What if the secret to financial freedom isn't earning more money, but changing your relationship with the money you already have?

We live in a world that constantly tells us we need more. A bigger house, a newer car, the latest technology, and a higher income are often presented as the keys to happiness. Yet despite having more opportunities to acquire wealth and possessions than ever before, many people continue to struggle with debt, financial stress, and the feeling that what they have is never enough.

Save Like a Stoic, Spend Like a Saint challenges this way of thinking by bringing together two powerful traditions: the practical wisdom of ancient Stoic philosophers and the teachings of Christianity.

Drawing on the insights of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus alongside biblical principles of stewardship, contentment, and generosity, this book offers readers a different perspective on money. Through personal experiences, philosophical lessons, Scripture, and practical exercises, readers will discover how to control unnecessary desires, develop better spending habits, reduce financial burdens, and find satisfaction beyond material possessions.

Inside this book, you'll learn how to:

Recognize the difference between what you want and what you truly need.

Break free from emotional spending and the constant pressure to have more.

Develop financial discipline using Stoic principles.

Approach budgeting, saving, and debt with greater purpose.

Practice Christian stewardship and generosity.

Enjoy life's blessings without becoming attached to possessions.

Build lasting financial habits through practical, everyday exercises.

This isn't another book promising that wealth will bring happiness. It is a guide to discovering that financial peace begins with self-control, gratitude, and a willingness to use money for something greater than ourselves.

You don't have to be wealthy to live a rich life. You simply have to learn what enough really means.

Start changing your relationship with money today. Learn to save with the discipline of a Stoic, spend with the heart of a saint, and live with the freedom that comes from knowing the difference.

Capitalizes on Habit Formation Cycles: Research shows that foundational behavioral changes take time to register as automatic habits. Dedicating a full week to each core activity provides enough focused practice to build muscle memory without feeling overwhelming.

Builds Compounding Momentum: Each weekly activity builds on the previous one. Starting with core values and mindset creates a sturdy foundation for physical, mental, and social habits in later weeks.

Sustained Engagement (The "8-Week Sweet Spot"): Eight weeks is long enough to produce measurable, transformative results, but short enough to keep motivation high without feeling like an endless marathon.

Holistic Integration: Spreading 8 distinct pillars—spanning mental clarity, physical health, emotional resilience, and community—across 8 weeks ensures well-rounded personal development rather than a single-track focus

About the Author::

Ryan Lee Mayes is the author and creator of The Octad Program. He has been in the world of education for two decades and holds undergraduate degrees in elementary education and child development and a graduate degree in behavioral analysis. Ryan is currently in his doctoral studies in developmental psychology.

Ryan lives in Arizona with his beautiful wife, Melinda, and their three children, Ilyana, Cas, and Angelina. Melinda has been an educator for over 15 years herself and serves as an editor and social media liaison for The Octad Program.

Ryan wrote and illustrated his first published book in 2016 (a STEM-based book for children). After winning a National Teacher of the Year award, he has devoted the last two decades to promoting STEM-based learning for early education. Ryan also wrote another Children’s Book in 2025 based on the writings of Marcus Aurelius entitled, Dear Marcus, Be Kind. .Ryan is a devout Christian and discovered Stoicism through the teachings of his uncle and mentor, Dr. James Sanders. He now devotes much of his time to the study of Stoicism, Western Philosophy and Christianity and its practical application to modern life.