Amazon.com

The advice and concepts outlined in Automatic Wealth are best suited for those in their 30s-50s who recognize that their current job will never afford them true financial independence. Rather than encourage readers to quit their day jobs today and launch into a new scheme tomorrow, Masterson shows how to turn your skills and experience into significantly more money within seven to fifteen years. For those just getting by, he details how to get the biggest pay raises now and how to move into more lucrative ventures in the near future. For those with some savings, he offers specific advice on building equity and increasing net worth significantly and quickly. Since Masterson made his millions starting and developing small businesses, he encourages people to become entrepreneurs themselves and discusses which kinds of ventures to invest in and which ones to avoid. He also stresses the importance of developing multiple income streams, offering chapters on real estate, stocks and bonds, consulting, direct mail, and other opportunities.

In addition to concrete steps, Masterson also writes about attitude and expectations. His first step, in fact, is to take an honest and realistic assessment of your current financial situation and prepare yourself to change habits. He stresses that you must make getting rich a priority and devote the necessary time to it--act immediately and don't wait until the perfect moment to change your situation (hint: the perfect moment rarely arrives.). Clearly written and filled with informative anecdotes and examples, Automatic Wealth will not make you a millionaire overnight. It could, however, make you one in a decade, and that's a timeline most people can deal with. --Shawn Carkonen ... Read more

Reviews (23)

I wish I had read this in high school
I think there are two very realistic points made in this book where most financial planning books go into fantasy-land. First, you have to earn over $100,000 a year or your savings will never add up to anything meaningful in your lifetime (compound interest doesn't kick-in big until after 40 years). Next, the difference between the rich and everyone else is customers. If you don't have customers of some kind, it is unlikely that you'll retire early with $2 million in the bank earning interest.

Unlike most money books, Michael details how to move forward on most fronts. But he seems to spend too many pages on a few subjects that he doesn't seem to know a lot about (like stock investing).

Overall, it is worth recommending.

A GREAT BOOK FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO SUCCEED
Remember learning this phrase in school? "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." Of course you do. Benjamin Franklin lived by this mantra, and so does Michael Masterson.

I've been an avid reader of the author's daily ETR newsletter, and I can tell you, he's one of the most persuasive writers I've ever read. I certainly would never have picked up a book with a title like this, but I bought it because I've learned to trust Masterson's judgment. Day after day, his words make sense and move readers to action.

His book is extremely helpful for women, especially mothers who step out of the work force to focus on raising their families a few years. Masterson believes it's not years and years of so-so experience that make a person successful; it's acquiring a needed set of skills, learning to excel in those skills, and having integrity.

Ladies, this is a book you can carry around in your purse and read anytime you have a minute. It's filled with powerful stories that energize you and show you that success comes to those who don't give up. Masterson's not afraid to share his failures and what he learned from them, and we can all glean from his "Ready, Fire, Aim" experiences.

Here's a list of THE TOP TEN THINGS YOU WON'T HEAR MICHAEL MASTERSON SAY:

1. The main characteristic of successful people is that they enjoy sleeping in late.
2. Watching a few hours of TV every night is a great way to spend your time (year after year after year...).
3. If you don't like your present job or income, stick it out andspend the rest of your time entertaining yourself.
4. Complaining is the best way to get what you want.
5. The quickest way to become successful is to close yourself off from the world and work alone.
6. It's best to surround yourself with people who are pessimists.
7. If you're not financially independent by the time you're 40, it's too late. You'll never make it.
8. Don't bother saying thank you to people who help you. They're too busy to notice anyway.
9. When you make new friends, it's okay to let go of your old ones.
10. Busy, successful people don't have time to read fiction or exercise.

All this to say, thanks for taking the time to write this book, Mr. Masterson. The wisest man who ever lived had this to say, "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper" (Proverbs 13:4 NLT). I'm sure you're there with him.

Simple Advice You Can USE...from wealthy "Uncle Michael"
Are you SICK of reading financial advice books written with so much analysis, jargon, and formal posturing...you can't figure out what the heck you're actually supposed to DO?Me, too!

That's why I LOVED this book. It's like your super-wealthy Uncle sits down and tells you how he made his fortune...and how you can make yours, too.Simple, practical, straight-from-the-shoulder advice you can USE, no matter where you are in life right now.

Quite simply, the best, most practical, easiest-to-understand book of financial advice I've ever read.Do yourself a favor and buy it now!

Solid Advice on Building Wealth
Masterson, a self-made millionaire, puts forth a logical approach for building wealth.He believes that a person, who is willing to put in the effort and time, can amass wealth in a period of 7 to 15 years.I think that timing is a bit optimistic, but even if it takes 20 to 25 years, the end result is still the same - financial independence, more freedom and tranquility. Masterson believes one's primary goal is to accumulate enough capital to generate passive income to pay for life's necessities.

This 271-page book is divided into only six detailed chapters.Each one explains one of the six steps to achieving wealth, which are:
1. Face the facts - you won't get rich saving 10% or more in your pension plan or getting measly salary increases.
2. Plan to become wealthy - This is occurs one step at a time and requires planning.
3. Develop specific wealthy habits - work hard, good a what they do, are extraordinary savers, pay themselves first
4. Radically increase your income - to the tune of 25% to 150%
5. Get rich while you sleep - by receiving passive income
6. Retire early - to live the lifestyle you want

Masterson provides specific examples of each of his six steps, as well as personal experiences and appropriate stories.It all seems very real and makes a lot of sense. He mentions that an individual has to make getting rich a priority and be willing to focus his/her energies on building wealth.He also covers the need to have a detailed short-term and long-term written action plan with specific goals.

The author suggests that everyone choose specific lifetime goals; calculate their retirement income needs based upon an analysis of assets and liabilities, and lifestyle requirements.He then recommends that individuals prepare wealth building goals, health goals, personal relationship goals, and personal growth and development goals. These goals should be set for daily, weekly, and monthly timeframes.He is a strong believer in time management and suggests managing time in 15-minute increments so that multiple goals can be worked on during the day.

Masterson believes that real estate can provide significant income and spends time covering how to invest in real estate and what the income should look like.Although he does mention investing in the stock market, he only invests 2% of his money in it. He is reluctant to plunk down a chunk of his money in stocks because they are too risky for him.Obviously, looking back the stock market's devastation during 2000-2002 and the real estate market's appreciation during that time period, his advice seems right on the mark.

He feels the stock market is a very difficult place to make money, and that investors should tread lightly there. For those who invest, he strongly urges them to cut losses at a specific level (25% for him), and use stop loss orders and trailing stops to protect profits.He does not recommend investing in the market unless you have at least $100,000 to invest.

He is a strong believer in investing a sizable portion of income in side businesses and local real estate to build wealth over time. He prefers investing in income generating real estate, buying rental properties, and buying fixed income investments - holding bonds to maturity to avoid any principal losses due to rising interest rates.

Overall, Masterson does a masterful job of explaining the steps necessary to accrue wealth and enjoy life.For those who believe that investing in the stock market is a critical element in the process, as I do, I recommend a newly published book by Paul Merriman titled "Live it Up without Outliving Your Money" which provides a conservative way to build a highly diversified portfolio that has outperformed the market with less risk.

Presents a good way one could get wealthy
I found this book slightly disappointing, having read so many 5 star raving reviews of it.It is a worthwhile read, for sure.To me, the book was more of a "how I succeeded" book than I was expecting.He is very specific in recommending those things that have done well for him.He offers many strategies for making more money doing specific types of (high paying) jobs, investing in real estate, and starting or financing small businesses. There is good advice in there, and I think it is worth reading for that, since Mr. Masterson is very successful, and whose example to follow but someone successful?

The book's pitfalls to me center around specific investing advice.For instance, he recommends not investing much in the stock market because of its volatility, and talks about how much he likes investing in bonds, since if you hold them to completion you know what you are getting.This is true, but does not consider the effects of inflation, which makes that steady income worth less (whereas stock valuations and dividends tend to keep up with inflation).This is a perfect example where you have to realize he is telling you what has worked for him, but may not be the best advice for many (although I agree with him the stock market is currently overvalued).He also seems to contradict himself when he uses the stock market's historical average of 10% returns to claim you need a net worth of 10 times your living expenses to retire (or 12 times if you're more conservative).In one breath he is poo-pooing the stock market as an investment, then using its average returns in his retirement calculations.

I also wish he didn't refer to real estate investing as "flipping" real estate.All the advice he gives about real estate is sound, explaining rents need to be able to cover your mortgage payments, and that today we're in a housing bubble (here in San Diego it's a bubble bath!).Then later he estimates an average ROI of 25% from real estate investing.Again, after inflation is taken into account, I doubt this to be an accurate figure (even taking into account the leverage involved) in today's already-too-pricey environment.Personally, I believe there will be many people losing a lot of money (read: bankruptcy) in real estate over the next five years.I kind of wish Mr. Masterson hadn't used the term "flipping" houses, as I expect it to be a term that in five years will be looked back on with regret and disbelief, just like "day-trading" is today five years after the Nasdaq crash.

I've spent a lot of time here explaining my negative comments.I do think he has presented a good way one could get wealthy - one that has been proven, which is even better.So I would say read intently his wealth building strategies, but double-check the math on your own.
... Read more

Book Description

You work hard -- really hard -- but it seems like there's never enough. Never enough to cover all the bills. Never enough to relax and have some fun. Never enough to save some real money. What has gone wrong? What is the secret that you haven't figured out?

In All Your Worth, Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi -- mother/daughter authors of the acclaimed The Two-Income Trap -- tell you the truth about money. They lay out the new rules of money -- the ones nobody talks about. They show you how to get out of debt, cover your bills, and start getting ahead -- without needing to carry a calculator everywhere you go. All Your Worth will help you get control over your money once and for all so that you can finally start building toward the life you've always wanted.

All Your Worth isn't based on lucky guesses or gut reasoning; it is the result of more than twenty years of intensive research. As a result, the authors don't offer you a few quick fixes destined to fall apart, and they don't waste time trying to solve problems you don't have. Instead, the authors lay out a breakthrough approach for getting control over your money. And they use this approach to help you conquer your financial problems, step by step. They help you create a plan that isn't just for a week or for a month; this is a plan that lets you master your money for the rest of your life.

The secret? It's simple, really: Get your money in balance. Warren and Tyagi show you how to divide and conquer. You will learn to balance your money into three essential parts: the Must-Haves (the bills you have to pay month after month), the Wants (some fun money for right now), and your Savings (so you can build a better tomorrow). No complicated budgets, and no keeping track of every penny you spend. Once you have the basics, it gets easy. You can put your money worries behind you and get on with what really matters -- living your life.

Whatever your struggles with money, Warren and Tyagi can help you get your finances on the right track. They will show you things about yourself that you have never quite seen. Are you an emotional spender? Is debt robbing your future? Do you spend too little on fun? Are you and your partner trapped in the Money Blame Game? After you read this book, you will never look at your money -- or yourself -- in quite the same way again.

Whether you are knee-deep in past-due notices or you just don't think you're saving enough, money worries can chew away at your life. Warren and Tyagi are here to tell you that you can stop the worry. You can change it all. You can have enough -- enough to cover the necessities, enough to put some real money in the bank and start bringing your dreams into reach. You can even have enough money to have fun. (In fact, they insist that you have enough for fun!) Best of all, with All Your Worth, you can have peace of mind for the rest of your life. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

The basics on how to regain control of money
Middle-class Americans are increasingly making minimum payments on credit cards because they can't pay more - and debt loads for all are increasing as paychecks cover less and less. All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan by Elizabeth Warren & Amelia Warren Tyagi offers the basics on how to regain control of money, from balancing money with needs to handling a money emergency, loosening the grip on credit cards and their debt, and understanding common pitfalls of financial planning. All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan comes from the authors of The Two-Income Trap: Elizabeth Warren is a chaired professor at Harvard Law School, Amelia Warren Tyagi is a writer. Their combined expertise is invaluable.

A few good ideas
This book has a couple of really good ideas, but overall I was disappointed. The 50/30/20 rule was the most useful idea in the book. Some things I absolutely do not agree with - like keeping a $1000.00 emergency fund in your regular "Must-Haves" checking account. That's a disaster waiting to happen. Let's face it -- if you're reading the book, financial discipline is probably not your finest quality. If that money is that available, it's TOO available.

The basic premise of the book is good, however, and bit more nitty-gritty than most books on the same subject. Many such books are written for those who already have some funds to play with - this one is to help you get to where you have those funds.With the exception of a few ideas that seem out of step with the overall concepts, the book is worth a read.

Not geared to the Silicon Valley Reality
I bought this book anticipating that I could use the charts and formulas presented to see if my wife and I could apply it to our situation. We are two working parents of a 3-yr old living in expensive Silicon Valley. We both make decent money, but we have a very high mortgage and property taxes. This is a reality if you own a house in this area. This put our "Must Haves" well over the recommended 50% of our income. Even making some of the recommended changes, we still would be above the mark.

This is a good book for setting important goals for getting your money in order, and for gaining some focus on what needs to be done. It just doesn't work in some areas of the country unless you have a reasonably high income.

We will pay down our mortgage to see if we can apply the formulas at a different time.

Wants vs Must Haves?
I read through this book in one day and faithfully filled out the worksheets.It did seem that at last I had found a fairly simple, flexible plan that our family could easily follow.It was only after mulling over the Wants vs Must Haves that I realized there is a flaw in the authors' logic (unless in my fast read I missed a crucial step).

The authors define Must Haves (which should take no more than 50% of your after-tax income) as bills that you would have to pay even if you lost your job and became disabled.These include mortgage, insurance, medical bills, groceries & a couple of other narrowly defined categories.After you pay these Must Haves and save 20% of your income you're supposed to be left with 30% of your income to "play" with for your Wants, worry-free.

I started thinking about our real life expenses though and realized that if we lost our jobs would we stop buying light bulbs & just sit in the dark as they burned out one by one?Would we stop buying toilet paper & raid our neighbors' recyclying bins for newspaper?Would we drop off our beloved 12-yr old family dog at the Humane Society when we ran out of dog food?

No to all of that so where are those expenses supposed to come from?Somehow the thrill of spending my carefree 30% diminishes when I have to spend it on toothpaste and toilet paper.While there is some discretion in these types of items (we could go to the Dollar Store for many of the items)the real world cost of these really mounts up.For instance, if my husband lost his job I think his job prospects would look pretty dim if he stopped shaving or using deodorant.
So this realization really deflated my excitement about this book.I still think there's sound advice to be found in it and I think breaking your budget into broad categories by percentages is a great idea.I just think that maybe the authors' plan is a little too simple and following it to the letter might cause a problem

Excellent Truths
This book is truthful and to the point.Not everyone has hugh bank accounts.Most of us are struggling every day to make ends meet.This is an excellent guide to help every day Americans with real financial issues.Another excellent book that I recently read is called Stop Working by Rohan Hall.Also, and excellent book that everyday working people can use to get to the next level. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The rich are different from the rest of us, if for no other reason than U.S. tax and securities laws allow them to invest in ways that keep us from catching up to them. That's why 90 percent of all corporate shares of stock are owned by 10 percent of the people. Kiyosaki believes it's possible for anyone to move up into that 10 percent, but it takes a different view of investing than most people have: it takes a plan to be a successful investor. And a plan is more than simply buying and selling, or collecting "assets" that bring in no cash and are thus more akin to liabilities. The way most people invest, "they might as well be pushing a wheelbarrow in a circle," he writes. A plan is "mechanical, automatic, and boring," a formula for success that has worked historically for most of those who've used it. Kiyosaki's "rich dad" (actually, the father of his best friend) tells him the simplest analogy is the game Monopoly: buy four green houses, trade them for one red hotel, and repeat until you become rich.

The overall message of Rich Dad's Guide to Investing is that this is an abundant world, full of opportunity for the sophisticated investor. However, it sometimes takes a while to find this point. Much of the book is told in dialogues between young Kiyosaki and his rich dad, and these conversations can ramble. There are rewards for the careful reader--for example, in the middle of a section on the basic rules of investing, Kiyosaki's rich dad compares investor education to toilet training: difficult at first but eventually automatic. But getting to these inspired metaphors means wading through a lot of repetitive dialogue. It's a bit ironic that someone who advocates investor discipline should show so little as a writer. But by the end of the book, even the rambling starts to make sense. By the hundredth time you read that the rich don't work for money, and that you don't need money to make money, both concepts start to make sense. It still looks difficult to apply these ideas, but Rich Dad's Guide to Investing certainly makes the case that they'll work for anyone bold and smart enough to practice them. --Lou Schuler ... Read more

Reviews (143)

A must for those who want to be Financially Independent
This book continues from where Kiyosaki left off in Cashflow Quadrant, his 2nd book in the trilogy (now complete with Rich Dad's Guide to Investing).

In his 1st book Rich Dad Poor Dad, Kiyosaki addressed the differences in mindsets between the Rich and the Poor. Then, in his 2nd book Cashflow Quadrant, he spoke on the 4 quadrants from which one can generate income. To be wealthy, Kiyosaki recommended that we learn to generate our incomes from the "B" (Business-owner) and "I" (Investor) quadrant as opposed to the "E" (Employee) and "S" (Self-employed) quadrant.

In his 3rd book Rich Dad's Guide to Investing, Kiyosaki tells how he got started in his investment journey, starting with nothing, and in fact at one stage, with a negative net worth. Most of us, having read his first 2 books, would have wondered if we could have embarked on our journey to become financially independent without much resource at hand. In this book, Kiyosaki shows how anyone can get started and how it does not take money to make money. He teaches how time is more important than money; how investing in one's self and getting an education and experience precedes excessive cash; how having a plan is more important than being in a hurry to make money.

This is not a book for those who want hot tips and quick fixes. This is a book on mindsets. Kiyosaki plants ideas and provides a road-map. The reader must take the first step and learn to navigate his/her own journey.

What I like about this book, is Kiyosaki's concept of being an Ultimate Investor, a "selling-investor". The Ultimate Investor creates deals and businesses that the public hunger for and are willing to pay a premium to acquire a share of. With the internet, it has never been easier to create businesses and deals which one can take public.

As in all his other books, Kiyosaki's book is worth reading again and again. I would also recommend that one reads Robert Allen's Multiple Streams of Income in conjunction with Kiyosaki's Rich Dad's Guide to Investing.

RDGTI is the Ultimate Investors Guide
This book is about the 90/10 investor difference. As Kiwosaki explains [quoting Rich Dad] "If you want to be rich, just find out what everyone else is doing and do the exact opposite"RDGTI explains the differences between the 10% of investors who make 90% of the money and the 90% who make only 10% of the money.It's not what they invest in, but how they think.The RDGTI goes against standard, accepted dogma. To me, the greatest revelation was when I realized that by changing my thoughts, as espoused by Rich Dad AND told to Kiwosaki, I could [and did] change my investment results.The average investors philosphy is to not take risks and buy and hold [actually buy and pray--average down]I like the fact that this book is written in an easy to read format. The story telling and metaphors help drive the ideas home. The mental attitude quizzes clears the cobwebs from your head and gets you thinking like an entrepeneur, champion investor. While some of the information is repeated from the RDPD and CFQ--so what? Ever taken a class? Don't teachers review previous material before moving on to newer studies? This book builds on the prior books Kiwosaki and Lechter will tell you some things that you don't want to hear and blow holes wide open on typical misconceptions.So where do you want to be, in the 90% who go nowhere or the 10% who succeed. I have chosen to be inthe 10%. Care to join me? Start by reading this book.

Powerfully impacted my investment results
Prior to reading (...and applyiny) the advice in Rich Dad's Guide to Investing I was like a gerbel in a cage going nowhere with my investing. I was loosing money, not making money and my broker wasn't making me feel any better by reminding me that all of his clients were loosing money, everybody is loosing money, the market is down and so on.

I recalled a saying by Will Rogers:

"I am not so worried about the return on my investment as I am on the return of my investment."

Listening to brokers was causing me to loose money.

Rich Dad's Guide to Investing gives you all the keys you need to get to where you want to go. It's not theory, it's how the rich invest. It is how the rich become rich.

I also recommend Rich Dad's Prophecy which since it has been written has been 100% accurate. That is a pretty good batting average. I'd count on the rest to be accurate as well.

If you are serious about making money investing, read and apply Rich Dad's Guide to Investing and Rich Dad's Prophecy my two favorite Rich Dad books after of course Rich Dad Poor Dad.

Great advice that really works
If you were one of those 80 million Americans who lost over a trillion dollars following your stock brokers or convential advice, then you will love this book.

While no one has a time machine, we can't correct the past, we can certaintly plan for the future and this great book by Robert Kiyosaki will show you how to do just that---plan for your future and actually make some money investing...and in more than just the stock market too.

CAUTION: Brokers won't like this book and in fact will hope you never read this book, but then, you know why they are called brokers don't you? It's because they are usually broker than you are! The massive downsizing of brokers by so many brokerage firms shows just how valuable these guys really are.

By the way, I also recommend Rich Dad's Prophecy.

ANOTHER WINNER BASED ON AUTHOR'S WISDOM
I am a fan of Robert Kiyosaki. On the book shelf next to me is his CD and workbook course titled "Choose To Be Rich" (produced by Time Life) bought at a live lecture in 2002 in Fresno, California where he took the time to autograph the course for me after he spoke even though he was trying to get away to get to the airport. So I have made it a point to read all the books he has written as he has walked his talk. In addition to this book, I would recommend that readers have on their bookself to read and constantly refer to "Making Dollars With Pennies: How The Small Investor Can Beat the Wizards On Wall Street," by R. Max Bowser. This book is also by an author who after many years created a system that enables investors to become wealthly over time. It is available used and new on Amazon.com. ... Read more

Book Description

This is an easy-to-use and fast way for you and other members of your household to create your own will, living revocable trust, and all the other must-have documents you need to protect you and your family. It’s as easy as 1-2-3—simply personalize, print, and protect.

Suze Orman and her own estate trust attorney have created the most state-of-the-art documents found anywhere. There are more than $2,500 worth of estate documents in this kit. Why pay thousands of dollars when you can get the same documents in this kit!

This kit includes:

• More than 50 state-of-the-art documents
• Free automatic on-line updates
• Verbal and written instructions taking you step by step through the four must-have documents
• Password protection securing multiple users’ information
• A tutorial that shows you everything you need to know
• 10 electronic books

PC and Macintosh Compatible . . . and good in all 50 states! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Despite its sensational title, David Bach's The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich is not a get-rich-quick guide. Rather, the book is a straightforward march through common-sense personal financial planning that suggests readers "automate" their contributions to retirement and investment vehicles. Bach, in fact, calls his model the "tortoise approach" to becoming wealthy by retirement age.

In the early part of the book Bach builds on ideas he established in Smart Women Finish Rich and other bestselling titles. His core principle is that, to succeed, you must "Pay Yourself First." In other words, he suggests using pre-tax retirement accounts (i.e. 401(k)s, IRAs, or Roth IRAs) to set aside a fixed, monthly sum of money before considering what is left for living expenses. The "automatic" part of the title comes from Bach's emphasis on using automated payroll deductions to avoid the temptation of using the money to pay today's bills.

Bach insists that "regardless of the size of your paycheck, you probably already make enough money to become rich." But his claims that his plan requires "no budget, no discipline," is a bit disingenuous. His discussion of the "The Latte Factor" shows that, to find money to start a retirement plan, a person with a modest income needs to make an up-front commitment to stop accruing debt and to reduce spending on such "wasteful" items as lattes and cigarettes.

In the end The Automatic Millionaire does not offer much that is new for readers already familiar with personal finance basics like accelerated mortgage payments, "the miracle of compound interest," and the setting up of emergency funds. But, for those just starting with financial planning, Bach provides a host of resources to put recommendations into action. He walks his readers through such fundamentals as shopping for interest rates, creating a balanced retirement portfolio, and consolidating debt. And Bach's conversational style will make this quick read highly palatable for those daunted by more detailed investment and personal finance titles. --Patrick O'Kelley ... Read more

Reviews (190)

Income is not wealth, income only pays for your lifestyle
I used to think that income represented wealth. The fact is your income is not your wealth, only potential wealth. You can live off your income, but you can't get wealthy off your income. You only get wealthy by investing and the proper use of money strategies.

Dave Bach offers powerful money strategies that really work. The first and most important one is to pay yourself first. You must save at the very least, 10% of what you earn before you pay any bills. Isn't it amazing that Americans have such great difficulty saving 10% while the Asians save over 30%!

I know some Doctors who earn a 6 figure income, but are always broke and have nothing to show for it. $150,000 income is nothing when you are spending $175,000.

Bach also offers strategies to cut your mortgage payoff time in half. Pay off credit card debt in 2-3 years, not 5-10 years and more.

I'm with a company that does business in 10 different countries. Our company did over $40 million in sales in it's first year and has created several millionaires in 17 months. Some of the millionaires in this company highly recommend Bach's advice and live by it. That's why they are millionaires. EARNING MONEY IS THE EASY PART. KEEPING IT IS THE DIFFICULT PART. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD!

I can't rave enough about Dave Bach's book. I also have his tape set from Nightingale-Conant which goes even deeper into the strategies than this book does.

An easy read and effective, too.
My grandmother, who lived through the depression and experienced WWII, gave me this book. My grandmother grew up dirt poor(she had one pair of shoes for school). She dropped out of the eighth grade and yet she is one of the most well read people I know.

This book is so easy to read and just as easy to understand. I've started putting into action the principles put forward in this book and I will have $7,000 saved by the end of the year. I will most likely double that every year, if I keep utilizing the strategies in this book.

I highly recommend this book. Granted most of the advice in this book should be common knowledge. You could learn such things in a Personal Financial Management class; but it's the book's simple language that makes it a quick and easy read. Buy this book, then read it, then practice what it preaches, and you'll be on your way to not having to sit around waiting for the government to take care of you(which is a very scary thought because I don't trust the government to know or care what's best for me).

If more people would stop counting on Medicare and social security, we would all have more money from our paychecks to save and invest for ourselves, instead of giving our tax dollars to losers who don't want to work or take initiative and save/invest for their own futures.

Nothing earth shattering, but useful
A lot of people are screaming that there is nothing really new in here. Sometimes you just have to be reminded of the basics. This is not a 7 figures in 7 days type of book. If you looking for instant wealth, look elsewhere. If you want to retire and not be stuck eating government cheese, then read it, follow it and just do it.

It reminded me of a couple things that I already knew, but just needed somebody to tell me again.

What about normal people?
I have 2 problems with this book, otherwise it is a good tool.

#1...what if you aren't in your 20's? What if you picked up this book because you are 40 and just realized that you need to do something by the time you're 65! Not much help there. This book is aimed at 20 year olds.

#2...What about when real life happens??? I did actually start saving in a 401K in my twenties. I had a couple of thousand bucks saved and was on my way...Then life happened and I got a divorce. Suddenly I needed that money just to keep my house, and by the time I was 33 I was broke and starting over. Oh yeah, and then when I started saving again in a new 401K, the market crashed and my a/c went to less than 1/2 what it had been.

I wish Mr. Bach had made the book so it could be used by people of any age. Yes, wouldn't it be nice if we all started saving at 20, but most people who pick this book up (I would bet) are in their late 30's or older, in panic mode, hoping for a couple of good ideas to help them get them from here to there without waiting another 40 years to retire.

Here's what I think about this book...
People may criticize this book and say its too simple and a bunch of common sense, I disagree. I found it very helpful and feel that simple, straightforward advice will always win in the end over some get rich quick scheme. I give it 5 stars for giving the reader sound advice most people don't practice. Other self-help books I like include "The Multifidus Back Pain Solution. ... Read more

Book Description

From first-time newlyweds to people on their second or third marriage, couples face an overwhelming task when it comes to money management.Nationally renowned financial advisor and bestselling author David Bach knows that it doesn’t have to be this way.In Smart Couples Finish Rich, he provides couples with easy-to-use tools that cover everything from credit card management, to investment advice, to long-term care.You and your partner will learn how to work together as a team to identify your core values and dreams, creating a financial plan that will allow you to achieve security, provide for your family’s future financial needs, and increase your income.Together, you’ll learn why couples that plan their finances together, stay together!
... Read more

Reviews (35)

STRONG, SOUND ADVICE!
Investing for your future is sound, strong advice at any age. As a teacher of business management and having counselled an overwhelming number of people in the area of finance, I believe investing is particularly critical for young people today. I am so happy to read that previous reviewers, in their twenties, have learned from this book and are planning for their future. If you are starting your career and in your twenties, now is the time for financial planning, even though you might not be able to put a lot of money aside, "every penny saved, is a penny earned."

There are many books on the market today on investing and financial planning. Some I would highly recommend, others are not worth the time it takes to read the book - save the money you would spend on those "guaranteed get rich quick books" and invest the money where it will guarantee a return. "Smart Couples Finish Rich" is filled with a wealth of information on money management, retirement accounts, living trusts, types of insurance and investing in general. After reading it, you will be better equiped to manage your money and save for the future. That not only makes "smart cents," it makes smart sense. Hopefully, with some financial peace of mind and stability, couples will not only finish rich, they will finish rich... together!

Great advice, very helpful.
There's a lot of financial advice books on the market, but I really think this one is the best. The best for couples anyway.

One of the key concepts of the book is for both you & your spouse to read the book, get you to start discussing your values, finances, and future, as a couple so you're on the same page. Not being on the same page as a couple is probably one of the biggest reason for couples splitting up. My husband is not into self-help books, but this was one book that he did read. It has many helpful exercises, as a couple, to get you to realize some of the why's of your finances & to get you to plan better for your future. For example, it makes you start planning goals. Funny, many businesses have goals, but how many couples have established goals for their futures? And I'm sure most people would agree that their relationship with their spouse is more important than their work.

Before I read this, I read Suze Orman's Financial Guidebook, which was also a great book. But I feel I got greater value out of Smart Couples Finish Rich.

After reading this, I've actually started tracking all of my finances & have a much better understanding of how I'm doing financially & what I need to do to meet my newly established goals.

This book is a must for any couple to help plan for their futures.

excellent resource
_____This book is great to have if you are a novice to the world of personal finance. The text is geared toward married couples, but that doesn't mean a single person cannot read it and learn a lot from it (i.e. the advice generally applies to either singles or couples, with some extra information for couples).

_____The information contained is truly minimal when you compare it to many other books on the shelves. But for a novice I think that is good - Bach himself stresses that the information is meant to present to the reader the aspects of personal finance, while providing links to sources for more detailed information.

_____While I agree that pretty much all of the information contained can be found for free on the internet, the value of this book is in the fact that it contains brief synopses of that information, all gathered into one place, with the added bonus of providing a purpose for all the different aspects of personal finance. Not just "what" and "where," but also "how" and "why."

good, but conservative, advice
This is an excellent book to use when planning your family's finances. Obviously, given the power of compounding, to which the author repeatedly refers, the earlier in your life you start planning for your financial future, the better off you will be. I recommend the book to anyone with the understanding that it follows a conservative, fairly conventional path toward financial security.

If you are a finance whiz, you will find parts of the book too conservative and too plain. If you try to magnify your investment returns by trading options, for example, or you invest in real estate, or any other kind of investment other than 'plain vanilla stocks and bonds' you will find the book limiting.

That said, the book provides an excellent organizational structure for any one trying to get a hold on his financial picture.

Good advice, especially for young couples.
This is one of the only financial planning books I've ever purchased and actually read. It was an easy read, and I would say that Bach's plan is easy to follow. It's nothing incredibly unique, but it's a good message to youger people like me (I'm 30) who seem to these days not have good financial basics or the ability to save. I am somewhat in this category and have plenty of friends who are as well.

The lessons are simple. Find where to save, save a little each month, invest it wisely (preferably in your companies 401K or a mutual fund), and pay down your debt before racking up more. However, Bach seems to put it in a manner where he does show how this can pay off, and even gets you half-way motivated to do it yourself. Ultimately though, it will be up to the reader to buckle down and prepare for their financial future.

I have recommended this book to my friends. I also hear that Bach is working on a 'Get Rich for Older Couples' type book and I will probably get that for my parents. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In Conquer the Crash, Robert Prechter explains why he thinks the boom times are behind us. Based on his interpretation of the Elliott Wave principle (an idea premised on the notion that mass investor psychology is what really drives markets), Prechter believes that the U.S. economy is about to enter into a deflationary depression that few investors are prepared to deal with. In making his case, Prechter assembles an impressive array of data that in essence suggests that the bill for the last 10 years of market excess is about to come due. The second half of the book shows how to avoid becoming "a zombie-eyed victim of the depression" and offers advice on protecting one's assets in a deflationary environment (cash is king). If there's any good news in the future that Prechter sees coming (other than how to avoid it), it's that all-out depressions don't last very long. Conquer the Crash should appeal to gloom-and-doom investors and to those desperately looking for a safe haven from the uncertainties of today's markets. --Harry C. Edwards ... Read more

Reviews (89)

Who are you going to believe?
Subscribers to Prechter's newsletters will have already read most of what is in this book. But for the other 99.99% of investors in the world who are not his subscribers, he has distilled down his reasoning and recommended course of actions into one convenient place.

This book is really two books within one set of covers -- the publisher even uses two different kinds of paper stock to differentiate the "books." In "book one," Prechter draws from history and shows charts & graphs (some going back 300 years) of what has happened in situations similar to what we are going through today. Known for his Elliott Wave analysis, Prechter does not stop there. He uses all of the tools of technical and fundamental analysis to methodically build his argument that the current market downturn is very far from over. Like a lawyer presenting a case, he covers everything from esoteric considerations such as rising federal debt as a percentage of GDP, to public psychology, to the ultimate impotence of the Fed. At the end of the section, the reader is left with the choice to either believe that history repeats, or that "this time it's different."

"Book two" presents practical advice of what to do now. He offers suggestions of what to do if you're in the stock market and your account is way down. He covers junk bonds, real estate, treasuries, pension plans, 401Ks, insurance, gold, and the whole spectrum of investments. To help the reader, he lists the safest banks in the country. He has eye-opening advice for people who are relying on government protection such as FDIC bank account insurance. Finally, he shows how to actually profit in the environment we are currently in.

Some disparage Prechter for his past fault of getting out of the market too early. It's a valid criticism; nevertheless, every one of his predictions are currently playing out. How do you argue with someone who is right?

Ultimately, the reader is left with a choice. One is to follow the financial mass media, economists and brokerage analysts who say recovery is just around the corner. The other is to look at history and Prechter's prediction, along with his track record of being only one of a handful of people to predict the magnitude of the market crash. Who are you going to believe?

Shows you how to profit from the coming depression.
In his new book, Robert Prechter makes a convincing case that we are heading for a deflationary depression, similar to the environment the U.S. saw in the early 1930's, and Japan has experienced for the last 12 years. Readers are shown how to prepare, and even prosper as this deflationary scenario unfolds. While most will be crushed by the weight of their own mortgage and credit card debt, readers of this book can take advantage of a once in a lifetime investment opportunity.

Prechter's understanding of technical, contrary, and economic analysis is exceptional. According to conventional wisdom of investors, traders, and the so-called "experts" on Wall Street, external events and fundamentals cause psychology and social mood to change. Flying in the face of this conventional wisdom, Prechter maintains that in reality the opposite is true; psychology and social mood cause underlying economic and market conditions to change. Once you view events from this perspective you can successfully anticipate conditions and properly adjust your investment techniques for maximum wealth appreciation and preservation.

Prechter identifies the many ways for readers to profit off the continuing stock market decline. Whether you trade stocks, bonds, commodities, or options you will find valuable advice in this book. It will have a permanent spot on my own bookshelf next to Prechter's earlier classic "At the Crest Of the Tidal Wave". Prechter's advice will surely be used in my own trading.

Interesting but...
I like Prechter because he's an interesting, unconventional thinker. But... I want to be careful and fair... doesn't his track record leave quite a bit to be desired?

At one time (I think the early 80's), I've read or heard he did well with his market predictions. But, not sure, didn't he get the 87 crash wrong in the sense that the market quickly recovered and that would've been the opportunity of a lifetime to buy? And, hasn't he's been bearish though another great opportunity, the incredible bull market of the latter 90's?

Finally, here we are in mid 2004, with Gold holding _above_ $400, the stock averages within spitting distance of their old highs, and the fed likely to raise interest rates because of the economic recovery (along with job creation) to keep inflation in check.

It just seems like Elliot Wave strings you along... there're always unlikely alternate counts and unlikely alternates to those that make you question why the unlikely of the unlikely seem to happen so often. I'm not trying to bash; would actually prefer to be more positive; but am simply expressing an honest dissapointment.

Highly Recommended!
Prophets of doom have always made entertaining reading. In his latest fire-and-brimstone warning, Robert R. Prechter, Jr., an experienced forecaster of long-term economic and social trends, says financial Armageddon is just around the corner. While his technical analysis ("Wave Theory") may appear to be stock-market astrology, readers may appreciate his examination of the basic functions of money and credit, his argument that worldwide central banking has fundamentally altered these functions, and his perceptive comparisons of the late 1990s with the Roaring Twenties. Prechter might have appealed to a broader audience by toning down his graphs and technical talk, and focusing instead on his investment suggestions: If the market turns down, you'll save your skin, but even in a bull market, keeping your money safe can't hurt. We recommend this book to anyone looking for bear-market investment advice, as well as those interested in technical analysis or an opinionated view of business and market cycles.

A poorly argued case, even for market bears.
Mr. Prechter is best known as a popular advocate for the Elliot Wave principle. He continues this school of thought in this book.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part attempts to persuade the reader that the US economy is headed for a deflationary depression. The second part recommends actions to prepare and prosper during a deflationary depression. This specific edition of the book also includes an update written in 2004. (The original book was written in 2002.)

First of all, with any investment book review, it is important to understand the reviewer's biases. My belief is that the US will enter some type of unwinding, either through an extended securities bear market, or more severe overall imbalance. I maintain a minor belief in technical analysis but do not rely on it.

Elliot Wave analysis is, at its core, a technical analysis methodology. Elliot Wave claims to find a recurring pattern in short term, long term, and ultra-long term market price charts. What is gravely missing, however, is some sort of explanation or justification for its supposed utility. Many schools of technical analysis, for example, give plausible explanations for why "resistance levels" exist based on market or individual investor psychology. This is completely missing from Mr. Prechter's writings and thus he fails to distinguish himself from a long line of failed data miners.

This missing and crucial "why" is the most glaring hole in this book. While other writers attempt to prove a thesis through a chain of reasoning and supporting data, Mr. Prechter skips steps in his thesis. The holes are not glaring to a casual reader, but a person with some breadth in economic knowledge will easily spot large omissions.

For example, even if you accept the disjointed framework of technical and fundamental analysis, the fundamental arguments for deflation are seriously flawed. Note, also, that Elliot Wave principles claim only to predict the performance of securities. Thus, Elliot Wave is agnostic with respect to the inflation vs. deflation debate. Therefore, Mr. Prechter's arguments for deflation are purely fundamental in basis. This is where his loose foundation really comes apart. His understanding of the Federal Reserve functions are contrary to those written by many other writers and scholars, including many who share similar contempt for the Federal Reserve. This is rather crucial, because the specific authorities and obligations of the Federal Reserve can determine whether a presumed economic failure results in deflation or hyper-inflation. Convincing cases for deflation have been made, but Mr. Prechter does not offer one.

Where many market bears thoroughly argue and carefully build their conclusions, Mr. Prechter glosses over far too many details to arrive at this deflation conclusion and blatantly ignores examples that contradict his thesis. He uses the US depression of 1929 as his sole argument that monetary policy is powerless to prevent deflation, forgetting that Federal Reserve authority was much lesser back then. Meanwhile, he ignores the numerous historical hyper-inflation examples caused by monetarism, such as 1970's US "stagflation", the recent collapses of Argentinean and Mexican currency, or even popular historical cases such as the South Sea Company bubble and post World War One Germany. Mr. Prechter is either grossly ignorant or deliberately avoiding such cases. Neither speaks well for him.

Most importantly, he sets up his own case of why he is wrong. He admits that there is a small probability that he could be wrong and that hyper-inflation will set in. Mr. Prechter says that this would be indicated by a declining US dollar and a price of gold reaching above $400 per ounce. Both are now clearly true, yet in his 50-page 2004 appendix, he conveniently ignores this fact and chooses to emphasize only his market index prognostication.

The rest of his fundamental case rests on material already beaten to death by other bearish scholars. He writes about historical price to earnings ratios, the contrarian indications given by popular finance magazines and long-to-short ratios, for example. His fundamental arguments are not thoroughly presented and escape ridicule only because others have argued the case before him. He adds nothing new here.

Since the first part of the book is so poorly supported, the second part regarding how to survive a depression is irrelevant. His recommendations generally apply only to deflation and would not work in a hyper-inflation or zero-inflation economy.

When one supports an already argued case, the burden of proof is small. However, if one dares to present a different case as Mr. Prechter has done, one needs to cover all well known and reasonably applicable cases at a minimum. Mr. Prechter has failed in this regard and by his own criteria. ... Read more

Book Description

"What is the difference between and employee and a business owner?Why do some investors make money with little risk while most investors just break even?Why do most employees go from job to job while others quit their jobs and go on to build business empires?

THE CASHFLOW QUADRANT answers these questions and guides readers in finding their own path to financial freedon in a world of ever increasing financial change.It is a book written...

- for people who are ready to move beyond job security and begin to find their own world of financial freedom.
- For people who are ready to make deep professional and financial changes in their lives
- For people who are ready to move from the Industrial Age to the Information Age

Have you noticed that many of the brightest graduates from our universities want to work for college dropouts...dropouts such as Bill Gates of Microsoft, Richard Branson of Virgin Industries, Michael Dell of Dell Computers, Ted Turner of CNN?Dropouts who are today the mega-rich oof society.Why does this happen?As THE CASHFLOW QUADRANT reveals, it is simply a matter of knowing which quadrant to work from and when." ... Read more

Reviews (221)

Become a business owner - I agree!
In this followup to Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki goes even deeper into the various quadrants and explains why and how anyone can go from the E to B to I to S Quadrants. And I am pleased to see that Kiyosaki is telling the truth about network marketing and why it is such a powerful S-Quadrant.

In fact, Kiyosaki offers two examples; one a friend who didn't have the money to start a conventional business so dove into network marketing and over time, built a very successful bsuiness.

The other was a real estate investor who was continually being probed by people on how to become rich. When he told people that he made his fortune in million dollar real estate deals, they were depressed because they knew that they did not have the capital of the skills to do that. So this guy got into network marketing solely to provide a vehicle that people with limited capital and limited sales skills could dive into and begin creating cash flow and residual income immediately. His circles of influence saw his success in network marketing and knew this was something they could do. And they succeeded!

Cash Flow Quadrant discusses the various quadrants. It describes the personalities of the people in each quadrant. And describes how to become more than a business owner but to reach the S-Quadrant, the ideal quadrant which provides financial and personal freedom. It gives you both time and freedom.

Its Work, and Its Worth It
Robert Kiyosaki presents a solid theorem that clearly states what people need to do to shift from the paycheck-to-paycheck life to the financial freedom lifestyle. As an advisor to business executives, investors and entrepreneurs, I can say without reservation that he is right on the mark.

We now give this book to clients of the firm and prospective entrepreneurs as a must read. To benefit from this text, and to be successful in the "B" and "I" quadrants he defines, individuals must make a paradigm shift. To grasp paradigms, they should read Paradigms : The Business of Discovering the Future by Joel Arthur Barker. Paperback (May 1993). This is another must read for our clients.

Here is the bottom line: Cashflow Quadrant makes it clear that people desiring financial security and financial freedom need to shift from the "E" or "S" quadrants to the "B" and "I" quadrants, and must change what happens between their ears as the starting point. It requires going to a different kind of university to learn and apply new things. Without reading books like Cashflow Quadrant, most people won't have a chance to cross over because they won't understand the underlying psychology that makes the difference between success and failure.

Regrettably, in our experience, and in the experience of other firms, we find that most people won't make the shift because they can't handle the emotional risk, even when they can handle the time or money risk. The emotional risk is the show-stopper.

This is what Robert Kiyosaki's rich dad pointed out to him when he told Robert that he must go into sales and hone his skills before he had a chance at becoming wealthy. Selling requires precisely the emotional development needed to handle emotional risk, and handling emotional risk is one of the keys to success. Without it, you can't get there from here. As Robert Kiyosaki points out, for many people, network marketing will more likely be their opportunity and proving ground, rather than buying a national franchise or a corporation. The best network businesses provide the kind of "university" people need, as the author explains. And, there is much less downside risk to network businesses than buying or building a corporation.

This is an eye-opening, eye-popping text that readers should study as one of their first steps in their journey to make the successful transformation from an "E" or "S" to the "B" and "I".

An absolute must read!
I read Rich Dad Poor Dad which was great and got me hooked on the series, and that was the perfect warm-up for the Cashflow Quadrant. I learned more about the way the world of money REALLY works in the 2 days it tooks me to read this book than I have in my entire life. I'm 28 now, and if I had read the Rich Dad series before I ever got my hands on a credit card, I'd be a millionaire by now. Chapter 6 of this book especially blew my mind. It's very much like the movie "The Matrix". I had no idea what was really going on in the real world before I read the first two Rich Dad books and they opened my eyes up to the systems the rich use. The problem is, most people that are not born rich feel like they can not achieve great wealth, but it is very attainable if you have the knowledge and the courage to act. These books are priceless to me, and I'm trying to get my parents to read them and break out of their "Industrial Age" way of thinking that has kept them in debt their whole lives with very little saved for retirement. Read Rich Dad Poor Dad first, because it lays the foundation perfectly for this book. You may hear people complain that there is too much repetition in these books, and there is to some extent, but it only reinforces the concepts they are trying to teach you. I don't mind that all, since that's the way you remember things, just like studying for a test. Don't listen to naysayers, these books are gold!!

Powerful book for generating cash flow
This bookis awesome. I bought it on Friday and already have developed cashflow strategies that will enable me to exit my 9-5 job. Thank you Robert Kiyosaki.

Mostly More of the Same
At the beginning of "Superman 2", we are given a quick review of what happened in the first movie. This was necessary, I guess, in the days before home video and cable TV in every home. Cashflow Quadrant, the sequel to Rich Dad Poor Dad, contains far more than a quick review of the first book, and with the advent of libraries and on-line bookstores, I really have to wonder why they repeated the information. In fact, it repeats so much of the information from the first book that I question the reasons for making CQ into its own stand-alone book at all. It feels more like "the rest of the information" than subject matter for a completely separate book.

I thought Rich Dad could have used tighter editing, and if it had, it would have been a much shorter book. CQ is exactly the same way, meaning that if both were edited down to avoid repetition, they could be combined into a single, highly-informative book of about the same price.

Am I exaggerating? Perhaps, but consider that this is my impression based on the ABRIDGED audio version.

But I digress. The real question is how informational this book is. To be sure, there is a good bit of information here, but I felt a little disappointed by the end. Kiyosaki spends most of the book stating why we should change but only a very brief conclusion tells us how to begin the process.

I still have more questions than answers, and I'm starting to wonder if the Rich Dad series will actually tell me what I need to know. For example, Kiyosaki says you should typically become a B (business owner) before becoming an I (investor). What is the next book in the series? Rich Dad's Guide to Investing. *Sigh* I want to take your advice and build a corporation. I have no money (so investing is out of the question), but I'm ready to get serious, and now you won't tell me how to get started? He ends this book with the this advice: "Take baby steps." His next book gets you ready for the Olympics. Either I'm missing something or he is.

So I must say I give this book high marks for philosophy (just like its predecessor, CQ has helped reshape my thought patterns), but if you want much actual information, you will be spending more money on books. If the purpose of this series is to teach you how to have more money with less work, Cashflow Quadrant is an ironic waste of time and money.

Quick note on audio CD: the narrator's habit of extreme annunciation definitely takes some getting used to. ... Read more

Book Description

A CFP® Study Guide that delivers what you need to succeed!

This quick study guide for candidates preparing to take the CFP® Certification Examination covers the bare-bones essentials needed to pass this challenging exam in a logical and easy-to-absorb manner. Covering some of the most important disciplines of financial planning–– insurance, employee benefit, investment, income tax, retirement, estate, and general planning–– this text provides a no-nonsense approach to studying that includes:

• A highly logical and efficient format
• An in-depth outline of core essentials
• Explanations of all relevant exposures complete with solutions and practical examples
• Key points, exam tips, multiple choice, and mini—case study questions
• Mnemonic devices and study techniques to reinforce key points
• A format that directly parallels the CFP Board’s topic requirements

For students who have been through the traditional CFP® educational programs and want a book that brings it all together, Rattiner’s Review for the CFP® Certification Examination, Fast Track Study Guide keeps students organized, on track, and focused on what they need to succeed. In addition to its value as a quick-reference guide to supplement all CFP® texts and self-study materials, the Guide also serves as an important one-stop resource for financial services professionals who want information in a hurry.

"Jeff Rattiner has developed yet another valuable addition to our profession. Rattiner’s Review for the CFP® Certification Examination develops an excellent, comprehensive framework to prepare a student for the CFP® exam. The breadth and thoroughness of this book encompassing all 101 topics necessary for mastery will help students excel in their test preparations. "
–Stephen P. Wetzel, CFP®
Program Director and Adjunct Professor, New York University’s CFP® program

"I commend Jeff for providing relevant information in a clear and understandable manner for anyone in or thinking of entering the financial planning field. The book brings the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards education required 101 topics into focus. I definitely recommend the book to anyone preparing for the national certified financial planner examination."
–Kenneth M. Huggins, PhD, CFP®
Chair, Finance Department
Director, Financial Planning Certificate Program
Metropolitan State College of Denver ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I Used This Book To Pass The CFP Exam
I found this book to be an accurate and concise review of the 101 topics covered on the CFP cerfifcation exam. This book was written in a great "review notes" format, much like I would take notes on a complex subject. I would highly recommend this book as a great CFP certification exam review. It is filled with only what you need to know- no extraneous commentary.

Very useful book
This book is an incredibly detailed outline covering the vast selection of topics included on the CFP exam. Because of the outline format, I wouldn't recommend trying to use this book as a way to learn material for the first time. What it is ideal for is as a reminder of details and distinctions, improving your recall of topics learned in some prior class or self-study, but in much more detail. Because this book is updated each year, it references up-to-date tax dollar amounts you'll need for the exam. ... Read more

Book Description

Find financial freedom in the new millennium with a new edition of the life-changing national bestseller

More than three-quarters of a million people everywhere, from all walks of life, have found the keys to gaining control of their money--and their lives--in this comprehensive and revolutionary book on money management. Considered the bible of the voluntary simplicity movement, Your Money or Your Life is now updated with a new Preface, Index, and Resource list to help you put the program into practice. This simple, nine-step program shows you how to:

* get out of debt and develop savings
* slow down the work-and-spend treadmill
* make values-based decisions about your spending
* save the planet while saving money

* Over three years on the Business Week bestseller list
* Your Money or Your Life made all major bestseller lists in hardcover and paperback, including the New York Times, USA Today, Business Week, Publishers Weekly, and Washington Post ... Read more

Reviews (124)

A good place to convey the real cost of money to teenagers.
I have been using many of the principles in the book for years and read the book to 'help back up my thinking'. Then I handed the book to my wife who is deeply in debt (I am out of debt). She is yet to read it but I am hopeful that at least some of it will 'sink in' and she will change her course. You just can't make ends meet by spending $2.00 for a dollar sandwich (interest).

The book is well worth reading and learning from, even if you don't do all the steps it asks you to. Live your life to your OWN satisfaction and leave the JONES alone. There are a lot of JONES' who are bankrupt. Spend money with NEED and VALUE in mind. Let the others mind their own business.

It was a shame that Joe Dominguez died recently. He did live a GOOD life by helping others who needed help and were also willing to listen to his advice. A person must be willing to listen AND learn from the examples of others.

It's your life - Take charge of your personal finance
YMOYL is one of my top ten books of all time. Why? Because it maturely and rationally analyzes your personal relationship and attitudes about money, status, and life style and basically forces any sentient human being to realize that living within his or her means is a plausible and desirable way to live.

By doing a personal inventory and finding what we really want to do and cutting all the unnecessary crap out of lives that isn't fulfilling. It encourages you to reduce your consumption, reevaluate your career path and dare to do what you really dream to do, or even work less. You rethink the American Dream, maybe you don't need to have a house or a fancy car. Maybe you'd rather have your time. Maybe you just know that the way you are living isn't how you want to.

The books teaches you to see money as your life energy. To think of every dollar as an increment of your time. And it teaches you how very precious your life energy is.

In our hectic, status-fueled, mad world this book is a breath of fresh air. It offers a lot of information on how other humans simplified their lives and to open up the possibilities for you to live this way as well.

Not Your Everyday Relationship Book! But a Lifesaving One...
A friend of mine first recommended Your Money or Your Life to me ten years ago. I went out and bought the book, read it, put it on my bookshelf where it languished collecting dust, and finally re-read it three months ago. Why didn't the book's messages sink in the first time I read it? Was I lazy? Not ready to have a relationship with money? Or did I need to hit rock bottom and accumulate significant credit card debt to understand that money was controlling me and not the other way around? The bottom line is I finally admitted I had a problem with managing money and needed to do something about it.

Money is a very emotionally-charged, personal, and difficult subject. Dominquez and Robin attempt to take out the emotional and conduct a rational conversation with you about money and the role it plays in our lives. Money is simply a medium of exchange and you need to understand how you are exchanging it with your life energy. Some of the language is "new agey" and environmentally-oriented, but make sure you see the forest through the trees.

This book is the one that finally motivated me to start tracking my expenses on a daily basis. I've read books by Suze Orman, David Bach, Charles Schwab and countless other money experts. But Your Money or Your Life brings to life how tracking your income and expenses, in a way that works for you, will make you want to think about each and every dollar that you spend. We spend our time earning money, we spend our time spending money, but how much time do we spend thinking about and tracking where our money goes? And you don't have to use Intuit or some other fancy software program to manage your money. Design a format that works for you.

I now look forward to the end of each month where I tally up what I've spent, put it in into categories, and paint a picture of where my money is coming from and where it is going. I'm still recovering from the shock of what I spend on "communicating" with the world: a cell phone, a phone, an internet connection, and a cable connection add up to a significant amount of dollars each month. Is it all really necessary? The next step is to understand how my spending patterns match up with my values. I see a phone reduction in my near future!

For anyone who is ready to build a stronger relationship with money, this is the book to read. Your Life or Your Money clearly states that there is no shame and no blame for how you've managed your relationship with money in the past. However, I sure do wish I had listened to my friend and this book ten years ago. I know I would be in a different place financially than I am today, but am excited about what the future will bring.

Finance debunked
One of the great lessons of life that I thankfully learned at a relatively young age is that if you do what everyone else does, you'll end up with what everyone else has. Sadly, most people have nothing. No savings, no investments of any real value, excessive debt and a lifestyle that revolves around paid employment that they hate. You don't want that, or you wouldn't be here.

There are three challenges to implementing this program. The first is believing in the program enough to alter your behavior. After all, Dominguez asks you to do some things that most of your friends, financial advisors, etc. would claim to be a waste of time. They aren't, but it's going to require a little blind faith for about 90 days or so on your part before you figure that out.

The second challenge is to have the discipline during the early stages of the program to stay the course. We live in a society that expects instant gratification, but this program (like most things worth having) doesn't work that way. Writing down every penny of spending is boring, but it is