Ms. Singletary delivers what one of the titles promises: "How to Live Well with the Money You Have." This book is not about getting rich. It is about learning how to save more. She has many great ideas and instructions on how to spend less. I think her ideas will help many people reduce needless consumption.

Where should you invest your savings? The author's answer? She tells you how to carefully select some mutual funds. However, I should note that careful selection of mutual funds won't protect you from risks that are inherent in the stock market.

You can always justify spending. And you can keep doing it until you are so broke or in debt that you are paying other people with money you could use. At its core, that's the message of Michelle's book. She's frugal, and even cheap, but she reminds people that she does so with goals in mind -- college for her three children, retirement on her terms, protection against fiscal disaster. Do you have a plan for your money, or does your money plan you? Read this book and answer that question.

I've considered myself a frugal spender, but Singletary puts me to shame! This book can be an eye-opener.

7 Money Mantras ("MM") offers such a unique perspective it's not a stand-alone. I recommend reading 7MM in conjunction with other books on money management, to get a well-rounded perspective. Singletary speaks to a specific target market: those who have run up credit card debts and developed unhealthy patterns that have spun their lives out of control. If her first person accounts are true (most authors exaggerate at least a little!) then she's determined to eradicate seeds of financial destruction before they take root and grow.

The best parts of 7MM are the parts dealing with family and setting limits with adult children. I never had the luxury of moving back home and have no children, but I watch neighbors and friends make huge sacrifices for kids who have no motivation to move and grow. Some of these sections are hilarious -- I laughed out loud at her response to her nephew's question, "Doesn't rent include food?"
"Well," she answers, "when you're on your own, ask your landlord when you can expect him to drop by with a bag of groceries."

Some suggestions will have to be adapted for specific lifestyles. I *love* doggie bags and enjoyed her support as I often get teased. Most restaurant meals are too big and I take half home for next day's lunch.

I choose not to have cable, which she would applaud, but I do have a DVD. As she points out, it is tempting to buy DVD's but you don't just get a better picture: the director's cut adds significantly to enjoyment, if you're a film buff.

And while she's right on the money (!) about families, she misses the mark on singles. Sure, a home-cooked meal is a welcome gift...but I would *much* rather meet someone for lunch in a restaurant. Spending an evening with a family can be stressful.

And I believe Singletary needs to add a caution for people who have good jobs. I once worked with a sales manager who lugged two shopping bags of paper towels back to the office after lunch, cheerily bragging that he'd saved five dollars. Aside from looking a little silly, he communicated that his focus was saving not earning -- not a good image for someone in his field!

For someone moving up, an investment in clothes and haircut can pay huge dividends. And sometimes you need to get what you pay for. Finding the cheapest dentist, therapist or coach can cost a bundle. It's easy to go overboard in either direction.

Similarly, Singletary misses some social significance of meals. Eating lunch with coworkers can be the best -- sometimes the only -- way to network. And while a letter or email can be cheaper than a call, there are all sorts of ways to get discounted phone calls nowadays. I use a calling card that costs three cents a minute.

So bottom line, this book can suggest creative ways to save, but I recommend using the text as a starting point for discussion and a new way to study your spending -- not the final word.

This book is NOT a complicated or sophisticated guide to finance.

I agree with some other reviews here that Singletary's advice is somewhat simplistic. Still, in my opinion, her easy, conversational writing style is what "saves" this book.

Though the 7 Money Mantras are really nothing more than common sense, how many of us can say we actully use good common sense when dealing with our money? (Especially our use of credit.)

It doesn't hurt to be reminded, every once in awhile, of plain and simple ways to save money, limit credit use, save for the future, and so on.

The author gives us those reminders and the book is a good place to START learning about handling your personal finances.

Reviewer: Linda Painchaud

Unlike the two listed reviews I feel this book is wonderful and has a unique voice. It's a fun read. It's funny. It's a book anybody can read. IT'S NOT AN INVESTMENT BOOK! So, if you're looking for a book on how to buy stocks or mutual funds or bonds with some stupid formula or system then you should look elsewhere. But if you're in debt, if can't manage to save any money, if you're wondering how to talk to your children about money then this is the book for you! Ms. Singletary continues in this book the great common sense advice she passes along in her syndicated column. In fact, Better Investing magazine gave it a great review in it's Jan. issue. The writer said this book was just what the everyday person could use right now!