Book Description

The proverbial American dream of owning a home has become an all-too-real nightmare for a growing number of families. The most vulnerable segments of our society--including minorities, the elderly, and working families--are being victimized by financiers who lure them into commitments they cannot fulfill. Collectively known as "predatory lending," these practices include offering higher interest rates than can be justified by the risk, high pre-payment penalties that lock families into exploitative loans, and monstrous balloon payments that often result in default and the loss of the home. The net result can be disastrous: damage to one's credit rating, bankruptcy, and even the loss of lifelong savings. Why the Poor Pay More is an incisive exposure of these practices--how they have evolved, why they have become so prevalent in recent years, and how their negative effects can be quantified--and showcases community efforts to combat them along with outlining active roles that individuals, advocacy groups, financial and legal service providers, and policymakers can play in reversing this destructive trend. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

No transactional currency is better than Visa or Mastercard
Visa & Mastercard (a.k.a. MC) are one of the major success stories in the world. And why? Because Visa & MC, in many ways, redefined what "money" is. And they did so on a monumental scale the likes of which hasn't been seen in a long long time. In case it isn't clear, visa & mc are such a major success because they regulate the transactional behavior of the currency - forcing both sides to behave & act honorably. No other currency comes close to the elegance & "user friendliness" of visa or mc.

Why carry cash or checks if you can get a visa or mc? Lose a visa or mc? No problem if you exercise due diligence in reporting it lost/stolen (not the same with cash or checks unfortunately). Order something & it doesn't get delivered? No problem more often than not (with no attorney needed) when paid for with visa or mc, again as long as due diligence is exercised in reporting the problem (not the same with cash or checks unfortunately). The list of benefits associated with visa & mc "currency" over cash & checks goes on & on. Visa & mc are available today, everywhere.

Literally don't leave home without a visa or mc (the truth of that ad phrase is ridiculously deep).

Excellent enlightening book!
If you love to read books about the history of empires and success stories, you will love this! I currently work for Bank of America Bank Card Services (Visa) and I loved it. I knew a lot of the history, but there were a lot of things I didn't know.

It is a must read for anyone who works in this industry or has a card.

Love everything about it and highly recommend it.
If you're looking for the more positive side of the Visa story, or of the impact of American Banking systems, this is a great start. Not a lot about statistical results and analysis, this is more of a story about the people side of building one of the largest global enterprises on the planet, and how that came about during the past 3 decades. Paul Chutkow is not a finanical analyst or banker, so he brings a fresh perspective to the story, and it's a very compelling read. This is also a story about leadership and vision, with the leading characted being Dee Hok. Paul Chutkow has captured many insights into the strategies in building Visa, and how the obstacles were overcome. The pictures of course are wonderful, and the historical views of many different phases of consumerism make this an important read for the student of payment systems. With the new dot-com startups of the day scratching their way in the markets, such as PayPal, BillPoint, and so many others, this book helps us develop a keener appreciation for the visionary and dramtic efforts of the 'fore-fathers' of the payments industry. I really enjoyed learning about the battles Dee Hok worked through to create that little start-up, to eventually be called Visa. The business development and marketing decisions in working with the International Olympic Committee are important for any marketer, and I was introduced to some important people in the the history of credit card fraud. I do recommend this book whole-heartedly, and I will be referring my asociates working in the payments and banking industries read it.

Great read about a slice of American history!
This book is a fascinating read about the history and evolution of "plastic." The book recounts how the visions and innovations of a few revolutionized the world of banking and provides an interesting profile of Visa's rise to global success. Particularly interesting was the story of Visa pioneer and innovator, Dee Hock. Additionally, the historical look at San Francisco in the late 1800s and early 1900s, both in photos and text, was a real treat, especially for this East Coast transplant to the Bay Area. The photos and graphics of Visa's early advertisements are fun to see, especially the Visa "chicks" -- an ad concept that would not fly today. This is a compelling, educational, and even inspirational story -- it's a great read and should be a welcome addition to any coffee table or library.

An impressive book
This is a very impressive book on many fronts. The author obviously spent quality time with Visa's people and files, because the story he recounts is very human and absorbing. You read a lot about the ills of credit cards these days, but this book sheds new light on the value and impact of bank cards. The early chapters on A.P. Giannini, the founder of Bank of America, show his passion for bringing banking services to immigrants and working people. The book tells how Giannini changed banking entirely and financed Hollywood, Walt Disney, the Golden Gate Bridge and the building of California. I know that Time Magazine named Giannini one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century. His story gives nobility of purpose to the 1950s creation of BankAmericard that later became Visa, because it was an extension of putting capital into the hands of the people. Chutkow focuses on the human side of this unfolding drama and the real-life characters involved. I don't know of any previous book that has covered this story as well. I particularly liked the chapters on the shadowy world of fighting credit card fraud. His story about Visa's staff in Asia battling "6 Fingers," a crime ring boss, is worth the price of admission. Chutkow also reveals interesting inside stuff on Visa's sponsorships of the Olympics and its battles with MasterCard and American Express. Perhaps most impressive of all is the quiet role Visa has been playing in developing countries to create the payments systems that are fostering dramatic economic growth and social change. The takeaway impression is that Visa's pedigree truly is the card of the people. This is an excellent and beautifully presented book. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Dangerous Stuff
This book is 8 years out of date. In working with this text I found that many of the names of the organizations listed had changed, all the listed phone numbers were invalid, and most of the addresses and zip codes had changed. Therefore the validity of the "work around" suggestions are suspect. You will end up using a different book, one more current, so you may as well start there rather than with this one.

New Credit File is Illegal!
The information that this book contains is very illegal. I should know... I owned a small mail order company and we sold a book with the exact same information as this one and the FBI is now in the process of sending me to prison simply because I sold this information.Don't Buy It - Don't Sell It, Trust me, write to me, ask me....This information destroyed my whole families life... Dont have the FBI come to your home and take away all that you have, then all that you will ever have. Don't Buy It - Don't Sell It - Please for the sake of your entire life.

great book has all the tricks of the trade
i recommend this book to every consumer who has had credit problems in the past . it is a must have piece of information if you plan on having a- 1 credit in the future

Informative and Easy to understand
This book is a great step by step guide thats easy to understand. It contains helpful sample letters as well as dispute methods for those who are not sure how to start on their journey to better credit. ... Read more

Book Description

This inspiring book of daily meditations is written precisely for those who wake up daily trying to face and take responsibility for large and seemingly unmanageable debt. The meditations are simple, positive, and solution-oriented. They are spiritual in nature but not exclusively Twelve Step in philosophy. Written by the former wife of a compulsive gambler, they offer strenght, courage, and support needed by those struggling to survive financially trying times. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Daily Companion on Your Journey Out of Debt
The road out of the land of debt can be a lonely one. You feel shame and guilt over your debts, not to mention fear and anxiety.
And you feel alone with your "secret." How can you hope to find your way out of this desolate place?

This pocket-sized daily guide can help. Karen Casanova's book contains dated, daily meditations which also offer practical suggestions for reducing your debt and your stress.

This one is not a complicated "money-management" book. Rather, it is a combination of spiritual/self-help manual that you can carry with you for daily shots of inspiration.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by debt, it seems to me that this book will be helpful to you.

Reviewer: Linda Painchaud

A daily requirement.
This book has become part of my morning ritual. I read the meditation for the day each morning. It helps me to quit debting one day at a time. I've made some real strides in my debting behavior and this book helps keep me on track. A must read for anyone struggling with debt. It'll make you feel better and give you the strength and hope to make it one more day without debting.

Letting Go of Debt
Daily meditations for those who swim through a stormy sea of debt encircled by sharks. The stress of debt is as fierce as any other addiction, affecting us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and even causing other addictive behaviors, all of which affects our relationships. In fact, we get so stressed about our debt that, for relief, we spend more. Debt is acquired a day at a time. Likewise, debt reduction and financial solvency are accomplished and maintained a day at a time. These meditations are a welcome adjunct to financial recovery programs or books.

didn't get in debt in a day and won't get out in a day ...
Being in debt is a lonely place to be, and I finally found a simple step forward to a permanent solution, this book. There is a short one small page topic for each day. This keeps me in the solution of becoming financially solvent, each day. The topics are simple and reaffirming, along with suggestions that most people perhaps do without thinking, but for those that have gotten into debt, the topics are the ladder out of our problem. Previously I bought "How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt & Live Prosperously" by Jerrold Mundis but this did not change my spending behavior even though I read it cover to cover. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

SIMPLY THE BEST!
If you need a method for managing your money, this is simply the best book out there. It is not preachy and is more focused than most financial books that try to cover personal budgeting in a single chapter: it is too complex a subject to get adequate treatment in a few pages.

This, on the other hand, is a good chunk of book about just the one subject. There are a lot of OK books out there but, really, to do budgeting and financial planning how many do you need? Only one and this is it!

But be warned, the system presented by the author is complex and intensive in that it requires that you really think about where your money is going. It also forces you to set priorities and face the limitations of your financial resources.

If you use the system it will force you to become future and goal oriented and if you have a problem with spending too much and not saving enough, this might just be the cure. Good luck.

Best Book On "Budgeting /Decision-Making" Thus Far
This is a "how-to" book covering the fundamentals of establishing a personal financial system of establishing and attaining financial planning goals. The book successfully sets forth an easy-to-adopt system of "funding" each desired goal. Throughout the book the author illustrates the principles with stories from this own dealing with clients.

If you need assistance with "establishing a budget", "getting out of debt", or "learning to save", then this is the book for you. It is probably most suited for persons age 18-55 who need a system to manage their income, or to handle sudden influxes of wealth.

If you are living beyond your means, or never saving enough, an attitude adjustment book explaining the "why" (such as "The Millionaire Next Door") might be read first, followed by this book, which shows you the "how". You might then follow these readings with others in personal finance and investing, such as John Bogle's excellent primer "Common Sense on Mutual Funds".

My only reservation about this book is that it lacks an explanation of how to implement the "funding" system proposed through Quicken or MS Money financial planning software. If the author is listening, perhaps a future edition can be planned. Until such happens, however, this 1990 book still remains the best "how to" book of "funding" and "budgeting" personal finances out there. I often recommend this book to my younger clients and thereafter see their successes in implementing the system this book teaches.

You must read this book!
I thought I knew everything about personal finanace, because all the other books I'd read said the same things: pay off your debt, save 10% each month, and use willpower when you budget. WRONG! This is the best approach to managing money I've ever seen. It helps you to actually use your money effectively and develop plans based on what you need and WANT. This book does not recycle the same stale, predictable, unrealistic rhetoric of finances - it questions everything we've been told by "Dad and Uncle Ralph" over the years and looks instead at what makes sense right now, today, this minute. The advice in this book is practical and immediately useful. Suddenly, it all makes sense!

Excellent, a refreshing way to get a grip on your finances.
I have read this book over at least five times and I recommend it to anyone who, no matter how much money they make, they always seem to spend a little more. It is a new and unique way to budget, getting at your actual "spending power" and pointing out the obvious fact that most expenses you have don't suddenly come up, so can be easily planned for. His step by step instructions make it easy to incorporate his suggestions on a simple spreadsheet, or on paper. I have read a lot of budgeting books, but this one is very useful to the non disciplined reader. I just wish I had found this book ten years ago!

An invaluable source on how to handle your finances.
After reading this book I'm no longer out-of-control or in debt. I've learned the fine art of budgeting, investing and most importantly, how to fund (not save) for the future. This book is a must-read. I've given away every other book I purchased on personal finance because I don't need any other. The funding concept is so simple I can't believe I never heard of it before. It's changed my way of thinking about managing money and living BELOW my means. The information not only points you in the right direction, it leads you there. ... Read more

Book Description

Get completely out of debt -- including your home mortgage -- and start building real wealth with the money you already make.

Whether or not your credit cards are maxed out and you have a huge mortgage to pay off, you can still get rid of all your debt in five to seven years -- and begin rapid wealth-building.

Turn Your Debt Into Wealth shows you how to attain real financial freedom by focusing every dollar that you are currently using on debt payments towards building wealth -- without sacrificing the things that mean the most to you.

In Turn Your Debt Into Wealth, you'll learn:

• How you've been misled by a system designed to keep you imprisoned in debt
• A simple, low-risk/high-return strategy for wealth-building
  
• How to retire early with your investments providing all the income you need
• How to redefine the American Dream to fit your personal vision of success

Reviews (10)

Finally! A Plan for TRUE Financial Independence
The first time I came across John Cummuta's material on getting out of debt and building wealth, it captivated me---like being a person blind, seeing the world for the very first time. John explodes the financial myths that are peddled by the mainstream press (and I always believed) like 1) Not paying off your mortgage because of the tax deduction; 2) Building up an emergency fund of six months or more before paying down debt; 3) How the Madison Avenue version of success (new luxury cars, McMansion houses in prime locations, etc.) are the most fulfilling and what everyone should pursue. John not only explodes these myths, he gives you a REALISTIC system for paying off all debt in five to seven years WITH THE MONEY YOU'RE ALREADY MAKING (isn't that a relief? You don't have to give up your life and start "flipping" real-estate properties or become a business owner!) and building wealth so that you can achieve whatever lifestyle is important to you. John's program will give you the most precious thing in life: FREEDOM. I now have the freedom from worrying about my bills every month, the freedom of time to spend with my precious wife and children, and the freedom to life the lifestyle I want to live---not the Madison Avenue version, my version. In my book, this product is worth more than gold.

Debt Free Blueprint
I've read Hume Publications Successful Investing & Money Management, Money Magazine's 101 Secrets to Personal Wealth, Rich Dad/Poor Dad and other money making guides. None were as helpful, nor as quick to show results for me as John Cummuta's Debt to Wealth Program. I found it a simple plan that helped me pay down debts and saved me wasting money on interest payments. I've used his system to help me pay down a $5,000 home equity loan and a $17,000 business loan in the last 12 months. I've recommended it to my sister-in-law who has started a savings fund for her kid's college education by accelerating the paydown of some debts. This program won't make you a millionaire but it will help you stop paying all that interest to banks, credit cards and car dealerships!

Robert Cuenca is not paying attention.
Robert Cuenca is a knucklehead. That's why you rent the property. You are not paying the mortgage, the renter is. I personally own 5 rental properties. If you do your research and purchase real estate in a smart way, then you WILL make money. There are EXTREEMEY RARE social and economic cases that see real estate depreciate. Do you own due diligence before you start calling people names.

Not as realistic...
As a professional financial advisor and CPA, this program truly undermines the real effects of interest rates and opportunity costs. The author makes the whole process sound so easy but truth is there heavy consequences. What John is teaching is simple as "PAY MORE (accelerated margin) and GET OUT OF DEBT FASTER" - which is a no-brainer. Well... if you are living paycheck to paycheck how will you come up with extra $400~$600? John will tell you to drink less coffee, eat less, etc... I just wonder if the author has any finance background...

Lawrence M. Ludwig from Babylon, NY USA is a financial idio
The one negative review given by Lawrence M. Ludwig from Babylon, NY USA above is a financial abomination. He has no clue what the basic premis of debt is, so I will clarify that for him.

"Debt makes things cost more"

Why would you purposely spend more than the original sale price of an item? To invest? Using his house analogy:

He states you can put $20,000 (20%) down on a $100,000 house than might appreciate 5%. Therefore, thanks to borrowing the other 80%, you might make a 20% return on your investment! SOUNDS GREAT!

There are about a hundred loopholes here but I will focus and share with them the top two:

1) Just as that house (or ANY other investment) MIGHT appreciate in value, it can also DEPRECIATE in value, it happens everyday. In fact, over 90% of investers in wall street lose money! There is never a guarantee of return on any investment. Ever hear, "past performance is no guarantee of future performance"? That disclaimer is there for a reason!

2) Bonehead forgets to inform you that in order to give the property time to POSSIBLY appreciate (1 year) you have to pay a mortgage on $80,000. Would you like to know how that mortgage is amortized? Heres how it works: your mortgage payment, based on a 30yr, 6.5% loan would be $505 per month, this is interest and principal only. Of that payment, only $73 per month goes toward reducing pricipal. The interest alone amounts to $5,173 after 12 months. Factor mandatory insurance and property taxes that you will have to pay just for owning it and his great investment idea that MIGHT appreciate 5% is losing a least $1000!

What happens when he goes to sell it? Well, he will most likely need to hire a realtor who charges 6% comission on average, taken right off the top.

Lawrence M. Ludwig from Babylon, NY USA , is extremely ignorant of how expensive debt is. Instead of bashing an author such as Mr. Cummuta, he would do well to educate himself. On a final note, this consulation to Mr. Lawrence M. Ludwig from Babylon, NY USA is entirely complimentary, your welcome. ... Read more

Book Description

No Debt, No Sweat!shows Christians how to free themselves from the bondage of financial pain.It is written for people who are financially sound and looking for investment strategies as well as people who are in financial turmoil and need a successful plan for getting out of debt. Author Steve Diggs discusses some very serious issues, with a style that is humorous and upbeat. His focus is biblical, while his approach is confessional. No Debt, No Sweat! will teach readers that over-spending is frequently a spiritual issue—often trying to fill the holes in our hearts with stuff. Yet, upon closer examination, readers will see that these holes are shaped exactly like Jesus—and nothing else will fill them. ... Read more

Book Description

This book offers an advanced introduction to the models of credit risk valuation. It concentrates on firm-value and reduced-form approaches and their applications in practice. Additionally, the book includes new models for valuing derivative securities with credit risk, focussing on options and forward contracts subject to counterparty default risk, but also treating options on credit-risky bonds and credit derivatives. The text provides detailed descriptions of the state-of-the-art martingale methods and advanced numerical implementations based on multi-variate trees used to price derivative credit risk. Numerical examples illustrate the effects of credit risk on the prices of financial derivatives. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Best for Credit Risk Modelling
This is an essential book for anyone interested in evaluating credit risk. It is well written and one of the best in its class in the market.

For more on products, however, especially the explosively growing credit derivatives market, I recommend Tavakoli's "Credit Derivatives" 2nd Edition.

Best book on credit risk valuation
This is probably still the best book on the valuation of credit risk. It is concise, rigorous, yet with many examples and a good treatment of implementation issues.

Very valuable resource
This book discusses credit risk valuation in detail and quantitatively. The book is very strong on counterparty credit risk of derivatives. That is really the focus, though it also has stuff on general credit risk and credit derivatives (I wish it had more on credit derivatives). It also offers a chapter on general option pricing and risk-neutral valuation principles (brief but very good). What I also liked was the appendix with a short description of the more important and more advanced mathematical concepts used in the book. Although (or perhaps because) not an easy read but rather terse and demanding, I found it to be an extremely valuable resource. It really helped me understand the subject matter and gave me a good idea of how to model such risks.

Extremely innovative book
This is an extremely innovative book on counterparty risk, not your standard lame textbook full of old stuff that everybody knows already. Focus is counterparty risk of derivatives but it also has some stuff on credit derivatives. The best part are clearly the chapters on counterparty risk. Now, this book is written for people with a strong math background; it is not an easy read. But for the few out there interested in counterparty risk and quantitative modeling techniques like me, this is a gem.

Ahead of the state of the art in counterparty risk valuation
This books presents the latest research in counterparty risk pricing. As my company (one of the major securities firms here in New York) is currently looking to implement counterparty risk pricing models, this book was just what I was look-ing for. It consists of one chapter on derivatives pricing (Black/Scholes, Heath/Jarrow/Morton, etc etc, all in there), one chapter on general credit risk pricing, two chapters on the valuation of counterparty credit risk (the real core of the book), one chapter on credit derivatives (somewhat short). If you are interested in counterparty risk pricing or need to implement such models, look no further than chapter 4 and 5 of this book. A word of caution, though: while this book is no doubt a wonderful find for the mathematically gifted, it is definitely not for the faint of heart. It is clearly targeted towards researchers and practitioners with advanced mathematical and modeling skills. If your mathematical background topped out with an MBA statistics course, you will choke on this book. Otherwise, and if you are interested in counterparty risk pricing of derivatives, you'll find this book to be a highly valuable resource. ... Read more

Book Description

The Unofficial Guide to Beating Debt is designed to give savvy consumers like you foolproof strategies for everything from undoing years of debt to putting your credit reputation back together. In this book you'll get unbiased recommendations that are not influenced by any company, product, or organization. The Unofficial Guide to Beating Debt is intensively inspected by The Unofficial Panel of Experts -- specialists who ensure that you are armed with the most up-to-date insider information on the subject of beating debt. They tell you exactly what the "official establishment" doesn't want you to know. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is the one guide to get for conquering debt!
I can't add much more to the first review. It has all aspects of credit cards, debt, and also a great index of resources available for internet sites, books, phone numbers, and addresses. All of the pages are easy to read and a great resource. You can buy this book, or if you are in debt (like me) get if from the library. You can email me at: edcrawf@bellatlantic.net for more recommendations. Enjoy and conquer your debt!

eye opener
This book covers everything from how to make a credit card to how to destroy a credit card and everything in between. Answers to questions like: What is credit? What is credit history? Who has the record and how I can see what others are saying about me? What are the pros and cons of credit cards? Credit card scams and how to protect yourself from them or fight back. Your legal rights and much more. A must read. I wish they thought this in my college. ... Read more

Book Description

The most demanded information from DebtSmart®! How to stop the banks from taking advantage of you, get the best lending deals, get financially organized, pick the right mortgage, make more money, finance your next car, personal stories, Q&A, and much more! Scott Bilker, author of "How to be more Credit Card and Debt Smart," is also the creator of DebtSmart.com and the author of the best-selling book, "Credit Card and Debt Management." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent book! Gotta love this guy!
What a valuable book. Read it cover-to-cover yesterday morning -- called my credit card companies in the afternoon and trust me -- I saved far more than the cost of the book ... including shipping! This book should be required reading for anyone who has credit debt. In fact, I think it should be added to all high school and college curriculums. Excellent purchase plus turned me on to the companion website ...

Taking the stress out of learning about credit!
"I have enjoyed reading it! What I like about "How to be more Credit Card and Debt Smart" is the way it is written is like having a conversation with a friend. Picture it like this, instead of two people but a person and the book sitting at a table with a nice warm mug of Starbucks (that I brewed of
course) and learning about credit issues in a relaxing and easy to remember format."
--Susie Marion ... Read more

Book Description

Published in 1935, at the depth of the Depression, A World in Debt is a powerful indictment of the debt system. Is is written in eloquent but non-technical language with profuse use of clasical sources. With a foreword and a commentary by Albert D. Friedberg, the republisher, a noted currency and commodities analyst and seculator. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Must Read....
This is the 1935 classic which tells you, like you've never heard before, just what debt really is, how it works, and why it can bring down any civilization. As good, if not better, than Andrew Dickson White's 'Fiat Money Inflation in France'. Believe me, these will knock your socks off! ... Read more

Book Description

Are you tired of being turned down for credit because of negative info in your files? Now you can learn the secrets used by pros to erase bad credit from your files and start over. This complete guide was written to meet the needs of everyone, including women, minorities, divorced people, military families and those considering bankruptcy. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

It may be short, but it's sweet!
Other reviewers of this book here at Amazon seem to feel that the author is skimping on the details, and that he uses the laws we have to live with as filler. I disagree. Personally, I don't have time to read a lengthy discourse on how to get out of debt, repair my credit, or work towards being financially stable. This book contains more than enough valuable information to get anyone with credit woes on the road to recovery. When I bought this book just over a month ago, I had 11 negative marks on one of my credit reports. After taking the sample letters in this great book and modifying them to meet my needs, I have changed 9 of these marks to positive, and am negotiating on the last 2. I found this book to be an invaluable tool, as a novice to the way debt works.

Reviewed by professional credit consultant
This book may be helpful for someone who needs some basic knowledge about credit repair and debt issues. However, Mr Hammond merely added very little updated information and creates another edition to be sold in the market place. More than half of the book consists of credit regulations, and out of date phone numbers for many governmental organizations and creditors alike. It is obvious he does not put in much additional effort in creating new additions. Also, some of his techniques may not work for everyone. If he spends any time practicing in this field (which I feel he have not) he would have written more practical credit repair techniques which may prove beneficial to consumers out there.

Highly Recommended!
Bob Hammond discusses how to reduce debts, repair credit and deal with creditors and collection agencies. He includes tips on negotiating debts downward and sample letters to creditors. The detailed appendix includes the U.S. Fair Credit Reporting Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This book is primarily targeted to small business owners, employees and the unemployed or underemployed who are having debt problems. We [...] appreciate the basic, "do this," tone of voice and the practical approach to helping someone climb out of debt. (While some of these strategies might be useful anywhere, only U.S. law is discussed.)

Could have been a pamphlet
The information that you need to start repairing your credit is in here and so is some stuff about reducing debt. The book covers how to order your report, dispute it and follow up with the Credit agencies. It has sample letters that you can use with your own information. It has techniques on working with creditors to have them remove negative information from your report for you.

Overall, I don't feel ripped off, but I am a bit disappointed. There could have been much more detail in the areas of Keeping your credit report from being damaged, building good credit, and strategies for saving money and reducing debts (which are the cause of bad credit in the first place). This type of book would be much more useful in the form of a workbook rather than the front to middle reading it is.

The book gives you what it promises, but not in the best form and with a ton of filler. The second half of the book is just a reprint of Credit Laws which could come in handy if I was working with a lawyer or could understand it myself, but otherwise is just there to add pages.

Judging by the number of books that Bob Hammond has written on the subject, I would say that he is just revamping old work, adding a lot of filler text and calling it a new book.

The information in this book is so rudimentary should be free. But I give it 3 stars because it has helped me get the ball rolling with my credit.

Essential reading for anyone trying to make ends meet.
Now in a fully updated third edition, Bob Hammond's Life After Debt continues to be the most practical, reader friendly, single volume guide to personal money management and emancipation from crippling debt available to the reading public. Hammond tackles the problems of how debt is caused and solving credit problems -- permanently. Readers will learn how to increase their cash flow, reestablish a sound credit rating in less than 30 days, stop collection agency harassment, raise their credit limit, create an "instant" credit history dating back ten years. Life After Debt is enhanced with addresses and phone numbers of consumer credit services, state banking authorities, and other financial stability resources. Life After Debt is essential reading for anyone struggling to make ends meet. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Dont waste your money!
This book was worthless. It was basic and definitely outdated..

Guaranteed Results!
This is by far the most informative and effective book on credit repair I have ever read.As with all "how to" books,it's efficacy is contingent upon how much effort you actually put into implementing the advice it contains and believe me,there is Plenty of usefull,little known facts on the sleaziness of the credit card industry and the credit bureaus.Mr.Goldstien even includes the entire Fair Credit Reporting Act law at the end!After my divource,my credit was a mess.Armed with this information I have managed to clear up my report beyond my expectations.I have read other books on credit repair that basicly said there was nothing I could do for seven years to clear my name and credit.Not So!This Book is guaranteed to work but again,as with everything,you have to do the leg work.

Solid strategies to stay out of debt
Guaranteed Credit by Arnold "The Money Doctor" Goldstein, is a remarkable, practical, and thoroughly "user friendly" guide to swiftly improving a personal credit rating in only 90 days! From secrets the credit card industry won't tell you, to solid strategies to stay out of debt and repair bad credit, Guaranteed Credit is a superbly presented and effective "how to" guide expressly written for non-specialist general readers with credit troubles. Even people with as-yet flawless credit can benefit from the sample form letters, layman's interpretation of latest credit laws, and just plain sound advice in a book so useful, it comes with a money-back guarantee by the publisher! If using the techniques within does not improve the buyer's credit, the buyer can return the book (in resalable condition) to the publisher for a refund of "the lesser of publisher's list of actual purchase price, excluding shipping and handling, if any." There are many credit and finance advice books out there, but this is one author puts his money where his mouth is!

Lots of good info -- looks like it was written for the money
The one thing this book does that is really cool is tell you about how the dirty tricks in the credit business works. It's really interesting.

The information is good, but generic. It certainly is nice to know that there is more to credit than credit counseling or "new credit file" spam in my inbox.

But, I read it and I didn't feel like it made me that much closer to getting those nasty little marks fall off my record.

what a waste of money
I have bought this book thinking it would give information, beyond the most known facts and also instructions on how to deal with credit problems. I could fix little error on my credit history before reading this book. it is totally waste of money ... Read more

Book Description

Once there was a golden age of American thrift, when citizens lived sensibly within their means and worked hard to stay out of debt. The growing availability of credit in this century, however, has brought those days to an end--undermining traditional moral virtues such as prudence, diligence, and the delay of gratification while encouraging reckless consumerism. Or so we commonly believe. In this engaging and thought-provoking book, Lendol Calder shows that this conception of the past is in fact a myth.

Calder presents the first book-length social and cultural history of the rise of consumer credit in America. He focuses on the years between 1890 and 1940, when the legal, institutional, and moral bases of today's consumer credit were established, and in an epilogue takes the story up to the present. He draws on a wide variety of sources--including personal diaries and letters, government and business records, newspapers, advertisements, movies, and the words of such figures as Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain, and P.T. Barnum--to show that debt has always been with us. He vigorously challenges the idea that consumer credit has eroded traditional values. Instead, he argues, monthly payments have imposed strict, externally reinforced disciplines on consumers, making the culture of consumption less a playground for hedonists than an extension of what Max Weber called the "iron cage" of disciplined rationality and hard work.

Throughout, Calder keeps in clear view the human face of credit relations. He re-creates the Dickensian world of nineteenth-century pawnbrokers, takes us into the dingy backstairs offices of loan sharks, into small-town shops and New York department stores, and explains who resorted to which types of credit and why. He also traces the evolving moral status of consumer credit, showing how it changed from a widespread but morally dubious practice into an almost universal and generally accepted practice by World War II. Combining clear, rigorous arguments with a colorful, narrative style, Financing the American Dream will attract a wide range of academic and general readers and change how we understand one of the most important and overlooked aspects of American social and economic life. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One-stop Shopping
I used Calder's book in one of my History courses and found it to be thorough, even-handed and timely. Calder's prose style is remarkably engaging; students had no trouble navigating the text and discerning the major points. It's a gripping read, but also tremendously informative as well. If you have time to read only one book on the development of consumerism and consumer values, this is it. In fact, I have read few books that I consider a better "window" on the shaping of modern American culture.

The History of the Dream
Calder covers what can be a dry subject in an interesting manner. He follows the history of consumer credit from the early 19th century up to the period of the New Deal. The book discusses the evolving attitudes toward credit and debt and the products that eventually revolutionized the system of consumer credit. It is well documented and illustrated. A surprisingly good read for what can be a boring subject. ... Read more

Book Description

Ellie Kay's signature humor and wry looks at life lead readers into solid, down-to-earth advice on how to overcome "financial flabbiness." Using diet and exercise analogies, she helps readers discover the habits and issues that keep them in debt, leads them through proven methods to pay down debt, and provides ways for them to maintain financial fitness. An easy-to-use book that encourages the timid while offering sound advice for families who want to experience financial freedom. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Practical and insightful advice on money management
If you're tired of feeling as if your finances are out of control, or need help with a specific area of money management, Ellie Kay's THE DEBT DIET: An Easy-to-Follow Plan to Shed Debt & Trim Spending offers a useful compendium of financial advice gleaned from her personal experiences, financial experts, and other resources.

Just as financial guru Dave Ramsey did in his book, THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER, Kay uses the motif of dieting and fitness to illustrate the importance of getting control of your finances. What do you do if you want to lose weight? You eat less and exercise more. "The way to get out of debt is much the same --- the only thing that really works is to spend less and save more," Kay says.

Kay joins many other financial experts who write from painful experience. When she and her husband Bob started married life, they had $40,000 in consumer debt. "We didn't realize the price we would pay for instant gratification." Through making lifestyle changes, the Kays were debt-free in two-and-a-half years. Sound appealing? Read on.

Each chapter opens with a light personal anecdote from Kay, followed by solid information, often culled from other sources (web site links are given), and quizzes. First up is a financial self-evaluation. Do you use credit card cash advances to pay for living expenses? Work overtime to meet the bills? Buy your groceries on credit? Pay the minimum due on charge cards? You might be financially overweight.

Why are your finances in a mess? Kay suggests looking at your financial heritage --- how your parents handled money. Then, she offers a quick overview of Dr. Kathleen Gurney's nine money personalities and Gail Rose Martinez's five different money styles. After making some personal assessments, Kay waxes philosophical. What is your attitude about money? What are your priorities in life? (Quizzes help you evaluate.)

Next, it's on to the plastic. Do you use credit cards to pay off other credit cards? Do you transfer balances to new cards only to run up balances again? This is a great section with lots of practical ideas and insights about the ins and outs of credit card use. Do you know you have a good chance of waiving the annual fee with your credit card company when it comes up for renewal if you have a good history with that company? Just ask. There is also a terrific list of easy things to do to lower your APR (pay $5 more than the minimum each time, don't apply for other cards, don't max out your limit).

Other chapters tackle saving, sharing your money, and knowing and nurturing your FICO score. Don't know your FICO score? You must learn about FICO, Kay says; it's the credit score that helps lenders make their credit decisions. Married women need to know that their individual FICO score is a different number from their spouse's and know how to improve it, if necessary. There are some interesting tidbits in this section, including the impact of new credit on your FICO score, knowing which loans to secure first (mortgage, car) and how your FICO score can even influence your utility costs.

Kay also has good advice to pass along about communicating with your spouse about finances without fighting, evaluating your insurance needs, finding reputable financial help, paying for college without going broke, and instilling good financial ethics in your children.

The information in THE DEBT DIET lends itself to repeated reading. Even those in good financial shape will benefit from some of the information presented. Between Kay's sound advice and her lists of resources and quoted advice from other experts, readers will come away with practical help for changing the way they handle money.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby. Contact Cindy at phrelanzer@aol.com.

A book everyone can learn from
This is another superb book by Ellie Kay.My wife and I thought weknew how to save money, avoid debt, and still enjoy ourselves.But once again, Ellie Kay provided meaningful information that was new to us.More importantly, she combined this information with common sense, then presented it all in her unique, entertaining, conversational style.This is an easy book to read, so much so that it is a little surprising how informative it is as well.It is a good gift idea for people in their early 20s who are just getting started financially.

Overcoming Debt Delightfully!
These days, diets are a dime a dozen. But the Debt Diet will save you dozens of dimes and dollars, too! Gifted author and speaker Ellie Kay has spared no expense in depositing her wealth of money-saving, debt-freeing tips into this creative compendium of money management. This is not another boring budget book. Debt Diet is caloricly rich in wit and wisdom, specializing in Kay's trademark storytelling savvy, with practical life-application. I have never encountered such an author who can make finances both user-friendly and uniquely fun! Purchasing Kay's book will be one of the wisest investments you ever make. Apply her God-given stewardship truths for lifetime dividends of debt-free living. By putting yourself and your family on her delightful debt diet, you can only gain a life of financial peace and security. There's nothing boring about that!

Easy to follow, practical information everyone needs to know
I never knew learning about my finances could be so easy to understand.Ellie Kay shares imperative information about credit, finances and sharing that we all need to know.This book is easy to read, easy to understand and easy to apply to your life.I strongly recommend you purchase this book for yourself and loved ones.Not only will you be improving your financial life when you apply these principles, but you will smile along the way.Ellie Kay adds humor to this important subject.

Losing unwanted lbs (and unwanted high interest rates)
This is an unusual book. Although I read it front-to-back, I've paged back to specific sections to share with my debt-heavy friends, in which the author shows real, doable tactics for losing debt weight. (Also known as dead weight!?)

She includes lots of resources (websites, phone numbers of helpful organizations), and suggestions on how to approach or best take advantage of their services. The sections on FICO scores was excellent--it explained details that go into caculating it, and why it is that I need to know this. Such as: my score could be decent (not terribly low), but still actually cost me real bucks in interest. Thanks, Ms. Kay!
... Read more

Book Description

Free Yourself from the Debt Trap!

Living beyond our means and financing unaffordable lifestyles on the back of credit cards has become synonymous with American consumer culture.Some consumers feel the nagging beginnings of problems, while others are nearly imprisoned by debt.No matter what your situation is, debt issues will drain you mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially.If you're one of the tens of thousands of consumers who feels your debt might be out of control, here is help from someone who has walked the same road. ... Read more

Book Description

From the award winning seminar, Breaking The Money Barriers contains a simple, step-by-step wealth generating system created by Dr. Mike Duckett. Written in a simple-to-read format, this book will help the reader make instant changes in their finances. They will learn how the wealthy actually turn their thoughts into money. Thousands around the world have attended Dr. Duckett's seminars, and many people have become financially independent using this nuts-and-bolts information. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

MORE THAN JUST MOTIVATION--I made over $50,000 in 90 days
I almost didn't buy "Breaking The Money Barriers" based on a few bad reviews. After reading the book and applying the clear and easy to understand steps, I made over $50,000 in 90 days. I continue to use Dr. Duckett's easy to understand system of wealth accumulation and plan to retire within the next few years. Before reading this book, all I could hope to do was receive Social Security someday. Now, I'll have all the money I need for the rest of my life.

I have read numerous motivational books and financial books. I have been a motivational seminar junkie but this information is waaaaaay beyond hype or motivation. Using Dr. Duckett's simple to apply formulas, I have increased my income SUBSTANTIALLY and increased my overall happiness in life. TO THOSE WHO HAD SOMETHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT THE SECTION ON FEAR--I HAVE ONE THING TO SAY, "Reread that section. It has helped me to overcome some of my fears I've been dealing with for almost 60 years.

The only reason someone would have anything bad to say about this book would be if that person was atheist. Dr. Duckett does mention God in it and some people are very offended these days by a person being brave enough to express their spirituality.

Do youreself a favor. Buy this book and reread it to your loved ones. It will help to create a brighter financial future and happier life for anyone who is exposed to this unusual approach to wealth accumulation.

I don't know this Dr. Duckett but I sure would like to meet him one day. Until that day comes all I can say is thank you God for this information--just in the nick-of-time.

THE GREATEST BOOK ON MONEY ACCUMULATION I'VE EVER READ!!
I've read many books over the years on wealth accumulation, financial planning, money management, and a number of other topics pertaining to money. I'VE NEVER READ ANYTHING SO POWERFUL AS "BREAKING THE MONEY BARRIERS" IN MY LIFE!!! I almost didn't buy it based on a couple of negative reviews, but a friend of mine told me this book is a "must read". Well, I read it and it has changed my life and finances. When the other books gave me a direction, "Breaking The Money Barriers" filled in all the pieces for me. I would strongly urge everyone to read and benefit from the wealth of knowledge this author has to share.

Not worth it
This book is all over the map, alternating between motivational gibberish ("Don't EVER give up!"), basic financial theory ("Spend less than you earn") and dangerous advice ("Make your money grow at least 20% monthly"). Read "The Richest Man in Babylon" instead. It's cheaper and it has better advice.

**Awesome Clarity** for Life & Finances
What a find! I was overwhelmed with the 1000s of books out there about success. Thank God I found this one. Duckett lays out the path for finding your life purpose in 4 easy steps, how to put it into action, how to create the finances to live it, how to balance your life and build wealth, have fun along the way, and so much more. Packed with testimonies, and simple, fun, and easy-to-implement ideas for creating what you want in life. WOW!

TOO BASIC!!
If you are in High School or know very little about Success
or Financial Principles, then this book might be for you.
Otherwise for anyone else,this is nothing more than basic
motivational pap that can be found in thousands of other
self-help books. NOT WORTH IT! ... Read more

Book Description

"You’ll treasure the practical insights and the useful tips in this book. You’ll think differently, act smarter, and increase your wealth by learning John Furhman’s ideas."
–Nido R. Qubein
Chairman, Great Harvest Bread Co.
Founder, National Speakers Association Foundation

It’s no big surprise that each year thousands of people fall into debt. What is shocking is that many of us accept the fact that we could be in debt for the rest of our lives. John Fuhrman should know because he has been there, but he decided to put a plan together that would eliminate debt from his life for good.

In The Credit Diet: How to Shed Unwanted Debt and Achieve Fiscal Fitness, award-winning speaker and bestselling author John Fuhrman uses his personal life experience of overcoming debt to provide you with a practical and easy-to-follow road map that will help you to rise above your current financial situation and take the necessary action to remove debt from your life. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

I can finally get out of debt!
This is the year I do it. Finally a book that understands what people have to go through to pay bills. I'll be able to pay off my debts AND put more money in the bank this year than I have in the last few years. Even when I was earning more money.

John Fuhrman makes it simple to understand why budgets don't work and how changing the way you think about money is the most important first step.

I've read all the finance experts and while they have great information, there is no way to take advantage of it until I get out from under all this debt. Then I can use their information to secure my future.

If this is the year you want to eliminate debt from your life and start really building a financial future, this is the one book to own.

He doesn't leave you hanging!
While the book, The Credit Diet, is an excellent start with a great plan for eliminating debt, the author has more available. If you visit http://www.creditdiet.com, there are plenty of free articles with even more insights on money, debt, and financial freedom. Keeping yourself motivated is critical to getting the money portion of your life in order just as it is with real dieting. The additional information on the web site does that.

If you want to eliminate your debt and build a solid financial future, you need the information in this book as well as the added resource offered at the web site. This book is the solution to debt in very simple terms with easy to follow steps. If you fill in the blanks on the forms included in the book you end up with your own financial plan.

Great Help for those of us that need it!!!!
Some might think this book a little touchy feely, but I think that it is the perfect blend of process and support. Working through it not only makes scense, but it tells the eader what the true meaning of wealth is.

After reading this book, I went out and began working the program. I am only two months into it and already I feel like I'm taking charge. And, I get to watch my money grow while still taking care of business. This process works!

Now, say I'm feeling like falling back into my old spending patterns and think about giving in, I can pick up this book and read the "self help" side and then I become empowered again.

I am not usually interested in financial matters (thus my problem), but once I read this book, I really started paying attention to how money works.

j.

See The Author Live!
John Fuhrman - Author of "The Credit Diet" will be doing live seminars across the country. Here are some dates.
April 17th, 2004 St. George Utah
May 22nd, 2004 Salt Lake City Utah
June 12th & 26th, 2004 Des Moines IA
July 17th & 31st, 2004 St. Louis, MO
Sept. 11th & 25th, 2004 Tulsa, OK
Oct. 9th & 23rd, 2004 Austin, TX
For further info email info@creditdiet.com

Baby Steps
Thank you John. Here goes. We are managing our future smarter starting by entering everything we spend in the past couple of weeks faithfully in Quicken everyday and have already made great strides by more than doubling the minimum payment of the first and smallest debt on our list. Read John's book. It is so simple. He will help you reduce debt and stay out. It would be an honour to show this book to anyone we know, especially in our organization. God bless you John. ... Read more

Book Description

In this book, one of the leading social theorists and cultural commentators of modern times, turns his gaze on consumption. George Ritzer, author of the famous McDonaldization Thesis, demonstrates the irrational consequences of the rational desire to consume and commodify. He examines how McDonaldization might be resisted, and situates the reader in the new cultural spaces that are emerging in society: shopping malls, casino hotels, Disneyfied theme parks and Las Vegas, the new `cathedrals of consumption' as he calls them. The book shows how new processes of consumption relate to globalization theory. In illuminating discussions of the work of Thorstein Veblen and the French situationists, Ritzer unearths the roots of problems of consumption in older sociological traditions. He indicates how transgression is bound up with consumption, through an investigation of the obscene in popular and postmodern culture.

Explorations in the Sociology of Consumption will be required reading for students of sociology, cultural studies and anyone interested in the pattern of consumption processes in contemporary society.

Book Description

Perhaps you've had problems with credit. Or perhaps you haven't, but your credit report says you did anyway, nearly 70 percent of credit reports contain errors.

Either way, a less-than-flattering report can hurt your chances of qualifying for a credit card, mortgage or any other kind of loan, it can even get in the way of renting an apartment or finding a job.

But a bad credit report can almost always be improve