Reviews (1)

Life After Debt
I found this book to be very usefull in helping me deal with over charged medical bills. It educated me in a whole new world on things that we don't know about how to get out of debt.
I would highly reccomend it to anyone that is trying to clean up their credit and get a clean start and stress free life. ... Read more

Book Description

A financial first-aid kit that helps you patch up your credit and live debt-free

Repair Your Credit and Knock Out Your Debt is a godsend for the 75 million Americans currently trying to dig their way out from under crushing debt. Written in association with Springboard, a leading not-forprofit financial services organization that, since 1974, has helped 4 million consumers get out of and stay out of debt, this results-oriented handbook is a gold mine of proven debt-management strategies and techniques. Drawing upon Springboard's expertise, Jeff Michael walks readers through all the steps to achieving a debt-free existence. He also offers expert advice for the debt-challenged reader on how to deal with foreclosures, evictions, repossessions, costly emergencies, child-care expenditures, and more. Readers learn how to:

• Get out of debt as quickly as possible, under virtually any circumstance
• Get copies of credit reports and fix what's wrong
• Control spending and live debt-free
• Restore a line of credit
• Cope with the emotional burdens of debt and develop a positive attitude about money
• Stop being pushed around by collection agents
• Make sense of complex credit and debt legislation and regulations

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Singapore Management Review, published by Singapore Institute of Management on July 1, 2004. The length of the article is 7409 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Credit scoring using data mining techniques.
Author: Koh Hian Chye
Publication: Singapore Management Review (Refereed)
Date: July 1, 2004
Publisher: Singapore Institute of Management
Volume: 26Issue: 2Page: 25(23)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ENTERING THE REAL-WORLD UNPREPARED TO MAKE DECISIONS WITH MONEY- AND DROWNING IN DEBT.

In a fast-paced world that thrives on instant gratification, our young people are falling prey to the temptation of credit cards. Basic skills to make good decisions with money are not taught in school and millions of young people every year are finding themselves buried in debt before age 25.

"Credit Card Debt: It Can Cost You Your Life" is a book that addresses this explosive problem by teaching young people how to demonstrate positive money management and to avoid the credit trap.

This book exposes young people to the dangers of debt by going inside the lives of four people who've been there. It further goes on to reveal simple (and critical) ways to make good decisions with money and shows step by step ways to demonstrate positive money management.

College graduates everywhere say they wish they'd had this book freshman year. Basic financial literacy is a gift evey child deserves. Money is a decision every person must make regardless of where they went to school or what grades they made. "Credit Card Debt: It Can Cost You Your Life" gives answers needed to understand money and further success in a young person's life. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great overview of credit basics and how to handle it
This book is a concise overview of credit basics and gives excellent advise for managing it properly. A great primer for those just entering the "credit market" or those who are starting the slippery slope of credit mis-management. It is also a good refresher for those who need another dose of advise on how to properly budget.

I highly recommend it to high school and college kids who are just starting to get the influx of credit card offers. This book gives them useful insight on handling a tool that often gets abused to their great misfortune.

Susan Powell makes good use of teaching by example in her case studies and gives normally dry information in a well thought out, readable manner.

knowledgable and educating
I found this book to be factual along with being extremely easy to understand and comprehend. I wish I had read it 10 years ago I know it would have saved me multiple thousand's of dollars!

I recomend this to anyone that carries even just one credit card so you really learn how the credit card companies make their money off of you.

This book pays for itself over and over again!!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"If you had suggested to me ten years ago, even five, that I would methodically (if unconsciously) set about destroying my financial security, losing all the money I'd made on a bestselling book, losing, even, my furniture, I would have laughed. I would have told you I was over my biggest hurdles, that I knew who I was and had the financial comfort and psychological equanimity to prove it."

So begins Colette Dowling's Maxing Out, a compelling personal-finance autobiography. Dowling recounts the gritty details of three years of mindless overspending that culminated in a tax bill that forced her to sell off two homes in order to pay off part of a debt to the IRS. From there, the 55-year-old bestselling author of The Cinderella Complex culls her full life story (and incorporates short bios of half a dozen professional women) to forward her premise that even today's younger generation of women often fall into a stance of almost willful noncomprehension of personal finance in line with a cultural bias against women who are financially competent and independent.

Women on the hunt for detailed financial guidance will want more than this book. But for the insecure woman who's just acknowledging the limits of her financial knowledge, this book can give some helpful context to some women's struggles, as well as the sense that one's got--in Dowling--a very sympathetic and wise fellow student. --Jean Lenihan ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Prince Charming Ain't Coming to the Rescue
This book combines thoughtful insight into the emotional, behavorial and psychological reasons many women get into deep debt and fail to plan financially for retirement. There is no doubt that both men and women get into deep debt. Dowling suggests that women are more prone to lose control of their financial well-being because of gender scripting we get from a very early age. The challenge of the book is to see through this gender scripting, decide how it may be affecting your financial decisions and then take charge of your financial life. I loved it!

Lots to think about here
Yes, there is a lot of personal information in the book and more repetition than necessary, but I also found lots to think about, and many good questions. Dowling doesn't present all the answers, but with this topic we need to find our own anyway. I think Dowling does a good job of presenting theory and research on why women have difficulty taking control of their finances. Everyone's story is different, but if you pay attention you will find research, stories and questions that should further your own exploration of issues you may have around money. I am very picky about what I read and I consider the time I spent reading this book time well spent.

save your money; don't buy this book
I'd be better with money if I avoided buying books like this one. The author's recounting of her money trouble is interesting, but drawn out much too long. And too much time is spent praising Jerrold Mundis; I thought references to "Jerry" were cutesy and inappropriate. If you like your authors to rely on anecdotal evidence, generalize from their own experience to the universe, and write with the level of sophistication encountered in women's magazines, you'll love this book. If you want more than this, avoid it. It would have benefitted from a better editor.

Has good content, but also has serious errors
Had opportunity to read this book. I saw both things helpful and also serious errors. The helpful part is towards the end of the book when Ms. Dowling tells of programs she's been in to control her spending habits. I believe this was debtors anonymous. I've seen how people can get into debt because of the combination of the seductiveness of places people shop and the strong desire to want something even though it can't be afforded. I would also criticize this book as Ms. Dowling refers to feminist bugaboos that have been debunked, particularly how females have been treated in classroom situations. This is a study by the American Association of University Women. Even this organization debunks these studies. Also, there is a tendency to blame things such as the "The Patriarchy" for women's problems. Again, this is victim-feminist propaganda. I would suggest in future writings to leave gender blaming alone. Stick to how to stay out of debt and if in it how to get out of it, even though it takes hard discipline.

Interesting in part, but many blanket conclusions
Although the book gives some telling insight into the behavior of SOME women, she extends her suppositions to include ALL women. Also, her conclusion that all of womens failures in finance are due to culture is very poorly supported - in fact, she never mentions that there is some good evidence that some basic tendencies of both men and women may be "hardwired". ... Read more

Book Description

Life Without Debt gives you the tools you need to survive in this credit-oriented and debt-plagued society. In his latest book about breaking free from the cycle of debt and despair, best-selling author, Bob Hammond, teaches you the philosophy of "debt-free living". His book shows you how to stabilize your financial life once and for all. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An excellent financial tool that pays for itself!
I knew that I had to take care of my debt now or carry it with me forever. This book provided an enormous amount of useful information. It forced me to take a serious look at my spending habits and rethink the role of credit in my life. Hammond's writing is down to earth and easy to relate to. I highly recommend Life Without Debt to anyone concerned about their financial well-being.

Good reading/reference material to have on hand
This was my first book that I have read by Mr. Hammond and I enjoyed it emenously! This is one of those books that you will reference over and over again.....a good one to keep close on the book shelf. Specifically, I enjoyed the case files that Mr. Hammond used in the book and found that even though it relatd to me personally, there is still hope at the end of the tunnel. ... Read more

Book Description

This digital document is an article from ABA Banking Journal, published by Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation on September 1, 2003. The length of the article is 597 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The real significance of FCRA.(briefing)(Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Author: Bill Streeter
Publication: ABA Banking Journal (Refereed)
Date: September 1, 2003
Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
Volume: 95Issue: 9Page: 10(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description

When you have massive debt, you need solutions and you need them now. brings together the questions people ask most about credit.

This book is designed for a reader who wants fast and easy-to-understand solutions to specific credit problems.Organized around broad topics like divorce, collection agencies, bankruptcy, and women and credit, readers can quickly use the book without wading through extraneous information.

Deborah McNaughton, one of America's foremost consumer credit experts, answers questions about qualifying for or being denied credit, mortgages, problems with creditors, and bankrupty. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Basic Starting Resource
This book I got from the library and started reading. It is a good resource with basic information such as where to contact the three credit burueaus, how to organize your debt, etc. It provides good details and I recommend it to any one. By the way, if you are thinking of buying it with using a credit card, you may be missing the point. Use debit card or check instead [yeah, you with the Viss right in front of you! I'm talking to you! ;) :) ] of credit card. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Compelling and Highly Pertinent
Bankruptcy is in the air these days, from Enron to overextended former dot-commers. So-called "bankruptcy reform" -- intended to make bankruptcy more difficult and more punitive for debtors -- has been pushed by large creditors for years, and almost passed in the most recent session of Congress.

I'm a first-semester law student. I came to this book with a solid, basic understanding of modern bankruptcy law (gained as a business person and as a legal assistant prior to starting law school). As an undergraduate I took two semesters of legal history, and I have an extensive personal interest in American history.

Despite my background, until I read this book I had no real appreciation of the implications of failing to have an effective bankruptcy law. Focusing primarily on the second half of the eighteenth century (both before and after the American Revolution), Republic of Debtors does an amazing job of showing the social, humanitarian and economic consequences of failing to provide for an orderly discharge of debts in bankruptcy, especially when combined with creditors' remedies such as imprisonment for debt.

I, for one, had never confronted the fact that imprisonment for debt survived so long after the American Revolution, nor did I realize that, aside from some brief experiments, the US did not adopt a set nationwide laws on bankruptcy until the late nineteenth century.

Professor Mann tells the story by drawing on a wide variety of primary materials, including the diaries of imprisoned debtors and documentation of court cases. One particularly interesting chapter deals with the an elaborate form of self-government that evolved within one of the debtor's prisons. As many of those imprisoned were relatively well-educated and had been involved in the movement for independence from England, it was only natural that they would have their own constitution and elected government.

Then, as now, there was a tension between the moral and economic aspects of bankruptcy. On one hand, debtors can be viewed immoral spendthrifts, on the other, as hapless victims of the vicissitudes of a world-wide economy or the bad actions of others. These same tensions underlie the current debate on changes to bankruptcy law, driven by creditors who are seeking a return to a more punitive, moralistic approach to dealing with insolvent creditors.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the modern bankruptcy debate, early American legal history, or social and economic history generally. It is also just a cracking good read.

Cheers! ... Read more

Book Description

Like the United States today, Renaissance Florence and Victorian Britain were the richest, most dynamic economic systems of their times. Yet each succumbed to a fiscal crisis brought on by public debt and taxation and eventually fell into long-term economic decline. Now, public debt and taxation dominate the America policy agenda. Must the United States follow the same dismal pattern of fiscal crisis and economic decline? Mountains of Debt argues that it is not too late for the United States to change directions and suggests a comprehensive program for reform of American fiscal institutions that would reduce the deficit problem and at the same time reverse the long-term structural trends that are both the cause and the effect of the fiscal crisis today. Offering proposals for reducing the deficit, this new analysis could alter the current course of the United States economy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Confusing
The title of this book doesn't cover the real causes of the alleged 'downfall' of the reviewed three economic powers.
For Renaissance Florence, the author analyses two main causes. First, the war debts ( at a rate of 30 %) which were subscribed by the very rich, who could so keep a stranglehold on the government. Secondly, the tax system that favoured consumption over investment. But at the end of his book the author states: 'The defining event ... was clearly the black death'.
The problem for Victorian Britain was not a mountain of debt, but fear of debt, as well as the flawed income tax system, which favoured 'repair costs' over new investments. There was no provision for capital depreciation. But again, the author indicates another important factor at the end of his book: 'unexspected increase in population'.
The downfall of Britain didn't happen during the reign of Queen Victoria. As we can read in R. Skidelsky's magnificent biography of J.M. Keynes (part 2), 50 % of all commercial credits in the world were financed by Britain in 1914. The beginning the downfall of the British Empire were the war debts it contracted for World War I in the US.
The section on the US is partly out-of-date, because the analysis stops in 1990. But, the proposed remedies are still very actual: investment in education and in research & development. His third remedy 'VAT' would overhaul the whole US tax system. But even a modest rate would generate enormous income for the federal government.
The author also recognizes some big economic issues as personal debt v.savings, or the long-term Social Security problem.
After the Clinton years, the US government is again confronted with a huge budget deficit. I agree with the comment by R.Heilbroner (cited in this book): 'The deficit is an excuse to strip away fifty years of social progress, leaving the economy a hard, cruel place for the poor'. (p. 192)
For an evaluation of the actual US economic policies, I recommend 'The Judas Economy' by W. Wolman and A. Colamosca.
This book is a very mixed bag. ... Read more

Book Description

This book constitutes one of the best kept secrets of financial planning. Since 1987, approximately 350,000 corporate employees have received Investing in Your Future as part of planning programs delivered by Ayco, one of the nation's oldest and largest firm devoted to fee-based financial counseling. Since 2002, this invaluable guide to all aspects of personal finance for the lay person has been available to the general public.

The 35-page section on investing could be considered worth the price of admission, because it gives the average investor a clear picture of how to set up short-term and long-term investing plans to reach goals.

Updated annually, and with a special emphasis on taking action (each chapter contains helpful tables and charts, easy-to-use worksheets and an action checklist) and on getting the most from corporate benefits such as 401(k) plans, stock options, flexible spending accounts, Investing in Your Future is a treasury of tried and true planning advice, well-presented information and useful tools. ... Read more

Book Description

Credit Repair Made Simple provides the reader with the secrets bankers and credit bureaus have known for years. The factors that influence your credit profile that is used in evaluating loan applications.This book exposes all the known factors used in determining a person's credit score and offers tips the reader can use to enhance one's credit profile. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great Investment with Excellent Benefits
I bought this book in the Spring or Summer of 2003. I began cleaning up my husband and my credit. The sample letters were easy to follow and I was able to raise our credit considerably. I now have began my own business from home cleaning up people's credit. This book was a great resource for me and now my business.

Very Informative
I found this book to be very helpful in explaining how to improve my credit. I have read many articles in magazines and newspapers on the subject of improving my credit but I like the way this book broke down each component of one's credit and how each plays a role in the overall credit score. I found it easy to understand.

Outdated and Inaccurate
Eichorn offers some good general advice, but much of the information is outdated and inaccurate. He covers some of the credit basics.

Love this book
Extremely useful book. You will find a completely new information that other books don't offer. Great buy and very useful when it comes to dealing with credit card companies and credit agencies

Solid, Easy to Follow advice
Mr. Eichhorn's books is simply the best credit repair book I have seen. 5 Stars all around. I found his information easy to apply, it has helped improve my credit rating enough to finally get the car I wanted at a good rate. An invaluable resource for those of us who have not had a perfect credit history. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Salespeople now run when they see me coming!
Why? Because this book has literally handed me the tools and knowledge I need to get the best possible deal on anything and everything! Never again will I need to pay full price for clothes, appliances, vacations, cars and even homes! The advice given is sound, easy to understand and simple to implement. Read this book and never get ripped off again! ... Read more

Book Description

The inspiring story of one woman's escape from years of indebtedness to achieve financial, emotional, and spiritual solvency.

In this practical and spiritual guide to managing debt by coming to grips with its underlying causes. Margaret St. John unravels the cord that keeps debtors shackled not only to their skyrocketing debt but also to their unaffordable illusions. She demonstrates that debting is not ultimately about money; rather its cause is misguided beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that foster a sense of restriction and lack that create a feeling of never having enough. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Freed by this Book
To the extent that this gem of a book demonstrates how the way we handle money is a metaphor for much else that ails us, it helped me face and deal with an array of things that were dysfunctional in my life - not just my indebtedness. Written in a style that's both personal and universal, Margaret St. John's book has a formula that works.

Free At Last!
This gem is a do-it-yourself guide to the solvency we all desire. The practical exercises are fun to do, and they hold the key to opening those doors of awareness as to why we do the things we do.... More than just a "how to manage your money" treatise, this book delves much more deeply into the beliefs that keep us indebted monetarily and otherwise. Excellently written, with plenty of anecdotes and personal experiences, I found it insightful and empowering. This book comes from the heart - Ms St. John has suffered through and found solutions to problems more common than most would care to admit. Thanks so much for sharing.

Do Yourself a Favor.....
....and read this book! Written with the understanding and compassion which comes only from experience and hard work, Margaret St. John will help those willing to gain insight into the reasons they suffer with debt. The reader will empathize with people who reacted to early childhood circumstances by becoming adult debtors, and underacheivers. I learned the reasons we undermine our foundations with needless debt, and how best to allocate what we earn. The method used is practical and has helped many who thought there was no hope. This book helps even those of us who have no debt, but who, by mismanagement have wasted money we may need in time. Buying this book is a wise investment.

Release from Debtor's Prison
This book takes a hard hitting approach to debt. While reading the book, I quickly discovered it wasn't about the money. Wow! What a revelation. This book has helped me to "peel away the layers of the onion" and discover the reasoning behind my debting. It even inspired me to go to my first Debtor's Anonymous meeting. Today, I'm much closer to becoming debt free. The future is much brighter now that I don't debt one day at a time. Thanks, Margaret! ... Read more

Book Description

Credit reporting is a critical part of the financial system in most developed economies but is often weak or absent in developing countries. It addresses a fundamental problem of credit markets: asymmetric information between borrowers and lenders that can lead to adverse selection and moral hazard. The heart of a credit report is the record it provides of an individual's or a firm's payment history, which enables lenders to evaluate credit risk more accurately and lower loan processing time and costs. Credit reports also strengthen borrower discipline, since nonpayment with one institution results in sanctions with others.

This book provides the first comprehensive review of credit reporting systems worldwide and documents the rapid growth in the industry. It offers empirical and theoretical evidence of the impact of credit reporting on financial markets, using examples from both developed and developing economies. Credit reporting, it shows, significantly contributes to predicting default risk of potential borrowers, which promotes increased lending activity. The book also covers the role of public policy in the development of credit reporting initiatives, including the role of public credit registries managed by central banks; and the role of legal, regulatory, and institutional factors in supporting credit reporting. ... Read more