Money Harmony by Olivia Mellan

Product Details

Synopsis

"For most of us, money is never just money," writes Olivia Mellan. It can also represent love, power, happiness, security, self-esteem, and so much more. As a result, we have intense feelings about money - feelings we often hide from - which prevent us from dealing with it productively, and which make it a primary source of anxiety and conflict in our lives and relationships. Olivia Mellan knows how to help individuals and couples resolve their money conflicts. In Money Harmony, she presents the innovative program she has successfully used for more than a decade in her private practice and in workshops and seminars nationwide. Her reassuring, positive approach gives readers insight through real-life examples and conversations and self-knowledge exercises; teaches readers how to evaluate the impact of childhood experiences on their current money attitudes and behaviors; demystifies the common myths about money that can lead to extreme actions, running the gamut from overspending to avoidance to hoarding; and explains the strengths and weaknesses of various money personality styles, allowing readers to come to terms, comfortably, with their own styles. The second half of Money Harmony is devoted to couples, whose hidden money agendas and often opposing styles can cause conflict. Mellan offers a variety of proven communication techniques: dynamic activities and creative "moneytalks" that teach couples how to appreciate and respect differing styles, to resolve simple and complex money conflicts, and to set individual and joint goals. For anyone whose life or relationship is affected by money, Money Harmony is essential reading.

Annotation

Money is a primary source of conflict for many couples. In this acclaimed book, a psychotherapist and business consultant in the field of money conflict resolution guides readers through the money minefield, demystifying the emotional roots of money issues through her unique exercises, dialogues, and communications techniques.

Publishers Weekly

After discussing money ``types'' (hoarders, bingers, spenders, monks) and current cultural realities, psychotherapist Mellan offers a particularly balanced study of the often-hostile male-female relationships in private money matters. Reassuringly objective, she sees hope for improvement ``if men and women will begin to understand each other's `culture' and not take the differences between them so personally.'' Mellan pinpoints frequently divergent views on investments, philanthropy, banking arrangements and intra-couple communication which must be mutually approached, she stresses, ``with curiosity and compassion'' and eventually ``depolarized'' to a middle ground through ``love letters,'' structured ``moneytalk'' and negotiation. Case histories are offered to illustrate the process. First serial to Brides and Your New Home magazine; Fortune Book Club and QPB selections; author tour. (May)