Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/25/2014 -- To finance guru and author Mac Gardner, the concept of teaching ‘financial literacy’ is as vital as learning to read and write. Gardner contends that too many North Americans are financially illiterate or simply don’t have any plans in place for retirement – an epidemic he hopes to reverse with the release of his hotly anticipated new book, ‘Motivate Your Money!’

After working in the financial services industry for nearly two decades, Gardner has a wealth of experience at his fingertips. At the core of ‘Motivate Your Money!’ is Gardner’s “5 Steps to Financial Success” – Plan Accordingly, Spend Cautiously, Save Diligently, Invest Wisely, and Gift Generously. Using easy-to-understand language and avoiding complicated jargon, Gardner sets out the keys to financial freedom and peace of mind, as well as outlining a wealth management process that covers investment management, insurance planning, retirement planning, tax management and estate planning. In short, ‘Motivate Your Money!’ is a one-stop-shop for anyone who has ever felt confused or overwhelmed by their finances.

“Personal financial planning does not need to be complicated and it shouldn't be an intimidating experience,” says Gardner. “As personal financial planning has become more complex and corporations are no longer providing pensions, the onus to provide for one’s retirement has moved to the individual. If you combine these facts with the fact that people are living longer and inflation is growing, one can see that financial literacy is a must in our society.

I hope to provide my reader with the tools necessary to feel confident about their ability to manage their personal finances and more importantly be motivated to focus on how they can impact their financial future.”

Synopsis:

If you’re looking for straightforward and easy to understand financial guidance, you've picked up the right book.

Over the past two decades, as the world of personal financial planning has become more complicated than ever, Mac Gardner has consistently managed to synthesize the most complex financial strategies into a coherent, easily understood message to his clients. This ability to relate to them and set realistic expectations for them is what has moved many of his clients to consider Mac an integral financial resource in their lives. Mac believes that life is a collection of experiences and stories shared by those we encounter on our lifelong journey.

He has spent his career collecting and sharing stories about finance and personal financial planning—stories covering retail banking, trust administration, commercial lending, investment management, private banking, and comprehensive wealth management. Mac has hosted financial planning seminars across the country, representing some of the nation’s largest financial services firms. Over his career he has interacted with thousands of financial advisors and clients about the importance of financial planning and practicing healthy financial habits. His journey across the various lines of finance has given him the unique ability to help his clients face the continuously complex challenges of personal financial planning.

This book serves as a compilation of some of Mac's most influential interactions and thought-provoking experiences. In the book you will find beneficial financial planning strategies including: - Financial planning basics - Budget Planning - Savings strategies - Investment management - Insurance planning - Retirement planning - Tax management - Estate planning All of this information is laid out in a straightforward and easy to understand manner. There are no confusing charts, no financial jargon, and no complex time consuming strategies. There's just the right amount of information you can use to manage your personal finances on a daily basis and Motivate Your Money!

Since its release, ‘Motivate Your Money!’ has attracted rave reviews from readers who have been helped by Mac Gardner’s innovative financial advice.

“I think this is a great book that breaks down what are usually boring topics into an engaging read. It’s easy to tell that Mac knows and understands these issues. Someone got this for me as a gift and I have marked many pages and covered it in highlights. The kind of information that Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey can’t convey. Look forward to future publications by this author,” wrote A. Vasquez.

“I love how the author brings the complex and controversial world of money matters into a real life perspective that regular people can understand!” wrote David Graham.

“The author takes ‘the elephant in the room’ and makes it an open discussion. A lot of people are afraid to tackle their financial lives until it is too late. The author engages the reader to want to ‘motivate’ their money and get to the next chapter. His straight forward, easy to understand strategies and explanations make this a MUST READ for every age. One is never to young to understand his or her money,” wrote M. McInery.

‘Motivate Your Money!: Plan > Spend > Save > Invest > Gift’ is available now: http://amzn.to/PTR8eZ

For more information about Mac Gardner and his work, please visit his official website.

About Mac Gardner
Mac Gardner, an advisor with more than 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, specializes in investment management, retirement planning and estate planning as well as comprehensive wealth management. Financial success achieved through knowledge, planning and a disciplined approach to managing wealth is something he firmly believes in. His knack for making complex financial strategies easy to understand and his approachable demeanor put clients at ease. As he listens to clients’ life stories, he picks up on ideas that help define their financial destiny through planning.

His previous experience includes management and Vice President positions at firms such as USAA Wealth Management, TIAA-CREF Wealth Management, Bank of America, The Hartford and SunTrust Securities. At these firms he gained expertise in insurance planning, banking, investment management, retirement planning and trust administration. This exposure to various financial disciplines informs his comprehensive financial strategies. A variety of professional designations round out his formal education.

He has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, which requires continuing education and a commitment to professionalism and high ethical standards. He has also earned Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist® and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® designations from the College for Financial Planning. He draws on this expertise in writing about financial planning for publications and media outlets. Mac's professional journey over the last two decades serving as a financial guide has been emotional, rewarding, and fulfilling. The journey continues...