It Is Only Money

And It Grows on Trees!

Non-Fiction - General
138 Pages
Reviewed on 03/05/2016
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Author Biography

Cara MacMillan is a thought leader in sustainability and financial management. As an adjunct professor in the School of Business at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Canada, her vision is to empower people to think and act for themselves financially.

She also serves as a Climate Reality Leader in The Climate Reality Leadership Corps. This group is a global network of activists committed to taking on the climate crisis by providing training in climate science, communications, and organizing to tell the story of climate change and inspire communities everywhere to take action. The result is a dynamic group of world-changers shaping the conversation on climate in forums from family dinners to international summits and building a 21st-century movement for solutions.

Cara has the privilege of teaching and learning with courageous individuals who are committed to making a difference for themselves, their world, and future generations. As a thought leader, Cara regularly publishes in the areas of personal finance and investments.

Cara lives in Ottawa with her life partner and best friend, David, and their two children. She is currently working on her next book, Make Big Money and Make a Big Difference, for readers who want to learn how to invest in responsible companies and opportunities. It is due out later this year.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

It Is Only Money: And It Grows on Trees! is a non-fiction business/finance book written by Cara P. MacMillan. The story takes place in a classroom where a teacher named Catherine has written the word, Money, in large capital letters on the blackboard. She invites her students to help her define what money is, while cautioning them that none of the answers they might come up with will be wrong. The students propose varying answers, and Catherine explains how each of these different definitions comes from our cultural, religious, family, and economic backgrounds. By discussing each person's views on money, she and the class will finally arrive at a general definition that embraces each of those ideas. Catherine tells the class about the rise of the concept and importance of money as industrialization took hold in society, and how the crash of the stock market and resulting Great Depression gave rise to fears about money and statements such as 'it doesn't grow on trees.' Then she explores how the concept of money and wealth is considered by the various religions of the world and comes up with ideas on how to increase one's own wealth.

Cara P. MacMillan's It Is Only Money: And It Grows on Trees! is a well-written and imaginative multi ethnic and multi cultural look at acquiring wealth. I loved the give and take between Catherine, the teacher, and the diverse group of students who are in her class. Through this device, the author explores the role of money in Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other religions, and discusses how the biblical story, The Parable of the Talents, can be used as a way to explore one's own talents and ability to actively make money. MacMillan's thoughts on passive income streams, investments, and finding one's passion as opposed to merely doing a job one hates are well-presented and include cautions about the hidden charges and fees that may deplete your savings or investments. Her ideas on possible cottage industries had me brainstorming and thinking about growing my own money tree. It Is Only Money: And It Grows on Trees! is highly recommended.