Book Description

A proven way to financially prepare for retirement

Are you wondering if you can make your retirement savings last?
Concerned about inflation reducing your purchasing power?
Worried about the stock market’s violent swings?

In Buckets of Money: How to Retire in Comfort and Safety, nationally recognized Certified Financial PlannerTM and radio personality Ray Lucia offers you a smart and conservative way to protect and grow your nest egg–so you can enjoy a comfortable retirement without worrying about your money running out.

Developed by Lucia over his thirty-year career as a financial planner, the "Buckets of Money" technique is a proven way to achieve both income and growth, while guarding against the ravages of inflation. Buckets of Money is filled with in-depth insights and practical advice that will help you assess your retirement situation, save the money you need to last your entire lifetime, and adjust your plan to good times and bad.

Regardless of your age, income, net worth, or investment experience, you need to have a solid plan for your retirement years. Buckets of Money provides you with such a plan, and shows you the best way to implement it. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Must Read
I first became aware of Mr. Lucia and his "BrainTrust" (Rick Plum, Rob Butterfield, Jr., and John Dean) when his long-running (14 year) San Diego-based radio show went national and became syndicated with Business Talk Radio at the end of 2000; I thank the day I stumbled upon this sage. The show has become increasingly popular and now airs in around 60 markets. Once limited to the greater San Diego area, this show is now educating people all across the country. This book continues the process of finally bringing Ray Lucia to an even broader audience.

Lucia's show and this book avoid the ridiculous "buy, sell, hold" approach that permeates the work of so many other financial gurus. This is not a "get rich quick" or "doom and gloom" book. Lucia does not pretend to know what direction markets or any individual security is going in the short-term. He sticks to what he knows (and what you need to know). This book is about much more than asset allocation and diversification. It is solid advice based on the prestigious 30-year career of Lucia and his highly competent associates.

If you want books that teach you how to learn how to do a solid fundamental analysis of securities, I recommend the classics by Benjamin Graham, by Peter Lynch, by Philip Fisher, by Louis Engel and about Warren Buffett. If you want a book that takes a refreshing approach and truly carves out a niche by focusing on financial planning, Lucia's book is the book for you. In many ways, Lucia's book is a more relevant read than any of the above mentioned authors.

Believers in an efficient market understand the other authors can only take you so far. Lucia takes you several steps further by sharing financial planning strategies that will work for everybody. This is what is lacking in the vast majority of financial literature. Authors spend too much time trying to tell you how to find the next Microsoft. In the process, they neglect powerful basic and advanced personal finance strategies and investment tools. This is what truly reduces risk and adds value to one's portfolio over time. The vast majority of investors will get more from Lucia's book than any other book they read in their lifetime.

I enthusiastically recommend Lucia as must reading for any investor in any stage of his/her life. This is a great book for a grandfather to buy to read and pass on to his daughter, who can then pass it on to her son. People just starting out will greatly benefit from this book in that it will tell them as much about what not to do, as what to do. More sophisticated and astute investors will benefit from Lucia's empirical study based recommendations on how to allocate and balance one's portfolio. I have acquired more practical knowledge from Mr. Lucia than I have through my undergraduate studies, graduate studies, and other studies combined.

It is a rare and refreshing treat to find someone in this field who not only has such a vast body of knowledge that he is willing to share, but is able to communicate it in such an articulate manner. Lucia not only recommends the right things, but he does things the right way. Lucia is altruistic and passionate. In terms of financial planning savvy, Lucia is by far the best of the financial gurus. In terms of the intangibles, in his words you will find a motivator who cares deeply about his family, his work, and sharing his vast body of knowledge with people from all walks of life so as one of his mottos goes, "You will be successful in your money, your business, and your life."

Lucia may not (yet) get the press and hype of some of the other financial gurus that have television shows, radio shows, and books. However, if you read his book, you will see he is the premier guru in the country. If you don't agree with this comment after reading his book, I recommend you read his book twice and then listen to his radio show.

Great tool for retirement
I really enjoyed reading Ray's book, and it helped me to understand the "Buckets" philosophy he talks about on the radio. It's a great retirement strategy, although you do have to be somewhat disciplined at saving to make it all work properly. It also requires you to take money from only about 5% of your portfolio each year, which some people may or may not be able to do, so if you're used to taking huge chunks of cash from your savings each year you might not be able to follow it. It seems rather foolproof (which I like), and while it doesn't promise huge returns on your money (it's very conservative), it does make sure that you never run out of money even if we run into another "bad run" in the stock market. I wish I read it two years ago, but that's the breaks.

I also enjoy his radio show, he's much better than that boring Ramsey guy that follows him. Maybe I'll get the nerve to call in one day and ask a question to the Braintrust!

Easy to understand
This is not really a book about how to amass your retirement savings, but rather what to do with it when you are retired. The system is simple. You have 3 buckets. In bucket number 1 you put your money for the next 5-7 years. Bucket number 2 is for the next 5-7 year period after that. And finally, bucket number 3 is for the money you will not need for 10-14 years. The book then discusses the proper investment choices for each bucket, how to rebalance them when necessary.

The plan makes sense and seems simple. The only part I was not entirely clear on is when to move items from bucket 3 to bucket 2. Maybe I missed it. In any case, the book was a good read and I plan on reading it again when I get closer to retirement.

I'm looking forward to Ray's next book (the radio show is good too).

Really good book!
I listen to Ray's radio show all the time and now that I've read the book I can understand the whole "Buckets" retirement strategy even better. It was easy to read and enjoyable! Thanks, Ray!

Simple, easy to understand retirement advice!
Great book! Easy read! Helped me sort through my retirement options and I actually understood what he was talking about. Good radio show too! ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the amazing secrets of nine successful self-made millionaires that can get you all the success and happiness you could ever want. Plus, these secrets can help you eliminate years of struggle and wasted effort and make you an absolute fortune...Just like they already have for thousands of others! These millionaires include: the co-Author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Multiple Streams of Income and Nothing Down, The E-Myth, Guerrilla Marketing, plus Jim McCann (the CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS), Jim Rohn (Tony Robbins' mentor), and even the king of Chocolate Chip Cookies, Wally Famous Amos! Discover secrets like: The two best ways to triple your income and double your time off, simple success secrets that launched a billion dollar empire, and how to set up a business so it gives you freedom to live your dreams.

From Mark Victor Hanson and Jack Canfield to Robert Allen and Michael Gerber, Conversations with Millionaires can help you get more of what you want in life because you'll be learning the same methods, techniques, and secrets that have already been time-tested and proven to work in the real world. Conversations with Millionaires is exactly that. A book jam-packed with the actual fast-paced interviews between real-world entrepreneur Mike Litman (Host of The Mike Litman Radio Show) and each of these self-made millionaires. Mike's world-reknowned style of getting each millionaire to cut-to-the-chase and reveal exactly how they do what they do makes this book a 'behind the scenes' look at how these millionaires became so rich and successful ... Read more

Reviews (122)

This Book is Motivating!
Imagine sitting down next to nine highly successful individuals and listening to them talk about how they achieved success.

How much would you pay for something like that? How much would you pay to get a copy of the transcripts? Well my friend this book is exactly that--the transcripts of successful people telling you how they achieved success. And how you can also reach success and get similar results by using them as a role model.

My favorite interview was the one with Jack Canfield. Jack's humble and generous style really impressed me. He is my motivational role model.

Getting this book for only $15.95 is a joke! Why? Because Mike is a great interviewer, and he really gets these guys talking about HOW they achieved success. If you take only one idea from this book and really run with it, you WILL greatly improve your life! I found many, many great ideas in this book. I am sure you will too.

Mike has tremendous enthusiasm for achieving success. You can hear clips of him doing his motivational/success radio show on mikelitman.com. I highly recommend you go check them out. When I need a boost of motivation I listen to them, because hearing Mike is MOTIVATING!

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated &
Founder of www.CoachingWithResults.com

" Should Be Required Reading In All High Schools "
My library contains 900 plus books that I depend upon for every facet of my marketing business. Included are such success magnates as Andrew Carneige, Napolean Hill, Anthony Robbins, Jay Abraham, Dan Kennedy and many more.
Yet I have created a new category of gems that I depend upon for the 21st century type obstacles and opportunities. The book that leads the way is " CONVERSATIONS WITH MILLIONAIRES."
This gem by Mike Litman & Jason Oman has been read 3+ times in a 2 month period, and due to the fact that I realize how complacent I`ve become in certain forms of my business thinking. This book has shaken me out of this place of less than model performance, and has given me a new fire that I`ll continue to harbour for a good long time.
I`ve known many of the Entrepreneurs in the book contents, and am still in awe, when I reflect upon the "Mike Litman Trend" that I believe will be here right along with the greats for many years to come.
I have 2 copies for myself and have bought and given away as presents 4 more. Needless to say, I have alot of very grateful friends who now love "CONVERSATIONS WITH MILLIONAIRES."
I ONLY HAVE ONE REGRET, that I`ve not yet seen the press release, that indicates there is another Mike Litman book coming out soon.

Buy for Content not Award winning writing....
To put it effectively yet succinctly, I recommend this book more for the core content as opposed to the Nobel, Pulitzer, etc. manner of prose.

The worth of this book can be found in its ability to condense the major success strategies of a number of well known individuals all in one book. Not only does it give useful, practical and actionable information, it also gives interesting biographical details as well. I have come to believe that understanding the mental workings of successful people and their history--not just what others say about them--is a critical factor in duplicating success. As one sage aptly stated, "Experience is the most expensive teacher". In my analysis of successful people the world over, one thing is certain: they study the success of others and duplicate the strategies that work, augmenting them when necessary.

Bill Gates reputedly reads approx. 120 books a year on various subjects (as an example).

One of the most thought-provoking powerful ideas I got from this book is something that a mentor of Jim Rohn told him early in his career "become a millionaire (or billionaire) for what it makes of you to achieve it".

There is a very strong moral/spiritual theme running through this book as well. Essentially it demonstrates that it is possible to acquire wealth in a manner than doesn't make one suffer in other areas of one's life such as health, peace of mind, love/relationships or true expression (doing what you really love to do). This is perhaps the biggest plus of the books.

I bought and read a copy of this book for myself and purchased another for a friend as well in order to complete the circle of giving and receiving (which according to those profiled in the book is a, if not THE, major factor in overall success).

Lastly, I noticed that this book was self-published by the authors which says alot about their own business acumen. They cut out the middle man (a big publishing house) and the fact that they were able to promote this book and have it do so well is more evidence that this book is worth owning.

Repeat Information
Not much effort in writing this book! The writer, Mike Littman, simply transcribed conversations he has had with other self-help millionaires on his radio shows. Nine millionaires are interviewed: Jim Rohn, Mark Victor Hanson, Wally Amos, Jack Canfield, Robert Allen, Sharon Lechter, Michael Gerber, Jim McCann, and Jay Conrad Levinson. Most are promoting their own self-help books and products. For example:

Page 208 (Jay Conrad Levinson)
"I did a course called, Guerrilla Marketing for the New Millennium and its available from the same place you talked about before, Aesop.com. Thats the first placed I'd go. I say that because I wrote it for people who don't know anything about marketing but want to use marketing to grow a business. Or, they have a business and they want to make it bigger and cut down the amount of money that they are investing in marketing. All of the things that I'm saying, naturally, are in my books Guerilla Marketing.
The course that I gave called, Guerilla Marketing for the New Millennium, is up to the state of the moment. It's up to state of what marketing is doing right now."

In my opinion, the book was written with the sole purpose of making money both for the author and for the interviewees. Don't buy it! The same information can be found in greater detail in other books.

Really, really great book
This book is great because you get to learn about the different philosophies of millionaires -- where as if you buy an individual book from one author, you only learn one way.

It's like getting 9 books in one, only better because you get a snap shot of each millionaire's method of success.

A wonderful read, I learned something new in every chapter! ... Read more

Book Description

Completely Revised with Updated Tax Law Information, Income-Building Strategies, Online Resources, Success Stories, and More
With hundreds of thousands copies in print around the world, Smart Women Finish Rich, by renowned financial advisor David Bach, has shown women of all ages and backgrounds how to take control of their financial future and finish rich.Whether you’re working with a few dollars a week or a significant inheritance, Bach’s nine-step program gives you tools for spending wisely, establishing security, and aligning money with your values.Plus, in this completely revised and updated edition, David Bach includes critical new long-term investment advice, information on teaching your kids about money, Internet resources, and new ways to attract greater wealth–personal and financial–into your life.
... Read more

Reviews (88)

The BEST Personal Finance Book Out There. PERIOD.
I've read about 90 books on personal finance, frugality, etc., in the past year. This is THE BEST. PERIOD. Bach doesn't tell you how to get rich. He talks to you, coaches you, cajoles you to figure out what's really important to you. And then he tells you how to fund those important goals. I've never seen such a beautiful blend of coaching and advice. After reading the couples version of this book, I got my husband to read it, and then we held a "Finance Night" in which we did all the exercises, talked them through, went over our budgets, insurance coverage, etc., and then came up with a 10-step action plan. This book motivated us to do all that! I've since read the version for women and am getting copies for every one in both our families for Christmas. I personally can't remember the specific financial advice Bach gives. Personally, I think financial strategies need to change as events and circumstances change. I don't need a book for specific strategies. I needed a book to help me figure out very specifically what we wanted out of life, and get me motivated to move in that direction! And that's what this book did.

Well written financial planning primer for women and men.
I am a Certified Public Accountant with a background in financial planning. In February, I purchased the book for myself. The information wasn't new, but it spoke to me in volumes. For Valentine's day, I purchased the book for my assistant and secretary.

I have finished the book once, and have now been going through it a second time implementing each of the seven items.

During tax season, many of my clients ask for advice? What should we be looking to invest our money in? What does the Roth mean? How much insurance do we need? How do we plan for retirement? Should we be making gifts to our children's college fund? Many times I am not able to spend as much time, during the tax season as my client will need to absorb the information provided then begin working on the plan. This book allows my clients the time to understand the basics of financial planning. Know the time requirements on both them and myself to become effective. This is a wonderful starting point.

I often recommend books that I have read on financial planning, but this was the first time that I not only have recommended the book I went out and purchased over a dozen additional copies. I have given them out not just to Smart Women, but young couples, and those looking toward retirement. The information is sound. It's easy to understand. If the steps are followed they will make any client Finish Rich.

Awesome, highly recommend
I picked up this book because I like to read as much as I can about investing. I thought I knew it all--but learned a ton from this book. This book is for every single woman out there. Being financially literate is as important as having good health. It is vital to get finances in order and this book explains how, is easy to followm and Bach makes the topic of money and saving a lot of fun. A must have in your library.

Perfect For Those Who Don't Have A Clue About Finances
I had tried asking others regarding finances but it was the usual in one ear out the other. Learning, hearing and asking questions about finances can be a confusing and frustrating task. I decided to give this book a shot and I was pleasantly pleased.

Everything was spelled out in the simplest terms and explained thoroughly. I can now discuss financial matters with the best of them. This book also pushed me to take those first steps to financial freedom without my old fears.
I also enjoyed the fact that the book discusses how our values are also important and made me think about more than just dollars and cents, but also about what I want out of my life.

I highly recommend this book and also the "Smart Couples Finish Rich". You'll be surprised how much you didn't know!!!

Very Insightful
This is a great book. I had gone to the bookstore to pick up a different book which they did not have. I came across this one and decided to buy it since the other one was not available. This book is very insightful and definitely helps you with your money. It gives steps and worksheets and advise. There are success stories and practical solutions. ... Read more

Book Description

With over two million copies of his books in print, Robert G. Allen has become a national phenomenon. His innovative investment strategies have helped thousands create their own wealth, and in this new and revised edition of Creating Wealth you'll discover the Allen way to financial success.

Programmed to think that saving is good, debt and risk-taking bad, we disqualify ourselves from ever having a chance at big money. The first step in creating wealth is to stop thinking poor. Then you're ready to create your own version of the Allen plan, keyed to integrating real estate with other wealth-generating investments.

These principles and others can start you on the path of financial self-reliance:

* The Automatic Pilot Principle
* Enormous Profits in Discounted Mortgages
* Numismatics: the Secret of the Midas Touch
* Liquid Money and Where to Pour It
* Insulating Your Assets from Liability and Lawyers ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Creating Wealth is still a winner.
I just picked up a copy of Creating Wealth earlier today after having bought other books by the author like Multiple Streams of Income and The 1-Minute Millionaire.

In chapter 1 "We were programmed to fail from the moment we were born" Allen discusses 9 major misconceptions about money and why it prevents us from becoming successful. Interesting is that number 1 misconception is "Having a job is good and leads ultimately to wealth." That was originally written back in the 80's and certaintly no one will argue that having a job will lead to wealth is an incredible misconeception.

Another misconception that Allen covers is "Saving your money is a good investment." Is there anyone who really thinks that a savings account is an investment? Only those who are broke.

In chapter 2 Allen shows us "How to develop a wealthy mindset." This chapter includes Allens 5 steps some are familiar like affirmations, goal setting and a 30-second commercial (from Dr. Schwartz's book)

Chapter 3 "A fool and his money are soon parted." Allen offers his 7 wealth principles and where to put your money.

In chapter 4 "Launching yourself into financial self reliance", ALLEN outlines the three stages to wealth building;

1) The Pre-launch Stage
2) The liftoff or struggling stage
3) The Powerful pre orbit stage

In this section Allen discusses what to do if the economy goes bad. Where to put your money and what to do with your real estate holdings.

In chapter 5, Allen introduces the fourth stage to wealth--"the Automatic Pilot Principle." Allen then covers strategies for this fourth stage of wealth.

The next 6 chapters deal specifically with real estate (no surprise here), how to buy it, finding the bet deals, even making the deals come to you, scripts to call ads from the newspaper, real estate contracts, a property grid to help you select the best property and a property analysis form. I found this section more complete than Allen's earlier book "Nothing Down." One similiarity were the "Nothing Down" techniques which were in "Nothing Down" but were presented in a a different way here.

In section 4, chapter 12 Allen discusses Discounted Mortgages and the enormous profits from investing in that segment of real estate. He again offers scripts to use to call on mortgage holders and how to determine the yield and potential profits.

In chapter 13, Allen discusses investing in precious metals. Chapter 14 "Liquid Money and Where to Pour it" and Chapter 15 "Why the rich pay little or nothing in taxes" round out the Creating Wealth program.

Reading the book in 2003 is interesting as Allen refers to prices based on 1980's real estate. So readers will have to check local prices and not go by the prices Allen mentions. That is not a reason to knock the book.

Likewise the tax information is 1980's based but the principles haven't changed. Just get a new tax guide. Tax rules are changing constantly.

Finally Allen discusses how to avoid lawsuits, but better, newer information is in "Multiple Streams of Income."

Overall, Creating Wealth is a excellent book and a great supplement to "Nothing Down" and "Multiple Streams of Income."
I also recommend "The 1-Minute Millionaire" which is inspirational and motivational.

Disregard the negative reviewers who seem to be more concerned with nit picking on minor points, what Dr. Schwartz would call "Detailitis", stepping over dollars trying to save pennies.

Creating Wealth is a good book and a must read for anyone aspiring to create and keep wealth.

Still works in the new millenium
I bought this book in the mid 1980's and it worked. During the 90's, I switched to stock market investing and put real estate investing on hold.

With the bear market that started during the Clinton years, I started to move back into real estate and discounted mortgages and other securities as espoused by Allen such as Gold and Gold Stocks and mutual funds.

Creating Wealth was an excellent book back in the 80's and it is an even better book today. The advice is timeless and is based on what really works in the real world, not just some writers opinion as is the case with too many other books out there today.

If you are serious about real estate investing and creating wealth, I highly recommend this book along with "Nothing Down for the 90's."

A Thoughtful Book
Creating Wealth is a thoughtful book. It presents a lot of "How-to" techniques that teaches you how to create wealth in real estate, collectible coins, all the way to using corporations to your advantage. The Real Estate section is particular well done and i really like the charts and diagrams he used to demonstrate what to look for, how to look for it, what to buy, what not to buy. The author also provides a series of negotiation scripts to demonstrate how the whole process works. Compare with some of Robert Allen's later books, i think this one is more complete, more thought out and less on self bravados. I would suggest that you should read/study this book with an open mind and a critical eye. This book is about establishing a different thinking process, but you'll still need to have the technical know-hows to fully protect yourself from any Real Estate Pitfalls.

An enlightening novel
This book is great. It has given me the plan to apply to my motivation. The advantages of investing in real estate are amazing and this book shows many of them. I read this book after reading four of the Rich Dad Poor Dad series, and must say I enjoyed the change. While Robert T. Kiyosaki gives reasons for getting wealth and motivation to gain wealth, Robert Allen actually puts forth a plan for gaining wealth. This book is about strategy. Allen has a plan that worked for him, and he shares it with us. Buy real estate, three bedroom houses, and rent them. After ten years, buying two houses a year, one could have a million dollars in equity. I also like the way he writes. His style is entertaining and exciting. He loves what he does, and it comes across in his writing. Additionally, he gives tips on finding the right houses, the right neighborhoods, the right sellers, the right financing, and the right tenants. I encourage you to buy and read this book, because I think you will read it more than once.

Perhaps Allens best Real Estate Book.
I used the technique in "Creating Wealth" coupled with "Nothing Down" to buy my first home with NOTHING DOWN.

Further, my investing in real estate properties, I was able to earn enough money to pay off my home in under 5 years and replace my salary from my job of 20 years.

Some of the information in "Creating Wealth" is duplicated from "Nothing Down" but there is also much newer information as well.

For example, Allen shows you the traps to avoid in buying properties with Nothing Down that most other authors ignore. HE ALSO offers scripts to use when calling home owners.

While I don't expect to become a millionaire (wasn't my goals anyway) I have achieved financial independence in that I am debt free and live very well on the income generated from Mr. Allen's strategies.

I also recommend "Multiple Streams of Income" and "Multiple Streams of Internet Income." ... Read more

Book Description

As recent events have proven, when it comes to retirement, relying solely on a 401K plan is a sure recipe for disaster. By the year 2012-10 years from now-the vast majority of Baby Boomers will be on the verge of retirement-and they'll be looking to cash in on their hefty 401K retirement packages. The problem is, according to Kiyosaki and Lechter, that all of these people who religiously pumped thousands of dollars over their working years into their 401Ks are going to be crushed if their mutual funds just haven't performed. To avert this financial crisis, Kiyosaki and Lechter provide a detailed financial plan to help forward-looking people prepare for the worst and start planning now. ... Read more

Reviews (94)

Prophecy: Timely and Scary for Majority of Baby Boomers
I did not expect to get much out of this book. I expected the usual litany of admonitions and suggestions available in hundreds of articles and basic books on finance for the masses. Despite that low expectation, the first chapter had me hooked.

With an aging population, turmoil in the stock markets, and lack of knowledge about how much money is needed for retirement, author Robert Kiyosaki gives specifics to support his theory about predictable problems facing those who hope to retire.

The book won't appeal to people who are satisfied with their current job and have no plans to change in the future. But for those who care about government policy and how these policies and demographics are impacting our society, the book is eye-opening as well as easy-to read.

The "rich dad, poor dad" vehicle gets old but is stiff an effective and sometimes entertaining vehicle for conveying information.

Definitely a must read.
Rich Dad's Prophecy is most certaintly a must read book for anyone who has money invested, especially in 401 (k) plans.

While some of the information in RDP is similiar to Kiyosaki's earlier books, the pension, retirement and 401 (k) is fresh, startling and hopefully alarming to anyone who plans on investing their money between now and 2016.

2016 is the year when the bulk of the baby boomers will be forced to liquidate their retirement funds. When this happens, a major stock market crash is expected (no kidding!) that surpass the bear market from 2000 to 2002.

Another problem is what kind of money will current savers have in their 401 (k)s? For example, before going into self employment, I worked in a local office for one of the top 6 banks in the USA and had been putting all I could into my 401 (k) savings plan. Despite this being one of the "Big 6" Banks, matching by the bank was about average (and any matching reflected in reduced wages), options to invest in were patheticly weak and the bank would match us only with shares of Bank One stock.

After reading RDP and going into self employment, I rolled my 401 (k) into a self directed IRA with a brokerage firm. I now choose my investments between stocks, mutual funds and bonds or even Tax Liens, Discounted Mortgages and Real Estate. I'm in control, not my employer.

The only real benefit of a 401 (k) is the borrowing provision which unfortunately too many so called fiancial experts discourage.

And after the Enron issue, who wants to have that much money in company stock?

Kiyosaki is alerting people and none too soon. I am certain that all of the one star reviews are from brokers, financial planners and benefits directors from companies that hope that you blindly follow their advice even it means not having anything for retirement.

I cannot emphasize the importance of reading RDP and more importantly, following the advice.

To repeat, Rich Dad's Prophecy is definitely A MUST READ!

A Bold Contrarian View
It takes guts to write a prophecy, and it takes particular guts to write this prophecy. It is a refreshing, and probably correct, "contrary" opinion to the endless optimism that you get from Wall Street. For this reason alone, the book deserves five stars. (It is also better written than some of the earlier works, probably the result of practice.)

Early in the book Kiyosaki starts by pinpointing the central problem of retirement income--that ERISA, the so-called Employees' Retirement Income and Security Act, had actually undermined the security of workers' retirement incomes by replacing so-called defined benefit plans, underwritten at fixed levels by companies, with defined contribution plans, under which workers were individually responsible for investing their own contributions. Baby Boomers bought this snake oil because of their desire for individual, rather than collective, security. The results, and wreckage, can be seen at places like Enron. But the marketers of the new plans certainly knew what they were doing.

The underlying problem is that the Baby Boomers were the last American generation to be more numerous than their parents. Every succeeding generation has been of comparable, or even smaller, size because the Baby Boomers' fertility only approximated replacement rates. Thus, there is a flat, rather than broadening, pyramid as age groups get younger. This historic demographic shift called for far-sighted savings and investment plans designed years ahead of Baby Boomers' retirements. (Japan has a much higher savings rate than the US and is now staring this issue in the face.) Because Baby Boomers have put off retirement planning too long (as they have earlier in life with other issues), they are facing a massive financial crunch. The result, as Kiyosaki points out, will be a stock market crash that's almost a foregone conclusion: It's more a question of when rather than whether. The fact that this prophecy originated with "Rich Dad" doesn't make Kiyosaki less of a prophet. After all, God gave Moses the ten commandments.

My main quibble, and it's really a difference of opinion, is with the 2016 target date. In my new book, "A Modern Approach to Graham and Dodd Investing," I outline a target date closer to 2006 (along with some proposed solutions). That's when early Baby Boomers turn 60,and can start tapping their IRAs without penalty. (And they've never been ones to postpone gratification.) It's possible that my target date is too early, and that Kiyosaki's is too late, with the truth somewhere in between. But he and I agree on major concepts, while differing in detail.

A poorly written book based on a bad assumption...
Basically, RK uses this installement in the Rich Dad/Poor Dad series to claim that the stock market is due a big fall when, by federal law, Baby boomers start to withdraw equity from their tax deferred retirement vehicles at age 70.

This means that RK is predicting not only stock market performance over a decade in the future, he's also predicting tax law over a decade in the future.

The chances that the tax code governing 401k's will weather the years unscathed are miniscule. And it's a good thing too. RK's "ark" of choice - real estate - would also plummet in value during a massive depression where paying tenents would be scarce.

Going into a depression saddled with large real estate debt is a surefire way to be living under an overpass in a cardboard box for your retirment.

RK's got a point -- the market will be hurt when Baby Boomers liquidate their assets to live off of in retirement. But its doubtful that the government will force this selloff when the boomers get here. This shouldn't stop a wise investor from making long-term stock purchases or using more creative vehicles to make money.

I like that RK is so enthusiastic and assertive about getting your financial life in order and making a change in the way that you make money. Investments are great and people should build up some investments for their futures. But this book is founded on such shakey soil that it's difficult to stomach. Pick up some of his others (Rich Dad/Poor Dad or the Cashflow Quadrant) if you need a pick-me-up.

Promising more than delivering
The premise of this book is tantilizing: 1) The stock market will crash, and 2) here are some investment ideas to survive and prosper when the crash comes.

The author presumes that when retiring baby boomers begin to withdraw their 401(k) and mutual fund assets there will be more "sellers" of shares than "buyers" - thus the market will fall. This is a two-dimensional vision of the marketplace, yet plausible.

Regarding investment ideas for the reader: other than recommending the purchase of "income producing" real estate the second half of this book is hollow, and used by the author as little more than a platform for promoting his cash-flow board game and additional books he has written.

I don't feel that the day I spent reading this book was wasted, however, I'm not going to recommend it to any of my "thoughtful" friends. ... Read more

Book Description

HOW TO SETTLE YOUR DEBTS, by Norman H. Perlmutter, CPA, is the book that everyone needs to prevent economic meltdown. It’s the essential, up-to-date, comprehensive and gutsy survival guide to meet this ever growing serious problem of financial ruin that faces so many of us.

In a step-by-step format it guides individuals, families and businesses through a process that will end debt and reverse insolvency without filing bankruptcy. Even if you're on the brink of financial ruin, with this book you can regain financial health and get a fresh start without committing "financial suicide".

HOW TO SETTLE YOUR DEBTS provides legitimate workable solutions to repair financial chaos. It’s written in a conversational style and organized in an outline format that promotes understanding and ease of reading for the average person. You will learn in no uncertain terms how to climb out of the hole you are in and get your financial life under control without causing irreparable damage to your future in the process.

The author is a practicing CPA and Financial Advisor who formerly owned a Debt Collection Agency. He understands the tactics of the conniving moneylenders and their debt collector enforcers and all the other scam artists who are out there waiting to rip you off. He knows how to deal with these people and how to stop them from harassing you and from ruining your credit and your reputation. Furthermore and most important, with this book he will teach you how to take control of your financial life and get out of the mess you are in.

HOW TO SETTLE YOUR DEBTS is for all those individuals, families and businesses whose debts grow deeper by the day and whose lives are being adversely affected by them. Here’s a summary of how the book will help you deal with your problems with debt:

• It will teach you the basics – what you're up against, who the predators are, how to recognize and avoid their debt traps, the fundamentals of debt, the risks you take when you don't pay, and what they can and cannot do to collect from you.

• It will help you understand your problem – by following the steps outlined you will be able to expose, examine and evaluate your dilemma with debt, how it's affecting your life and the options you have to deal with it.

• You will learn to know your enemy – what makes creditors and bill collectors tick, what motivates them, what their weaknesses are, how you can exploit them and how they are vulnerable to attack.

• It will show you how to keep the wolves at bay – by creating doubt as to the validity and the collectability of your debts and by using "Dirty Tricks" and Counter Attack Techniques to frustrate and discourage creditors and bill collectors.

• It will teach you about your rights and how to take advantage of them – federal and state laws enacted to protect you from abuse and to punish bill collectors who violate them.

• You will learn how to negotiate a debt settlement plan – using basic negotiating skills and built in leverage to set up an advantageous arrangement with your creditors to workout and settle your debts.

• How to use the "Golden Rules of Debtsmenship" - to protect your assets and your privacy and to safeguard credit, and where necessary, how to repair credit and rebuild it.

• How to deal with lawyers – to negotiate debt settlements, contest lawsuits and protect your assets from judgment levies.

• How to settle secured debts and tax debts – by recognizing and seizing upon opportunities to settle or otherwise favorably resolve these debts that creditors have more power to collect.

• How to settle business debts – by understanding the differences that must be considered when negotiating workouts and settlements with business creditors.

• Where to get help if you need it - and how to watch out for all the scam artists who are out there waiting to take advantage of you.

• It’s a reference manual as well as a guide – with its outline format and comprehensive index the book can be used to easily and quickly obtain information on any of the many subjects covered relating to debt and debt relief.

HOW TO SETTLE YOUR DEBTS ~ Without Committing Financial Suicide ~ shows you how to end debt and reverse insolvency without resorting to the self-defeating and demeaning ordeal of filing bankruptcy. It provides you with all the knowledge, the techniques and insight required to successfully accomplish this. ... Read more

Book Description

Live It Up without Outliving Your Money!

"Paul Merriman's new book is a rich and meaty guide to achieving real retirement security. It's full of wise, easy-to-follow advice that will stand the test of time."
—Knight Kiplinger, Editor in Chief, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine and The Kiplinger Letter

"Read, Live It Up! Not only does Paul Merriman know the secret to making your money work as hard as you do, he loves helping people achieve their goals and dreams."
–Paul B. Farrell, author of The Millionaire Code, The Winning Portfolio and The Lazy Person's Guide to Investing

An educational and motivational guide to retiring without running out of money

No one understands this better than Paul Merriman. For four decades, Merriman has helped and watched people manage their money—both before and during retirement. Now, in Live It Up without Outliving Your Money!, Merriman distills what he has learned into a sound, time-tested approach to creating a portfolio that will fulfill your unique retirement needs.

Based on Merriman's popular retirement workshops, Live It Up without Outliving Your Money! offers ten straightforward steps to creating and maintaining the perfect retirement portfolio. From determining how much you will need to live on after retirement to recognizing and controlling the expenses of investing, the easy-to-understand strategies outlined within these pages can help you regain confidence in your retirement plan.

Stay current! visit www.wiley.com/go/paulmerriman ... Read more

Book Description

J.K. Lasser Pro™ Before You Plan, Consult J.K.Lasser

Innovative Planning That Benefits Professionals and Clients

What does it take to be a successful fee-only financial planner? According to John Sestina, acclaimed "father of fee-only financial planning," the only special qualifications are a genuine desire to help people, an ability to listen, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Fee-Only Financial Planning introduces financial planners to the newest, fastest-growing niche in the financial planning field–fee for service rather than commission-based planning. Fee-only planning is attractive to the growing number of clients who want to avoid the long-term payments, lack of objectivity, limited choices, or conflict of interest that can occur with a commission-based payment structure.

In his comprehensive how-to guide and easy-to-use reference, John Sestina provides in-depth coverage of the financial planning field. He covers such topics as:

• The advantages and disadvantages of fee-only planning for both client and planner
• Making the transition from commission-based to fee-based planning
• Building a profitable practice with varied client bases
• Tailoring to your own work style the system Sestina developed over 35 years of successful private practice
• Developing and maintaining productive client relationships

For professionals wondering whether fee-only financial planning is in their future, or for anyone in financial services who wants to stay current, Fee-Only Financial Planning is an eye-opening introduction to one of the financial world’s freshest, richest entrepreneurial careers. ... Read more

Book Description

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION OF Mulitple Streams of Income

"The whole idea of Multiple Streams of Income will be a powerful paradigm shift for most people. Bob Allen then gives practical and beautifully illustrated knowledge on how to do it. Mastering financial principles is an important habit in life because it gives us the freedom to focus on what matters most. A valuable read." –– Dr. Stephen R. Covey author of  The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

"If you’re ready to have the money just keep rolling in, read Multiple Streams of Income by Robert Allen. Bob knows how to share his lifetime of learning, compressed in an easy-to-read, easy-to-absorb, and easy-to-use format."
–– Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen authors of the Chicken Soup for the Soul^® series

"I have tremendous respect for Robert Allen’s ability to teach people how to make a lot of money. His book, Multiple Streams of Income, contains a wealth of information."  –– Robert T. Kiyosaki author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad and CEO of Cash Flow Technologies

"Multiple Streams of Income is a wise investment! Robert Allen once again delivers us the simple and sound advice that quenches our thirst for healthy economic prosperity." –– Ken Blanchard coauthor of  The One Minute Manager^®

"Multiple Streams of Income is an incredible book! You will learn more practical ideas to make money, keep the money you make, and become financially independent in this book than in any other single source. It is a financial success bible for the twenty-first century." –– Brian Tracy author of The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success

"One idea that Robert Allen gave me added an additional stream of over $100,000 in our income. Think what 18 chapters full of innovative, no-nonsense strategies can do for you! Read Multiple Streams of Income and reap the harvest." –– Dr. Denis Waitley author of The Psychology of Winning ... Read more

Reviews (151)

Inspired me to take action
This is without doubt Robert Allens most under rated book. I have read Multiple Streams of Income and The 1 Minute Millioniare along with Creating Wealth and Nothing Down. I am a huge fan of Robert Allen. He is a fantastic coach,writer and businessman.

In this easy to read book, Mr. Allen teaches you everything you need to know to get into cuberspace and successfully operate an internet business. Note the word "successfully." While there are many books purported to help you get online and build a internet business, how many actually work? I have always been disappointed,e xcept with this one.

Also recommend Multiple Streams of Income for even more income ideas. I also found an interesting website that corresponds with Mr. Allen's ideas. Check it out at http://www.myxango.com/platinumteam.

Good luck and thank you Mr. Allen. I am looking forward to your next foray!

Super Book
This is undoubtly Robert Allens best book to date. So much information, so many diverse ways to make money. The naysayers are probably college graduates who would prefer to sit behind a desk for 40 years and say; "Yes master" ENT!For the entrepeneurs and business leaders, this book is a must read. You can start with network marketing, create income and enjoy the same tax benefits that bg busineeses enjoy.You can use Bob Allens Real Estate strategies and still make money in the real estate market. People who say it's over, better read this book. You can also safely invest in the stock market with Index Funds and/or covered calls with the Cooper Method. Or you can enjoy 100% risk reduced returns in the options market.Bob Allen has written a excellent book, probably his best. Don't knock it, try it.I also recommend Wall Street Money Machine for even more covered calls and option strategies and Wealth 101.

Escaped the rat race, thank you Robert
While I admire the success of people like the reviewer who precedes mine, network marketing never really appealed to me. I tried it once back in the 70's, had a lousy sponsor who didn't teach me beans and the company I was in loaded me and other distributors with soaps, shampoo's and so on.

That said, what I like about Robert Allen's book is that he recommends network marketing as a choice but also recommends other ways to create residual income, that are low risk and low cost.

I highly recommend this book by Mr. Allen. It's great.

Multiple ways of creating income and wealth
Robert Allen has written an excellent book here. For people opposed to network marketing (I'm very bullish on network marketing), that's o kay, Allen offer many other strategies to create wealth. In fact, to create Multiple Streams of Income.

For me, the best and safest way to create multiple streams of income is via network marketing. With network marketing, you can use the same power of leverage that Allen uses and suggests in his real estate books. It is the same principle that Donald Trump used to become a billionaire. In fact, speaking of Donald Trump, several years ago The Donald was on a tv talk show and when asked if he had to start over again, what would he do differently. Trump said he would find a good network marketing company and go to work!

Personally, I feel that everyone should set up a network marketing business. It's low cost, can be started part, part time and you can create a high income rapidly if you are with the right company and put forth the right effort.

Enough of network marketing. It's a winning stategy and I am glad that Robert Allen understands it and is recommending it.

Allen also discusses real estate. He explains how to buy real estate with no money down and using the power of leverage. He also discusses tax liens and discounted mortgages. Both powerful ways to create passive income and again, Allen shows you ways to invest in these power packed strategies with no money down.

Allen also discusses how to be an intropreneur (not my choice) and how to use the internet.

All in all, Multiple Streams of Income is a powerful book that can add many streams of income to your income portfolio. Much better strategy than relying on just 1 income streams---a job.

AND the good news is that anybody can start any of these strategies right now while you are working at your job. They can all be started part, part time with little or no investment and create cash flow immediately.

Great book Mr. Allen. I recommend it.

Phew! I avoided this one...
I thumbed through this one at the Sam's warehouse store. Thank goodness! It is large type and full of ads and worthless advice. I don't know the guy who wrote this book. I see from some of the other reviews here that he must have a habit of writing this type of book. I am glad that I wasn't taken in by the title. The book reads like the ads you used to see on matchbook covers "EARN EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR stuffing envelopes from home!"

Maybe the real "Income Stream" is to write a book like this and then have people write "positive" reviews to keep the rating high. Do you think that would work?

What has me wondering is that people are posting positive comments that aren't actually useful reviews. Why would someone waste a paragraph in a review talking about his vacation instead of the book?

There is something fishy about these positive, so-called "reviews." There is also something fishy about the book. It stinks.

But hey... Why should I complain? I SAVED REAL MONEY... by not buying this book. ... Read more

Book Description

The Grangaard Strategy equips retirees-and those contemplating retirement-with 12 powerful principles for managing assets during every phase of retirement, including the crucial pre-retirement years.

Based on a groundbreaking new asset management theory presented by renowned financial educator Paul Grangaard, this book explains how to maintain inflation-proof income throughout retirement, without significantly depleting retirement assets. Readers will learn to:

€ Replace paychecks with retirement Income Ladders
€ Calculate how much they can afford to put into higher-return stock market investments
€ Avoid the worst advice in the financial markets
€ Understand compounding, investment returns, and holding periods
€ Take advantage of tax-deferral and protect retirement income against inflation
€ Prepare a flexible plan for dealing with the unexpected
€ Confidently choose the best financial advisor ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Income For Life
Let's face it. People who take time to read books about investing are looking for an edge! Something different that gives them a better chance at success. The Grandgaard Strategy provides that edge. While most investment books all key in on the same objective, accumulating money, this book teaches you how to spend it, and how to spend it without running out! If income during retirement is your objective, you have to read this book! In the 21 years I have worked with Florida retirees, I have never read a book which better answers the question, "How can I best structure my investment portfolio during retirement for income & growth?" If you're getting ready to retire, or if you're already there, you have to buy this book!

Nothing New Here!
What do you people see in this book?!

The book is filled with the standard rules about investing for retirement: invest for the long haul, use compound growth, sell assets when they are high--duh! And all of this is the "Grangaard Strategy?" (OK, so the only slightly valuable advice is: plan to live longer than average.) The book is lacking in any real substance and comes across as a pitch to get you to seek further help from a Grangaard financial planner.

Informercial in book form and not much else
Buy this book to see how someone can effectively mount a very good marketing program. But don't expect to find anything other than platitudes when it comes to financial planning. The material is quite elementary.

I'm guessing somewhat here but I'll bet that Mr. Grangaard's approach to building his business includes:
- Go onto TV and sell his book.
- Load the book review input with 5 stars.
- Get the book buyers to sign up for Grangaard trained financial planners.
- Sell the poor saps that to go these planners Grangaard sponsored products.

Don't waste you money or your time on this.

Forget it !
This book not only is worthless but actually it is risky ,to say the least;if you follow the recommendations of the author.
It reminds me of that famous book in the 80's "No Money Down",that made people (naive people) believe that not only could you buy real state with no money down and no credit ,but that actually you could walk away with money in your pocket!!!
Anyhow,I read at least 1 or 2 books a month on investment as well as on retirement;this book only enphasizes that you have to get a financial planner to "survive" ;obviously, the guy is a CPA himself,other than that,it is plain rubbish.There are tons of better and more informative books out there.

Invest for success with confidence...
This book lays the groundwork for a bridge to financial freedom upon retirement. The twelve principles outlined in this text have worked for me and should work for all. Too many financial planners do not speak to their customers... this book clearly and concisely outlines a road map that will allow me to live comfortably through retirement. I'm recommending this book to my financial planner. ... Read more

Book Description

USA Today has called Suze Orman "a force in the world of personal finance." For years, Suze has anticipated what you need to know and want to know about your money. Her books, radio and television shows, columns, and newsletter about personal finance have helped millions of people like you turn their financial lives around. The author of three consecutive runaway New York Times bestsellers, Suze is renowned for her unique brand of financial savvy, tell-it-like-it-is honesty, and dynamic motivational style, which propels her readers and audiences to change the course of their financial destiny. In this groundbreaking book, she continues to transform your relationship with money.

Never before has there been a money book and life guide like The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life. In a natural evolution of Suze's authoritative view of the world of money, and characterized by her straight talk, warmth, and humor, The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life reveals a revolutionary new paradigm of personal finance. The 5 Laws of Money are vital principles that you need to know whether you are old or young, male or female, with or without money, a novice or a veteran investor. These five laws operate without exception -- at all times, in every culture -- and apply to everyone, as Suze shows in the compassionate stories adapted from real-life situations that she recounts throughout the book. And the universal truths and lessons contained within each law help you learn how to keep what you have and create what you deserve. Anyone can -- and must -- put these laws to use today in order to survive and thrive in these times of constant upheaval and financial turmoil.

The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life provides an eminently sensible, highly effective process for gaining control over your life and your money. Through pointed questions about your attitudes toward money, with insightful financial exercises and personal guidance, Suze deciphers the false hopes and fears that keep you from making smart, confident decisions and choices about your money. Her take-charge optimism and realistic action plans will jolt you out of any financial confusion or paralysis, whether you're beginning your career or at a midpoint, planning for or already in retirement. You will learn to assess your current spending, savings, and investments, and acquire a sure sense of what you can do with the money you have and the money you want to have. A thorough guidebook is included that helps you put the laws into immediate action and see their lessons manifest in your own life.

Profound and practical, The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life will help you get out of debt, create what you want, and protect your money, your family, and your future. With these laws as your guide, you can avoid ever being a financial victim again. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

I'm good enough, smart enough, and doggonit people like me!
This book is great for people who are inexperienced in handling finances. Suze lays forth ideology that should be followed if you are interested in having a good retirement and being able to provide for your family in the future. Many of the ideas presented in this book she states over and over again on her CNBC program The Suze Orman Show.

Some of the thinking put forth is plain common sense - such as realizing the damage that could result from building a high credit card debt. Some parts cause you to think about the financial implications beyond the obvious - such as the additional costs of owning a home.

Suze's books are geared towards individuals unfamiliar with the world of finance; people who shy away from words like "investing" and "interest rates". If you are starting off your life and intend to plan a financially prosperous future, definitely read this book. It could save much hardship in the future by giving you something to follow when making a major purchase such as a home, car, or college. It will help you plan your retirement. I would not recommend this book if you are financially competent and want to take your investments to the next level, such as diving into the stock market.

The additional pages in the back for writing notes and completing "exercises" did not intrigue me. But overall, the book was well written and Suze was able to bring her own personal parables into the book, making it an interesting read.

Extremely Helpful and Readable
Suze's book is full of hard hitting honesty, not only in her personal tidbits, but in providing the advice you need to follow in order to your financial life in order. Her laws are simple, but deeply thought out and when you read the book and really realize what the laws mean, you can easily relate them and apply them to your life. I understand that Suze may appear to be a marketing machine, but as someone who has met her, I can attest that she is genuine and truly cares about helping people gain control of their finances and get out of debt. After all, the cover price of this book is much cheaper in the long run than paying for advice from a random financial advisor. Suze has proven herself, time and time again, to be a savvy, smart, helpful resource for people who are willing to take the time to read her books and apply the lessons within to their own lives. This book is by far her best one yet and I believe it will quickly become a classic resource for anyone needing a solid finance guide.

"Truth creates money. Lies destroy it."
This book challenges the reader to seek honesty and reality in their investing; the book challenges the reader to find out where they are (realistically), what they want to achieve, and then make an honest and realistic financial plan to accomplish the changes. This is really the essence of the present book.

You need to construct an honest and realistic plan with good investment vehicles. So this book has a lot of the normal sound advise that people give but it has a series of questions and work sheets to you to construct a plan and to do some self examination - the closest thing to having the author actually there as a personal consultant.

I think this is one of her better books and cuts right to the core of the whole savings and planning approach.

Jack in Toronto

Packed With Knowledge!
Amid the slew of personal finance books on the market, Suze Orman's unique approach stands out. Although she has more than 20 years of financial experience and expertise, her books don't merely dispense advice from on high. Her monetary rules may be universal and timeless, but she describes them with the sympathetic voice of a best friend. Written in the aftermath of the collapse of the Internet bubble, her latest advice book aims to comfort shell-shocked investors who are facing huge losses. Orman's primary tactic is to remind readers that money is a means to an end, not an end in itself, and that decisions about money take place in a larger personal and spiritual context. To that end, a helpful workbook is included. We recommend this book to anyone who is wary of making financial decisions in today's unsettling market environment, as well as to those looking to sort out their financial priorities.

This is not going to be a popular review
Let me start off by saying that I respect Suze Orman and she has actually been of great help to me in understanding money. (See my "So you'd like to ... Save with Suze?" guide to the left of the page.) The main theme that runs through all of her works is that you define your money; your money does not define you. And I particularly appreciated THE LAWS OF MONEY, THE LESSONS OF LIFE for opening my eyes to the fact that financial power does not equal personal power. To the contrary, many wealthy people do not feel they have personal power. They feel trapped by their wealth (aw, what a burden that would be!) and are afraid to make their own decisions. So, Suze has been of great help to me in many regards, and I actually think of her every time I spend a dime of my own money.

On the other hand, I think that Suze Orman occasionally indulges in an incredibly simplistic view of money. Let's start with the first Law of Money she presents: "Truth creates money. Lies destroy it." Uh ... erm ... well ... this isn't exactly true if you look at the world from a historical perspective. Many wars have been founded on lies, with the result being great wealth to the lying victor and poverty to the conquered. There are too many examples in history for me to even choose just one. In other words, Suze loses me when she starts to try to fuse spirituality and economics. The underlying assumption of her work in this regard seems to suggest that if you are spiritually enlightened then you will always be financially sound; if you are plagued by financial problems then you are not as spiritually awakened as you could be. Take this logic a little further, and the assumption will be made that the rich are more spiritually aware than the poor. I don't think there's anything inherently unspiritual about being wealthy, nor do I believe that poor people are closer to God. I believe that economics plays no role in one's spiritual life. Suze presents a different view, often suggesting that we turn to God for financial advice.

Further, as an avid reader of the works of Noam Chomsky, I know that there is no such thing as free market capitalism. In UNDERSTANDING POWER, Noam Chomsky explains that on an economic level our system - and the system of just about all successful nations - is somewhere near fascism. He doesn't mean that all successful countries have gas chambers and concentration camps, but massive state intervention into the economy, and an economy kept stable by taxes. Chomsky elaborates to explain that what made the United States wealthy was the extermination of the indigenous population and the importation and use of Africans as slaves - which has nothing to do with free market capitalism. Chomsky says that textiles were the oil of that era. And in today's age, where oil is the main resource, oil prices are kept at an affordable level only by extreme international violence perpetrated by the United States government - which, again, has nothing to do with free market capitalism. Another interesting tidbit is that early in the 20th Century there was a movement throughout the United States to destroy public transportation and build highways, thus ensuring a huge market for oil in the US. Of course, the US consumes more oil than any other nation on earth. I realize now that Suze Orman's work is all based on the assumption that free market capitalism is very real, and that one need merely to open their eyes to the opportunities that are available. This is an incredibly naïve perspective. But it's inevitable that she would have this perspective because if she were to question or help the average person understand that our economic system is rigged, then she'd be out of a job. She'd never find a publisher, and no major network would allow her airtime.

So, to sum this up: Suze is of great help inasmuch as her advice to not gauge your self-worth on how much money you have, to not equate personal fortune with personal power. And she certainly knows her way around the economy as it is set up. But her approach is shallow and naïve when she attempts to teach about the nature of economics and to fuse spirituality and money.

And now you may commence with the neggies. ;)

Andrew Michael Parodi ... Read more

Book Description

The financial-service industry wants you to believe that in order to avoid financial destitution, you need to put aside huge amounts of money that you -- let's say it together -- "should have begun saving years ago."

Not true, states Warner, the author of Get a Life. Although a sensible savings plan makes good horse sense, many other actions and decisions will determine whether you enjoy your retirement years.

Get a Life shows you how to beat the anxiety surrounding retirement, and to develop a plan to make your golden years the best of your life by:

* developing family relationships
* maintaining and creating friendships
* improving health
* keeping active
* developing a robust curiosity for the world
* realistically calculating how much money you need and how to secure it

Interviews with successful (and successfully) retired people illustrate how to put Warner's advice into action. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

One of the best all round books on planning for retirement
As a former Certified Financial Planner, I recommended this book to many of my clients who are seriously planning their retirements. Warner has done a great job putting things in the proper perspective with a book that is an "easy read". While adequate money is important to a satisfactory retirement (and helping clients build a satisfactory net worth was how I made my living), I do find, as has Warner, that there are more important things such as health, friends, and a purpose (i.e., reasons to get up in the morning) when it comes to planning out one's retirement. I frequently ask clients what they plan to do when they retire. When they say "go fishing" or "play golf", I then ask them what they plan to do the second week/month/year. And I keep asking the question until they realize that its a serious one. Warner takes it further with discussion and clear examples. In short, a must read for anyone approaching retirement.

Another valuable book from Nolo Press
Get a Life Stresses the importance of planning ahead.

It notes that older people who have happy marriages, plenty of friends and warm relationships with other members of their famlies live longer than older people who don't. So it tells how to improve family ties, make new friends to replace the ones who die and work at having a happy marriage.

It has a useful chapter about health and fitness which you should supplement with three other books: Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill, by Udo Erasmus; The Healing Nutrients Within, by Eric Braverman and any book by Barry Sears about his Zone Diet.

It tells how to avoid nursing homes or pay for them if you can't avoid them. It has tips about buying used cars and pre-paying mortgages.

Chapter 8 surveys where your retirement money will come from. It tells how to save enough for retirement, even if you think it's impossible. And it presents what it calls the savvy peasant's investment guide. Here it covers bank savings accounts, bank certificates of deposit, money market accounts, U.S. Treasury bills, U.S. Government bonds and notes, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, stock, stock mutual funds, variable annuities, immediate or fixed annuities, real estate and precious metals and exotic investments.

One of the best
I read someones comments, that there is "too much deperveration" in this book. I think they need to re-read it. The whole point is NOT to have too little, but to have what's right. This book confirms my long held belief that you can save "too much" and miss what's good for the now. On the other hand, chances are you will live a good while, so you cannot neglict that either. This book shows how to do both. The mindset of many people is just plain wrong, and this book, even if you don't agree with it, shows another way of thinking. Based on the retired people I know, it rings VERY true. Health, Friends, Family are first, the money part can be managed. You should read this book. It's very good.

Change your thinking about retirement!
As someone who will probably retire within the next dozen years, I was beginning to wonder whether the doom-sayers were right: I don't have a million bucks in savings or a fat stock portfolio, so was I being foolhardy in assuming that I'd have enough to live on comfortably in my old age? This book was tremendously reassuring. Some of the author's main points are: (1) The difference between a happy, fulfilling retirement and "waiting for the undertaker" is not money but quality of life -- family, friends, good health, and meaningful activities that give you a reason to get up in the morning. (2) It's possible to estimate fairly accurately how much money you'll need to live on after you retire, and in most cases it's nowhere near the "70% of your present income" that the doom-sayers insist that you need to maintain your present lifestyle. (3) The loudest doom-sayers are the ones who are trying to sell you retirement plans! The author tells readers how to access a free set of "retirement calculators" on the Nolo Press web site to assist them in financial planning, and that alone is worth the price of the book. But what really "made" the book for me was his many interviews with happily retired people from all sorts of backgrounds and economic levels -- just reading about them was a real upper. There are plenty of books on how to provide for your retirement financially, but this is the only one I know of that adequately addresses the REST of your life. Read it!!

Too much deprivation
If you never spend money you won't have to worry about running out of money before you die. But who really wants to live that way? Isn't there some happy medium between this book's do-without message and the other books trying to tell us how to save and invest? ... Read more

Book Description

• Ensure that your inheritance instructions will he carried out -- the way you want them to be

• Protect your child's inheritance from creditors, ex-spouses, addictions, tax troubles, mismanagement, squandering, and other risks of loss

• Prevent family conflict that can arise when parents die and children divide the "family money"

• Leave more money to your children and grandchildren, and less to the IRS -- and understand the hidden cost of a "death tax" repeal