photo by materials boy
Do you find yourself constantly frustrated about money? Do you find that no matter how much money you have, you always seem to just be making ends meet? If you can relate to these statements then you may benefit from reading the book called “When Money Talks, Listen!” by Rich Ezzo.
What follows is an interview with the author about his inspiration for writing this book and why he thinks he can help YOU and your money issues.
This was a very sweet story! Sorry to be cliche, Rich, but I laughed, I cried, and I learned! What was your inspiration to write this story? Any biographical elements? 
Kris, let me begin by saying thank you for asking to do this interview. Also, there is no need to apologize for the ‘cliché”. Hearing that you “laughed, cried, and learned” from my book is about the best review you could give me.
I did have a real life inspiration for writing this story; kudos to your instincts. I had left my job because I no longer felt fulfilled, and many months passed while I searched for something different. Naturally I began to get concerned about money as time passed and I had no income coming in. I began to wonder what it is about money that makes us so stressed, and why it has such a hold on us. I have always enjoyed writing, so one day I had an idea that I could try and create a fictional character that might be able to answer some of these questions for me. So, I named him Myster (Mr.) Money.
Who was the audience you had in mind when writing this book?
Because I decided to create this character to answer my questions, the original audience I had in mind was me! Ha ha. However, once it was completed and I let some family and friends read it, it seemed that the principles and story would apply to most any demographic. However, I’d say it’s most beneficial to those who find that money has always been a challenge in their lives. Some people can attract abundance easily into their lives, and probably wouldn’t need to read this.
Why did you decide to use a story for teaching these financial principals?
I have always believed that stories, fables, and parables are great ways to teach. They use examples well, and provide entertainment so that the mind forgets it’s being taught, and thus doesn’t resist so much. Also, as I writer I have noticed that when I am writing a story, if I let myself get out of the way it will begin to write itself. This is when a deeper wisdom can take over and offer better insights. So I was writing to learn.
How do you think people will benefit from reading your book?
It’s my hope that people will benefit most from this book by improving their relationship with money. Perhaps changing their perception of what money is, and its purpose. One of the 5 lessons that Myster Money teaches is to notice the gifts that are left behind when money leaves your possession. I think this is a good habit to be in.
I like the idea of giving money away, knowing that it will come back to you. Any personal stories in this regard?
Sometimes children are our best teachers. I remember the first time I was taught this principal, and it was from my 8 yr. old nephew. His family came to my parent’s house for dinner. My Father (his Grandfather) found $2 in his coat pocket, and turned and gave it to my nephew. My nephew said, “Wow. Today I had a dollar and put it in the church basket. And now God paid me back… double!” I’ve since experienced this numbers of times in my life, but think that says it best.
Did you ever have a guy like Scratch in your life?
Scratch does not represent one person in my life, but several. While I didn’t create him with anyone in mind, I can now read the story and see pieces of my father, grandfather and a few other notable mentors. There is even a mention in the book to his cologne smelling like my grandfathers. To me that is always a nice memory.
For someone attempting a makeover in their financial life, what is the best advice you can offer them?
Find a way to break the “craving need” for money. Like many things in life, we can want something too much, and thus push it away. Think back to a person or a job you wanted that you ever pushed away by this method. Money is the same. I was recently told a story by someone I met who said the best lesson he ever learned about money was from his father. He told him that whenever you can least afford it, take a $100 bill and burn it! Then, one day when he was down and out, he got his hundred dollar bill, rolled it up, and smoked it! Ha.ha…He said he never had an issue with money again. I love the lesson, but I think it’s probably even better to give that money away to someone else.
Myster Money mentions in the book that money is here to serve “us”. However, we treat it the opposite, as though we are unworthy and somehow have to convince it otherwise. I portrayed Myster Money as a generous, wise old man….give money this characteristic, and watch what happens!
Thanks, Rich!
If you’re interested in learning more about how you can get a copy of this ebook, head on over to MysterMoney.com.
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When is your relationship with money at its best? What is the lesson there? All comments big and small are very welcomed!
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译文:
当金钱说话时，注意听！
你是不是发现你经常因为钱的问题而感到沮丧？你是不是觉得不管你有多少钱，都只是勉强够用？如果你和这些描述一致的话，那么你也许能从Rich Ezzo写的这本书《当钱说话时，注意听！》里面学到点什么。
下面是对作者的一些采访，主要包括了他创作本书的灵感和为什么他认为自己能够帮你解决你的金钱问题。
这是一个很甜蜜的故事！我很抱歉这么老套，但是Rich，我真的又哭又笑，并且从中获益良多！你写这个故事的灵感是什么？它包含了传记的成分么？
Kris，感谢你邀请我来作这个采访。没必要为“老套”而抱歉。听你说你看我的书时“又哭又笑”，而又“获益良多”，这已经是你能给我的最好的回馈了。
这个故事的确实是受到我真实生活的启发，你的感觉很准。那时，由于觉得不充实，我辞了职，在寻找一些不同的东西中度过了好几个月。很自然的，由于没有收入，随着时间的流逝，我开始担心钱的问题。我开始想为什么钱会给我们带来如此大的压力，为什么它能够这样控制住我们。我一直都热爱写作，所以有一天我有了一个主意：我要尝试着创作一个虚拟的角色，让他来回答我的这些问题。所以，我给他起名叫“钱先生”。
当你写这本书的时候，你预设的读者是谁？
因为我是打算让这个角色来回答我的问题的，所以最开始的读者就是我自己！哈哈。但当书写完了之后我开始让我的家人和朋友们来读，并且看起来它的原理和整个故事能够满足大众的需要。当然，对于那些整个人生一直为钱的问题而苦恼的人来说，这本书的作用才最大。有的人很容易就能让自己过得很富裕，那他们可能就不需要来读这本书了。
为什么你决定用一个故事来讲解这些经济学原理？
我一直都相信故事、神话和寓言是传递知识的极佳途径。它们对事例的运用很好，而且能够让人因为心情愉快、忘记自己是在受教而减少了逆反心理。同时，作为一个作家，我发现当我在写故事时我甚至可以放空自己而让故事自己进行下去。这时高深的智慧就接管了一切，并给出更好的见识。所以，我在写作实际上也是在学习。
你认为读者会如何从你的书中获益？
我希望人们能够在阅读后通过改善自己和金钱的关系来获益。也许这能改变他们对于金钱的定义和用途的认识。钱先生的每5堂课中就有一堂是让大家关注那些失去金钱后自己还能拥有的东西。我想这是个好习惯。
我喜欢“散财”的点子，反正它早晚都会回来的。在这一点上有什么个人的故事么？
有的时候孩子是我们最好的老师。我还记得第一次教我这个道理的是我八岁的小侄子。有一天他们全家到我父母那里吃晚饭。我父亲（也就是他爷爷）在外套口袋里发现了2美元，于是把它给了他。我的小侄子说：“哇哦，今天我把一美元放在教堂的篮子里，现在上帝还给了我两倍！”那之后我也经常经历类似的事情，但始终认为他的描述是最贴切的。
你的生活里有人像Scratch一样么？
Scratch不代表我生命中的任何一个人，他是很多人的集合体。在我还没有按照任何头脑中既定的人物来塑造他时，我在他身上就能看到我父亲、祖父和其他良师益友的影子。书里还有提到他身上的古龙水味道就和我祖父一样。而对我来说那是很美好的回忆。
对于那些老想着赚取额外收入的人，你给他们最好的建议是什么？
想办法结束对钱的“渴望”。和生命中很多东西一样，我们可以很想要，但最后却放弃了。用这种方法来回想一下你曾经很想要而后又放弃了的人或工作吧。钱也是一样的。最近有人告诉了我一个故事，是关于他曾经就钱这个问题从他父亲那里学到的最宝贵的一课。他父亲告诉他，不管任何时候,只要你负担得起，就拿一张100美元的钞票然后烧了它！于是，有一天当他心情低落而又穷困潦倒的时候，他拿出了他的百元美钞，卷了卷，当烟给抽了！哈哈……他说他再也不把钱当回事了。我爱这一课。但我认为如果把钱给其他人会更好。
钱先生在书里还提到钱是围了服务“我们”而存在的。但是，我们却把这种关系给弄反了，有时甚至很不值得地劝服自己就是这样。我把钱先生描绘成了一个慷慨、富有的老人……我们可以把这种特质赋予金钱，然后看看会发生什么！
谢谢Rich！
如果你有兴趣了解如何获得本书，请访问MysterMoney.com
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你和金钱的关系什么时候才是最好的？这里头有什么学问？欢迎各种意见！
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