Up front, I am a friend of Jerry's, but he doesn't even know I'm writing this. I'm writing it because I believe Jerry's book offers real help for blocked writers, or anyone who has something to write but instead suffers. I know what that's like. Did it for years. I won't say Jerry's book was solely responsible for my cure, but it might have been, if I found it sooner. I am cured now, and Jerry's book furthered the process--helped me really put that "blocked" business behind me. I'm now fully capable of turning out copy on demand. In fact, it's what I do for a living. I believe Jerry's book can help anyone. It's very simple and direct, and it gives you steps to follow that will take you from being a blocked writer to being a productive writing writer. If you're ready to stop being blocked, get it. Even if you're not ready, it'll help you get ready. Best of luck! And see you at the Nobel ceremonies!

Should be read by everyone who is in debt or plans to be in the future (which is probably everyone over 18). This book is amazing in it's simple, thoughtful approach to debt management both financially and emotionally. Mr. Mundis gives a heartfelt, rational, very sympathetic yet never condescending narrative to those of us who have been debtors over the years and have the bills and debts to prove it. Wish I read this when I was 18. Would have saved me a bundle. But it's never too late to start. A $7 book (less through Amazon, of course) that could save you literally thousands. Really. A book to be read over and over again. It's been around 10 years so you know people must still be needing it. A truly special, important book. Thank you, Mr. Mundis for an eye-opening experience.

Back in February of 1999, a friend recommended this book to me, and it saved my life! I was in deep financial trouble, bought it with my last $10, and immediately put the plan into effect. I've never looked back since. While I am not completely debt free yet, I am happy to write that I've managed to pay off half of a $15,000 debt in nearly 1 1/2 years. The end is near enough for me, though, as now I can sleep at night, open my mail and listen to my voicemail without having a panic attack for fear that a collection agency is after me.

$7 is a tiny price to pay for such a wealth of information and peace of mind. This is not a quick fix, and this is by no means an easy road. I can promise you, however, that you will never feel deprived, and the peace of mind alone is priceless. It does work, if you work it! Thanks so much to Jerrold Mundis for putting this book out there!

This book made a huge difference in my life. I had problems with debt for 20 years and was heading into serious trouble when I found a copy of this book. I remember finding the book in a bookstore (before Amazon.com existed) and I was embarrassed to buy it- that was the shame of being in debt. I was very scared because I was getting deeper into debt and not able to make even the minimum payments on my credit cards. I was borrowing (getting cash advances at ridiculous rates) from one card to pay the other. I sat down and read this book and it was tremendously comforting. I also found a local Debtor's Anonymous meeting and attended the meeting the same week. This book and DA changed my life and after 5 years I have nearly tripled my annual salary and have eliminated my unsecured debt. Jerrold Mundis teaches you that those who work this program obtain a great deal of "abundance" in their lives. Mundis writes about the "miracles" that occur when you work this program and I have experienced them first hand. It is not a Debtor's Anonymous sanctioned book, but everyone in DA has heard of it. I would have to say though that this book is not for everyone. The principles you learn in this book regarding the concept of not carrying any unsecured debt are excellent and everyone with a credit card should learn them. But this book was written for those who are in a crisis due to their debting. It will benefit problem debtors the most or anyone who is going down the road to deeper debt. Mundis is adamant about not giving up on yourself and not declaring bankruptcy. He guides you through all the consequences you may face due to your debting, such as judgments and court appearances. It is very comforting to learn about all these issues and how to deal with them, rather than live in fear of having collection agencies phoning day and night.
I've read some other reviews here that were critical of this book. As I stated before, this book is for those who are in a crisis due to their debt. This book was written in the 1980's and has not been revised so the writing style may seem dated, but the principles are rock solid. There are excellent books available on subjects relating to investing and personal finance, but this book is a special book for debtors in crisis.
I am still using the principles that Mundis lays out in his book such as the spending record. I know exactly where every cent of my money is going and where I have a tendency to over spend. Even though I no longer debt I still have a tendency to be a spendthrift and the techniques I learned from this book help to keep me in check. I also have a spending plan- not a budget- that I update every six months and follow consistently. As Mundis points out, it is not about doing without and sacrificing. You will learn that you can take the vacation you want and pay cash for it. You can have everything you truly desire and not go into debt. You will develop an incredible sense of freedom that will enable you to live fully and successfully because you won't be burdened by debt anymore. I'm sure all this sounds too good to be true, or even magical in a way, but it isn't. If being in debt is causing a problem for you, you should get this book and read it and then follow the advice closely. Mundis walks you through all the difficult tasks you must face, such as totaling up how much you owe, contacting creditors to work out a payment plan, and not going one cent further into debt. I felt like I was the only one going through the hell of being seriously in debt, but he made me realize I was not alone and I could one day be debt free, too.
This book will teach you so much and it will also restore your confidence in yourself. It gives you the courage to face up to dealing with the mess you've made of your finances and it gives you hope that you can one day truly be debt free and living prosperously.

"This program works. I give you my word on that," Jerry Mundis writes in the introduction. And I believe him. Although the focus is an inward journey towards changing our relationship with money, it's not a book that one just reads and puts on the bookshelf but works in order to get the most benefit from it. It contains both insights and practical exercises that bring changes in our attitudes and then our actions towards money.

The chapters are divided into different areas of our relationship with money--debt, spending, generosity, vision, etc.--with each chapter containing essays, exercises and then quotations, anecdotes or meditations on that particular area. This book seems to take off where Mundis's first book, "How To Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt and Live Prosperously", left off. I found his first book to be more matter-of-fact with a 12 step program foundation for debtors and only a relatively small amount of space dedicated to the attitude changing or more spiritual aspects of money problems. "Making Peace with Money" addresses debt in the first chapter but then is more focused on changing inner thoughts and attitudes about money. Therefore it's more useful to a larger number of people, those who may not have a debt problem but want to come to terms with their money relationship.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the last chapter that addresses special circumstances such as being out of work or problems with being able to spend money on oneself, what the author calls 'Anorectic Spending'.

I think this book would be especially useful to the person with serious debt problems when coupled with Mundis's other two books, "Getting Out of Debt,..." and "Earn What You Deserve". By diligently doing every practice in these books, one's attitude towards money couldn't help but change. Don't positive attitudes plus positive actions equal positive results? No wonder Mundis guarantees his program.

"Earn What You Deserve" is a basic rehash of Mundis' earlier book "How to get out of debt, stay out of debt and live prosperously." with an emphasis on what he calls underearning. Unfortunately, not only does the material in "Earn What You Deserve" lack originality, but it borrows heavily from the earlier book; in many cases entire pages of vertbatim quotes are used. This is a cheap writer's trick that Mundis employs by creating "filler pages" of earlier text. Buyers, save your money; buy the original (it's a pretty good book) but don't waste your money on this rewrite.

I first read a book written by Mundis when looking for help with my cronic writer's block, and while his system didn't produce an instant cure it continues to give me a bit of understanding and support for times when the pen won't write and the keys won't move. Like many writers Mundis confesses to periods of ineritia, and underactivity, and uses the 12 Steps to help guide the underemployed and underpaid to rightful livelihood. This is not an business book in the strict sense, he's more a kindly godfather whispering good advice, and dishing out the daily chores for making a living. If you wonder why your friends always seem to have more, why raises never come to you and why you are always starting over, the answers are here; and the advice is reasonable even for people adverse or unwilling to do a 12 Step program,

This book is a great tool to use if you know you are earning less than you deserve, or have done so in the past. It helps you bring to light patterns within you that contribute to underearning, and gives practical and spiritual methods for earning more money in your life. You do not have to be a chronic underearner to benefit from this book- it can benefit anyone who has had past experiences with lack. The book will help you realize you are not alone, and there are ways to release experiences of lack and limitation in your life through spiritual and practical means. Especially helpful for people who are interested in Debtors Anonymous, or feel their debt is overwhelming. It covers the 12-step program used by Debtors Anonymous, but applies it specifically to those who underearn. A powerful self-help tool!

One wonders exactly how dark Jerrold Mundis' mind must be after reading the retreat. It is the story of several men who for one reason or another are snatched from society and forced to attend a retreat in an isolated monastery. The treatment the men are subjected to on the retreat takes a look at the darker side of religion and devotion - basically the monks who run the retreat believe pain is the only way to salvation. And aside from pain salvation comes at another price - no one is allowed to leave. The book is violent and explicit, but enthralling. Not for those who are easily offended.