Welcome to the blog tour for Matt Bell's (a.k.a Matt About Money) resource for engaged or newly married couples, Money & Marriage.

Matt says, “I wrote “Money & Marriage” because I believe in marriage. I’m sure it isn’t news to you that money is a very common source of stress between spouses. It’s even a primary factor in many divorces. I wrote this book with no less of a goal than to save many marriages from disaster, and to help all couples use money in a way that strengthens their relationship and increases their joy.”

To celebrate the book's release Matt has put together a Nest Egg Giveaway with a prize package worth over $250! All the details below.

About the book: Money & Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged or Newly Married Couples

In this thorough and practical guide, financial expert Matt Bell helps engaged and newly married couples navigate the merger of habits, flaws, and attitudes about money so two can truly become one.

His writing is full of helpful advice, Scripture, and practical steps to gaining financial freedom together as a couple. Learn to use money in a way that minimizes disputes and maximizes marital happiness.

About Matt: Matt began his career as a radio journalist, with his work featured on National Public Radio, the NBC Radio Network, and several other networks. His reporting earned national awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and United Press International.

Today, Matt is a full-time personal finance writer and speaker. He is the author of two books: "Money, Purpose, Joy" (September 2008) and "Money Strategies for Tough Times" (April 2009), both by NavPress. Matt has been quoted in USA TODAY, U.S. News and World Report, the Chicago Tribune, and Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, has written for ChristianityToday.com, and has been a guest on WGN-TV and several nationally syndicated radio talk shows.

Matt holds a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from DePaul University, where he wrote a thesis about the emergence of America's consumer culture and its influence on people's beliefs and behaviors.

Matt lives with his wife and their three young children in the Chicago area. Visit his website and blog at www.mattaboutmoney.com.

About the Money & Marriage Nest Egg Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Money & Marriage, Matt Bell is giving away a Nest Egg Prize Package worth over $250.

One winner will receive:

•    A Free 1 Hour Financial Session
•    A $100 Visa Cash Card
•    A signed copy of Matt’s Money, Purpose, Joy and Money Strategies for Tough Times

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Hurry, the contest ends on April 11th. Tell your friends and be sure to pick up a copy of Money & Marriage – important principles whether you're newly engaged or just celebrated your 30th anniversary.

Matt will announce the winner on his blog April 13th!

Blog Tour Schedule:

3/21
Jeannine at My Bits and Bleeps Matt Bell has several, wonderful strategies….many of them already in established in our relationship! Our financial behaviour will continue to be influenced; however, we’ll be on the lookout!  We’ve learned, financially, more about ourselves with Money & Marriage, than I ever thought possible.

Melinda Joy: Living, Laughing, Loving Men and women are wired differently in many aspects, and this book points out some of the areas where we may differ, and how to learn to meet in the middle. 

Christina at Will Blog 4 Books Matt Bell's book really hits on the key areas of financial struggles and arguments. My husband and I enjoyed reading this book and discussing again the many considerations found between the covers. I think this book should be required reading for any couple going into marriage.   

Apple Blossom at 4 the LOVE of BOOKS Bell helps the reader find timeless truths about money from a Biblical perspective. This was such a wonderful book on Money. It is written to be understood, very easy. Any new couple planning on getting married should work through this book together.  

3/22
Stephanie at 4 the LUV of SaNiTy First off, this is a great book for both engaged and newly married couples. This is definitely not just a one time read. I feel that this is a book that you will stick on your shelf and refer back to many times through-out your engagement and marriage. Perhaps it may just be the key to a long and very happy marriage.

Shannon at Dinglefest I've read it once, and now my husband and I are reading through it together. Matt Bell a skilled writer in that he uses just the right number of words to explain the point, rarely too few or too many. He includes lots of questions for you and your spouse to discuss. (Seriously. I think at least one fifth of the book is questions he poses. He does provide guidance as well, but I find more often than not our problem with finances in marriage is that we're not talking about the right questions.) And he also blogs at Matt About Money, which I'm adding to my blogroll so I can get more tidbits from him on a regular basis. I'm recommending this book to the couple who teaches that young married Sunday school class, even though we're not in it anymore, and I'm recommending it to the pastors at our church who are most involved in marriage ministry, particularly those involved in premarital counseling. While certain sections aren't as applicable to those who don't exactly fit the "young married" description anymore, the majority of the content would be useful in any marriage. It certainly has been useful in ours.     

3/23
Carol's Corner This is a great book. The only similarity I see between Matt Bell and Dave Ramsey is the content they cover in the book. They have very distinct ways of presenting the information. I like how Matt Bell presents the information. He begins  each chapter with quotes and scriptures. He discuss the chapter content that is logical and understanding. I like how he has a take action end at the end of  each chapter. I especially enjoy the what do do and what to discuss sections at the end of the chapter. It starts  conversations off in postive and calm manner. I will be rereading the book soon with my husband. I know that this book is definitely going to improve our marriage when it comes to finances.

Book Junkie Mom at Rainy Day Reviews

Laura at The Book Tree This book is a great must have for all married couples. I am recently newly married and we are putting this book to good use. The book gives quizzes to assess what your financial life is all about and then it teaches you how to fix things that need help. Bell discusses everything a couple could ever want to know from the credit score, to buying a house, saving for retirement, or a college fund for your children. The book is easy to read and understand and the reader is able to really get the meaning of the tips and put them into practice easily. I enjoyed the book as it does not make the reader feel like a financial failure if they are not where they should be where finances are concerned. It is helpful and encouraging and a must have for anyone wanting to get their finances in order.

3/24
Roxanna Jolly What a great book for engaged and newly married couples. Matt walks you through how women and men think differently about money and how culture, your family of origin and temperament also come into effect. There’s advice in here from investing to purchasing life insurance to managing debt to giving money.

LaTawnia Kintz Reviews If you are just married or preparing to get married then let me encourage you to get this book! This will be one of the best investments you will ever make for your financial future as a couple. Right off the bat, Matt is open with the differences between he and his wife before they got married. He also gives some very interesting statistics about the financial differences between how men and women spend. In the first part of the book where he shows how to determine your financial makeup, he includes some great worksheets to go through. It certainly proved helpful in determining my financial temperament. Money is the leading cause for divorce. Money & Marriage is a real help for engaged, newlyweds, and even couples who have been married for a long time. It opens communication for couples on a subject that has been taboo for most people, money. I recommend buying it, reading it, following it then sharing it with others. 

Scott at LaVigne's Blog In this book by Matt Bell, my wife and I learned a few things we knew and a few things we were not completely sure about when it comes to money. Things like pointers on how to save and how to plan for the future really shed some light on our path to managing our finances. I agree with my wife about the worksheets and whatnot. I found them, at first glance, to be a bit cumbersome but with some time set aside to conquer them we had no problems. I give this book an 8.5 out of 10. I hope you and your fiancee or newlywed bride will have as much fun with this book as my wife and I did! My kudos to Matt Bell!   

From my wife, Emily @southernfiberreads

My husband and I really enjoyed going through this book together!  We have been married a year and a half, and are still learning some things about each other.  This book helped us look to the future as we plan how we will make major purchases and send our children to college. The worksheets and quizzes, although a little intimidating at first, are well explained, and even fun to do if you sit down with the right attitude.  It was good for us to learn that our financial differences help us keep each other balanced. One of the ways this book helped us learn to accept our financial differences and make them work for our financial unity. Bell has written a solid, Biblical, and straightforward guide to finances for engaged and newly married couples.  I believe that you will get as much, if not more, from this book as my husband and I did.  Happy Reading!!!

Morning Cup With Meg Bell demonstrates how culture, our families, and our experiences can shape the way we spend our money.  He gives readers practical ways to set up and maintain a budget, even going so far as to offer budgeting spreadsheets on his website for download.  And for those who have fallen into traps with spending, he describes solutions for climbing out of debt.

3/26
Jennifer at For Such a Time as This This book was a really good read for me. Stephen and I fight sometimes about money. This book has some great advice on dealing with money and marriage.

Naasom at Letras Santas

3/28
Clint at Friar Tucks Fleeting Thoughts I really liked this book. It was smart. It offered wise advice without being judgmental. It was written in a way that is easy to read and accessable to a broad audience. As a pastor, I plan to keep it on my shelf for marriage and pre-marital counseling situations. Matt Bell compiled some important statistics at the beginning of the book that we all should take time to read and pay attention to. They included research-based facts on how couples view money, and how couples communicate about money. This is a book every young couple should have.

Jessica at Catholic Hearts Domestic Church I am holding in my hands a book I wish I’d had many years ago. It takes so much of the financial information I have studied and sought over the years, and puts in the context of a couple getting married (or already married!). While the information contained in this book is not new persay, the context changed my entire perspective on the whys and hows of my financial choices.

3/29
Tea Time with Annie Kate The core of the book lies in the final chapter, “What It’s All About.”  Matt points out that we’re not owners or consumers of our resources, but rather stewards, managing them for God.  He says that our life’s purpose is to love God, to love people, and to make a difference using the talents God has given us.  Our goal should be to arrange our finances around these three God-given purposes. Money and Marriage, with its helpful, wise, and detailed information, could easily improve a couple’s financial health.  Since couples tend to fight more about money than about anything else, this book could also lead to happier, more peaceful, and more financially successful marriages.

Katherine at Our Whiskey Lullaby Money and Marriage is a wonderful new book that is meant for engaged and newly wed couples to take that first leap into commitment. I highly recommend it because it will be extremly useful years down the line.

Jennifer at Quiverfull Family Bell writes with a great sense of humor that helps to make a potentially heavy topic more digestible, and that this resource could easily become a ‘must have’ for young couples.  I am already making mental notes about young people who could benefit from the advice found within its’ pages.  Even older couples like ourselves can benefit from Bell’s advice, it is possible to teach old dogs new tricks.

3/30
Suzanne at Suzannesaphone If you can get on the same page about money, you will have plenty of time and energy to devote to all the other things that can go wrong in marriage. Because of that, I would highly recommend Money & Marriage by Matt Bell to engaged or newly married couples. If you are engaged or newlywed and haven’t talked about finances, or come from very different backgrounds/perspectives (and if you haven’t talked about money, let me assure you that you probably have some wildly differing views on it), it would be a really good idea to get this book and read and discuss it together.

Susieqtpies Scraps of Life The book, Money & Marriage is a great handbook for those who are going to get married or are already married. Just like any issue, the money thing can make or break your relationship if you put it before Christ in your marriage. This book gives tips and advise on how not to let money break the bank and your relationship.

3/31
Brittany at A Flower in the Rain I really enjoyed reading Money and Marriage. Josh and I have been married for 6 years and money is still one of our biggest struggles. Matt does a great job explaining money issues and solutions and putting everything into words that are easy to understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs guidance with their finances. The steps are easily explained and defined and the solutions are doable if you put your mind and effort behind them.

Margaret at Cappuccino Life First, Bell helps couples figure out their attitudes towards money (“financial DNA”) and then provides a step-by-step plan to walk towards financial success.  Finally, he deals with unity in marriage on the subject of money. Young couples will appreciate this book as they prepare for marriage (or after marriage when it’s discovered that they differ on finances).

Tricia at It's Real Life Podcast interview HERE.

4/1
Nicole at Ramblings By Nicole Although I am not newly engaged or married (hard to believe it'll be 6 years for me and hubby in just a few months) I really enjoyed this book! I actually really wish we had both read it and applied it when we first got married. Matt has a ton of really good, common sense applications and practices that any couple and marriage would greatly benefit from. I was actually able to see how we've been going about the order of handling our money a bit backwards in some areas and because of that book plan on fixing that and using his recommended order, it makes much more sense! This book was very useful and I think it would be great for any couple, newly engaged or married for awhile!

Danielle at The Happy Wife I have been married for over 11 years, but found many parts of this book useful in our relationship today.  We could have saved a lot of financial stress had we read this book before the wedding and I strongly recommend this book for couples who are contemplating marriage, are newly married, or who are struggling to get a grip on their financial situation. The book encourages open and honest communication, particularly regarding finances, which leads to greater financial stability and increased marital happiness.  It also brings together your separate visions so that you can create one vision together.  After all, if you are planning a future together, it helps if you both see it the same way.

4/2
Caroline at Happy Four Matt writes in a way that assists couples in understanding how each other views money and provides a comprehensive ten step action plan to reach your financial goals. This book is an incredible tool for couples to openly discuss student loans, mortgages, investments and a plan a successful financial future as husband and wife. Matt does not just communicate financial items to consider for a healthy fiscal future, but provides the reader with steps to execute and hot topics to discusss as a couple which enhances communication with one another and assists in securing like minded goals. I give this book a 5/5 and would recommend it for any person seriously dating, married or desiring a better handle on steps to be good stewards of their resources. 

Crystal at Thrifty and Frugal Living Bell won me over right away by talking about his personal fights with his Wife. It is great to know that the person writing the book has actually been there. Throughout the book he teaches you not only why you may fight about money, but the factors that influence your finances and how to get out of debt and on the right track. If you are engaged or a newlywed then Bell includes a lot of great information about combining your finances and even changing your name (you will want this information ladies!). Regardless of your relationship status, there is more than enough excellent financial advice in this book to make it worth buying for anyone.

Robert at Fundamentally Reformed Today we are financially stable, but looking back, I believe we would have been better off had we read a resource like this new book by Matt Bell, Money and Marriage. Systematically, step by step, Matt Bell explains how to think about finances and your new life together as a married couple. He gives a crash course on budgeting, frugality, credit, debt, housing, insurance and more. His book is flexible enough to be useful in a variety of ways as he advocates an approach to money more than any one strategy. I found the Scripture quotations and other quotations interesting and appropriate. Occasionally they were downright funny, providing comedic relief from the serious topic of conversation. If you know of any young couples, consider giving them a copy of this book. And those of you who haven’t hit middle age yet, you really need to get this book. I highly recommend it.

4/3
Brian at Live Generously This book is a remarkably comprehensive, highly practical, highly readable guide to navigating the maze of decisions that young couples need to make in order to secure a healthy financial future.

Scott at A Dad First Gives a good overview of all the different financially-related topics those engaged or newly married should discuss, from how our backgrounds influence our financial thinking, to budgeting, to debt discussions, to housing and spending.

4/5
Elizabeth at Be Joyful Always Money and Marriage is a quality resource and a wonderful way to review, even if you are on track with your finances.  It’s primarily geared towards engaged and newly married couples (as the title indicates), but this book is worthwhile for singles and seasoned married couples…simply anyone who wants to enhance and/or realign their finances in a practical and biblical manner.

Robin at Inspired by Savannah This is a great step-by-step book that you can sit down and read together.  It will get you both talking in a positive way about your finances as a couple and how you can have a strong and lasting marriage with a true understanding on each others financial temperament and how you can work together to reach your joint financial goals.

4/6
Mary at Owlhaven This book talks straight, for example pointing out that cable TV is not a ‘utility’.  It is entertainment, and thus not an essential of life.  I had to cheer a little there- it is that entitlement mindset that gets too many people in debt.  And when you’d rather be in debt than give up your HGTV– well, there’s an issue, for sure.  This book looks to me to be a worthwhile read for any couple wanting to avoid common newlywed pitfalls.

Michelle at Beyond The Silver and The Gold The best thing that I liked about Matt Bell's book is that he ends it with what God's purposes are for our lives.  Despite having realized the many mistakes I and my husband have made in the past, I came away encouraged that I can still start over and follow this plan. And that the Lord will honor our efforts. Thanks Matt Bell!

Ponderings by Andrea I found this book to be very valuable – even for an older newly married couple! I have a friend who will be getting married at the end of May; I plan on passing ‘Money & Marriage’ along to her so she can avoid some of the mistakes we have made. 

4/7
Tammy Is Blessed This book would be a fanTAStic book for couples to read as part of their pre-marital counselling and I highly, highly recommend it.

Paula at Thrifty Mommas Brain Food  Remember that marriage course you had to take before you walked down the aisle? Well Money and Marriage is like that course, neatly contained in a book, for your finances. Financial literacy is nothing if not a hot topic these days in light if such severe economic woes in much of North America. There are some helpful practical and common sense tips here.

4/8
Shoopette's Book Reviews An excellent resource for couples to use during pre-marital counseling or for newlyweds to use as a small group study.

Revka at The Porch Light Although Mr. Bell's book targets engaged and newly married couples, it is full of solid financial advice which, if put into practice, will put any family on the path to a solid financial future. The worksheets he included in the book are useful without being overwhelming. I enjoyed the chapter that helps the reader identify his personality type and then describes how that personality influences your handling of money.I found those tips to be revealing, true to my experience, and quite helpful.

Linda at One Desert Roses' Christian Book Reviews Though I’m past the engaged/newlywed stage, I found Matt’s book to be one of the most comprehensive books on money issues and life’s purposes in a marriage.  It’s  thorough and extensive, with an easy-to-read format. A must-read before you get married.  Where was this book when we got married?

Stephanie-jean at Life: Semi Crunchy  I appreciate that Matt provides many spreadsheets to help you sit down and discuss money. I know that in my marriage, money is a tough subject at times, it is easy to become defensive over for sure. I defiantly understand the value of having a structured method of which to discuss finances with your partner! I think that this book would really help to open up the eyes of many engaged and newlywed couples.

4/9
Sharon at The Legacy of Home An excellent resource and would make a great gift for engaged or newly married couples.

Dawn at Guiding Light Homeschool What a wonderful resource for Christians!  This book covers EVERYTHING…and then some!  It is shared in a way that isn’t boring (actually it’s even a little entertaining!).

Barbara at The World of Book Reviews

Shawneda at Faithful Folios TV Bell has an easy conversational tone to how he gets his point across. He offers logical and precise information on many subjects with the most important being talking to your spouse regarding their spending habits and net worth.

Jill at Radiant Lit