Interview with Cara MacMillan, Author of It Is Only Money

/in , /by
It Is Only Money Book Cover
We had the pleasure of interviewing Cara MacMillan, the author of It Is Only Money and It Grows on Trees!, a narrative that explores how the concept of money differs throughout various world religions and cultures.

 

How did you begin writing? Did you intend to become an author, or is there any other reason?
In business, we need to communicate, writing to me is another communication tool.
Tell us about It Is Only Money. How would you describe the book to someone?
It is a parable. It tries to explain the universal and cultural laws of money in a story that people can understand and apply.
What brought you to write It Is Only Money? Where’d you get the idea?
This is actually a very difficult question. The truth is I don’t know. I have always written for business but this book came from the heart. I just felt that I had to share the information in a way that could spark an understanding in my students.
What were the challenges in writing this book?
Time. I needed to be away from the business vocabulary in order to speak and translate many of the concepts into everyday language.  I completed the book when I took a sabbatical and immersed myself in nature.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? 
My favorite character is Mary. She is a role model to many of us on how to live abundantly and to always remember that It Is Only Money.
Is there a message in your novel that you hope readers will grasp?
“Enjoy the journey to sustainable wealth!”
What are you reading right now? Are there any authors that you would name as influences?
My go to reading when I am busy balancing family, work and me is poetry. Right now I am reading the works of William Butler Yeats. My favourite poem so far is Lake Isle of Innisfree.
How hard is it to establish and maintain a career in writing? Do you have any advice for other writers?
Perseverance. Do not listen to the people who say “You? You can’t!” Those people are speaking out loud to themselves. Speak out loud to yourself and say, “Yes I can.”
What’s next for you? What are you working on now?
My next book will be Make Big Money and Make a Big Difference. It will be a guide to  investing to ensure that we put our money into investments that share our values.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Have faith and be confident. Only good things happen.

 

It Is Only Money and It Grows on Trees! was published by Halcyon Consulting Publication in October 2015. 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. The students propose varying answers, and Catherine explains how each of these different definitions comes from our cultural, religious, family, and economic backgrounds.
“It Is Only Money 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… It Is Only Money is highly recommended.” –Readers’ Favorite
“The story keeps your interest, while the classroom stories and discussion will keep you thinking. If you are looking for a break from the normal personal finance book, with ‘how to’ steps I would suggest It Is Only Money.” – Debt Discipline
“Honestly, this is one of the only books that deals with finance and money that I could not only read cover to cover, but also understood and enjoyed reading…Totally a five-star book!” – Dhwani Swadia, There and Their
To learn more, go to CaraMacmillan.com

 

Personal Finance Author Cara MacMillan Announces Book Proceeds to Benefit Development and Peace

/in , /by
It Is Only Money by Cara MacMillanCara MacMillan announced today that 10% of the revenue garnered from the sale of her book, It Is Only Money – And It Grows on Trees!, will be donated to Development and Peace, a group of Catholics in Canada who serve as advocates for the poverty-stricken people of the world and actively seek out new and effective ways to bring about social change.
“We have a responsibility to help the world’s poor and disadvantaged, either by urging governments, corporations and others to implement change, or by donating time or money to support development efforts,” says MacMillan. “I want to show my readers that I am prepared to practice what I preach. I firmly believe that only by working together can we hope to improve our environment and our world.”
MacMillan is a thought leader in sustainability and financial management. She has the privilege of teaching and learning with courageous individuals who are committed to making a difference for themselves, their world, and future generations. Her book It Is Only Money and It Grows on Trees! is a narrative that explores how the concept of money differs throughout various world religions and cultures. It also looks at ways in which readers can increase their own wealth through consideration of these practices.
“It Is Only Money is a well-written and imaginative multi-cultural look at acquiring wealth… 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… It Is Only Money is highly recommended.” – 5 Stars, Readers’ Favorite
“Honestly, this is one of the only books that deals with finance and money that I could not only read cover to cover, but also understood and enjoyed reading…Totally a five-star book!” – Dhwani Swadia, There and Their
MacMillan 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. To learn more, go to CaraMacMillan.com
For further information, to request a review copy, or to set up an interview or appearance by Cara MacMillan, please contact Kelsey McBride at Book Publicity Services at Kelsey@BookPublicityServices.com or 805.807.9027.

It Is Only Money and It Grows on Trees!

/in , /by
It Is Only Money Book Cover
It Is Only Money and It Grows on Trees!, by Cara MacMillan, is a narrative that explores how the concept of money differs throughout various world religions and cultures. It also looks at ways in which readers can increase their own wealth through consideration of these practices.
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. The students propose varying answers, and Catherine explains how each of these different definitions comes from our cultural, religious, family, and economic backgrounds.
It Is Only Money will inspire, challenge, and encourage you to ask: Why am I not rich? What do I need to learn? And how can I change my thoughts and actions?
“This is not a get rich quick book – it is a book about authenticity,” says MacMillan. “When we learn to break free of our patterns and choose to recognize that money is just a resource, we too can become rich and truly enjoy today.”
“Cara P. MacMillan’s It Is Only Money 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… It Is Only Money is highly recommended.” – Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite
It Is Only Money and It Grows on Trees! was published by Halcyon Consulting Publication in October 2015.  It is available for sale on Amazon.

 

Introduction
As the students walked in to the classroom, they looked up to see “Money” written in large letters on the whiteboard. Grumbling could be heard as kids elbowed each other and pointed to the board.
David finally spoke up. “It’s about time this class got interesting.”
The kids sat down just as the guest professor walked in.
“Hi, my name is Catherine. I am here to teach you about money. Let’s start with a question—let me qualify, every answer is right—so, what is money?”
There was silence for a while. Then finally, the answers started to come…
“Money makes you popular.”
“Money is power.”
“Money means shopping.”
“Money means rich.”
“Money means you can buy whatever you want.”
“Money means you don’t have to work.”
“Money is something you fight over.”
“Money is greed.”
“Money is fun.”
The answers paused at this point, so Catherine asked if anyone else had anything to say.
Amal spoke very quietly. “Money is responsibility.”
Joseph smiled. “Money grows on trees!”
Everyone laughed.
Dayo spoke up. “Money is everywhere.”
Prisha added, “Money is necessary.”
Sean said, “Money is abundance.”
“And what is abundance?” Catherine asked.
Sean smiled. “I don’t know, but I saw it on the board over there.”
With this the whole class laughed again. Catherine smiled and looked around the classroom. “You each have a true definition of money. Yes, they are all very different, but we each are very different. Our definition of money comes from our families, our cultures, and our society. We each have a paradigm, or a picture in our heads, about what money means to us. Today we are going to look at those definitions and try to come up with a class definition.
“So, what is money? Simply put, money is the resource that we use for exchange. We exchange work for money. We exchange other resources like food or shelter for money. But that definition did not come up in our brainstorming.
“It seems that we have added so much to the meaning of money that we all mean something very different when we say the same word. Why?
“Many aspects of our lives have become complicated. It is the price to pay for industrialization and globalization. e truth is, as we became industrialized, our demand for resources dramatically increased. So we wanted more things, and for that we needed more money. And we kept accumulating.”
“And the more things that we have, the richer we are, and the more popular we are,” Zoe said.
“But each culture still has its own teaching about money and our relationship with it. Each family has its own history and experience with money on top of the cultural teaching. So when we add this all up…it’s complicated.
“It is time to simplify and break it down into its basic components. What is money? What are our beliefs about money? What are society’s beliefs about money that are similar to our own? How do we follow our own beliefs about money rather than someone else’s?
“Are you ready? Let’s start.”

 

Cara MacMillanAbout the Author 
Cara MacMillan is a thought leader in sustainability and financial management. She 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.
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 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.
Readers can connect with Cara on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
For more information visit CaraMacmillan.com.
For further information, to request a review copy, or to set up an interview or appearance by Cara MacMillan, please contact Kelsey McBride at Book Publicity Services at bookpublicityservices@gmail.com or 805.807.9027.