Hobbs book helps to make ends meet

THE financial gospel according to money guru Eddie Hobbs was launched yesterday.

Short Hands, Long Pockets: The Informed Guide to Debt and Spending, ie the do-it-yourself guide to personal finances by Eddie Hobbs is published by Currach Press at €9.99 and is now on sale.

Not all experts follow their own advice and Mr Hobbs is among that group as he is donating his royalties to the children’s charity, the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. That provides respite care to families who have babies that are born with severe intellectual and physical damage.

The charity’s chief executive and co-founder Jonathan Irwin launched the book yesterday at Newbridge Credit Union.

The book, which comes with quirky and intuitive personal financial software Wonga Wizard on CD-ROM, was developed with the support of the Credit Union Development Association.

Mr Hobbs says the under-40 age bracket with jumbo mortgages who are struggling to make ends meet as they vainly try to balance cash flow and lifestyle demands will be the real beneficiaries of this book.

“No one talks about personal finances, it’s a taboo subject; no one would dare ask their best friends what they earn.

“You just can’t put your head in the sand, hoping the problem will go away, this book will help people to help themselves,” he said.

Not every financial problem can be overcome and people in really dire straits should get help from the Money Advice and Budgeting Service.