The Happiness Experiment by Carl Barney - Book Review

 

Title: The Happiness Experiment; A Revolutionary Way to Increase Happiness

Author: Carl B. Barney

Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press

Publication Date: July 8, 2025

Length: 383 pages

Making a Happiness Plan and Living It Out
Mr. Barney decided to give some of his friends and associates "pre-quests" or Happiness Grants. This was money that he would have left to these people in his will, but he decided to give them the money while he was still living.

The main requirement for receiving this money was to create a happiness plan. This was a detailed plan on how the money would be spent in the next 5 years. The money was to be used to create happiness for the receivers, not to be given away.

My Thoughts
I enjoyed this book and was very impressed with the process that the author used to determine who would receive the grants and the planning that was required before the money was awarded. 

It is true that a large sum of unexpected cash can definitely change your life for the better, but careful planning is a must. I have read horror stories about how lottery winners have received huge sums of money and it ruined their relationships and their life. Mr. Barney required the recipients of his grants to work with a life coach and financial planner to make sure the money would be used in ways that were aligned with the recipient's values and long term goals.

The author enjoyed watching the recipients of his generosity achieve happiness through travel, home improvements, entertainment and shared experiences with friends and family.

This experiment had a happy ending and the book provides detailed information about how anyone can achieve similar results.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for a free digital copy of this book to read and review.

Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick

Title: Tightwads and Spendthrifts; Navigating the Money Minefield in Real Relationships

Author: Scott Rick

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: January 9, 2024

Length: 230 Pages

About the Author
Scott Rick is a marketing professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. He holds a Ph.D. in Behavioral Decision Research from Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a National Science Foundation graduate research fellow. Before joining Michigan Ross, he spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Rick routinely teaches courses on consumer behavior, judgment and decision-making, and marketing management.

Relationships and Money
Dr. Rick defines a tightwad as a person who has difficulty spending money. A spendthrift is a person who has difficulty controlling spending. Research shows that conflict revolving around money is the second leading cause of divorce in the United States, with infidelity being the leading cause.  

This book explains why money should be considered when choosing a partner, how money should be handled within the relationship, and how money should be used in raising children. The ultimate goal is finding a balance between financial and psychological well-being.

My Thoughts
I chose this book because I tend to enjoy spending money and my husband tends to have difficulty spending. I am not an extreme spendthrift and he is not an extreme tightwad, but we definitely have different spending/saving styles.

The author did an excellent job blending the psychological and financial concepts in this book. Financial beliefs are deeply engrained and have often been in place since childhood. Communication and compromise are required to work out a financial plan that is satisfactory to both partners in a marriage. 

I read Chapter 7, "The Secret Language of Gifts", about three weeks before Christmas. It is always hard for me to purchase a gift for my husband. Dr. Rick believes that gift-giving occasions are important opportunities to make our partners feel seen and appreciated. He recommends giving gifts that require some kind of sacrifice. It should be clear to your partner that your gift was not easy to select or obtain. This advice really touched me and helped me choose appropriate Christmas gifts for my husband.

You might be surprised to learn that the author does not believe that complete financial transparency is necessary among financially mismatched partners. He suggests that financial translucency (partial financial transparency) is likely to strike the right balance between financial and relationship well-being.

This is an amazing book that should be required reading for everyone in a relationship that requires the blending of finances. Highly recommended!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

Thank you to NetGalley for this excellent reading opportunity.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

Author: J.D. Vance

Publisher: Harper

Publication Date: June 28, 2016

Length: 272 Pages









About the Author
J.D. Vance grew up in the Rust Belt city of Middletown, Ohio, and the Appalachian town of Jackson, Kentucky. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school and served in Iraq. A graduate of the Ohio State University and Yale Law School, he has contributed to the National Review and is a principal at a leading Silicon Valley Investment firm.

White, Working and Poor in America
J.D.'s grandparents moved north from Kentucky's Appalachia region to Ohio in hopes of escaping the devastating poverty around them. His family struggled to adjust to their new middle-class status. His mother was never able to escape the legacy of abuse, addiction, poverty and trauma that was so characteristic of her childhood years in Appalachia. Mr. Vance lived a very chaotic childhood and was passed around to numerous family members while his mother struggled with drug addiction and moved different men in and out of her home.

J.D. decided to join the Marines when he graduated from high school. When he left the Marines, he used his military education benefits to attend Ohio State University. He eventually graduated from Yale Law School and learned that social mobility involves much more than acquiring money.

“social mobility isn’t just about money and economics, it’s about a lifestyle change. The wealthy and the powerful aren’t just wealthy and powerful; they follow a different set of norms and mores. When you go from working-class to professional-class, almost everything about your old life becomes unfashionable at best or unhealthy at worst.” 

My Thoughts
I chose this book because it was on the Bill Gates book list for 2017. 


I was extremely touched by the childhood experiences that are described in this book. Mr. Vance is truly a survivor and overcomer. He credits his grandparents, sister and other family members for being there for him when his mother was unable or unwilling to take care of him.

“For kids like me, the part of the brain that deals with stress and conflict is always activated...We are constantly ready to fight or flee, because there is a constant exposure to the bear, whether that bear is an alcoholic dad or an unhinged mom....I see conflict and I run away or prepare for battle.”

The author believes his years in the U.S. Marine Corp gave him the confidence and skills he needed to overcome his chaotic childhood and set realistic goals for the future. 

Mr. Vance met his future wife at Yale and she became an excellent mentor and friend during his years in law school. He is now a practicing attorney and appears to have a very bright future indeed. However, sometimes things are not as they seem to outsiders. 

“That is the real story of my lift, and that is why I wrote this book. I want people to know what it feels like to nearly give up on yourself and why you might do it. I want people to understand what happens in the lives of the poor and the psychological impact that spiritual and material poverty has on their children. I want people to understand the American Dream as my family and I encountered it. I want people to understand how upward mobility really feels. And I want people to understand something I learned only recently: that for those of us lucky enough to live the American Dream, the demons of the life we left behind continue to chase us.”

This book is informative and inspiring. I am sure that many have walked a similar path as described in this book. The author was able to eloquently express the emotions and vulnerability that he feels as a result of his childhood experiences.

Dr. Phil frequently says, "There's an old saying in Texas: You gotta rise above your raisin'." 
This book shows you how.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI - I borrowed this book from my public library.

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Wealth Redefined - A Review

Wealth Redefined: Charting the Way to Personal and Financial Freedom

Authors: Bob Reby and Greg Ruais

Publisher: River Grove Books

Publication Date: August 2, 2017

Pages: 183



About the Author
After graduating from James Madison University with a BA in Finance in 1985, Robert J. Reby decided to pursue his passion for personal finance by founding Reby Advisors. After more than three decades in business, his vision and the firm’s mission remain the same: to inspire people to achieve financial peace of mind.

Wealth is More Than Money

Do you have a financial plan for your future?

Have you made goals for your investment strategies?

What are your hopes and dreams for retirement?

Drawing on over twenty years of experience as a Certified Financial Planner, author Bob Reby explores the idea that wealth means different things to different people. Your health, relationships, and family are all components of wealth, and your financial plan should be in line with those values.

My Thoughts

I think this is the first book on the subject of financial planning that I have ever reviewed on this blog. I wish I had read this book AND TAKEN ACTION on managing my finances many years ago. However, it is never too late to educate myself on financial matters that will provide freedom and peace of mind in future days.

A financial plan is unique to each individual. It is based on that person's goals for the future. A large portion of this book is dedicated to retirement planning. How can you live the lifestyle that you want without running out of money?

Mr. Reby is a financial planner and highly recommends the use of a professional adviser to keep you on track with your financial goals.  He believes that "wealth redefined means that we should strive to achieve the right balance in our lives that also takes into consideration whether we're spending our time and our money on the right things."

Mr. Reby explains exactly how to go about choosing the best financial planner for your situation. He offers information about the right kind of insurance and how to avoid paying unnecessary taxes.

The author believes the most critical financial risk facing investors today is behavioral risk. That means people who make unwise investment decisions based on FEAR and GREED.  There is an entire chapter dedicated on how to avoid investment mistakes that will shipwreck your future.

As a novice investor, I found this book very helpful. The information is presented in an understandable manner and many examples and case studies are provided. This book has encouraged me to read and study and learn more on this important topic. 

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below. I will reply to all questions and remarks.

FYI - I received a digital review copy of this book from Net Galley.

Book Review: The Big Lie by Dr. Roy Ackerman

The Big Lie: The Effects and Truths of The Great Recession & Wages in America

Author: Roy A. Ackerman PhD, EA

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Date: December 26, 2013

Length: 75 Pages



About The Author
Dr. Ackerman is a polymath, whose interests span chemical engineering, medicine, biotechnology, business, management and more.

We Want The Truth...and Nothing But the Truth
What is going on with the economy?

Is the American Dream still a alive?

What is the future of the middle class?

Will my retirement years really be golden?

These are just a few of the questions that Dr. Roy Ackerman writes about in this book. He shares his extensive research and personal thoughts about the American economy, government policies and the future of the middle class.

The following facts are presented and elaborated on in this book:

• Baby boomers will NOT have the secure and prosperous retirement that they were planning for.
• The American dream no longer works.
• The rich in America are getting richer at the expense of the poor and the middle class.

The author believes the economic recession that the United States has experienced over the past several years will have dire consequences on the future lifestyles of middle class Americans.

Government policies and tax laws are making the rich much richer at the expense of the middle class. Dr. Ackerman provides detailed research that supports his thoughts on big business, the economy and how these policies are changing life in America.

Knowledge is power. This book provides valuable information and insight.

My Thoughts
I have to admit that I am pretty ignorant about the subjects covered in this book. It is just easier not to think about the economy, taxes, the recession..., right?

This short book offers an understandable overview of the economic future of our country. I truly believe that information is power and all Americans should take the time to educate themselves about what is going on.

You can read this book in an hour or so and have a new understanding about the world around you. If you are like me, you will have more questions that will lead to further reading and research. That is a good thing. It is time for Americans to WAKE UP and get a grip on the new reality.

The content in this book is excellent but the editing and formatting for the Kindle edition could use some work.

MY RATING: 4 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I purchased a Kindle edition of this book with my own funds.

If you found this book review helpful, please rate the review on Amazon.Com.

You thoughts are appreciated in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Everyone Can Be A Millionaire by Steve Swanson

Everyone Can Be A Millionaire...How To Create Wealth Over Time...Free Copyrighted Retirement Planning Calculator included with every book purchased!

Author: Steve Swanson

Publisher: eBook Publishers Company

Date: December 26, 2012

Guest Reviewer: Cindy Phelps Thomas


About the Author
Swanson was born in 1958. For 30 years he has been working in the banking business and currently is employed as a Bank President. He has been studying personal finance for all of his adult life and was a finalist in Money Magazine's one and only Personal Finance Manager of the year contest in 1994.
In 2012, Mr. Swanson formed eBook Publishers Company.

Financial Planning For Beginners
In this easy-to-understand book, Steve Swanson gives you the steps you need to become a millionaire over a long period of time. These techniques are designed to help you retire comfortably.

Mr. Swanson has personally used these techniques with his wife for the last 30 years. He gives personal examples and unbiased thoughts and also encourages the reader to do his own research.

This book is written with easy-to-read vocabulary for those new to financial planning. The author touches on: budgeting, debt reduction, emergency funds, reserves, 401(k), stocks, the withdrawal stage, and more. There is also the added bonus of a Retirement Calculator and a Budget Worksheet included for your use.

My Thoughts
I thought this 50-page book was a great introduction to financial planning. I have little knowledge in this area and had no problems following it. I definitely would like to try these techniques. I also like that Mr. Swanson relates on a personal level.

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an easy-to-understand overview of financial planning. This book is a good place to start.

My Rating: 4 Stars Out Of 5
 

Cindy Phelps Thomas is a U.S. Navy Veteran (2001-2005). She earned her BS in Psychology/Criminal Justice from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She received an elementary teaching certification and is a former kindergarten teacher in the La Porte, TX School District. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is working on her MBA degree at the University of Houston.

 

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Shock And Awe Economics

The presidential election is over. Now is the time for our country to get a grip and face reality. Our economy is in trouble, unemployment is at record high levels and the national debt is out of sight.



It seems like our society is on a wild spending spree that never ends. I found an ad in a magazine that was published in the 1940s...during World War II. The ad encouraged the American people to;


Use it up...That's the thing to do in wartime. Eat every bite of food, save every scrap of soap, make a patriotic habit of stretching all the supplies in the house so they go further, last longer.

Wear it out...This year old coats, old shoes, are a badge of honor. They show you're sensible enough to know that one way to help win the war, to keep prices down, is to wear your old things out!

Make it do...Before you spend a penny in wartime, ask yourself, "Do I really need this? Or do I have something now that will do?" As you patch and darn and turn, you're keeping prices down.

Or do without!...When you put your money in War Bonds, savings, taxes, insurance....you're putting your money to work fighting the war and building a sound, stable nation for the peace to come.

This ad is encouraging frugal spending habits to prevent war-time inflation. "It is buying too much when there's too little to buy that sends prices up. And when prices go up...and keep going up...your savings, your future, are in danger." Remember, it's the things you don't buy that keep prices down!

An individual citizen can't solve the national debt problem but individuals CAN deal with their own personal debt. This magazine ad from "The Greatest Generation" should remind us that SAVE is not a four-letter word.

 

See that prices go no higher
Be a saver...not a buyer.

 

This post was taken from a United States war message prepared by the War Advertising Council and approved by the Office of War Information ~ 1940s.

 

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Book Review: The 3 Minute Difference; ALTER Your Health, Money and Relationships

The 3-Minute Difference: ALTER Your Health, Money and Relationships Without Changing Who You Are

Author: Wayne E. Nance
with William Hendricks and J. Keet Lewis

Publisher: Mission Books (July 1, 2012)






About The Author
Wayne E. Nance, better known as the "Real Life Attitude Guy", is the developer of the ABCs of getting your life under control. He is founder and CEO of Real Life Management, Inc. Mr. Nance lives in Texas and is a highly regarded speaker, trainer and author.

The 3-Minute Survey
Each of us is born with an attitude that heavily determines what we focus on in life. Our attitude is inborn and remains substantially unchanged throughout life. Mr. Nance developed a tool to identify a person's core attitude. It is called "The 3 Minute Survey" and it can be taken by filling out a form in the book or online.

This survey reveals what your core attitude is...the way you make health and wellness decisions, money and spending decisions, relationship decisions and many other decisions affecting your lifestyle.

ALTER
The 3-Minute Survey helps you pinpoint the attitude you have while the book gives you a specific game plan on how you can start achieving the things you want most. This book shows you where to start and then gives you a plan on how to get there.

Mr. Nance suggests the following five steps for ALTERing your attitude;

• Awareness. Become aware of your attitude (the inborn hard wiring that drives your beliefs and behavior).
• Learn. Learn as much as you can about your attitude and how it impacts your beliefs and life choices.
• Tactical Plan. Develop a plan that will address the issues that you need to work on in your life.
• Execute The Plan. Start working on a daily plan of action for 91 days to improve your life.
• Re-Evaluate. Review your progress and adjust your goals.

This book is divided into the following three sections;

• Health and Fitness
• Financial Fitness
• Relationship Fitness

The author believes that you can apply the principles in this book to any area of your life that is out of control.

My Thoughts
The author was inspired to develop this program because his own life was out of control. He weighed 315 pounds, he had more than $40,000 in credit card debt and his marriage was in trouble. He realized that obesity, debt and relationship meltdown were surface problems resulting from his core attitudes and beliefs.

I think this book is well researched and much of the information was learned from personal experience and working with others. I took the 3-Minute Survey and learned that my primary attitude is "rational" and my secondary attitude is "tactical". That means that I focus on issues and ideas. I don't mind challenging other people's opinions and I will defend my position quite strongly. "Tactical" means that I am a planner and pay attention to deadlines and details. That is pretty accurate. The funny thing is that my husband had almost the same results...with "tactical" being his primary attitude and "rational" being his secondary attitude.

Mr. Nance has gone to great lengths to provide "plans" for each of the attitude types. Sometimes I got bogged down and it seemed to be "too much information" to digest at one time. I suggest that you determine your attitude type and then pick and choose the information that applies to your situation.

This book is available in paperback, Kindle and audio editions on Amazon.Com.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary paperback copy of this book from B & B Media to read and review. Thank you!

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Book Review: The Simple Dollar

I recently grabbed The Simple Dollar: How One Man Wiped Out His Debts and Achieved the Life of His Dreams by Trent Hamm on my Kindle while it was being offered as a freebie.  Debt free living is a popular topic these days and I was interested to learn how the author wiped out his debts and achieved the life of his dreams.  This book was inspired by the author's blog, The Simple Dollar.
Mr. Hamm explains how he and his wife found themselves deep in debt when his son was a baby.  He started reading books on personal finance, economics and philosophy.  He was determined to learn how a family could balance all the aspects of modern life on a limited income.  Over a period of three years,  the author got his finances under control, quit his job and devoted himself to writing full time. 
This book gives detailed information about how this family did what many American families dream of doing.  The author emphasizes the importance of communicating with your partner and setting realistic goals together.  He outlines a practical method of debt repayment that will be very effective if you are willing to sacrifice and stick with the plan you design.  He describes how he cut back on spending and also sold household items on eBay to supplement the family budget. 
The author explains that many people feel overwhelmed by their debt load.  He wants his readers to know that it is not hopeless. This book gives practical, common sense advice on how to manage your money and how to manage your life.  I found the book motivating and inspiring.  I like to read a book with a happy ending that explains exactly how you can have the same outcome. 

Attitude Adjustment

On Wall Street they tell the story of a man who lost a fortune in the 1929 crash; he was reduced to his last $5,000. Panicked by what he regarded as his ill fortune, he jumped from the roof of a very high building.
In that same year, a man who had never had any money beyond the barest necessities of life won $5,000 in a lottery. He was wildly elated, and regarded himself as the luckiest of men. And he was—because he thought he was.
Each man had the same amount of money. To one, it spelled such bitter misfortune that he gave up all hope of the future. To the other, it spelled good luck in capital letters.
Most of us won't go to such extremes as the man who leaped from the roof. Nevertheless, we make our own luck— good or bad—by our mental attitudes.  Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.