Editorial Review

Personal-finance guru Andrew Tobias slams online trading and praises the Roth IRA in his newly revised Read more

Reviews (72)

Good Enough for American Investors, Lack International Perspectives
Tobias writes a bible in personal financial investment without the lack of humor and personal touch. He is clear on investing principles he preaches, states his opinions precisely and still provide overviews of investments he believes are pure baloney.
Not rich but comfortable
This is the only investment book I can get my husband to read.I gave copies of the 1987 edition to my sons when they graduated from college and I am giving them the 2005 edition as they approach 40.Tobias has been consistent with his advice over the years.He does not promise to make you rich but he gives guidelines for ending up with a comfortable retirement; partly by getting one to acknowledge what one does not know.
Great book and great author
I can honestly say this book changed my life by opening my eyes on how investing and money really work over the long term. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Consumer Finance    4. Finance, Personal    5. Investment Analysis    6. Investments    7. Personal Finance    8. Personal Finance - Budgeting    9. Personal Finance - Investing    10. Personal Finance - Money Management    11. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Taxation   

Editorial Review

Millions of consumers have become trapped in a spiral of debt, but there is hope. If you wants to free yourself from the shackles of debt, this book is for you--it can help you "get out of debt, stay out of debt, and live prosperously." Jerrold Mundis writes in a friendly, engaging style, urging readers to stop the cycle of spending. Mundis knows what he's talking about--he, too, was once thousands of dollars in debt and didn't know where to turn. Anecdotes from Debtors Anonymous folks, plus multiple examples from the writer's own life and ledgers, make Read more

Reviews (55)

A Book Worth Saving For
I first read this book in 1993. (I was out jogging one day and overheard two people discussing how it had changed their lives.I immediately bought it.) I especially like how it helps you to develop a healthy disregard for unsecured debt. Too often, we buy things on credit because we believe that we can't wait until we have the money. This book will help you to develop the proper mindset toward debt. With that essential foundation, you then address the problem of your specific debt. I especially appreciated his frequent reminder that you're not a bad person just because you owe money. I've recommended the book many times through the years.

My Debt Bible!
I bought this book at least 10 years ago, when I was a single mom and deeply in debt. It completely changed the way I thought about debt and financial freedom. I titled it my Debt Bible because 10 years later, I still refer to it when I need a reminder or some inspiration. It's not about deprivation, it's about living a good life without having to go into debt. This book is awesome. I've recommended it to all my friends.

how to get out of debt and stay out of debts
thank you for a great book
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business/Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Personal Finance - Budgeting    5. Personal Finance - Money Management    6. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Budgeting   

Reviews (22)

Excellent Workbook no matter how smart you are..
With your finances. I recommend this workbook to all of those looking to master their debt and track their spending. The first step to financial success is to monitor spending and then subsequently control and pay down debt. This workbook allows you to get "down and dirty" with your day-to-day expenses and really see where your money is going. I also really like the various budgeting and net-worth tracking components. There are also helpful tips throughout the book to gain financial empowerment. I highly recommend this book and would encourage whoever purchases it to try the Mvelopes CD for the online budgeting system. I also think this workbook would be beneficial for teens and pre-teens to get a better handle on money and debt management.

End financial conundrum's
This kit is the kind of good advice that should be taught in school, but isn't. Extremely worthwhile and easy to understand. Overcome your fears of finanacial planning with this wonderful kit.

Helpfull Items
I found this book to be helpfull in constructing a class for older adults on how to create and stick to a budget. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Finance, Personal    5. Home economics    6. Personal Finance - Budgeting    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    9. Personal finance   

Reviews (27)

Eh
You're better off getting Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover.A much better book.Starts slowly, but if you actually listen to his strategy, it works.

Not for me
This book is for you if you have credit card debt. That is pretty much the the theme throughout. Also a lot of what she writes is common sense stuff. If your thinking of buying this, either buy it used (cheap) or get it from your library.

Too Basic
There is nothing wrong with this book... but there's not a whole lot substantial either.Look at your budget and see what you can cut for the long term goal of debt reduction.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Consumer Credit    3. Consumer Finance    4. Consumer Guides    5. Debt    6. Finance, Personal    7. Personal Finance    8. Personal Finance - Budgeting    9. Personal Finance - Money Management    10. Reference    11. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General   

Reviews (12)

Wonderful Book
This book is simply amazing!I had previously used some of the techniques Scott teaches, but other things he tells you to do blew my mind!The things Scott talks about are easy to do AND can save you a TON of money!I would highly recommend the book to anyone with ANY amount of credit card debt, or even if you have NO credit card debt.

Real advice that works!
I am in the same field as Scott, and have recommended his book countless times to consumers. With credit card companies raising rates, fees, etc. his advice could not be more timely.
A valuable book from day one
I was shopping for a book that would help me with the credit card debt I have accumulated. I chose this book. It has proven to be very bemeficial to me. It contains a large amount of information your banks don't want you to know. My first night of reading the book, I got up to about page 70 and made my first phone call, with the intent of gaining information about the account and possibly getting a fee reversed. I ended up getting a $50 credit to the account, relatively easily. I cannot praise this book enough! If you need to reduce your credit card debt, this book may very well be your solution. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Retirement Planning    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Consumer credit    5. Credit cards    6. Finance, Personal    7. General    8. Personal Finance    9. Personal Finance - Budgeting    10. Personal Finance - Money Management    11. United States    12. Debt    13. Personal Finance - Financial Planning   

Reviews (18)

Cha-CHING!
This book was a great read - I think tha's probably one of the benefits of reading a book on finances written by two English majors.
A must for any college student or independent adult.
I have to say that this is the perfect book for any independent adult and/or college student. The main reason I say that is because schools do not offer education on financial freedom. If you are a teen or think you can't read this, go read Motley Fool Teens before reading this one.
fun to read, describes a clear vision
The title of this book reflects the optimism that it breathes from beginning to end. It makes you want to go for it, without encouraging hasty decisions, and encourages to read more. For true fools (I mean morons) like myself, the book adequately warns you to first get out of debt before trying to invest. The part that tells you how to get out of debt is brief but the advice is sane, and optimistic. Once ready to invest, we are adviced to use a buy-and-hold strategy, and the arguments for it seem to make sense. Most importantly, after reading this, the reader has a clear general framework that help him/her to make confident investment decisions.
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Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Finance    5. Finance, Personal    6. Investment analysis    7. Investments    8. Investments & Securities - General    9. Personal Finance - Budgeting    10. Personal Finance - General    11. Personal Finance - Investing    12. Personal finance    13. Portfolio management    14. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General   

Reviews (38)

Interesting Story
I read this book to my children every night before we go to bed. It is a magnificent fairytale on how the characters have 30% of their income devoted entirely to spending on wants and desires. I like a good story as much as the next guy, but would someone recommend a book that is a bit more based on reality? For example, in the equation for the yearly budget, how about including continually compounded interest for credit cards and other debts? All in all, a decent read if you are amused by some thrills, chills, and plot elements involving loosing one's sure footing on a banana peel.
One of the best of its kind.
This book should be mandatory rading for every high school and college graduate.It explains how and why so many people are in financial trouble, and it clearly explains how to start saving and know where your money is going.It's tough if the majority of your income goes for necessities...but it give hope.
Valuable for anyone who needs help getting started!
I am a 21 year old college student and had to read this book for a class this summer... I ended up loving it because it told me everything I needed to know about how to organize my finances and do it NOW- regardless of if I have a million debts or a million dollar trust fund.Clear and concise, it has valuable information for anyone trying to organzie their money, ages 16-116.Definately worth the price! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Finance, Personal    5. Personal Finance    6. Personal Finance - Budgeting    7. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    8. Personal Finance - Money Management    9. Business & Economics / General   

Reviews (15)

Great, Real Life Advice
I ordered this book for my Mother (she's doesn't have much saved for retirement). If she doesn't make some changes, and start saving money, all she's going to have is Social Security..I don't want to see that happen to her.
Fun to read and provides good ol' common sense
I've read a few other books by some of the Financial Gurus that are on TV, but I always felt like they were talking to someone else, not me.It seemed like they were people who already had it made (well to do, already enough money to retire, etc.), so it was hard to relate to what they were writing about.
No New Info
This was a disappointment. I expected some new ideas or at least a guide to resources but all I got from it was get a better job and pay your debts off as fast as you can.I think my own father would have been just as much help. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Budgeting    3. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Retirement Planning    4. Debt    5. Personal Finance - Budgeting    6. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    7. Personal Growth - General    8. Saving and investment    9. Saving and thrift    10. Self-Help   

Reviews (5)

Don't waste your money
As a CFP(r) myself, I was very interested and excited about reading this book.My outlook soon changed.This book should be subtitled "WHY you should capture the middle market and increase your profits" rather than "HOW TO capture the middle market and increase your profits".And the WHY should already be obvious.The author makes a compelling argument for targeting middle market Americans for financial planning services, however she falls dramatically short in providing ANY new or insightful marketing ideas on HOW to capture the specific market.In fact the ONE chapter dedicated to actually marketing is redundant of any marketing strategy book one chooses to pick up today, and it covers about 4 pages on how the author designed her own FP logo.In my opinion its another case of a financial advisor needing to stroke their own ego by writing a book - and if you like reading this "canned" praise for the author, you may just enjoy this book after all - it is full of it.The rest of the information, if you are a financial planner, you should already know or be ashamed you don't know it.

Middle America plus...
Middle to upper middle income America have traditionally been underserved by the financial advisory industry. Yet they typically benefit in the most impactful ways from even basic financial planning strategies. I know from experience as a practicing CFP. Garrett and the planning network she has been building have methods for providing financial planning advice using an hourly billing model. With the hourly model for practicing (clients pay an hourly fee to their planner just like they would to their attorney, CPA or career counsler) the client can buy needed financial planning to at least start them on a path of financial planning realization. They remain in control of the costs of their planning, and it doesn't take long for the results to take hold and justification for the expense is easy. The idea is that paying by the hour and therefore knowing what the costs and scope of the work will clearly be, enough planning can be done without trying to shoehorn someone into some broadly defined, comprehensive level of analysis that simply is not necessary for entry level planning needs. And, because that level of planning is expensive, good folks often can't afford or rationalize that large an expense, especially having no previous experience hiring a planner. So often no planning takes place at all. Practical Advice from a Middle Market Expert
Sheryl Garrett has done a masterful job of communicating her view that a fee-only, hourly approach to providing financial advice can be both personally satisfying and financially rewarding.Sheryl clearly defines the size and potential of the Middle Market, and defines in detail a practice model to serve that market.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Financial planners    4. Financial services industry    5. Insurance - General    6. Personal Finance - Budgeting    7. Personal Finance - General   

Reviews (8)

Excellent Information Source for All Users of Credit
This book helped me get back to the basics of managing my credit - because unbeknownst to and forgotten by many, credit indeed needs to be managed!Also the chapter on budgeting was very useful.Stephen Bucci uses wit and simple everyday language to make the book not only easy to understand and follow, but also engaging.A good purchase for those who need a refresher or reference for real life credit related problems!

Easy Read. Very Informative
A good tutorial for people in all financial conditions. The author really knows his stuff.

Doesn't get down to the nitty-gritty credit repair tactics
I'm lukewarm about this book.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Consumer Finance    4. Consumer credit    5. Credit bureaus    6. Credit ratings    7. Personal Finance    8. Personal Finance - Budgeting    9. Personal Finance - Money Management    10. United States    11. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Budgeting   

Reviews (4)

Bonnie's Household Budget Book
This was a well planned out and I plan to start using it for my everyday expenses.

Helpful Budgeting Basics
Over all the book is helpful, and the work sheets are detailed enough to seperate expenses, however, unless you have kept fairly detailed records for several months, you will not be able to accurately complete theworksheets. Be prepared to spend time with prep work before beginning.

Great way to budget your household expenses
I have been using this workbook for 5 months and I love it.It helps me get a good view to where our household funds are going.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accounting    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Consumer Finance    4. General    5. Home economics    6. House & Home    7. Personal Finance - Money Management    8. Self-Help   

Reviews (8)

Save Your Money
Save your money and skip this book.As stated in other reviews, the title of the book is misleading.The author mentions here and there how she got out of debt but there was nothing for the reader to grasp onto and use as a course of action.The tid-bits of information she gives for saving money are obvious and boring if the reader has already been reading books on the "get out of debt" subject.

Wonderful Book - I refer to it daily!!!
I purchased this book a little over two years ago when I first saw the author on television.Since then, my husband and I have referred to it daily to find ways to save money.If we keep it up, we should be out of debt in two more years.So, we both think that this is the best book that we have ever read about getting out of debt.If this author puts out a second edition, we hope to be the first to buy it.Thank you author for writing such a wonderful book!!!

Start saving by not buying this book!
I have read a lot of books about debt recovery, personal finances, budgeting, and saving, and this book has been by far the worst. To begin with, regardless of how the title sounds, the author doesn't actually give any tips for how to organize or budget in order to reduce the debt that you currently have. The book is basically a list of money saving tips, which would be fine if the tips were useful and applicable to ones daily life. Unfortunately those that Ms. Gabriel shares are neither.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Consumer Finance    4. Debt    5. Finance, Personal    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - Budgeting    8. Personal Finance - General   

Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Finance    5. Consumer credit    6. Finance, Personal    7. Personal Finance - Budgeting    8. Personal Finance - General    9. United States    10. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Budgeting    11. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry    12. Personal finance   

Reviews (1)

Best $11 Bucks I've Ever Spent!
Finally! A book on personal finance for the average person. This book is filled with easy-to-understand advice about managing your money. You can read it from cover to cover or just browse through it and pick the topics you're interested in right now. The budgeting and credit card debt chapters are great. Even though it's geared towards those of us in our 20s and 30s, most of it is good advice for anyone trying to get ahead financially. Best $11 bucks I've ever spent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Consumer Finance    3. Finance, Personal    4. Generation X    5. Investments    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - Budgeting    8. Personal Finance - General    9. United States   

Editorial Review

First-time homebuyers have a guide specifically tailored to their needs in Read more

Reviews (9)

A nice aid to figuring out how to buy that first house...
I bought this book about a year before I started looking for my first house (when I knew ABSOLUTELY nothing beyond the fact I wanted to buy) and I found this book to be an indespensible aid.The real beauty of it, for me at least, is Ms. Glink's ability to get you thinking about all the myriad issues involved in buying a home (including the biggie - do you even want to do it) in a constructive way with language that is easy to understand.I love that she includes the emotional issues (that are so often overlooked) alongside the financial, legal and practical issues.The breakdowns of real-estate language and the worksheets are nice touches, too.I have recommended this book to everyone I know who utters that magic phrase, "I'd love to buy a house someday...".

A must have for the new homebuyer
I am a 25 year old looking into buying a condo in Chicago. I just finished the book and it taught me so much about what to expect going into this major purchase. The author explains what you can reasonably assume a bank will loan you, different financing techniques and important emotional and financial issues you will have to resolve before choosing a home. Its easy to read and engaging. I usually have a short attention span for manuals, but I read this cover to cover in a week. I never lost interest.If you're a renter and at the point where you're starting to think you want to buy, read this book for some great tips and advice so you don't fall into any "gotchas" ahead.

Good for buying homes, but not apartments...
This book is an invaluable resource for someone looking to buy their first home: Glink takes the reader through the home buying process step by step, and the amortization tables in the appendix definitely come in handy. However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for someone looking to buy a co-op or a condo. When I was looking to buy a co-op apartment in the city, I found the CO-OP BIBLE to be much more helpful--it was the book I turned to when I needed help with every aspect of that process. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business/Economics    3. Buying and selling    4. Home ownership    5. House buying    6. Houses    7. Personal Finance - Budgeting    8. Real Estate - Buying/Selling Homes    9. United States    10. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Budgeting   

Reviews (17)

Practical guide to gaining control over your finances
The tile of this book is somewhat misleading - The Complete Cheapskate is not really about how to be "cheap" or get the best deal on something.In fact, the book's subtitle describes much more accurately what it is really about: "How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out, and Break Free from Money Worries Forever!"In short, The Complete Cheapskate is a concise and down-to-earth guide to getting out of debt and getting one's finances in order.
Very helpful tools
I found that this book has very helpful tools to manage money.Some of the ideas aren't applicable to my situation, but overall the ideas were good ones and the samples of the spreadsheets were useful.A lot of it is common knowledge, but it helps you to implement the changes in a way that works for you.

A well-defined plan of action...
This book provides a well-defined plan of action that is very doable.From her own experience, Ms. Hunt has proven the effectiveness of her plan.It is also nice to see a "how-to" book written by someone that has "walked the walk" before she "talked the talk."
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Subjects:  1. Budgeting    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Finance    5. Finance, Personal    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - Budgeting    8. Planning    9. Saving and investment    10. United States    11. Business & Economics / Budgeting   

Reviews (8)

exelente
exelent item...
Un excelente libro para organizar sus finanzas
Es un libro muy interesante, lo he recomendado a muchas personas que necesitan organizar su vida financiera, y balancera sus gastos, es una historia de facil lectura cuyo mensaje llega al lector con efectividad.

Un manual para alcanzar prosperidad
Considero este libro sin dudar un instante, el mejor libro en ense�arprosperidad. Lo hace de una manera simple y profunda. Este libro me ense�o a ahorrar y a pensar en prosperidad de una manera diferente. "El hombre mas rico de Babilonia", me proporcion�las ideas y conceptos con los cuales pude adquirir todo lo necesario para vivir con tranquilidad y comodidad.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Ethics    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Personal Finance    5. Personal Finance - Budgeting    6. Personal Finance - Money Management    7. Psychology    8. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction   

Reviews (12)

good information
All right, here is my review: I think this book is not bad at all. It gives some very useful information about credit cards and credit card issuers. It is always very useful to have this info in your mind, although some of them are really straightforward and clear. Sometimes you need to read it in someonewelse's words even you know it. By the way, if you really don't know how to organize your finances like writing down your balance and credit limit on a piece of paper, you should really read this book! Only helps people who are in good shape
I am deep in credit card debt, and I am being hounded by credit card companies, bill collecters, etc. I thought that this book would really help me with my alternatives for debt consolidation, give me guidelines about when to file for bankrupcty, and offer some advice about how to work with professionals. Instead, it seems like this book is written for the average person who isn't too deeply in trouble. I will keep looking for a book that evaluates the various debt consolidation agencies, talks about making settlement offers with the credit card companies, and provides information about how my credit report will be affected by the various alternatives. At this point, would it better to just file for bankruptcy? Would it be worse for my long-term credit to file Chapter 7 as opposed to making 50% settlements with my creditors?How can I find answers to these questions?

And the winner is . . .
This book ROCKS! If you want to win the fight against credit card debt you MUST have this book in your corner. You can't lose. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Finance    5. Credit cards    6. Debt    7. Finance    8. Personal Finance - Budgeting    9. Personal Finance - Money Management    10. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Budgeting   

Reviews (4)

Nothing new
There really aren't any earth shattering ideas.Most are common sense or you can find them elsewhere.Also, tips seem to be repeated and right next to each other.There will be two ways to clean glass and they're only slightly different.It'd be nice to have it consolidated and an index

Everyday Cheapskate's Greatest Tips
I love how pratical this book is.It's a fast read with a lot of useful tips that I can use right now. (Lord knows I need help).

A Diamond In The Rough
As a new subscriber to the newspaper, I often found myself clipping out Mary's "Everyday Cheapskate" column. Not long ago the column mentioned the release of her new book of greatest tips so I quickly went online and requested if from my local library. I was number 5 of 8 holds. In the meantime I poured through all the books the library had on household, organizational and money saving tips. All in all, I went through approximately 40-45 "tip" books from the 1970's to the present day. While I acquired a lot of great tips, I felt as if I was basically re-reading the same book over and over. It seemed like the authors had read the same books I had, copied tip for tip and then tossed a few of their own in. That is why when I finally worked my way down the hold list and got my hands on Mary's greatest tips I can honestly say I found the diamond in the rough. I took a full 15 pages of notes. Yes, some of the tips were repeated in other books and sources, but for the vast majority, Mary's book is full of unique and new tips...tips that will save you money and time and will also make your life, and quite possibly your cooking, better. I ordered myself and 11 friends and family members our own personal copies of this book. Fourteen days on loan from the library isn't long enough...I now consider it my PTR (personal tip reference book) that I'm sure will benefit my family and I 365 days a year. Everyday Cheapskate's Greatest Tips is definately worth 12 bucks. They say you get what you pay for...well, if you buy this book you'll get what you paid for...and a whole lot more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Consumer Finance    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. General    5. Personal Finance    6. Personal Finance - Budgeting    7. Personal Finance - General   

Reviews (13)

Sound Advice
This book presents good sound advice for people who want to manage and balance their finances properly.
Personal Finance 101
This easy-to-read book gives very basic information on personal finance.It is a great start if you really don't know anything about managing your personal finances.If you have an average knowledge of the topic, you probably will not learn a lot.However, I did find it useful to reiterate things I already knew.

A very good book
I have read this book and feel it is a very good book to start building a solid financial foundation.This is not a book for the advanced, but for people like myself in their twenties (I'm 28) trying to figure out how they can be smarter with their finances.As I read through the book, I wrote down the "things" on a list and checked them off as I completed them.One of the interesting "things" was to check my property tax statement to ensure I wasn't be taxed for more property than I owned.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Consumer Finance    4. Finance, Personal    5. Personal Finance    6. Personal Finance - Budgeting    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Personal Finance - Money Management    9. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    10. Budgeting    11. Credit    12. Debt    13. Investing    14. Financial Planning    15. Insurance