Book Description

Don’t Let Money Stall Your Creative Career!

Ask an artist, a musician, an actor, or a graphic designer, and each and every one will tell you the same thing: To have the money to create, you have to be creative with your money. If you’re lucky enough to have found the perfect career for you, one that lets you showcase your talents and keeps your creative juices flowing, congratulations! However, Lee Silber knows the dirty reality most of you are all too familiar with: Even when your creative juices are really flowing, that doesn’t necessarily mean that money is pouring in at the same pace. In Money Management for the Creative Person, Lee Silber offers a myriad of valuable advice for doing just that, including:

• How to know which of your creative talents are the most marketable and can earn you the most money
• How to take the “free” out of freelance and charge what you’re worth
• Why you should avoid the pitfalls of accumulating too much debt in
a lean time—and should always remember the importance of saving in a boom time
• Remembering that you can succeed in your endeavors without selling your creative soul
• How to find the funds to finance your dreams

Full of eye-opening facts, instructive anecdotes, and real-life examples from Silber’s own experience, Money Management for the Creative Person is your guide to getting a financial life—so you can maintain your creative one. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

This is the "Must Have" Book of the 21st. Century!
Little did I know that AFTER I thought I'd never see the "light of day" concerning my finances, that this book would come into my life. It's informative, funny, well written, and just a great book for everyone. I've given it out to a couple of friends and then I thought, "Hey, GO BUY YOUR OWN!" Lee Silber is an author that makes it easy for someone, like me, that doesn't read a great deal, to flash those pages quicker than the remote on my TV. Thanks Lee! I can now go to sleep feeling like I can use your guides and NOT have to worry about what the Hell is going to take place tomorrow!

Absolute must for any artist
I just finished this book and it's amazing! With most books I just read it then put it away forever. With Money Management for the Creative Person I am already putting Mr. Silber's valuable advice to work. What is so great about this book is that you not only get a ton of financial advice, but inspiration to keep creating in the face of adversity. The book it packed with real life stories from himself, celebrities and real-life people. It's very motivating. I highly recommend this book even if you feel like your finances are in order and you don't need help.

Great For Every Creative Type
Lee Silber is a flat-out genius when it comes to teaching the business side of life to artists (right-brainers) who may have a block about such key issues as money management, promotion, and career choices. For everyone who has a starving artist in your family, do them and yourself a favor and get them a copy of this book. These books are well-written, funny, entertaining, and are taught by a man who has learned how to combine practicality with great creativity. This is a must read.

Perfect for the Artistically Inclined
This book was an excellent read, helpful, and gets you brainstorming. It gives advice that motivates one to look for opportunities and to use one's strengths, which is to find creative ways to make more money and save more money.

It is definitely a great book to get you started and thinking about how to be smart about money and an artist. Lee Silber adds comedy and fun facts to the information making one's efforts to handle finances a little more approachable. This book opens your eyes and gets you thinking, the rest just takes action and more learning about investing, budgeting, cutting back on costs, and creating more opportunities to increase income.

You can manage your money and your art...
...and reading Mr. Silbers book has convinced me of this. Mr. Silber shows you how to set goals for money management and artistic endeavors without putting your life on hold. You can pay your bills and still pursue your art. This book shows you the way and explains how it is all about choices. The choices we make. The author's writing style makes the book fun to read and his easy to understand philosophy makes it believable. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Although he has no kids, Paul Terhorst's advice "hits home".
I first read this book about six or seven years ago (1991-1992), and to say it "hit home" with me would be an understatement. It is practically my BIBLE for mapping out my retirement plan! I especially enjoyed Paul's four areas to focus on in your life to accelerate you to where you want to be. He does exceedingly well at helping the reader visualize not only where he was and where he is now --- enjoying life more fully --- but ALSO helps you create your own vision given your own circumstances. Furthermore, some hard numbers are provided to see how he was able to turn what some might deem a fantasy into reality. One final comment: although the 8% rates he uses for bank CD's no longer exist, he *does* specify contingency plans, daily support amount necessary per child, and geographical/travel considerations. (Note: I have found the "Morningstar Search" on AOL, searching for low risk/high return funds, to be an excellent "alternative" to Paul's CDs.)

All in all, it is a book I do not want to be without while planning (and heading) for early retirement!

Upbeat, positive, and funny; You'll quit your job tomorrow.
This book woke me up to the possibility of early retirement, and made me realize, at a time when my net worth was negative, that it could be possible in a relatively short time (about 8 years for me). It was very interesting to learn of the cheap cost-of-living in many of the Latin-American countries. Paul Terhorst's view of retirement is one of fun and adventure, while you're still young enough to really enjoy it. This book is a great motivator. But if you don't see any way in the world it could happen for you, I'd suggest also reading "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. They show you how living on very little is actually liberating as opposed to an exercise in deprivation. Both books are real eye-openers. If you've ever dreamed of getting out of the rat race, you'll hang on every page.

Fifteen Years Later, He's Still Retired
This book, along with Your Money or Your Life, changed our lives. By following the advice outlined in these two books, we were able to quit our jobs in our forties and pursue other interests. We have been free of the daily grind for over four years now, thanks in part to Paul Terhorst, Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez (authors of YMOYL).

In a conversational style, Terhorst explains how he realized his job was sapping the life out of him, and how he used his skills as an accountant to devise a plan that would enable him to retire at 39 years of age. Unfortunately, the specific financial advice he gives (invest in high-yield certificates of deposit) is no longer possible. But number-crunching is not the most important message that Terhorst has.

Cashing in on the American Dream advocates a no-nonsense approach to determining just what you want in life. Do you want to be free of working for others? Then it might mean giving up your car and dinners out. But it doesn't have to mean giving up what you really love (or need). Terhorst and his wife, Vicki, have been retired almost twenty years now and have spent much of it traveling the world. They have health insurance abroad, because it's cheaper than U.S. insurance, and better.

The Terhorsts have their own website and I like to check in on them once or twice a year. The fact that they have made their plan work all these years is more important than any advice they have. Cashing in on The American Dream is an inspiring book. If they could do it, why can't you?

A Classic on Early Retirement
Tired of life on the corporate treadmill, Paul Terhorst retired from his Accounting career at age 35.

The main premise of this book is that by tapping into equity you may already have (like your house), and keeping your expenses at a reasonable level, you may find that you are closer to retirement than you think.

A key component of Mr. Terhorst's philosophy is appropriately entitled "Don't work for your Assets". When you consider the amount of money that many of us spend on property taxes, car payments, car insurance, expensive toys, swimming pools, etc., who are we really working for? Are we working for ourselves or simply supporting our assets? His solution to this situation is to calculate how much those assets would be worth if they were converted to cash. When he went through the exercise for himself, he realized he had enough money to retire at age 35.

Many years after retiring and writing this book, Mr. Terhorst and his wife are still retired, doing what they want each day, instead of slaving away from 9 to 5 for someone else, which is a testament to the effectiveness of his early retirement philosophy.

An excellent book. Highly recommended.

John L. White, author "I'm in Debt, Over 40, With No Retirement Savings, HELP!"

This book is The Best, A dream realized
I know this book is out of print but if you get an opportunity to buy or read this book I would recommend it. And maybe, just maybe the author will update the book for this new century. I certainly hope so. "Cashing in on the American Dream" the title says it all, financial independence and early retirement.
It may not be for everybody, but it appeals to many.

This book is a little dated when it refers to 8% CDs, but the concept is one which is timeless. The author, Paul Terhorst was featured in "Money" magazine several times and has a web site http://www..../. The author retired from his CPA job at KPMG to live the life of world travel and financial freedom. When he retired in 1984 he was making in excess of $125,000 a year. The concept works best where you have a high priced personal residence in a hot real estate market. The premise is that you sell your high priced house and your status car. Then you take the proceeds and invest it in a SAFE, CONSERVATIVE investment living off the interest and never touch the principle. You move to a lower priced area, either in the US or outside. A friend of mine spends much of his time in Costa Rica and tells me that one can still live there for $10,000 to $20,000 a year. I have been to Lake Chapala in Mexico where many Americans live a comfortable low cost life in a moderate temperate climate. A major consideration is health insurance and health care. Some people will be able to get continued coverage from their former employers or the employer of their spouse. For many people this does not work.

One of the basic concepts of the book is that you have money to begin with. If you have no money this process just won't work. But the author does have a chapter entitled "It takes less money than you think". People living in coastal/metropolitan US cities are used to high priced houses costing $500,000 and up. And this is not just Bill Gates type mansions. Regular middle class houses can cost that much in parts of the US. But at the exact same time there are places where houses are extraordinary inexpensive. In rural areas outside the commuting area of the big cities there are houses that sell for $25,000.

Just think about how much less you could live on if you didn't have a huge mortgage payment and a huge car payment. Terhorst talks about either not having a car or having a "station" car. That would be the kind of car that you could leave parked at the train station and have no worries about dents. Scratches, and scraps. There are plenty of older, some with low mileage cars around for low prices. Something like a Chevy Station wagon from 15 years ago or a Chrysler Cordoba. The purpose of the these cars is not to imress but just your basic cheap transportation. And if the repair bill gets too high you sell the car and buy another cheap car to replace it.

According to the author he has moved out of CDs when the interest rates fell and has a more traditional portfolio of low costs index funds. While living in Argentina him and his wife had an HMO, but currently are self insured and avail themselves of cheaper medical care outside of the US. And while there are places where $50 a day doesn't cut anymore like Paris, the author is still able to live with that self imposed budget in many places.

The author writes about a life of traveling to different places around the world but always living on $50 a day. That figure may need to be adjusted for inflation. This book provides one blueprint for independence that though dated should be thought provoking in the reader and your dreams and creative juices flowing. By looking at the author's website you can get a current update on their travels. In January 2003 they were in Bangkok, photos on website. This is a favorite book fo mine along with "Your Money or Your Like" by Joe Dominquez and Vicki Robin. ... Read more

Book Description

College savings plans, 529 Plans, Qualified state tuition programs, QSTPs, Prepaid tuition contracts, Educational savings accounts.They go by many names, but they all represent the same thing: a REVOLUTION in the way families with children are investing for the future.

What other type of program allows you to invest over $100,000 in a professionally-managed tax-deferred account for each child without regard to age or income level?Where else does your state offer significant benefits for investing, including tax deductions, income exemption, and even scholarship money.What other mechanism allows wealthier parents or grandparents to immediately reduce their taxable estates by hundreds of thousands of dollars without gift tax, and without giving up control of the assets?

The answer is that no other IRS-approved program provides the combination of benefits that a Section 529 state-sponsored college savings plan does.Investing for future college expenses will never be the same again.And forget what you may have heard about these plans.You are not limited to the plan in your own state, and you do not have to send your child to an in-state college.You can even set up an account for yourself!

In THE BEST WAY TO SAVE FOR COLLEGE: A Comprehensive Guide to State-Sponsored College Savings Plans and Prepaid Tuition Contracts, Joseph F. Hurley CPA describes how 529 Plans work: the tax rules, planning strategies, impact on college financial aid.He compares them to other alternatives such as the Education IRA, savings bonds, and mutual funds.And he describes the best and worst features of each state's plan, along with an exclusive "5-Cap Rating".The various state plans are not created equal.Learn which ones to use and which ones to stay away from.

You've heard about them.Now it's time to learn about them.Whether you are a professional planner, a college financial aid officer, or a careful investor, you need to have all the facts.[Note:This book appears to be the FIRST comprehensive book describing 529 Plans, and 529 Plans are bound to become extremely popular, as evidenced by articles over the past six months in SmartMoney, TIME, Newsweek, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Wall Street Journal, and others.] ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Very Useful Book
No doubt, a very useful guide to methods of financing a college education. Also check out "WEST POINT", by Norman Thomas Remick, which clues you in about West Point, the college at which everyone is there on full scholarship paid by the government.

The best book ever written about saving for college!
This book unlocks the secrets of saving for college like the 401k plan did for saving for retirement. A real must for all families to understand. Makes a great present.

A fantastic summary of 529 plans
This book should be read by anyone planning to send a child to college.After reading this book, I started college savings accounts for my daughterin New York and New Hampshire. This is definitely the "sleeper" tax break which everyone should know about. Forget the pitiful Education IRA. The 529 plans are where it's at!!

Terrific guide to a new way to save for college.
Highly recommended. This is the first comprehensive analysis that I've seen of an extremely important and relatively new way to save on a tax-deferred basis for your children's or grandchildren's college expenses. It's well-written, comprehensive, and objective, and it gave me enough data to make an informed decision. Before I opened the book, I had researched New York's plan through another source; I was delighted to see the discussion in this book present all of the plan's features (pro and con) that I had discovered--and more.

I haven't met the author (Joseph Hurley). But when I e-mailed a question to him at the address published in the book, I received a thorough and helpful answer later the same day. That's great service from the author of an exceptionally valuable guide. ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for SAFELY PROSPEROUS or REALLY RICH?

"Howard’s brilliant concept that the roads to Prosperity and Riches are very different is very liberating. In most financial books, the author would never do what Howard has done–recount with unflinching honesty the big financial mistakes he and his subscribers have made over the years so readers can avoid the same stumbling blocks and pitfalls. Only a very secure man would have the guts to do that."
–Robert Allen
author of Multiple Streams of Income and Nothing Down

"Howard Ruff is back, offering a wealth of powerful new financial advice for America’s middle class. In his new manual, Safely Prosperous or Really Rich?, he challenges you to choose between two roads. The older I get, the more I favor ‘Safely Prosperous,’ but you make the call. I also love Howard’s old-fashioned moral perspectives on money."
–Mark Skousen
editor of Forecasts and Strategies

"Safely Prosperous or Really Rich? is destined to be one of the most influential books of the early twenty-first century, just as his mega bestseller, How to Prosper During the Coming Bad Years, changed millions of lives in the late ‘70s. Welcome back, Howard."
–John Mauldin
author of Bull’s Eye Investing ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good on cover, but useless inside
I was intrigued by the tile of this book and still like the concept of the two different paths to wealth; however, the book offers nothing useful that it already in a million other personal finance books.

The author does go through a three page bulletted list of his personal accomplishments (including taking down the Soviet Union). He honestly put in his book that he was responsible for taking down the Soviet Union, and here I thought it was internal economic problems combined with pressure from Reagan.

His ultra-conservative views are also quite offensive to most people. His advice: get married regardless of your situation, and for females, be sure to be home when your kids grow up.

About the only thing I learned from this book is that Mormons keep a 6 month supply of food on hand at all times.

This book is horrible, don't buy it.

Some good insights but the author tries to impose his views
The book contains some useful, common sense advise about managing one's finincial affairs and saving. I like that the author suggests two options for achieving financial independence, one for risk averse people and another for risk seeking ones.

However, the author tries to impose his views about personal life to the reader. For example, he urges readers who are not married to do so as soon as possible regardless of the readers' personal preferences. This becomes quite annoying.

I also noted that the author takes a very negative view of social securing. Most working Americans have to rely heavily on social security and medicaid to get by during retirement. Being so negative does not help the reader. ... Read more

Book Description

Attain the wealth and prosperity you’ve dreamed of with easy-to-apply feng shui principles!Easy to understand and fun to read, Feng Shui and Money helps readers connect to the spiritual and psychological dimensions of their financial lives through the ancient practice of feng shui.Starting out with the captivating history of this ancient Chinese philosophy, this entertaining guide covers the basic principles of feng shui thought throughout the ages and its wide popularity today. Next, it offers innovative suggestions for favorable interior arrangements at home and in the office, time-proven rituals to create prosperity, dozens of chi enhancement exercises, and valuable advice for tending one’s spiritual landscape. Finally, readers will find a nine-week action plan that shows how to translate these feng shui principles into an individual, achievable program of financial and spiritual renewal. Written by an experienced psychotherapist and feng shui consultant, this pragmatic yet sensitive book offers a refreshing, lively blend of Asian spirituality and Western psychological insight. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

You'll Need Patience and Persistence To Finish This Program
This author's approach to Feng Shui for prosperity cannot be described as "easy", but it is certainly thorough.

Each chapter covers different areas of your living space, and how you can transform them (for wealth) through the principals of feng shui.

In addition, each chapter includes different activities and meditations which are used along with the physical principals.

Finally, there is a summary at the end of each chapter, done checklist-style, to assist the reader in completing all the chapter's actions.

Though the book is well-written, the problem I had with it was this: the author's use of lots of (authentic) feng shui terms and language. This does NOT make for easy reading for anyone who is a beginner to the uses of Feng Shui.

Now, if you don't mind reading chapter after chapter filled with phrases like "Make one step every day toward the fulfillment of your Chen goal from your Dream Bagua", then you'll probably enjoy the book and get a lot out of it.

As for me, the struggle to keep on wading through the new-to-me language of Feng Shui convinced me that finishing the book would be worthwhile, but starting the program would not be.

I think a more mainstream use of language would have turned this book into a five-star read.

However, for the reasons given above, I can only rate the book three stars. I don't believe the average reader will even finish reading the book unless their interest in Feng Shui is VERY strong.

Reviewer: Linda Painchaud

WHAT A GIFT!
This book has been a tremendous gift in my life as I have come to a greater self-awareness regarding my relationship with money, my environment and myself.

The practical exercises have been very helpful to me, and I love to tell the story of one particular experience in which I reflected on being more welcoming towards money. I placed a vase of flowers at the entrance of my home, and the next day I received an unexpected phone call with a $2,000 scholarship offer! Remarkable and true.

With its insight and humor, I have found it to be an excellent and well-appreciated gift. I highly recommend it!

Ancient Principles guide modern today
This is a wonderful look at how ancient principles can help us today. If you liked this book, you will really like The Intersection of Joy and MOney by Mackey McNeill. Mackey understands the ancient teachings of feng shui and the enneagram and I found her book to be great.

My first Feng Shui book
I'm really glad that I chose this book to be my introduction to Feng Shui. I really like Eric's sense of humor and easy reading style. It is not too overwhelming for me so I can make adjustments in small and joyful ways. I especially like the cute drawings! I'm looking forward to increasing my prosperity and enjoying my living space more in the coming year.

Wealth is not a dream!
This book is the ultimate perfect way to get started with learning and applying feng shui principles and generating new possibilities for wealth and financial success. The author makes the content extremely fun and accessible for first-time feng shui-ers, and even for feng shui-phobics like myself. I had skimmed through a few other books about feng shui before this one, but still felt intimidated by the process and all the jargon. This book, however, really helped me understand the principles, and apply them step-by-step to the financial AND spiritual areas of my life. I especially enjoyed the weekly journaling exercises (the prosperity journal is a golden tool!), which allowed me to explore and discover a wealth of new possibilities for myself and my life (and my wallet!).

The author has a delightful sense of humor, which makes the reading fun and the exercises enjoyable. The recommended practices, such as visualization and self-affirmation, are very inspiring. After reading the book and following the instructions over the course of nine weeks, I feel much more in touch with what I really want out of life-not just in terms of monetary wealth but also in terms of career and purpose, relationship, creativity, and overall well-being. I recommend this book to anyone who can envision a life more than merely tolerable, a life in which you are truly using your natural gifts and reaping the natural rewards. Buying this book was the best investment I made all year. ... Read more

Book Description

Nearly 2 million Americans reach retirement age each year. Before anyone can begin to enjoy all the leisure time ahead, there are difficult decisions to be made about a host of crucial issues, such as Social Security, HMOs, insurance, and estate planning. Written by award-winning Washington Post financial reporter and syndicated columnist, Stan Hinden, How to Retire Happy arms anyone approaching retirement with easy-to-comprehend answers to all their complicated questions. How to Retire Happy:
• Provides practical advice and guidance on the 12 most complicated decisions to make before retiring
• Covers all the bases, from where to live to how to invest, from health insurance totaking money out of IRAs
• Goes beyond financial planning to offer practical advice on the key emotional and psychological issues surrounding retirement ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Out of retirement......
Stan Hinden writes a column for the Washington Post and I've read his column since day one. I cannot say this is the best book ever written on the subject because I've only read three books, but I can say I've learned a great deal about retirement from Mr. Hinden and what I've learned was not taught in the midcareer retirement seminar I attended.

Unlike some who write on the subject, Mr. Hinden is actually retired...well sort of. He took a retirement pension from the Washington Post and then started writing his column on retirement, and now he has published a book on the subject. As Yogi Berra said, it ain't over until it's over.

Mr. Hinden says although you may retire from one job, perhaps you'll go onto another. Many folks retire from several jobs over the course of their life. Others figure out how to retire once and do it before 40. Mr. Hinden's main point is to rethink what retirement means to you. And, it's very important to have a plan for your "retired" years.

Mr. Hinden deals with financial matters, probably not with the comprehensiveness of a financial planner, but he provides enough information to get you started asking the right questions as well as a list of other sources with more in-depth information. A few of his goodies include -- yes, you can arrange with Social Security to make deductions for tax purposes, and yes, you may be eligible for pension coverage from a former employee if you were vested before you left.

Mr. Hinden underwent surgery a few years ago, and he has a great deal to say about medical expenses and health insurance. He also has some things to say about decisions he made prior to retirement concerning his beneficiaries. He also explains some of the mysteries associated with Part A and Part B Medicare. He also discusses the value of long-term health care insurance.

It's never too early to think about retirement planning. I am sending copies of Mr. Hinden's book to all my children so they can begin to think about it. That should boost his post-retirement income by a few cents.

This Is the One Book to Read About Retirement
If you're near retirement and can't find easy-to-understand answers to often-complex questions, this is the book for you. Hinden, a former business writer and columnist for The Washington Post, has taken his personal experience with retirement and turned it into an extraordinarily useful how-to book.

He has an easy-to-read style, anticipates virtually all your questions and provides understandable and practical answers about scores of critical issues, including when and how to collect Social Security, deciding whether to buy long-term health care, creating an estate plan, assuring enough income on which to live, saving on taxes, just to mention a few topics. Hinden also touches on how to age successfully by staying mentally and physically fit and fully engaged in life.

This book is for men and women because Hinden includes his wife, Sara, in all his decisions and describes the important role that a partner can and should play in retirement planning.

Reading "How to Retire Happy" makes you feel that Hinden is an old friend, sitting on your porch, dispensing valuable advice on how to make the most of your life after you leave your job. It's a book you'll keep near your LazyBoy recliner and refer to often.

Helpful Insight From Real Retiree
My first observation in reviewing "How to Retire Happy," by Stan Hinden, is that the title of the book is misleading. In fact, the author essentially waits until the last two pages of the book to tell us some reasons why he really likes his retirement. And we learn essentially nothing of his day-to-day activities that make his retirement a happy one. But, despite the misleading title, things turn out to be just fine, as by the time one reads through all the areas that the author worries about or used to worry about relative to his retirement, it is almost like we have lived through those experiences ourselves. We are now more than ever ready to learn more about the fun part of retirement from another source.

But more bad news is the fact that the author waits until age 69 to retire, then goes back to work part-time eight months later, even though both he and his wife have handsome pensions lined up. His conclusion is that he was much better off financially having waited to retire. This less-than-risky leap into retirement is not what most pre-retirement readers want to hear, I would think. Also, since he takes five years into retirement to finish the book, he brings us his views and information on retirement from a perspective of a man well into his 70's, an age that is well-beyond the current average age for Americans starting retirement.

But some good news is that his thoughts couple maturity with the freshness and openness that we're looking for. He tells us his goal for the book is to "take the mystery out of retirement." What he has to say, to me, comes in a style and content that is sincere, authentic, and not preachy or meant to be perfect. And while most of the book's information can be found in countless other books or materials on retirement issues, it is the author's personal-experience perspectives, weaving in and out, that make the book worth reading.

Perhaps the book's best chapter is the one entitled "How Should I Invest During Retirement?" As most experienced investors know, there simply is no one answer for everyone in this area or even for one person all the time. Says the author, "Your goal as a retiree should be to develop an investment portfolio that provides relative safety, current income for living expenses, and the growth of your saving." While we'll all probably agree with this, now what? It's a bit like a baseball manager telling his pitcher, "Don't give him anything good, but whatever you do, don't walk him!"

The author starts this chapter with, "Three years after I retired, I was shocked to discover that if my wife and I didn't cut down on our spending and get better results on or investments, we would use up all our retirement savings within eight years." He gets professional advice to concentrate on cash flow. And after laying out the financial alternatives that he has been provided in his real world, Hinden selects a combination not without risk, in an effort to squeeze out a return that will bring him enough money to buy things he's really counting on in retirement. In this area, he's taken real risk and is not putting us to sleep. His struggle is personal and frank, and his conclusion is more than food for thought.

And while I don't agree with his conclusion in the chapter on long-term-care insurance, he comes right out with his concerns: "I can tell you what scares me. It's the idea that my health or the health of my wife, Sara, might deteriorate to the point where one of us would have to become a resident of a nursing home for an extended period of time." And he shares his fear of "the very real threat that we could be wiped out financially by the cost of that care." What also is refreshing in this section and others is that he gives readers actual financial details for he and his wife that are involved in their decisions. How refreshing to have some real numbers from a real retiree.

Another enjoyable chapter is "Where Do I Want To Live After I Retire?" Again, he shares the personal struggles and explorations that he and his wife experienced in their relocation explorations. He brings this important area of retirement options to life and, as a result, you feel more experienced yourself after having read it. And finally, in his final chapter, "How Can I Age Successfully," his list of the "do's" and "don'ts" relative to growing older are first-class.

Again, perhaps the best thing about this book is that it is full of personal experiences from a guy who is authentically retired. The clear majority of "retirement" books now emerging are written by people who have advice and opinions on retirement, but have no interest in retiring themselves soon. I find this a bit ingenuous most of the time. What Hinden gives us is a view from the inside looking out. It is far from a perfect book on retirement, and most readers will find sections or chapters that they will want to skim or skip entirely. Despite this, I enjoyed reading the book and recommend it highly to others.

Not the best out there...
A book for the beginner. The financial planning advice was broad in scope, but shallow in depth. For the novice. The book is written in the voice of a person from my parent's generation (I'm 48). The approach to planning here is very conservative and even a bit naive. There were some good passages on trusts and wills. I was also a bit surprised there was no mention of non-financial issues relating to retirement, like personal growth. Money isn't everything. Try the book by Wasik, much better.

Good basic book covers all the important areas
Solidly researched and tightly written, this one will answer all the basic question a prospective retiree could have without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary detail or repetition. The author doesn't neglect to cover important side issues such as how to age successfully and deciding where to live after retirement but also covers basic questions such as : Am I ready to retire? Can I afford to retire and How should I invest DURING retirement? All in all, a good, well-balanced guide to retirement planning. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

the strategy'll put you to sleep... soundly
Bill Staton's strategy is about as boring as the old Power Sweep of Lombardi's Green Bay, and USC's "Student Body Right" some decades ago...

It's also just as effective.

Finally, something that makes sense.
I have read more financial advice books than I care to count and this book was the one that finally made sense to me. I have been floundering around, investing here and there, without a feeling of actually knowing what I was doing. Mr. Staton's methods are a great comfort to new investors, especially those with limited funds. It takes the guesswork out of wondering whether you're investing in a solid company or one that will fold before you have a chance to make a profit. Mr. Staton lists hundreds of companies that have stood the test of time and you can feel comfortable investing in any one of them. I found his book to be easy to follow, with a lot of solid and practical advice. I feel as though I finally have a real investment plan. This book is a treat for long-term investors and for those who are new to the investing universe.

Move up to America's Finest
Bill Staton shows you how to say goodbye to the fund managers that cost you money each time they buy and sell in your mutual fund. Buy your own good stocks and hold them forever as Warren Buffett would tell you to do. Balance your portfolio each time you buy using Bill Staton's guidelines. A child can use this method, and Bill shows this it in some of his examples. Buy it and prosper.

Staton provides a simple, rational investment plan.
This book provided me with a rational approach to picking stocks. It avoids technical analysis, and focuses simply on companies with at least 10 years of increasing dividends OR earnings per share. My only criticism is the lack of explanation of how high vs low dividend stocks will affect performance. In other words, he says pick randomly from his universe, irrespective of PE or dividend, and expect to beat the S&P 500. However he does emphasize industry diversification, and regular reinvestments. ... Read more

Book Description

In this smart and sensible guide, financial planner and broker Julie Stav explains how to use mutual funds and other longterm investment plans to fund one's future. Tailored to meet individual needs, her advice shows the Spanish-speaking community how to set financial goals-whether they are to retire with financial security, send the kids to college, or purchase a new home-and achieve them, step by step. ... Read more

Book Description

Pencil your way to financial security!

What would it be like to know that you were making the very best decision for every dollar you spent or saved? Can you imagine balancing your budget by the beginning of next month? Wouldn't it be great to know whether a pro's advice is right for your situation? How valuable would it be to have a customized financial plan that would serve you for life?

What you hold in your hands is the first step to achieving all of the above. Whatever your income, lifestyle, or financial concerns may be, The Motley Fool Personal Finance Workbook will help you put more power into every dollar. Like a financial global positioning system, The Motley Fool Personal Finance Workbook will show you exactly where you stand right now and the most direct path to where you want to be.

With easy-to-follow, quick-witted exercises, you'll discover all the ways that money touches your life -- from saving and spending to insurance to retirement. The Motley Fool's legendary smarts and math-made-easy will show you:

Book Description

If you want to take control of your financial future and unlock the doors to financial success, you must have a plan that will allow you to find good investments, reduce taxes, beat inflation, and properly manage money.

Whether you’re new to financial planning or a seasoned veteran, this updated edition of Ernst & Young’s Personal Financial Planning Guide provides valuable information and techniques you can use to create and implement a consistent personalized financial plan. It also takes into consideration the new tax rules that affect home ownership, saving for college, estate planning, and many other aspects of your financial life.

Filled with in-depth insight and financial planning advice, this unique guide can help you:

• Set goals
• Build wealth
• Manage your finances
• Protect your assets
• Plan your estate and investments

It will also show you how to maintain a financial plan in conjunction with life events such as:

• Getting married
• Raising a family
• Starting your own business
• Aging parents
• Planning for retirement

Financial planning is a never-ending process, and with Ernst & Young’s Personal Financial Planning Guide, you’ll learn how to tailor a plan to help you improve all aspects of your financial life. ... Read more

Book Description

A new, updated edition of the ultimate guide to trusts

Trusts are powerful and flexible financial planning tools, and this new edition of The Complete Book of Trusts covers everything you need to know to protect your hard-earned assets from taxes, creditors, and more. This updated Third Edition provides all the latest information on trusts, addressing recent changes due to economic growth and the Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 in such areas as transferring assets, distribution of income, gift and estate tax rules, and many others.

Along with in-depth examinations of sixty different types of trusts, this book also shows you how to:

• Set up a trust to manage assets in the event of disability or death
• Avoid probate
• Minimize or eliminate estate and other transfer taxes
• Financially protect loved ones
• And more

The Complete Book of Trusts, Third Edition is an invaluable resource for anyone with significant assets to protect. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Wish I had the book to review
I ordered this book based on the fact that it says it usually delivers in about 24 hours. That was March 6th. I now find out that it will not be shipped until March 23rd or 24th. How about some realistic turnaround times, please?

Written in Legaleeze...got a better book for you
Read "Beyond the Grave, The Right Way and the Wrong Way of Leaving Money to Your Children" instead of this book or before you read this book. I bought both and gave up on this book after a couple chapters. It was a struggle to get through. Very dry, written like a tech manual, a real sleeper. Go read the reviews on Amazon for Condon's book before deciding which one to order. Trust me, you want the other book.

Excellent!!!
The Cmplete Book of Trusts is an excellent reference for general knowledge about a very cmplex subject! I highly recommend this book to anyone with a need to know. This author has managed to take the "legal" language and break it down into understandable English!

The Complete Book of Trusts is Complete!
Martin Shankman gives a very comprehensive and extremely detailed treatment of trusts in The Complete Book of Trusts. Marti gives numerous examples, suggested clauses, and pointers in how to best use trusts. Further, Marti gives the reader suggestions on how to broach certain estate planning and trust strategies subjects to one's attorney.

I must, in all fairness, say to the reader that this is not a book that will show you how to prapare your own trust. If the reader desires such a book, perhaps he/she should look elsewhere. There are quite a few books that will show the reader how to draft a legally valid living trust. I especially like the one published by Nolo Press which is available right here at amazon.com. However, if the reader would prefer to have a very broad, comprehensive, detailed and in-depth discussion of the subject of trusts, that is very readable and user-friendly, I would very highly recommend Marti Shankman's The Complete Book of Trusts without any reservation whatsoever.

In sum, The Complete Book of Trust is a great value. So, here is what I have to say: buy it; read it; and use it by bringing the subjects relevant to your own estate planning concerns, to your attorney's attention; so that you can accomplish your very own estate planning goals. ... Read more

Book Description

Until now, the financial benefits of offshore tax havens were reserved for a privileged few wealthy enough to afford high-priced tax and investment counselors. Tax Havens is a complete how-to guide that shows everyone how to take full legal advantage of these havens for developing business opportunities and avoiding excessive taxation and regulation. The book includes guidance for banking and investing offshore; running a business or financial services firm there; forming offshore trusts; and buying property. In-depth profiles of all 32 IRS-recognized tax havens cover legal, economic, business, financial, and travel information. Plus there is a directory of dependable international contacts who'll provide guidance for getting started in each offshore haven. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Concise, thought provoking
Mr. Barber grapples with this rather complex subject in a manner as well suited to the professional as the layman. His language is clear, yet thorough, and his organization make this book absolutely indispensible. Five stars, to say the least - although McGraw-Hill should cough up a few ducats and update this valuable resource!

Scholarly and correct!
This is a very level-headed and well-researched treatment of a sometimes "grey" and controversial subject. Further, information proved reliable and complete. My only suggestion is that McGraw-Hill should contract the author for a timely update and revision.

Obviously Written by a Dooms-Dayer!
I was very disappointed in this book. Not only was much of the information out of date, many of the contacts were unreachable, but my feeling is the author is promoting the dooms-dayer mentality. He must feel the US banks are out to steal his money with the advise he has to offer. I feel this book does more harm than good to the global financial industry.

Some good offshore strategies here.
Barber obviously knows his stuff. Although somewhat dated (due to legistation changes), this book is one of the better on the topic without spending an arm and a leg. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A good book for yuppie moms w/ babies& toddlers
This is a good book if you have a toddler or younger child.
and also it is good if you have NO experience being frugal and have never heard of discounts, etc...
I suspect the author is married to a guy with a good job and he makes a lot more money than my husband does, I also suspect that they own a nice home, and aren't struggling to come up with a downpayment on a home.
Its easy to be a stay at home mom when Dad earns a lot.
maybe her idea of cutting back means on the dinner parties and expensive jewelry
a good book for the yuppie set.

I really read this book, unlike the authors friends who posted here and clogged up the true review space with false praise

Great Book - Practical Advice
I really like this book - it gives you the knowledge you need to know to make changes in your budget, expectations, etc. Topolnicki really knows her stuff, and delivers the message in a user-friendly manner. I recommend this book to all parents who want to cut back to one income.

Managing your Money and Time
The purpose of this very readable book is to allow a parent to spend more time with their children. The author used her experience in financial journalism to calculate expenses. After surveying more than 100 mothers, she then wrote this book to help other families with young children survive on one income. Most mothers are at home when their children are young. Whatever your reason, this book can help you to spend less on living expenses without pain.

This book has four parts. One) to help you analyze your present financial situation and plan for the future. Two) has hundreds of tips to help you cut spending. Three) shows how to save more while earning less. Four) tells you about work: quitting & keeping benefits, part-time work, and how to resume full-time work.

Real-Life Strategies for Cutting Back One Income
I've been doing a lot of research on whether or not it will be feasible for me to either quit my job or cut back to part-time. And while I truly appreciate all the books out there about how to clip coupons and make my own granola, this book is different. Ms. Topolnicki gives financial advice on cutting back from two incomes, starting with tax savings and going all the way through to saving on groceries and entertainment. This is serious, real-life stuff. Her chapter on investing alone is worth the price of the book. Taxes, investments, savings, insurance, groceries, vacations, entertainment -- they're all covered and MORE! This is the first book I've read on the subject that gives me REAL hope that I can plan a budget on less than the two incomes we've gotten used to in the past ten years. I can't say enough about this book and the strategies that are outlined therein. Buy it, or borrow it from the library today.

Great, practical advice
Denise has hit the nail on the head. Although everyone will find much they already knew (but might have forgotten), almost everyone will find new insights as well. Denise's straightforward and personal writing style communicates that she's not just making this up, she's telling what she knows from experience. Few people are as well qualified to discuss this subject. If this topic is even slightly of interest to you, you'll want to read this book. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Nice little book
My wife bought this book and after seeing hers I had to go out and buy one for myself.

I carry it in my briefcase, even though it could easily fit into my pocket and keep it on my desk at work for easy reference.

9 Steps offers many techniques on how to manage debt, invest profitably and more.

I highly recommend this book to everyone; male and female. Great little book.

This is only a mini book? Well thank you!!!!! (READ THE AD)
I mean it says that right on this Amazon website and it is advertized as a mini book so why would any intelligent (key word: intelligent) think otherwise before buying it?

Next time before posting and making a fool out of yourself, why not try reading the Amazon website first? Good advice? Your welcome!

Insightful
What makes Ms. Orman's book standout from the field (she covers most of the topics other writers do) are two very useful insights: (1) that our psychology and subconscous has a lot to do with how we do (or do not) manage money; and (2) money, in and of itself, does not have power over us; indeed, it is the other way around -- the way we manage our money speaks about who we are. Other than these two insights (which are elloquently communicated) Ms. Orman covers the basics -- get out of debt, make sure your family is protected (emergency fund, life insurance, etc.), invest for retirement and college for the kids. She does a very good job in the relatively short book of covering these fields in sufficient depth. I would also recommend her most recent book "The Laws of Money, The Lessons of life...". A note to those who dislike her philosophical/religious diversions -- do not let them stand in the way of receiving some excellent advice.

Don't understand the 1 star reviews
I have read several reviews here (obviously by the same person) attacking this book and insulting Suze because of i t's size.

EXCUSE ME--but the information states clearly that this is a miniture book. The price might also be a clue.

If you were "taken by surprise", then all I can suggets is learn how to read.

Good supplement to the full length paperback of the same name.

Suze's 9 step to financial freedom.... miniature edition
You get what you pay for. Small edition gives small information.
This book can be read in 30 minutes by slow readers !
There were some very good personal stories and some lessons that can be drawn from them. The unabridged version may have more offerings but one would probably want to move on to the next book by this author. ... Read more

Book Description

Real-Life Financial Strategies For True Wealth

WealthBuilding is an essential read for everyone who wants to reach their wealth goals and maintain their standard of living when they’re retired. It includes the real-life Wealth Stories of 31 investors–ranging from young, single professionals to middle-aged job-hoppers to retired seniors–and how they are planning and managing their wealth successfully and intelligently. A helpful tool for financial professionals to use with clients, WealthBuilding will also empower individual investors by showing them what to look for in a trusted advisor and how to build an effective partnership. You will inevitably see yourself–or one of your clients–in one (or more) of these Wealth Stories.

Praise for WealthBuilding

"David Reiser and Robert DiColo have written a readable book that aims to empower the reader, while at the same time creating knowledge of when professional advice is needed. It is a combination of old-fashioned wisdom and new age understanding. Anyone can benefit from thinking about its lessons." –Zoë Baird, President, The Markle Foundation

"Dave Reiser and Bob DiColo have succeeded where many others have failed: they have explained in a simple, straightforward, and understandable manner the complex, and often frustrating, world of retirement planning. Financial services professionals and serious investors will find Reiser and DiColo’s work to be invaluable." –John A. Tarantino, President, Adler Pollock & Sheehan, Past President, Rhode Island Bar Association

"Reiser and DiColo have hit the nail right on the head. A ‘don’t-do-it-yourself’ book that will guide professionals and novice investors on the path to wealth creation." –Dr. Robert Goodman, Managing Director and Senior Economic Advisor, Putnam Investments

Please visit our Web site at www.jklasser.com ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Shameful attempt at self-promotion
This book is nothing but a thick marketing brochure. It discusses the basics of financial planning, but it incorporates the authors' own subjective analysis and opinions, which, based on their reasoning, often times borderlines dangerous. It leaves unrealistic expectations on the readers with no real academic backing and no real insight or intelligent commentary. Rather a lot of ignorant comments, hypocritical recommendation, and poor order of discussion.I feel by reading this book, you may actually becomer dumber than had you read nothing at all. The authors clearly designed this book to be a celebration of self-promotion.

Normally, I give books away when I'm done with them, but I would be insulting whoever received this by doing so - so into the garbage it goes! Please don't waste your money on this one - you're far better off with books by Burton Malkiel, William Bernstein, Larry Swedroe, Jonathan Clements, Thomas Stanley.

Keep Looking for a GOOD investment guide
Wealthbuilding?? You've GOT to be kidding ! If you've never read a book on investing & have NO idea about the basics, then perhaps there might be something here for you. Fully 3/4 of the book is devoted to anecdotal evidence of how wonderful the authors are at investing their client's money. Their advice? Hire a professional, natch ! Written in 2002 they describe the wonderful gains for the clients in the early '90s in the market. What about recently? Not so impressive, I'd venture the guess.
There is almost no statistical evidence for their strategies, which are given in the most rudimentary terms. How can they write only 1 short page about an invaluable investment strategy like Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts?
This is a simple salesman's Thump N' Sell book citing trivial truths & wishful thinking, just like Wade Cook & The Rich Dad books. All FLUFF & NO substance.
You would do better by buying Jane Bryant Quinn's 'Making the Most of Your Money' & "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham & "Bogle on Mutual Funds" by John C. Bogle.

Real life people, real examples and NO FLUFF
Building wealth? What does that mean to you? For each of us, it actually has a different definition. That's what I love about Reiser's book on estate planning and wealth. It first asks you to define what YOU mean by wealth (for example, it could mean living comfortably and close together with your children or friends or relatives, it could mean owning a deserted island paradise and living in splendid solitude.)

The real-life stories make the concepts of building wealth easy to grasp. I don't know about you, but I relate better to stories that show HOW and WHAT real people do, than reading formulas and dry advice. And I am not the only one who prefers real-life examples; look at the success of the Kiyosaki (Rich Dad) books. But this book has not only stories but real worksheet examples. No fluff here.

Another fine feature are the examples of what-if, based on the new tax laws (as of this writing--they will change again of course.) The examples allow you to understand how to work the system best to your benefit as allowed by law.

As tax time approaches, and I have to reassess my financial health, I know I will be using this book to help me plan my future.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Not satisfied at all!!
I bought this book based on the great reviews it received. I made it through half of the book and had to stop. My biggest complaint is they fail to include results in their clients portfolio's after 1999.

They are big fans of equity investing (of course they work for a big brokerage). In one of their stories, they berate a former advisor of one of their newer clients for having them in bonds. Not that the percentage overall was too high. But, that the advisor had them in bonds. Well, the authors didn't mentioned where the client sits today with the heavy equity position the authors put them into.

Being financial advisors (brokers) for UBS Paine Webber is no different from being a broker at Morgan Stanley, ML, or Smith Barney.

I found this to be a waste of my money. I thought Suze Ormans books were far better than this book. A lot more honest too.

What you will NOT find. . .
Some crucial elements are LEFT OUT of this book.If you just want to read some "happy happy" account of this book, check out the other reviews, but I'm trying to give something constructive here.

First of all, consider the bias: these authors are both on the payroll of PaineWebber.Now that's not necessarily BAD, but it's probably going to color their assessment of how to build wealth.So first up, they insist that attaining a secure retirement is too complicated for the average person, so you need to hire professional help.Now again, that's not necessarily bad advice, but it probably isn't advice that is going to suit everybody.And of course they're going to steer you exclusively toward stocks and bonds because that's how they and others like them get paid.

I gave it three stars because indeed I found their concept of "You Inc." helpful.Also, they push modern portfolio theory to the max, and that's also a prudent way to go for the conservative long term investor.But what I found lacking was their total neglect of real estate.After all, the book is subtitled "Investment strategies for retirement and estate planning".Don't you think real estate might fit in there SOMEWHERE?At least there should be some discussion about rental property or buying your own home and paying off the mortgage.Isn't it a large piece of financial security in retirement to have your own home paid for?Since "wealthbuilding" is the subject, don't you think rental properties deserve at least SOME mention?After all, the real estate millionaires in this country far outnumber those who made their wealth in stocks/bonds.So consider the bias: you got a couple of PaineWebber guys pushing ONE ASPECT of wealthbuilding.They focus on financial planning and modern portfolio theory to generate consistent longterm gains for the conservative investor and the theory that they give in the book is highlighted by numerous "case studies" of real people putting these principles into practice.Very good.That one thing they do, they do well.But for a comprehensive approach to "Wealthbuilding", I'd look elsewhere.At the very least, supplement this information with the info that it is lacking. ... Read more

Book Description

From the audio archives of the Napoleon Hill Foundation-a series of classic lectures by Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill is the acknowledged master of motivational speakers. The principles and philosophy of success that he outlined in his masterwork, The Laws of Success, and his international bestseller, Think and Grow Rich, have served as the foundation for every motivational speaker since.

In these rare recordings you will hear a complete and thorough exposition of Napoleon Hill's life-altering philosophy of personal achievement. More than that, you will gain deeper insight into Hill's philosophy as you listen to him interpret and amplify the seventeen universal principles of success. Best of all, these lectures are designed to motivate you and teach you the goals and strategies that will carry you to new heights of personal success:

• turn setbacks into a springboard to achievement
• generate attention for your ideas
• influence others and improve personal relationships
• define your true joy in life
• achieve financial success

Your Right to Be Rich is a working blueprint for a life of prosperity-an inspiring series of audio lectures that will give you powerful tools to achieve your dreams.
... Read more

Reviews (4)

Lessons from the master of PMA!
I wasn't sure if I needed yet another Napolean Hill program. I already had Think and Grow Rich and few other tapes that Hill had produced. And I really didn't know if I was ready for 12 hours of tapes.

Now that I have bought the tape set, I can honestly say that this was one of the best investments I ever made. Hill covers the 17 principles like never before. Hill is witty and funny too.

This tape set is almost like a audio version of The Law of Success. It contains live lectures done by Hill in the 50's. If you have never heard Hill do a live lecture, then you must get this set. It is outstanding. Hill is fantastic and the material is incredible.

Excellent! 12 hours of Napolean Hill's wisdom
This abridged audio program features actual tapes of Hill's live lectures. You get to hear from the master himself.

Napolean Hill is the acknowledged master of motivational speakers. The principles and philosophy of success that he outlined in his masterwork, The Law of Success, and his international best seller, Think and Grow Rich, have served as the foundation for every motivation