Did Everything But Think is a guideline to avoiding debt traps while on the path of financial freedom. Lorick approaches personal financial management from a social awareness point of view, using unheard stories to expose the culture of debt that dominates the U.S. economy. The information in this book bridges the gaps between wealth and poverty by enabling all readers; despite their background, methods of achieving financial freedom. A wide variety of issues are covered in this book, such as, childhood influences, marriage, purchasing a home, debt elimination, credit repair and much more. Whether you are 13 or 70, D.E.B.T. will help you achieve financial freedom. This book is just a small part of the D.E.B.T. movement. The purpose of this cause is simple; to strengthen our country by destroying debt dependency.

4.0 out of 5 stars Undertanding Debt, December 1, 2012
By Teresa Beasley (Indianapolis,IN) – See all my reviewsThis review is from: Did Everything But Think: D.E.B.T. (Paperback)
Debt is something that can be avoided if individuals learn about it early. If parents teach their children finances while in high school it will carry over into their adult life. Joseph Lorick explains all there is to know in Did Everything But Think. This 15-chaptered guidebook will help readers learn how to stay clear of debt and how to get out of debt. I am sure everyone would love to be debt free.

Lorick starts with a brief history of generational handling of finances. The book covers several topics such as the different influences that may cause debt, how to buy your first car, when to move out of your parents’ home and the difference between renting and having a mortgage. I enjoyed these particular chapters because they opened my eyes on how to avoid making mistakes when it comes to big decisions. The author’s examples and scenarios provide readers with a clearer picture as he explains different levels of finances.

The author takes a different approach in sharing valuable information by using storytelling techniques along with personal experiences. I appreciated the sample budgeting worksheets that can be used as a tool to start readers on their journey to financial freedom. This was a helpful book that should be shared with high school and college students. I recommend this book to others.

This book was provided by the author for review purposes.

Teresa Beasley
APOOO BookClub 

5.0 out of 5 stars An Untraditional Approach to Money, August 4, 2012
By Darren M. -
I recommend this book to anyone who is either in debt or simply wants to increase their wealth. I am a true fan of ‘self help’ books and have read countless books on finances. This is by far in my top 3. Joseph Lorick’s unique approach to having one realize their financial hardships through looking back on learned childhood habits is simply genius. I loved the book and I would rate it 10 stars if I could!

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, September 28, 2012
By Ayrika -
Practical advice for all persons needing to start over again or just starting out for the first time. Shows us how really greedy we as consumers can become. We place ourselves in precarious situations. But, it helps to foster responsibility and the development of a plan for a new beginning. 

MARRIAGE CHILDREN AND MONEY

The value of family cannot be measured in any currency or denomination. Our family members are invaluable despite any disagreements or small arguments we have with them. Whether we like them or not, our family members are an essential part of our lives. What we can measure is the cost of family. The reason our twenties and early thirties are the largest debt building period of our adulthood is because we are usually building a family. Many of our debt problems began when we were preparing for family life. A small apartment was no longer feasible for our expanding family. The sports car was not large enough for a baby seat and growing children. The old neighborhood didn’t have good enough schools or wasn’t safe environment to raise our children. Our wedding had to be grand and luxurious. We had to take a once in a lifetime vacation for our honeymoon. The wedding rings needed to be the biggest and best. All of these desires come with a hefty price tag and many of us are not prepared to pay for it. Paying attention to the cost of these life changing events can reveal its true cost.
The cost of marriage depends on many different variables. Let’s start with money personalities. There are four classifications most people fall under when it comes to their money personality; chaser, builder, manager, and victim. Chasers are people that consistently attempt to acquire more wealth than someone else. These individuals perceive life as a race where first place is the only winner. This results in more financial risks being taken. They determine their level of success based on the failures of others. They also have a high regard for social status. People like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are used as barometers of success. They may often be heard saying, “I haven’t made it because I’m still not on the level of…..” People with this money personality will relocate more often than others. Their insistence on social advancement will not allow them to live in one setting for a long period of time. Builders desire to increase every thing they acquire. These individuals may be considered rich, but want to expand their assets as much as possible. They perceive life as an individual race with the goal of beating an ever changing best time. They may often be heard using the phrase, “I am working to expand my empire.” These individual are semi-stable, but relocate more often than managers or victims. Managers desire to manage their earnings to the best of their ability. Income level is not a major concern. They are inspired to advance in their career, but not solely for the purpose of earning more money. Preparation and effort are highly regarded values to manager personalities. They use phrases like, “As long as I do my part everything else will fall in place.” These people are less likely to frequently relocate and usually live a more stable lifestyle. Victims consistently blame their personal failures on others and circumstances. These individuals are not willing to do what it ta kes to change their circumstances. They often perceive life as a fixed race and feel cheating is necessary for victory. You may often hear them say, “It’s not my fault.” They are semi-risky partners because of their lack of desire to change. Victims may complain about their lifestyle, but will not take advantage of good opportunities. These habits make victims a difficult spouse to live with. To determine if living with a victim is possible, we must understand the compatibility of these dispositions. Some money personalities are better matches than others. Chasers and victims will usually have the most difficult time becoming compatible. They are financial opposites and frequently find themselves working against each other. Builders will have the same issues with victims. Imagine one spouse working ten hours a day while the other gambles all their savings away. To make matters worse, he or she doesn’t want to work. Another difficult match for chasers are managers. It is pretty difficult for one spouse to manage the household finances while the other risks all their savings with costly investments. Builders would be the better choice for chasers because of their similarities. They both want to increase what they have but their motivation is different. Managers prefer stability over unpredictable financial behavior. Managers are also compatible with victims because of their predictability. Victims may waste money through gambling, but will rarely take too much of a financial risk. Managers and builders are also a good match because of predictability. Builders may want to expand their wealth, but are usually less risky than chasers. Of course not all people fall under a single money personality, but one trait usually dominates more than the other. Financial personality traits can also be a good indicator of future lifestyle expenses. Chasers tend to be the most expensive partners. Their aspirations for higher status come wi th a hefty price tag. They must have the best cloths, cars, jewelry, and other material possessions even if it isn’t affordable. Expensive travel and social events are also preferred by chasers. The goal may be to increase their wealth, but they need to appear wealthy during the process. Builders are the second most expensive partners because of their desire for increase. They may not appear flashy but do prefer to take some risk to expand their empire. Three bedroom single family homes in a middle class suburb will not be enough to satisfy their long term lifestyle desires. Eventually there will be a request for a bigger house and more land. Victims are the third most expensive partners because of the potential money losses. These people are famous for spending money for goals they will rarely achieve. They take college courses but never obtain a degree. The professors or institution are always the reason for their failure. Victims pay for self-improvement guides but never read the information. They can’t find a job because the hiring manager is always bias. Their lack of follow through will always be dismissed by an excuse and those investments will never turn into profit. This is the costly behavior of people with a victim personality. The least expensive partners are usually managers. Their lack of risk taking may cost the family some potential income, but will prevent frequent bad financial decisions from occurring. Many divorcees never realized they were so financially incompatible with their former spouse until it was too late. Better knowledge of their spouses’ financial personality may have prevented marriage or divorce. We all have certain expectations coming into a marriage, but understanding money personalities help to create a more realistic perspective. Even the most financially incompatible partners can become more compatible once each person has a proper perspective. Money personality is not the only factor to consider when considering marriage What about the family?
Marriages are affected by family members. We all have very complex relationships with our family members and they affect every marriage. Some people keep their personal matters away from family members and others don’t. These differences are often based on the financial structure of each household. There are four financial structures most families fall under; intra-household, multi-household, generational, and total inclusion. Intra-Household families share financial gains and losses exclusively with household members. These families do not consider people outside of their household in financial decision making. Outside family members may receive gifts, but there is no regard for their financial well being. Spouses from this family structure usually bring minimal family expenses to the marriage. When family members outside of the home need financial assistance they will not attempt to assistance. Multi-Household families share their financial gains and losses with som e family members. They consider some family members in their financial decision making, but will purposely exclude others. This behavior occurs for several reasons. The most frequent cause is a strained relationship. Changes in these relationships also move family members in and out of this structure. Some family members may remain a consistent part of financial planning, while other may not. Uncle Jeff may be considered this month and not considered in the future. These families must consistently discuss family financial issues because of frequent changes. They have a wide range of expenses to discuss and it is important to be prepared. Generational families share financial gains and losses based on generation. This is usually determined by average age between mother and child. There is a consistent vertical movement of assets and debts. Siblings will not consider each other in financial decisions, but include all nieces and nephews. Parents look to their children for assi stance as they grow older. The next generation is always the focus and estates are often left in their care. People from this family structure bring consistent family expenses to their marriage. They can calculate how much their family members will affect the household income more easily than others. The reason is because there are a set number of family members to consider. The dynamics of multi-household families consistently change, but generational families are more stable. They only change financial plans based on births and deaths. Unlike the generational model, total Inclusive families share financial gains and losses with all family members. Bloodline is the usual method of determining membership and this practice is commonly found within royal families. Their goal is to ensure all family members are financially stable. They do this to maintain some level of high social status or guarantee a long lasting lineage. Spouses in this family usually bring expenses based on family wealth. If they come from poor families then expenses will be very high. If they come from wealthy families then family expenses will usually be lower. Marriages fail and succeed based on the understanding of these financial structures. When couples understand their money personality and structure, they are better fit for future financial challenges. Credit reports only give people a snapshot of financial habits. These methods are better indicators of long term behaviors. The cost of getting married must also be addressed.