Feedback from the first book, says Evans, taught him that while the five lessons work equally well for both genders, it's helpful to women when they are explained in a different light.

"Men are from Mars and women are from Venus not just in the bedroom, but the bank — they really do look at money differently," he says.

"For men, a big checkbook means 'I won the game.' Women understand life is not about money."

But that doesn't mean they can't be held just as captive by debt.

Women, as an example, are much more vulnerable to what Evans calls the "burnt-toast syndrome."

"You're having breakfast and a slice of toast gets burned — who gets it?" he says. "Women do that with money, too. They trade their needs for somebody else's wants."

Evans has scheduled a series of free seminars to coincide with the launch of his book, beginning tonight at 7 in the Salt Lake Hilton. The seminars continue Thursday in Ogden, Friday in Provo and Saturday in St. George. Ones in Boise and Phoenix are scheduled next week, with more to follow. See www.richardpaulevans.com.

Not wanting to "get rich by telling other people how to get rich," Evans has pledged royalties from both "5 Lessons" books to the Christmas Box House International, his charity for abused children.

"These are tough times for charities too," he says. Besides that, Lesson 5 is "Give back." After that you get to start all over.

Lee Benson's column runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com.