Book Review "Debt Proof Your Christmas" by Mary Hunt

I received another book from Revell Books to review.  This time it is related to Christmas and gives numerous tips on how to stay away from overspending by using "plastic" or credit cards on Christmas gifts.

Here is Mary Hunt's biography:

Mary Hunt is an award-winning and bestselling author, syndicated columnist and sought-after motivational speaker who created a global platform that is making strides to help men and women battle the epidemic impact of consumer debt. She is founder and publisher of the interactive website Debt-Proof Living, which features financial tools, resources and information for her online members. Her books have sold more than a million copies and her daily newspaper column is nationally syndicated through Creators Syndicate and is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Everyday Cheapskate readers. Hunt speaks widely on personal finance and has appeared on shows such as Good Morning America, Oprah, Dr. Phil and Focus on the Family. She and her husband live in California.

 Ms. Hunt tells stories of her prior Christmas' where she has overspent by using credit cards and how she felt at the time the credit card bills started rolling in.

This was a very easy read book. I was able to read the first half of the book on the drive home from visiting Cassidy at the treatment center, which is a three hour drive.  The last half of the book, Ms. Hunt provides a lot of recipes in chapters entitled as follows, "Gifts from the Kitchen," "Gifts in a Jar," and "Gifts from the Garden."   Ms. Hunt also provides a lot of ideas for "Family Gifts," "Traditions Are the Glue That Holds Us Together," "More Gift Ideas," "Wrap It Up," "Dressing the House," "Holiday Entertaining," and "Family Fun."

The biggest thing that I got out of this book, is what Ms. Hunt calls "Developing a Plan."  This is something I never really thought about doing for Christmas.   But the first paragraph of the chapter sums it up for me and I want to share it with you.

You probably would not add a family room to your home without a blueprint, knit a sweater without a pattern, or head off on a cross-country vacation without a map.  But when it comes to preparing for Christmas, most of us hit the ground running the day after Thanksgiving -- without a blueprint, pattern, or map.  We get caught up in all the emotion of the season, and before we know it, we're taking Christmas three stairs at a time.

 To make your plan, Ms. Hunt describes the following steps in detail:

• Put your plan in writing.
• State your purpose.
• Use the calendar.
• Plan according to your values.
• Ask questions.
• Include holiday spending plan.
• Use the envelope system.
• Enjoy the fringe benefits of cash spending.

Ms. Hunt also uses personal stories from some of her readers about their Christmas memories and/or traditions.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to keep their spending under control during the Christmas holiday and place their focus on the real meaning of the season -- JESUS!


I was provided a free copy of this book for a truthful review.  In no way has my opinion been swayed by receipt of this book.  No other compensation has been received.

This book is available at your local bookstore and/or online retailer.