Money Doesn’t Change, But You Can: Personal Finance & Money Management

by Mehmet Çalışkan

This book is not written for professional-level investors.
It is designed to help individuals facing financial difficulties build a financially sustainable future by leveraging the power of compound returns through a disciplined, long-term model. It also includes a dedicated section outlining the essential disciplines that new entrepreneurs should be aware of when starting a business.

Financial freedom is not complicated — your mindset is.
Money doesn’t change, but your personal finance habits, beliefs, and emotional reactions can.

This book does not promise quick fixes. Instead, it is a behavioral finance guide that analyzes your emotional patterns and teaches sustainable budgeting, risk management, money discipline, and long-term growth — all approached through mindful awareness.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2025

About the author

Hello!

I am a thinker driven by curiosity, seeking to understand the world. As a financial risk analyst, psychologist, and philosopher, I work in these fields and synthesize knowledge from psychology, philosophy, evolution, cosmology, finance, and ancient history in my books to offer readers a unique perspective.

I am not a fiction writer; my works focus on delivering maximum insight with minimal words, rather than unnecessary motivational phrases or fantasy worlds. Sometimes my books present familiar ideas from a new angle, and sometimes they pose unconventional questions.

Some of my works include:

Money Doesn’t Change, But You Can – A journey into financial and personal awareness.

The Mind’s Operating System – Analyzing personal transformation through the metaphor of the mind as software.

The Big Crunch – A philosophical model of the universe based on cycles and resonance.

Children of Jotunheim – A philosophical sci-fi epic exploring humanity’s creation myths, present, and future.

My books are for readers who seek depth and are unafraid to think differently. They may not be suited for those looking for light reading to pass the time.

Reviews

[Don L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a practical and clear approach to managing money. I liked how it showed simple ways to categorize expenses, find opportunities to create income, and explained different types of investments in an easy-to-follow style. It feels like a complete guide that makes personal finance less overwhelming and more achievable for everyday life. This book not only for financial, lot of crucial part of life.

[Dimitris Margetas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about personal finance. Quite basic I must say.  It is great for beginners. There is advice about budgeting, investing and savings. What I appreciated was the focus on mindset and habits. Best audience I would say is college kids and recent graduates.

[Jessica Lewandowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the Foreword of this book clearly states, this is not book designed to guide you with a bunch of 'get-rich-quick' tips and tricks. So if that is what you're looking for, then you may need a different book to suit your needs. BUT! That is also what is great about this particular guide! This guide teaches and shows you how to look at your costs and expenses and turn some of them into profit! How to take a close look at your routine expenditures, look for where you can make some cuts, teach yourself to budget and save and truly make the most of every penny you make AND SPEND! This is a book for the long-term game. No short-time make money quick and fast and take huge risks kind of game. And when it comes to your money, let's face it. It really shouldn't be a game anyway. It's your livelihood and should be treated as such. So don't go rushing off to spend it all the second you get a bonus or pay increase. Save first and spend only within the budget you set for yourself, minus emergencies--WHICH IS WHY YOU SAVE! Save so you don't feel overwhelmed and burdened when an emergency pops up. Save first, splurge and spoil later within your means. I'll be honest, I learned that the hard way but quickly figured it out and saved myself some major pains.

One thing I appreciate about this guide is that it breaks it down pretty well for even the guy and gal that have zero financial basics to go off of. This part alone points out some key things to consider that may even help you find some of your spending and saving flaws right off the bat. Then it jumps into the all-you-can-eat buffet of what you need to know when it comes to investing and different strategies to consider when investing. There is a plethora more to follow and I think the flow and organization of information only aided in its effectiveness.

[Mehmet Çalışkan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Money Doesn’t Change, But You Can – Mehmet Çalışkan is a comprehensive guide that brings together personal financial freedom and entrepreneurial success under a single framework. The book presents complex financial and business concepts in a clear and accessible manner, providing a practical roadmap for readers who are new to these areas.

The book is divided into three sections: FinancEscape, which focuses on personal financial management and investment strategies; EconoStradamus, which illustrates example portfolios and investment opportunities; and BusinSuccess, which addresses entrepreneurship and business management. This structure allows readers to first strengthen their personal financial foundation and then achieve success in the business world.

The book places particular emphasis on investor psychology, distinguishing between “emotional investors” and “rational and strategic investors,” highlighting that financial decisions are not solely based on numbers but also require a strong mindset. Fundamental financial disciplines such as “save first, spend later,” the power of compound interest, and the importance of an emergency fund are effectively emphasized. Additionally, creative concepts like “turning expenses into income” and clear distinctions between “good debt” and “bad debt” give readers a fresh perspective on financial management.

Mehmet Çalışkan combines financial literacy with entrepreneurial spirit, offering readers not just information but also “awareness” and “courage.” This book is a reliable first step toward financial freedom and business success and is highly recommended for individuals seeking to improve their financial literacy, young entrepreneurs aiming to start or grow their businesses, and anyone looking to develop discipline in budgeting, saving, and investing.

This editorial review has been prepared by Calix Mentis.

[Select Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mehmet Çalışkan sounds an alert when promoting his book, “Money Doesn’t Change, But You Can: Personal Finance & Money Management.” He warns: “This book is not written for professional-level investors.”

While “Money Doesn’t Change” may not have been written for the pros from Dover, it is still a useful primer on all things money. As you begin reading this 302-page book, you immediately realize it is a veritable financial encyclopedia which contains numerous topics, the explanation of which will benefit investment rookies and pros alike.

Owing to the author’s personal proclivities as a financial consultant, psychologist, and philosopher, the book deals with economic realities, as well as psychological and philosophical aspects of finance. Freely discussed are financial freedom, wealth, and poverty, as well as investor strategies, emotions, and habits.

Among the topics covered in the book are budgeting and planning, career development, ways to turn expenses into income, investment strategies and instruments, financial markets, credit and debit, real estate, insurance, business foundations and operations, and financial management. The book is easy to read, insightful, and remarkably complete for a book that wasn’t written for professional-level investors.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite comprehensive in some ways, and appears to be written either for newcomers to a country (though this isn't stated and I'm not sure which country), or people who didn't learn any financial literacy in high school. Has helpful tips for increasing income such as:
- rent a room in your home
- rent your car to others when you're not using it

The forward mentions "our approach" but there's no explanation of who "we" might be, and there are no personal examples in the book from the author's own experience, so it's not clear on what authority the information is provided. There is no bibliography, no sources cited, and no references. So what is the book based on? This isn't clear or authoritative.

Overall, a good basic beginner's guide to money and starting a small business for those who may need guidance and lack any foundation in the basics.

[Kathy Shanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good basic guide for beginners with a good overview of a variety of ways to better manage your money. I really enjoyed the ideas for turning your expenses into income - some great ideas.