According to a recent article from the INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY, personal bankruptcies are up twenty-four per cent over a year ago. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan recently said improving financial literacy among children and adults is particularly crucial. He also stressed that understanding basic financial concepts such as budgeting and saving should begin as early as possible in the learning process.

Money is something everyone uses but very few know or follow the basic principles to ensure financial success. AVOIDING FINANCIAL PITFALLS, A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MONEY MANAGEMENT is written by a former banker who knows from first hand experience the mistakes people make in handling their finances. This book offers an approach on how to avoid problems in money management, tells how to systematically build wealth for a secure financial future, and includes chapters covering "life application" issues such as the value of "choosing a good name" and "how you can take it with you". In addition, the author covers setting financial goals, teaching children how to handle money and a chapter titled "God Wants You To Be A Winner".

The book contains practical advice for people of all ages and encourages people to achieve victory over their finances. Each principle is supported by Scripture from the Bible.

As the former President and CEO of a small community bank and with excess of thirty years experience in the banking industry, Eddie Hedges found common financial mistakes people made in handling their money matters. Knowing that the Bible has the answer to life's problems, he began to research scripture for the solutions. This led to his book, AVOIDING FINANCIAL PITFALLS, A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MONEY MANAGEMENT. This is not a "get rich quick" book, but a guide to building a secure financial future. Eddie takes his readers through a systematic approach to handling their finances, setting financial goals, teaching children how to handle money, and several chapters over "life application" issues.

Eddie is now retired from banking however, he is active in his church serving as a Sunday school teacher, greeter and usher, Church Trustee and member of the church Stewardship Committee. In addition, he has given several seminars over money management, which is the foundation of his book.

Eddie and his wife, Elaine, live in Sudan, Texas where they are members of First Baptist Church. They have four children and two grandchildren.

I think our society has failed to recognize the importance of teaching money management in our homes, educational systems, and churches. Money is something that everyone uses, however, very few people have formal training in credit, finances, and the proper use of money. Without question, this is one reason why bankruptcy filings have increased dramatically the last few years.

Another point I want to make has to do with your personal belief. I want you to honestly ask yourself this question, "Is what the Bible says is true?" If you believe that the Bible is true and is the inspired Word of God, and I back up my principles and comments with scripture, then you should accept what I state in this book as being true.

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An analogy to this study would be a person who had a heart attack, and he asks the doctor for a shot or medication that will make him well immediately. To resolve this health problem, the heart attack victim must go through a change in lifestyle and a rehabilitation program. If you go to your banker with financial problems, hoping to get a loan and "make you well" financially, your banker is like the doctor. He can only be of help to you if you are willing to change your lifestyle and go through a financial rehabilitation program.