Book Description

In 1999, according to IRS data, my family got into the first 5% of American households by income. Surprisingly, we were not rich. We still were uncomfortable about the time when our kids will go to a college, and our retirement plans were far from clear, but it was not too bad either. We were able to have what we need, keep accounting loose, and the balance on the checking account was still slowly but persistently coming up. In 2001, with the dot-Com melt, my company had downsized and I lost my job as a software developer. We started to live on my husband’s salary and every month became a struggle. Sounds familiar?

Today many families find themselves in a complicated financial situation. Families who lived on two salaries, have to adjust to only one. Families who counted on stock options, now have to live on salary. But salaries don’t grow today as they used to, if they grow at all. And despite all the money you still bring home, and all the efforts you apply, you are still slowly, but consistently going down. These are the families that this book is written for.

Reviews (1)

Thoughtful, lot of good material, simple language
When I first started to look through this book, I decided that it's all trivial. Then I looked again, hm-m-m... I actually never thought about most of this "trivial" stuff before. The language was simple, true, but it's amazing how many good hints are there. I regularly read books on personal finance, and this book does not repeat them. Say, did you ever wonder how banks make money on those "0% APR introductory offers"? And did you even thought why it is important to know? Yes, good question contains most of the answer. Because that's what you pay, if you use this "free" credit. And this book is good with both questions and answers. Another example: if your income is $100 short from your expenses, how much expenses you should cut? $100, right? Now, if you cannot cut expenses, how much you have to earn? $100? Not keeping in mind income tax! Assume your effective federal income tax rate last year was 15% and your tax bracket was 33%, then how much? $115? $133? $150? Wrong, quite a bit more!

The cover says, it's good for teenagers, and that's true. I'll try to make my teenager kids read it. In a few years they are going to a college, and I want them to be smart about their money. The cover says that it's also good for everybody who has come to this country and tries to make sense of our financial life. I suppose that's true too. But it's also definitely good for a lot of other folk. It was good for me, and I am not a teenager. ... Read more

Book Description

IT’S A SAVAGE WORLD OF MONEY!

The Savage Truth: If it were that easy to make money in the markets, we’d all be rich!

The Savage Truths about investing, mutual funds, retirement plans, life insurance, college savings, estate planning, and coping with debt are designed to help you gain control over your financial future–no matter what the direction of the stock market. Whether you’re just starting out or have learned by experience, the Savage Truths will keep you on track to reach your long-term goals of financial independence.

Learn about money from an award-winning consumer journalist whose expertise comes from experience. Savage was a founding member and the first woman trader on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. A regular commentator on PBS’s Nightly Business Report, Chicago Sun-Times columnist, and money expert at MSN’s moneycentral.com and Barron’s Online–and a frequent guest on shows ranging from CNN to Oprah–Terry Savage explains money matters in a voice you’ll recognize and understand.

The Savage Truths are distilled from Terry’s years of experience with money and the markets. But Terry’s advice helps you into the future, using technology to empower your financial decision-making. She directs you to Web sites that give you financial planning tools and calculators and shows you how to bank online and track your investments.

Don’t be overwhelmed by money decisions, or ruled by fear and greed. The Savage Truth on Money will set you free to enjoy the present and feel secure about your future.

"Today’s independent investors who get their financial information from the Internet will find Ms. Savage’s book an excellent supplement to their online research. "–Charles R. Schwab

"This down-to-earth money guide takes a savage cut worthy of a machete through the morass of information and myth that is offered to investors by most other financial books today. Enjoy it!"–John C. Bogle, founder and Senior Chairman, The Vanguard Group, Inc.

Always get the latest from Terry at her own Web site, www.terrysavage.com, where you can read her columns, link to her favorite Web sites, and e-mail your questions. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Outstanding book! Ignore the JBQ shill.
The Savage Truth on Money is a well written and highly informative money management book. Unlike say Making the most of your money by Quinn which is just a big book with mostly useless and outdated information.Ths book covers all aspects of financial planning and is written by someone actually qualified and certified to teach.I like the fact that Savage discusses options to protect your gains. This strategy alone same me a small fortune during the last bear market.And please ignore the 1 star reviews. Obviously they all emenate from the same person, a JBQ shill who doesn't realize that Savage does not work for Microsoft. Just a cheap smear campeign so typical of this individual.The Savage Truth is an OUTSTANDING book well worth your time and moneyand much better than JBQ's Making the Most of Your Money which is undoubtably the most overhyped book of all time.

Very complete - excellent financial book.
Does the thought of saving for retirement, coping with debt, or paying for college leave you fearful and frazzled? Are you confused and intimidated by "expert financial advice" you can't understand? You need the Savage Truth on money--from the cash in your pocket to the world of online investing.

The candid and up-front advice in The Savage Truth on Money is aimed at your mind, your heart...and your balance sheet. Whether you're just starting out or well on your way, Terry Savage will empower you to make informaed money decisions and evaluate the advice that the financial industry sends your way. Savage's expertise comes from her experience as a stock trader, stock broker, investment advisor, television commentator, and best selling financial author.

Step by step and dollar by dollar, The Savage Truth On Money enables you to manage your money by freeing yourself from debt, creating a budget you can live with, and investing wisely---even on a modest paycheck--to build equity and wealth. Savage helps you harness the power of the web by using money management software to develop and track your financial plan.

There's a Savage side to investing today. Find out what it is and how it could impact your 401 (k) choices and IRA decisions. Discover how to control the twin emotions that destroy your financial plans: fear and greed. Learn how to invest for retirement; insure for long term care; create a college education fund; use life insurance and annuities; and make a smart estate plan so that your hard earned wealth isn't confiscated by taxes. Terry Savage wills how you how.

The SAVAGE Truth On Money gives you the facts, resources, and confidence you need to take charge of your finances today--and give you a secure future for tomorrow.

What a pleasure it was for me to read a quality financial book written by a nationally recognized financial authority like Terry Savage. Excellent book and not just for women either.

Disregard those reviews by tax people, brokers etc.
I have Terry's book but also enjoy listening to quality material in my car so bought the cd as well. This is a very complete, financial education program. SHE COVERS EVERYTHING. And I found the tax information very beneficial as well.

I noticed one of the negative reviewers claiming to be a tax attorney. How can we expect this person to give a fair and credible review of this book and tape program. He is afraid of losing business!

Don't expect brokers to be anymore sympathetic either. They would rather have you buy their "Soup D'Jour" which pays them the highest commissions irregardless of whether you make money or not.

The JBQ crusaders; all I can say is compare the background and credentials of Ms. Savage and JBQ. NO CONTEST!

The Savage Truth on Money is an excellent program and I highly recommend it.

A fresh, new perspecive
Have you noticed how so many of the other financial books out there all say more or less the same thing? I bought "The Savage Truth on Money" CD and was so impressed that I went back and bought the book also.Ms. Savage has a vast background on personal finance and offers a fresh and unique approach that is backed with fact.She is a pleasure to listen to as well. Playing her CD is like having Ms. Savage in your car or office talking directly to you.Great program but only for those who are open minded.

Not just for women
I bought this book by Terry Savage along with Don't Mess with My Money by the Dolans after returning Making the Most of Your Money by Quinn.

I have to admit I felt a little strange buying this book which at first appeared to be for women, but after inspection, found this book to be outstanding and a great financial book for everyone.

Ms Savage covers everything you need to know about money from mutual funds, "chicken money", insurance and going on into retirement. Her style makes this an easy read and she is witty too.

By contrast, I bought Making the Most of Your Money by Quinn and was wholly dissappointed--returned it after one day.

Terry Savage has written an excellent book for anyone interested in truly Making the Most of their Money. In Savage's case, it is not a fancy line, but reality.

Great book Terry. I am looking forward to your next foray! ... Read more

Book Description

For expanded help in managing finances, Larry Burkett offers the Money in Marriage System. Each system includes a CD-ROM, two audio cassettes, two workbooks, and a Facilitator's Guide. A great resource for pastors, counselors, and small groups. ... Read more

Book Description

This Guide helps unemployed people deal with budgeting and financial problems that occur while unemployed. Such critical topics as 401(k) rollover options, how to delay credit card payments without hurting your credit rating, coping with insurance needs, how to avoid foreclosure on your home, and obtaining public assistance are covered. Our Guide, like all of our written materials, is written using short and focused sentences and chapters. ... Read more

Download Description

Are you a Baby Boomer heading toward retirement?Are you an employer with many Baby Boomer employees? With the increase of Baby Boomer retirements in the next decade, are you ready for the transition and the societal impact?

Dr. Maria Malayter investigates the emergence of a New Retirement and its impact on organizations as the Baby Boomer generation approaches the age of retirement.Boomers:Visions of the New Retirement is a research based exploration of retirees and their experiences as they transitioned into retirement.

The retirees reveal their strategies and struggles in the retirement transition and offer advice for how to plan for the future.The contents will reveal insights about retirement that is often not discussed in everyday conversations.

Want the real truth about retirement? Open this book now!

Book Description

As much as we might wish dealing with money would go away, it won't! If managing your money seems like a cross between getting a root canal and taking a course in physics, this is the book for you!

Money ToolBox for Women introduces women to the effective management of their money, once and for all. Whether you are a sophisticated investor or struggling to pay the bills, this book will show you not only how to organize your money, but to make it start serving you instead of you serving it!

Author Audrey Reed, Doctor of Spiritual Science, walks the line between solid principles you'd pay a fortune to learn from a fancy CPA or money advisor, and the principles of creating Financial Abundance you'd have to spend months in India seeking.

The book is solid, concrete principles that help real women deal with the very real subject of money in a way that is fun, easy, quick and extraordinarily helpful. It's an absolute must-have! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

straightforward, informative, practical
a great guide to money, takes away the intimidation of money management. the book offers practical advice, and ways to find hidden money. great anecdotes as well.

Something for everyone seeking money mastery
In "Money Toolbox for Women" author Audrey Reed takes sound money principles and discusses them in a metaphor of tools in a toolbox. Just like a regular toolbox each of these tools has a specific purpose and you may find that one is more useful to you at one particular time than another one, but together they comprise a complete tool set for any occasion.

Some "tools" are concrete financial advice, others are more philosophical or psychological in nature, and still others cross into the metaphysical. For example, one "tool" is a process to figuring out exactly where you spend your money and how much you spend. This is a critical part of changing your financial picture and a very sound process. Another example is the fact that many people carry around false beliefs about money. These beliefs have to change in order for you to change your financial picture. This is also sound financial advice but since these contain psychological factors the process for removing them is also a psychological one. And still another example would be kinesthetic muscle testing to get in contact with your "inner knower" for answers to questions. This clearly falls into the metaphysical for most people.

The trick here is to actually use this as a toolbox. Use the appropriate tool for the job and use the ones that you understand how to use. If you don't agree with the metaphysical tools don't discard the book, just use the ones you are uncomfortable with. There is a lot of good information in this text and it is written in a light approachable manner that most people would enjoy. For example, she discusses the bargain trolls; those things that cause you to purchase an item just because it is a tremendous bargain, not because you need or want it. It's not a bargain if you would not have normally purchased it; it is a waste of money.

Although it is written with a definite slant towards women (most men would get little value out of a tool for organizing their purse), it is a recommended purchase for anyone who wants to take control of their finances and don't know where to start.

Belongs on Every Financial Bookshelf.
Here is a book that teaches us the philosophy of handling money wisely. It's not a book about investing, but one about becoming aware of where we spend money, communicating about money with our family, developing empowering financial beliefs, where to find money in our lives, and how to attract more financial abundance.

Audrey Reed has done a fabulous job of making this complex subject (financial belief systems) fun and easy to understand. She also gives practical, easy to follow advice on how to create new daily disciplines in order to get out of debt and enjoy a more stress-free money life.

Good advice for men also!
The approach in this delightful read is engaging -- a gentle and very direct confrontation with our underlying beliefs about money combined with practical tips for "getting money handled."

I learned from the book and bought two for my daughters. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Written in highly accessible language for lay readers
Written by Erlend Peterson (a registered investment advisor and certified financial planner), Money Changes Everything: Seven Simple Steps That Will Make Money Work For You! is a useful and "user friendly" instructional guide to the basics of managing personal finance. Individual chapters deftly address easy-to-follow ways to keep a balanced household budget, save for the future, and prepare for retirement. An all-around general primer written in highly accessible language for lay readers, Money Changes Everything is especially recommended for those with no prior money management experience or expertise. ... Read more

Book Description

Each of us must reach a point at which we say, "Enough is enough!"---when, weary of being trapped and strapped, we are finally ready to make the decision to live debt-free. When the desire to break out of financial bondage is strong enough, it can surely be done---quickly, and without using a budget.

Filled with stories and insights, this book will entertain, enlighten, and educate you. With stubborn candor Cheryl Carson writes of the pervasive effects of debt in our lives and tells of the rampant materialism that pervades our society and distracts us from the things that really matter. With her delightful sense of humor, Cheryl speaks of a return to frugality that promises simple abundance and the realization that "he who knows he has enough is rich."

This book will cause you to re-evaluate your thinking, your lifestyle, and your life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great collection of inspiration!
While I personally would not use all of Ms. Carson's suggestions on living debt free, she has some good ideas that were new to me. Also, if anyone wants to be inspired to live debt free, this is the book. I think she has every LDS quote for becoming debt free in this book! I liked it and gave it to my family for Christmas. ... Read more

Book Description

They go by many names, but they all represent the same thing: a REVOLUTION in the way families with children are investing for the future.

In THE BEST WAY TO SAVE FOR COLLEGE – A Complete Guide to 529 Plans, Joseph F. Hurley CPA describes how 529 Plans work: the tax rules, planning strategies, impact on college financial aid. He compares them to other alternatives such as the Coverdell education savings accounts, savings bonds, and mutual funds. And he describes the features of each state’s plan. The various state plans are not created equal. Learn which ones are best for you!

You’ve heard about them. Now it’s time to learn about them. Whether you are a professional planner, a college financial aid officer, or a careful investor, you need to have all the facts. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This guy is the master
If you are planning to open a 529, you need to get this book. I found it well worth the price, and after using it was comfortable with opening a 529, and which one to use. He also has a great website at savingforcollege.com

Comprehensive and reader-friendly guide to 529 plans
Saving for their children's higher education is a daunting task for most American families. State-sponsored savings programs referred to as "529 plans" provide Federal (and often State) tax advantages to many savers, but parents need to evaluate all the options. Furthermore, a burgeoning array of 529 plans makes the decision of how to save for college more confusing than ever. Enter author Joseph Hurley, who presents all the key issues in deciding whether and how to choose a 529 account in a straightforward, reasonably easy-to-read style. He lets you know what questions to ask, and then provides the answers when possible.

The first section of the book provides an explanation of 529 plans, including their history and benefits; an overview of how they work and what to look for in a 529 plan; comparison with other means of saving for higher education; and income tax, financial aid, and estate planning issues. The second section of the book provides a description of each state's plans, using a common format that answers the most basic of his "what to look for in a 529 plan" checklist. Contacts to get further information from each state are also included.

Much of this information is available on the author's excellent "saving for college" web site. This book will be most helpful to you if you want to learn a lot about 529 plans without scrolling through screen after screen of information (i.e., if you'd rather curl up with a book than stare at a screen). For looking up specific bits of information, the web site may be all you need.

Best Way to Save for College 529 Plans
A very comprehensive look at saving vehicles for college
education for your children or grandkids. Well written
and a very balanced discussion of the adv/disadv of each
type of investment consideration to include the 529s for
various States but also Roth IRAs, Saving Bonds, etc.

The author's web site is also of much value. ... Read more

Book Description

Save $25, $50, or more every week by developing your own grocery shopping and food management system. This book explains how you can develop power shopping lists, select the right stores, reap more value from coupons, manage your money wisely, plus more...Author Eric Gelb, CPA & MBA, is a consumer expert. Step-by-step tips and techniques to help you save money right away. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

From coupons to an effective shopping list
Pamphlets are usually not considered but Eric Gelb's 157 Ways To Cut Your Grocery Bill deserves a place in any personal or public library money management and consumer advice reference collection. 157 Ways To Cut Your Grocery Bill will consumers take charge of their shopping expenses and habits and provides a system for sound grocery shopping. From coupons to an effective shopping list, 157 Ways To Cut Your Grocery Billis filled from cover to cover with tips on not only purchasing groceries, but their effective usage and storing as well.

Cut Your Grocery Bill
I wrote this book to help consumers and families save more money in the grocery store. Why not save [money] more every week...Stop wasting your hard-earned money now. This book will help you develop and implement a grocery shopping and food management system.

This guide is full of tips, tactics and strategies that you can put to work right away. Topics include, store selection, wringing more value out of coupons, power shopping lists, food management, cooking the food, sound money management, negotiating the aisles at the store, more.

Written in plain English, this guide is designed to help you save money right now.

Eric Gelb
Author
157 Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive collection of ideas and resources for how to economize without compromising, including what to skimp on and what not to, how to plan and budget, why costs are going up, the importance of preventive care, money-saving tips, things you can do yourself and where to turn for help.All types of pets are covered: dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and small animals. ... Read more

Book Description

The economy can go from smooth sailing to stormy weather, seemingly without warning. And since both the national and global economies have encountered some rainy days recently, readers are anxious for advice on how to avoid getting soaked.

Legal and financial experts John Ventura and Mary Reed offer advice on surviving such downturns, and in this straightforward guide they offer advice on:

€ what bills to pay when you can't pay them all
€ increasing your household income
€ negotiating with creditors
€ laws that can protect you
€ how to handle--or avoid--evictions, foreclosures, and vehicle repossessions
€ how to spot bogus credit repair firms
€ and more ... Read more

Book Description

THRIFTING INTO A DEBT-FREE, CAREFREE LIFESTYLE provides tips to the reader for savings on virtually every good and service, including personal stories and examples. The book shows the reader how the opportunities exist everywhere for huge savings, and how once the reader has recognized the hidden expenditures, he/she will save money easily and achieve a debt-free, more rewarding life. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

How to live better on less
This book pointed out some of my extravagant ways and helped me to re-evaluate how I could live better on less money. I learned of all the places that you really can save money, besides the big
discount stores that advertise so much, but are not really saving you as much as Ms. Hartt points out.

Best tips on saving money that I've seen
This book covers about every type of product that you will ever buy, including real estate. With the tips in this book, I have saved a considerable amount of money on my own and for my son when he bought his home.

saving money, living better and loving it
Since reading this book, I have begun to spend less money and manage my debt. With all the helpful advice in the book, I plan to be free of debt very soon. It is a wonderful book!!! ... Read more

Book Description

At the Heart of Money is a book of self-discovery to help the reader discover who they are, what they value and their purpose in life. The emphasis is on personal values and how to align their money to reduce stress and improve their quality of life. Once the reader has identified what they value most highly, the money is secondary. Mastering life and mastering money is the goal. Heart-warming stories and exercises are provided. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

WONDERFUL BOOK!
I had the pleasure of reading this book before it was released to the public. It is AMAZING! Its so easy to follow! I recommend purchasing the workbook as well ... Read more