actually improve your life?
Book Recommendations
Now you might be looking for some book recommendations. I’ve got a few for you. Here are a few memorable ones that have made an impact on my marriage, kids and money … in that order.
1. The 5 Love Languages
This book helped me take a look at how I can love my wife Nicole the way she wants to be loved. Before reading this book, I would sometimes show my love in ways that didn’t resonate with her so much. I’d give her compliments and express my love to her verbally. She really appreciated it, but that wasn’t her prime love language as I discovered.
After reading the book, I understood the best way to my wife’s heart was through spending quality time together and being helpful around the house and with the kids. It was an eye-opening book for me for sure. And I definitely put the author’s recommendations into action. I read it a few months ago and the message has stuck with me ever since.
2. Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids
Nicole and I both read this one in the first couple of years of our parenthood. The overarching message of empathy, patience and understanding with young children has stuck with me for years. This was a solid book for first time parents with young kids that really have no idea what they’re doing (not that I have any idea what I’m doing now).
3. The Total Money Makeover
I read this one in 2010 or 2011. This Dave Ramsey classic helped Nicole and I get on the same page with our money early on in our marriage. We didn’t stick with his no credit card plan or most of his investing strategies, but his overall message of spending less than you earn and eliminating consumer debt from your life has worked wonders for our family. To give back, I’ve been volunteering at my church to coach Financial Peace University* classes that incorporate Dave Ramsey’s principles. It's a ton of fun to see couples work together and improve their family’s future.
If you're looking for more financially focused or entrepreneurial focused books, here are two articles that I wrote that will get you fired up:
These 5 Books Will Skyrocket Your Net Worth
5 Books to Inspire the Entrepreneur Inside You
Challenge Mic Dropped
The challenge has been laid down my friends! Who is in? Let me know how you’re improving your life this month and what book you’ve chosen in the comments section below. There are so many great books out there and I want to learn from you all what you’re getting into this month.
Who knows my friends … This could become a monthly ritual in your life!
If you’re looking to use Audible for the first time and you want to listen to your first book for FREE, click here. You’ll not only get a free audiobook, but you’ll be supporting this podcast with your subscription. Thanks!
Carpe Diem Quote
“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” – Anonymous
What book are you choosing to improve your life this month?
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