Pocket Your Dollars

    I have attended seminars, workshops, private consultations in addition to reading numerous books so I know how to get out of debt.  “Pocket Your Dollars; 5 Attitude Changes” is by far the most practical, doable, sense making resource I have come across in a long time. I cannot tell you that the author presented any new radical information that others did not tell you, however what Carrie Rocha has done is addressed debt from the source- attitude.

     “I waited for three-paycheck months because then we could afford things that were otherwise out of reach” (“Pocket Your Dollars” page 27) I once had this crazy logic even though I knew there would always be 52 weeks in a year.

      The approach towards debt elimination in “Pocket YourDollars” is what I appreciated.  It is not so much about what you’re spending your money on but WHY. Unlike other books that say do this and don’t do this Carrie Rocha discusses why we may not buy that gallon of ice cream but will purchase the dress that is 75% off knowing that we do not need either.

The 210 page book is divided into 3 primary sections, which does not include the authors story, which I am sure many will identify with.  The five attitudes are addressed in the first section of the book. What are the 5 attitudes?  If only I had more money;  I deserve a treat; it won’t  happen to me; I’ll fake it ‘til I make it; and I can’t afford it. The second section discuss the skills needed to change. Upon successful completion of the first two sections you will be ready for practical application- creating a spending plan.

I recommend this book and suggest you purchase a copy for yourself and maybe a friend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book  in exchange for an honest review.

raise him up

    I chose to review Raise Him Up” by Derrick Moore and Stephanie Perry Moore because my daughter is a single mother and I was one briefly. When the book arrived and I showed it to her, her initial response was the same as mine is now. The book is dedicated to providing biblical and real life examples of how a single mother can successfully aid in the growth and development of a black male. For many this will be a much needed reference point and I am certain the book will be well a best seller or close to.
     “Raise him up” is 265 pages divided into two parts with twelve chapters. As I stated, it incorporates Bible principles as well as discussing various leaders found in Scripture to serve as a foundation for the theories presented.
    As with most reviews my personal opinions outside of the books’ topic influence my enthusiasm or lack thereof of a book. I chose the book because I know there are a lot of single mothers who are looking for guidance, as I read the book I began agreeing with my daughters’ opinion: single mothers are single mothers no matter what the pigment. Thus the emphasis on being a Black male took away the validity of the book, at least for me.
   Though it is a good thing to use Scripture when making life decisions it is important to remember that God created all people. The idea that there is a difference in raising a “successful black man” as oppose to a successful Asian man is, my opinion, one of the divisive tools used by Satan to keep God’s children apart.        
    Single parenting is not new to God. The bible states something very important in Genesis 21:20 about Ishmael the child of a single mother: “God watched over him for the rest of his life. Ishmael grew up, lived in the wilderness, and became an expert archer.” Every single mother should know that God is helping her raise her child in the way he or she should go.
  I cannot recommend this book . The goal should not be to raise a successful black man but to raise a successful man of God.

 I received a complimentary copy of this book from Book Sneeze in exchange for an honest review.

THROUGH THE CRIMSON MIRROR

     I was sucked into the zone of “Through the Crimson Mirror” from the first sentence. As a reader I was able to appreciate the somber philosophical writing style of author Daniel Alexander. As a writer I understood the need to put his emotions into words and as a reviewer I appreciated his parenting observations.

    The eBook is less a do’s and don’ts of parenting and more of a consider this when you do that collection of very important ideas.   As the subtitle implies “Through the Crimson Mirror” is a biographical reflection such a complicated way of saying “how I got to be me”.  Daniel Alexander’s story is a reminder that there is no set formula to raising the perfect child yet there are some things that we as parents can do to not raise a troubled child. 

    If you are one who likes to pick up a book and read progressively, step one do this step two do that, you may have difficulty digesting the information in the book. There are “Symphonies” and “plays” and “scenes” in lieu of chapters. Don’t put the book down. I suggest you find a quiet space, take a deep breath and read one word at a time. 

“Through the Crimson Mirror” is a direct reflection of the author Daniel Alexander’s personal experience and it therefore reflects such.  In terms of parenting the reader may find some areas in which he or she is in 100 percent agreement and other areas in which he or she may strongly disagree with. Hopefully, upon completion of this book you will grow not just as a parent but as an individual.

I recommend this book and would strongly suggest you purchase it.

I receive a complimentary copy of the book in order to provide and honest review.