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

Studies have shown that 96 percent of Americans fail to achieve financial independence by the age of 65. The number one reason cited? The inability to delay gratification. The hidden cause, as John Cummuta demonstrates, is what he calls the “Coalition of Four,” a subtle combination of marketplace forces focused on seducing American income earners into first spending all they make…and then spending far beyond what they make by using debt. The Coalition preys on this human weakness to systematically siphon most of the money Americans earn into Coalition coffers. Made up of Merchants, the Advertising Industry, Media, and the Credit Industry, the Coalition works synergistically to create a sense of need, prey on our naivet, appeal to our pride, and offer us an “easy” way to afford it all.

But the reality is we can’t afford it all…at least not early and all at once. The result is that most consumers end up being slaves to the Coalition, and fully expect to be making debt payments till the day they die.

After exposing the Coalition and its intentions, Cummuta helps readers stop succumbing to the seduction and take charge of their own financial future. His purpose is to free readers to be able to live the life they really want to live. The solution Cummuta offers is his “Cascading Debt-Elimination System™,” which can eliminate a typical American household’s debts to zero – including paying off their home mortgage – in just 5 to 7 years, using nothing more than the money they already make. And the system works no matter the household’s income level or debt amount.

Finally, Cummuta explains how readers can achieve permanent immunity from the Coalition of Four by maximizing their income and successfully investing it in assets that will produce more than enough retirement income to live on…with our without working. Most people are trapped in their jobs and lives, “sticking it out” just so they can pay the bills. This book gives them the tools and the opportunity to redesign their lives and start over.

Reviews (3)

Your Future Wealth Depends on it!
This book is a must read for every person, no matter where you fall on the income scale! It's easy to read and understand. It not only tells you the problem but, guides you through the solution. People are in for a rude awakening , if they don't begin to understand these dangers and start doing something about it right now! Bravo for John Cummuta for bringing us the answers and guiding us down the road to a brighter future. You've given hope that we can get out of the mess we've gotten ourselves into with debt. And you've done it an entertaining way. Thanks!

My employees love it
I am constantly looking for ways to help my employees have a better life. We employ more than 350 great people around the state of Wisonsin. The majority of these people live from paycheck to paycheck. I get many requests for financial help and I hear sad stories from many of my co-workers about the debt lifestyle they live. I have given hundreds of small loans to my employees over the years.
After reading " Are You Being Seduced into Debt", I realized that some of our workers were never going to be able to escape their current financial mess until they understood how debt can ruin their lives.
John Cummuta has changed my outlook on debt through this book. I have made it required reading for anyone who comes to me for financial help. Donald B Knapp

Blah
This book suffers from the same problem that plagues so many other 'how to manage your money' books; it contains lots of casual chit-chat and very little actual financial advice. I can save you the $22.99 and convey all the money management information that appears in this book in three easy points:

1.Stop using credit to buy junk that you don't need.
2.Pay off all your debt as quickly as you possibly can.
3.Once you are debt-free, invest/save as much money as you can afford.

That's it. But of course anyone reasonably proficient at managing money would already know that. Since you can't charge $22.99 for three sentences worth of advice, Cummuta fills the rest of the book by weaving a tale of grand conspiracy made up of credit card companies, marketers, and media firms that are intent of getting everyone into debt by selling us things that we don't need. Hello? Is it really news to anyone that credit card companies like people being in debt to them, or that advertisers try to sell us things that we don't need? There's a smattering of good advice in this book, but I would suggest it only to people who are really struggling with debt. Even then, you would probably be better off using your $22.99 to buy yourself half an hour with a professional financial planner. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Suze Orman's face and name are more prominent on the cover of her new money guide than its title, The Road to Wealth. And why not? Orman has parlayed her popular renown as both a New York Times bestselling author and video-age financial guru into an undeniable position of respect and trust when it comes to matters of dollars and sense. This time she presents an encyclopedic guide to the various components of one's overall financial life--from managing debt and owning a home to making investments and preparing to pass it all along--and she does so in the clear and confident style to which her fans have become accustomed. "Here is what you need to know," she writes at the outset. "Answers to the questions you have been asking, as well as the questions you should have been asking, delivered in the most complete, straightforward way I know." While the concise text moves logically from "creating a strong financial foundation to amassing assets and protecting them from common mistakes and periods of economic downturn," this is not meant to be read from cover to cover. Rather, it is a ready bookshelf reference for planning and sorting out common finance concerns, like how to calculate the mortgage payment you can best afford, determine what Medicare will pay toward nursing care, decide between retirement plan options, and similar matters of personal importance. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Financial answers for the rest of us.
The book provides us with a wealth of practical financial answers in a very sound, straightforward, honest, and easy-to-understand language. The core emphasis of the book is to help you create a strong, debt-free foundation to amassing assets and protecting them in periods of economic downturn; from buying a home to providing for loved ones; from investing with confidence and navigating the markets in good times and bad to securing reliable income for our later years. If you are interested or have any of these financial needs you need this valuable book. This is a book designed to help you take action-wherever you are in your life and whatever your needs. If you think all the advice you need is from your local bank then you have obviously missed the boat.

FinanacialNeeds.com

Follow Suze to YOUR Road to Wealth!
I have to admit that I didn't like this book all that much when it first came out. So I didn't buy it when it was originially released.

Several weeks back while browsing my favorite book store, I cam across this book now in paperback, noticed it was updated and revised from the original version and found some good info that I had missed earlier.

Anxiously I took the book home and placed post it notes throughout the book to areas that applied to me. I was able to make substantial savings especially in the areas of insurance and credit card debt. I also started investing in my company's 401 (k) plan and am taking advantage of Pres. Bush's generous IRA provisions contributing the maximum to both retirement plans. Thank you Pres. Bush!

Overall, this is one of the best financial books that I have ever read. It is very complete and also very well organized.

I also recommend Suze's newest book The Laws of Money, also now available in paperback.

Thank you Suze Orman!

The Road to Wealth
The Road to Wealth by Suze Orman was extremely informational. Being 18 and very new to the world of finance I learned a lot from reading it. The way the book is set up in a question and answer format makes it easy to read on specific subjects. It would be a good idea to keep a copy in your house. That way you could read the different chapters as they apply to your life. I liked the section about paying for college best because I have to pay my own way through college, so it gave me some helpful tips. The Road to Wealth covers a wide variety of finance subjects all of which could be helpful at many different points in one's life. It covers everything from how to prepare yourself financially for when you retire to making out a will. I would recommend this book especially for people who haven't experienced much financially. It is a great way to learn about many different aspects of the financial world.

A Wealth of Infomation
My father recommended that I read this book, as he is a director of property tax and works in the business and finance world every day. I was scared at first at the size of the book, but it is actually very easy to understand and a great reference book.
It has a convenient question-and-answer type format that allows the reader to peruse over various topics, or to narrow in on one in particular.
I was greatly surprised at the immense amount of information that this book contains. Everything from the emotions of divorce and how it affects to finances to how to pay for college is covered throughout the pages.
I would highly recommend that this book be found in every household, as it is would be an excellent source to turn to with many small questions- about wills, investing, and any other sort of monetary question.
On a final note- Suze Orman also has her own tv show that is quite interesting and information as well. Just like the book, it is also not boring, but rather takes tough subjects and make them seem easy!

Another good book by the "Love Bug" Lady
Although I do not feel that this is Suze Orman's best book, it is certaintly better than most if not all of the other books out there.

I like the question and answer format of the book, makes it easy to look up information that is important to a individual.
The book is large and may be intimidating to some people, perhaps that is why there are some 1 star reviews. None the less, the material is fresh and interesting. Orman is also a great writer and makes you feel like she is talking to you one on one.

Check out Suze's newest book "The Laws of Money", just released in paperback and revised from the hardback version. It is a book suitable for the times and even better than The Road to Wealth. Some may want to buy both like my wife did.

Great books. Great stuff from Suze, the Queen of Personal Finance! ... Read more

Book Description

Insurance For Dummies introduces readers to the basics — as well as the more complicated issues — of every kind of insurance. Packed with expert advice and step-by-step guidance, it shows you how to find the right amount of protection at the best possible price, for your life, health, car, home, and anything else you can think of.

Thinking about insurance makes many people cringe with fear; this handy guide makes insurance make sense. It demystifies complicated policies and points out all the traps and pitfalls you need to avoid when buying coverage. Whether you’re a homeowner or a small business owner or you just need a basic policy for your car, you’ll find all the advice you need on:

• Managing your risk
• Reducing your liability
• Insuring a home business
• Buying an umbrella policy
• Dealing with insurers and filing claims
• Assessing your life insurance needs
• Decidin g between group and individual policies

Author Jack Hungelmann uses his twenty-five years of experience in the insurance industry to make buying insurance as simple as possible — even for those who’ve never bought a policy in their lives. Armed with the kind of straightforward, commonsense knowledge and advice you’ll find here, you’ll be able to handle any insurance question that comes up. Keep it on your reference shelf for quick-and-easy answers for all your insurance-related questions:

• Everything you should know about auto insurance
• Choosing cost-effective deductibles
• Picking the right property coverage for your home
• Estimating the value of your assets
• Insuring valuable portable items and collectibles
• Special advice on insuring condos and townhouses
• Getting the most coverage at the best price
• Filing claims and getting back the most
• Plus, online insurance resources

Reviews (7)

Invaluable resource and reference
This title is well worth searching out if you're thinking of purchasing new coverage or if it's been a long time since you've reviewed your current coverage. There's a lot more to insurance than most realize, and this book can help make things a lot clearer, save you money, and prevent nasty surprises down the road. Note that the edition available in Canada, of which I own a copy, appears to be identical to the American one in all respects.

Insurance for Dummies
I have been in the insurance business for 31 years. I found this book to be every helpful. Jack has taken a complex subucet ( insurance ) and explains it in simple terms. I have shared this book with other professionals and they are as delighted as I am. I now use some those examples in my own practice to explain things to my clients. It is worth the time to reading. .

Great book, very imformative.
I bought this book because I was sick of just signing my insurance contracts. The author explained clearly the different types of insurance and made recommendations you can follow to save you time and money. This book was well worth the price since I have saved so much in insurance. This is also a must have for those of us that own rental properties.

Great resource!
This is a must have for young families, professionals, and really everyone who has their own residence. Through this book I found out my "sueability" and really restructured my entire insurance plan. Most people won't believe how grossly underinsured they are!

This author actually make insurance interesting!!!
I didn't think it was possible, but Jack Hungelmann made reading about insurance actually interesting. I cannot tell you how much money and time I have saved just by taking a few minutes here and there to look up specific topics in this book. It is really well-written, covers an incredible broad range of topics, and has a lot of funny and real-life stories which capture the topics. I will also continue to find it very helpful as a reference to refer to as new insurance issues come up. Trust me, this is the insurance book to buy and trust! ... Read more

Book Description

Suze Orman's Protection Portfolio contains everything you need to create your own Will and Revocable Living Trust and many more essential documents.Both PC and Machintosh compatible. The package includes a CD-ROM with more than 40 easy-to-use forms and documents, valid in all 50 states; 2 instructional CD's; a comprehensive guidebook; and emergency contact cards.

The Protection Portfolio comes with more than 40 forms and Website links that cover practically every important aspect of your financial life -- whether you're married, single, in a domestic partnership, or just living together -- from a will and a revocable living trust to home ownership, credit card debt, and replacing your birth certificate.The forms can be easily personalized over and over so your friends and family members can also benefit.Here is just a few of the forms contained within the Protection Portfolio:

* Will
* Revocable Living Trust
* Financial Power of Attorney
* Cohabitation Agreement
* Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
* IRA Beneficiary Designation Form
* Request a Credit Report
* Request Removal of Incorrect Information by Creditor
* Birth Certificate Request
* Marriage Certificate Request
* Divorce Decree Request
* Death Certificate Request
* Application for Passport by Mail
* Application for Social Security Card
(New, Replacement, or Name Change)
* Military Records Request
* U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services Online Catalog of forms
... and many more!

The Protection Portfolio Guidebook

This guidebook contains over 160 pages of vital information, including detailed instructions that will assist you in protecting and making the right decisions in the ten most vital areas of your financial life -- from understanding your credit report and protecting yourself against identity theft, to how to take title properly on your home, to what you need to do when a loved one dies.This guidebook also includes worksheets and checklists to make sure you are thoroughly prepared for the "what-if's" of life.

The CD-ROM Protection Portfolio Forms

This CD-ROM provides more than 40 easy-to-use forms and documents, valid on all 50 states.It includes the most essential estate planning documents that Suze believes everyone must have.The CD-ROM also provides critical forms that allow you to correct your credit report and request military records; order Social Security annual statements and copies of personal documents such as birth and marriage certificates.It even includes a form to create a cohabitation agreement.On the CD-ROM, you'll find a host of links to government and other Websites that will provide you with additional important forms to download; and information to keep your essential legal documents up-to date.

The Protection Portfolio Instructional Audio CDs

Suze and her personal trust attorney, Janet Dobrovolny, come right into your home via two audio CDs to give you a mini-tutorial that takes you clause-by-clause through the four most essential documents that are a must-have for almost everyone:a Will, a Revocable Living Trust, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, and a Financial Power of Attorney.

The Protection Portfolio Emergency Contact Cards

Your system includes a sheet of none wallet-sized cards on which to list your emergency names and numbers so that your loved ones always know whom to contact.The card fits into your wallet for easy access.Extra cards can be given to family, friends, and care providers -- so in case of emergency the appropriate people are notified.

The Protection Portfolio Help Site

Suze Orman's Protection Portfolio includes a password to access the "protectionhelp" section at Suzeorman.com, where you'll be able to obtain help if you're having trouble accessing your CD-ROM, completing a form, or understanding any part of the Protection Portfolio system. So that your always up-to-date, the Website provides free downloads of the most recent version of the CD-ROM. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great Value/40 Forms/PC & Macintosh Compatible
"Please take the necessary steps today to protect your tomorrows." ~Suze Orman

I was amazed at how much you can get these days for twenty dollars. This packet has one book filled with form samples and information, A CD-ROM with forms for various documents and two instructional CDs.

Suze Orman has created this protection portfolio so you can easily create a Will, a Revocable Living Trust or even a Cohabitation Agreement. She explains the most important documents that everyone must have and then explains how compiling these documents ahead of time will help prevent worry and stress if the unexpected occurs.

You will find forms and websites for the following information:

Credit Report/Card Documents
Important Personal Documents
Home Ownership Documents
Personal Insurance Documents
Social Security Documents
Retirement Plan Documents
Investment Documents
Estate Planning Documents

The book is divided up into 11 main chapters. The list of how long to keep various documents was very interesting. Suze shows you how to get rid of financial clutter all while organizing your documents. Then, she shows you how to get credit reports or file complaints with a Credit Bureau. Chapter three delves into Personal Documents. Here you can collect documents listed in the Important Personal Documents list. Chapter four deals with Home Ownership.

Then on to documents about automobiles, recreational vehicles and boats. Chapter six delves into the area of Personal Insurance Policies and Records. Chapter seven explains social security statements and cards. Chapter eight explains Retirement. Investments, Estate Planning Documents and Tax records complete this comprehensive book.

In the back of the book you will find a unique "Protection Portfolio Filing System." You can order additional items for about the same price as this portfolio.

Other features include:

The Protection Portfolio Emergency Contact Cards
The Protection Portfolio Help Site

Suze Orman is a contributing editor to O: The Oprah Magazine and has been called "a force in the world of personal finance." She is definitely organized and finally the world of Wills, Advanced Directive and Durable Power of Attorney all start to make sense. Life is complicated, but Suze Orman makes this all seem so easy to understand.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Protection Help is there to help if you have any questions
If you have trouble accessing your CD-ROM, completing a form, or understanding any part of the Protection Portfolio system -- simply fill out the Protection Help e-mail form and a Protection Help support person will contact you to help resolve any issue you may encounter. On the label of your CD-ROM you will find instructions and codes to access Protection Help. When you go to Protection Help you'll also be able to download updates so you always have the most recent version of the CD-ROM.

When e-mailing please make sure you use the Protection Help e-mail form and not the e-mail form to submit a question to the Suze Orman Show. If you use the Suze Orman Show form your e-mail will be sent to the producers of the Suze Orman show and not to the Protection Help support team.

zProtection portfolio
The book was fine but the CDrom for the forms I can no longer
get on my computer. What good is the book without being able
to print out the forms for a revocable trust. I have asked
twice for an answer to this problem and received no communication from you. What can I do?????? My Email address is anfjef@optonline.net

Best Deal..includes Document Organizer...$23.96
This is a really inexpensive way to get all of your proverbial ducks in a row. This Amazon listing doesn't have the document holder that would be the holder for your will, trust, birth certificate, and tax information, etc..which I think is organizationally vital. You can go to SuzeOrman.com and look under her product listings or click on this link: http://suzeorman.com/audio_finprotection.asp
The bottom line is $23.96 + $5.00 for standard shipping and sales tax if applicable. This price beats out QVC's by about $20.00 when it's all said and done...Happy Finances! Victoria

Very professional and easy-to-use
I am a Certified Financial Planner licensee, and I can not believe the value and quality of this book and CD. I used the Estate Planning module for myself and my mother. It seems very easy to use, is updateable, and comes with audio discussion by attorneys on the different forms. A wonderful, practical product. I highly recommend this to anyone. ... Read more

Book Description

Fund manager Joel Greenblatt has been beating the Dow (with returns of 50 percent a year) for more than a decade. And now, in this highly accessible guide, he's going to show you how to do it, too. You're about to discover investment opportunities that portfolio managers, business-school professors, and top investment experts regularly miss -- uncharted areas where the individual investor has a huge advantage over the Wall Street wizards. Here is your personal treasure map to special situations in which big profits are possible, including:

* Spin-offs * Restructurings * Merger Securities
* Mergers * Rights Offerings * Recapitalizations
* Bankruptcies * Risk Arbitrage

This is a practical and easy-to-use investment reference, filled with case studies, important background information, and all the tools you'll need. All it takes is a little extra time and effort -- and you can be a stock market genius. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A must read for any advance investor.
Don't be turned off by the book's funky title. "You can be astock market genius" is actually one of the few investment classicsout there. The book does not deal with everyday investment jargons. (Low PE, high growth rate, etc.) Instead, it focuses on rare special corporate events. And how investors may profit by looking through these small cracks which the greater investment community often ignored and misunderstood. Although I doubt many individual investors will be able to fully utilize what the author suggested. (It is a difficult proccess which required substantial background in related areas.) These corporate events are often quite unique in each individual case. And some of them carry tremendous risk. (eg. bankruptcy) Yet, if use properly. These methods can dramatically magnify one's return. (For instance, the section where he discussed how investors can use Leaps in turnaround situations.) Even for those readers who do not attempt to participate in special situation investing, Mr. Greenblatt's logic and methods are very beneficial in shaping investment decisions in general.

ONE OF THE BETTER BOOKS ON INVESTING
I read stock market investment books like some cooks read cookbooks-- for a new idea that can change the recipe and make the outcome a better success. I received several good ideas from this book. It is a keeper. I would also recommend the three (or or there more?) books by R. Max Bowser who has an unique system where he even guarantees $5,000 if the reader does not make a profit using his system. Mr. Bowser states that he has refined his investment system on an ongoing basis (adding improvements) over the past 20 years (Take a glance at Mr. Bowser's book, "Guaranteed Profits With Small Stocks"). There are so many good investment books out there and the serious investor should keep up with the new books to have a stream of fresh new ideas.

One of the Best Stock Investing Books There Is
Greenblatt does a good job explaining spinoffs, mergers, bankruptcies, etc. and how they can be create market-beating investments. He presents data backing up his theories, and also provides many good examples of finding such investment situations. He also explains the criteria for what qualifies a good risk/reward ratio in these types of investments.

However, one thing I want to point out is that you have to definitely do some research on each investment if you want to truly put Greenbaltt's put methods into efective practice. If you are willing to go through SEC filings and do thoroguh research on each investment you make, then the type of investing found in this book might be right for you.

Phenomenal
In a world filled with mutual fund managers who make millions for underperforming the S&P over the duration of their careers, students of investing should always ask to see a teacher's audited investment results before listening to a word.

Joel Greenblatt produced 50%+ annual returns over ten years. To put this superlative performance in context, it is better than Warren Buffet's. Quite simply: Greenblatt is an investing master and his teachings are worthy of special consideration.

The pleasure of this book is its simplicity. The kind of rigorous homework Greenblatt suggests is not easy to do in practice, but this is a key reason why it can be such fruitful work to do. Greenblatt's logic is driven by simple, fundamental and powerful truths: a) investing only in your best few ideas tends to lead to a higher quality portfolio, b) doing work where others are not contributes to an investment edge and c) there is statistical evidence to show that value investing and special situations outperform the broader market over time.

The book is filled with humor, common sense and a lot of investing wisdom. Greenblatt has opened the door, students must walk through it themselves...

strong buy
This book definitely gets a Strong Buy recommendation from me. It is by far the best investing guide I have seen. It is very imformative, and fun to read as well. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Don't Do It
This book didn't help me one bit. Don't throw away your money!

Disappointing
I bought this book because "Guerrilla Guide to Credit Repair" was very informative, but I wasted my money. The book is a big ad for the author's new Credit Insider online magazine that costs a mere one hundred and twenty five dollars a year. Since "Guerrilla Guide to Credit Repair" was published in 1994, I was hoping for some updated information, but there was nothing new in the book. It wasted a lot of space on forms that you would be sent anyway if you needed to fill them out. Too much space was also wasted on discussing how you could take the credit reporting bureaus to court and it appeared to me that key points may have been left out. Guess you have to buy the magazine to get all the good advice. Spend your money on a better book.

This book taught me Credit Bureau Kung Fu!
I know it sounds crazy, but after reading this book I felt like I knew Kung Fu when I was dealing with the Credit Bureaus and my past creditors. I had wonderful success prior to this book with the strategies that I learned from "Guerrilla Guide to Credit Repair", but when I started using the strategies from this book, I took it up a notch. In a few instances my creditors read the letters that I developed from reading this book, and simply gave in to my requests. The straetgies require a little time (A few months)a little typing and a little postage, but it yields amazing success. In fact, I have even begun helping others to recover their credit. God Bless Todd Bierman and Nathaniel Wice.

Pretty good -- if you want to know how to sue
I bought this book hoping to find out how those credit repair scams work. Todd Bierman doesn't go much into this as I'd like. He simply refers you to his other book, titled "Guerilla Guide to Credit Repair).

The Fix your credit workbook concentrates on how to demand reparations from credit agencies and what to do if they don't respond to your demands. He goes as far as provides stock letters for the credit agencies and a step-by-step guide on how to SUE in federal court by yourself.

I'm not a lawyer, but I think its foolish for any lay person to sue a credit agency in federal court without a lawyer. But Bierman does do a good job in case some bold soul out there wants to know how to file a petition in federal district court.

I just ordered the Guerilla Guide today and am anxiously awaiting it. The Fix your credit workbook is well written and a must have to deal with these pesky credit agencies nowadays.

It's not as bad as some of the others...
For standard 'dispute letter' type credit repair (the type that is used by most credit repair companies) I'd recommend "The Guerrilla Guide to Credit Repair" by Todd Bierman & Nathaniel Wice.. even THIS BOOK makes the same recomendation. But, when and if things get sticky and results are lagging and you have accounts that are legitametly NOT YOURS or NOT CORRECTLY REPORTED and you are prepared to use your legal rights to the fullest extent of the law to protect yourself, then this is a good book. If you are serious about repairing your own credit, then I'd recomend getting this book and the Guerrilla Guide both. The average person however, would benefit most from the Guerilla Guide book by (one of) the same authors as this book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Though tightwad seems like a derogatory term, author Amy Dacyczyn wants to assure you that it's okay to be a penny-pincher. This self-styled "Frugal Zealot" wrote and published The Tightwad Gazette for over six years to spread the frugal gospel. Each issue contained tips from her personal experience and from her many readers. The wealth of information contained in all these issues has been compiled into one volume for the first time. You'll find literally thousands of ideas for saving money, from the simple or practical to the difficult or bizarre. On the simple, practical side, Dacyczyn advises would-be tightwads to keep track of price trends at several stores in a "price book" and to buy in bulk when prices are low. Other, stranger offerings include tips for turning margarine-tub lids into playing-card holders, old credit cards into guitar picks, and six-pack rings into a hammock or volleyball net. More helpful are inexpensive recipes for making homemade versions of pricey, well-known products and ingenious ways to fix broken or damaged items. The book's disorganization encourages browsing, but the detailed index will point you to the exact page for specific items. Dacyczyn's occasional "thriftier than thou" tone is balanced by the friendly support for frugality that infuses every page. She even reminds her readers that it's okay to "sweat the small stuff"--because this small stuff is the essence of frugality. --C.B. Delaney ... Read more

Reviews (128)

The Bible for Stay-At-Home Mom's on a Tight Budget!
When I decided to stay at home with our daughter ,instead of putting her in a daycare, I knew it would be tough. Our income wasn't much but our family was more important than the money. I quit working and did a lot of research for money saving ideas. When I came across Amy's books I could hardly contain my excitement. There are tons of great ideas. It has become my second bible and a divingboard for my own creativity. My husband has been able to spend more time at home and less time working. Lots of family time! Our child is happier. Our marriage is happier. At a yearly income of $15-18,000 (never been on welfare), we are a testiment to the fact that money really doesn't matter.
Yes, some of the ideas can seem extreme. I think when you prioritize you life, you'll see it really isn't. If you are truely serious about changing your life/situation, you'll open your mind to anything.
This book isn't just great for stay-at-home parents, but college kids, newlyweds, even folks who want to get rid of debts. I recommend the Tightwad Gazette books to anyone who wants to save money.
The true tightwad will make a run for the library. I also recomment the monthly Tightwad Newletter.

Yet another sparkling review
I will not repeat a lot of what has been said already about the quality of information contained in this book and the talent of the author. I will admit that I have read and used this one book more than any other I own, besides the bible. There is an endorsement! Besides tons of money saving advice, Amy shares her sense of humor, creative spirit and deep philosophical insights which make this a value for any person to read, regardless of financial status. Personally, I have never really struggled financially, yet feel committed to be a good steward of the resources I have been blessed with. Please keep in mind that she is not any type of expert on investing, so look elsewhere for better reading on that topic. This is also not a parenting book, although it amuses me that a couple who have sacrificed to retire early and raise their family full time are under such scrutiny as parents. I would sooner label parents who work full time, buy fast food and come home to watch T.V. until bed time abusive, even if their kids wear designer clothes and get new toys at Christmas. It just goes to show you where many peoples' values lie. I could not say enough good things about this book and even if some ideas are over the top, there is not a more comprehensive book on the subject of saving money anywhere to be found. Enough said.

Encouraging and a bit discouraging, all in one!
This book is the compilation of The Tightwad Gazette newsletter issues, and I subscribed to The Tightwad Gazette back when it was still a subscription newsletter. I started reading it because our family was facing some serious financial difficulties and I needed help NOW! The first time I read the newsletter, I was able to pick up tips that turned our family's financial situation around right away.

The author is a black-belt tightwad and has been from the beginning of her marriage. She and her husband did things "right" from Day One. Which is great for them, but that's where the discouragement from this book came in for me. My husband and I didn't do things "right" from the beginning and consequently weren't going to be able to live in a big, beautiful farmhouse in the country while our children were still small. It was sort of depressing to read about all the wonderful benefits that frugal living brought to the author's life. We'd made some major mistakes in the past (both of us were raised in spend-thrift homes so we really didn't know another way until we'd hit rock bottom ourselves) ... and all of the penny-pinching in the world now wasn't going to allow us to live out our "dream."

Anyway, please know that I LOVE this book for it's tips and ideas! Frugality really is an alternative lifestyle in this day of easy credit and disposable everything, so the author's voice is desparately needed by those of us looking for some frugal encouragement.

But because of the depressing aspect of feeling like the author doesn't "get" the situation of people who've made financial mistakes, I found that reading Mary Hunt's books (especially "The Cheapskate Monthly Money Makeover") has helped to balance things out a bit for me. Mary Hunt's family overcame more than one-hundred-thousand dollars in consumer debt (her family's debt made my family's finanicial situation at its worst look GOOD!).

A good friend of mine -- who's made "right" financial decisions her entire marriage -- thought Mary Hunt's books were just plain "stupid." But then she LOVED The Tightwad Gazette and found it incredibly encouraging -- she also couldn't figure out how I could find The Tightwad Gazette depressing. But she'd never seen life from the view I have. So I think it's a matter of perspective how people relate to the different books. That's why I'm so glad there are numerous people writing on frugality. Somebody's voice is bound to speak to you whereever you're at in your personal financial journey -- if it's not Amy Dacyczyn ("The Tightwad Gazzette") or Mary Hunt ("The Cheapskate Monthly"), maybe it'll be Jonni McCoy ("Miserly Moms") or Deborah Taylor-Hough ("Frugal Living For Dummies").

If you're facing a mountain of debt -- or living the consequences of bad decisions in the past -- be warned that this book could make you feel a bit "down" ... but keep a stiff upper lip, buck up, read this book, and apply its tips ... you -- and your bank account(!) -- will be glad you did!

Good, but irritating
While I enjoy and have used much of the information in this book, my big gripe is that the index is done terribly. It seems like they just copied the indexes from the three books instead of re-doing them, so nothing is listed under the proper page number. It makes trying to find anything a nightmare.

Nice book but not for everyone!
I agree with some of the authors advise like not to spend money on disposable things like diapers,paper towels,paper plates etc...some of the advise in this book is a bit too extreme like trash picking but still makes a nice reading . ... Read more

Amazon.com

There are plenty of heavily pedigreed personal-finance experts dishing out good advice, but not many who know what it's like to have to eat ramen all month to make a car payment. On the other hand, there's Mary Hunt, a recovered credit card addict whose free-spending ways landed her family in the middle of $100,000 of unsecured debt in the early 1980s. Pulling herself out of that morass gave Hunt the courage to strike out on her own as a writer, motivational speaker, and the brains behind The Cheapskate Monthly, a newsletter and Web site (www.cheapsk8.com) dedicated to promoting the art of living within one's means, a message that grows ever more urgent as the average American family struggles each year to pay $1,200 in interest alone on revolving, unsecured debt.

While Hunt's previous books have echoed some consistent themes--debt bad, saving good--they've addressed a hodgepodge of different areas: building financial confidence in women and kids, doing Christmas without a stack of credit cards, tips for gourmet cooking at low cost. In Mary Hunt's Debt-Proof Living, Hunt finally puts together a financial primer for all--whether retirees trying to decide when to start drawing Social Security or teenagers ready to sign for their first college loans. Security, according to Hunt, is built with simple tools: tithing, saving, paying off debt, creating a contingency fund for emergencies, driving used cars, owning a home, having insurance.

Although Hunt's "been there, spent that" zeal and warmth have turned her into the Ann Landers of personal finance, she's not just an agony aunt for spendthrifts--business experts will find her a savvy marketer who's using her name and story to build, somewhat ironically, a very effective brand. That doesn't negate her sincerity, however, or the fact that her advice is sound, her formulas work, and her Rapid Debt Repayment Plan has kept increasing numbers of families out of bankruptcy. And finally, Mary Hunt's Debt-Proof Living is just a joy to read--its clarity and lack of condescension make it a perfect gift for anyone just starting to understand the basics of money. --Barrie Trinkle ... Read more

Reviews (104)

help for newlyweds
My husband and I were married only three months ago, and have taken on the challenge of trying to combine our ideas of how money should be spent. He is the thrifty one (the cheapskate :)), while I have always been a spendy girl! I spend every dime I can get my hands on, even though I know I should save. I actually had a small victory when I closed all of my store credit accounts that I used on a regular basis! I bought Mary's book for my husband's birthday, and while he was out of town on business, I read it and began to transform our lives! We have quite a substantial amount of debt for a couple in their 20's since we paid for most of our wedding with visa. The first part of the book really spoke to me and how to tackle a large amount of debt in a short period of time. I immediately created a rapid debt repayment schedule that is now posted on our refrigerator! Mary had some great ideas on how to start saving and investing while paying off current debts, no matter how small you start. Her advice was very encouraging when I felt like we could never climb out of our hole! Now we have a plan to be debt-free in 30 months and I cannot wait! Thanks Mary for all your great help and ideas!

Hope for the financially lost!
I loved this book. I purchased it with big plans for New Year's resolutions...get out of debt. Unlike other books of this type I have read, I actually enjoyed reading this one! Mary Hunt covers the nuts & bolts of a sound financial plan in easy to read, concise terms. She uses her own life examples and lots of humor. I liked the fact that she made the concepts easy to grasp without being condescending or too technical for the beginner. Her book covers many different areas of personal finance without being too broad. And there are some great charts and calculators for creating very "livable" solutions to your money problems. I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with personal finances, and maybe a new year's resolution or two!

Very Helpful.
This book and the author's website (www.debtproofliving.com) have really turned my financial life around. Such a practical, reasonable and "do-able" plan. After so many futile attempts to learn how to manage my money, I've discovered a way that really works--the debt-proof living way!

Hands Down, This is the Best
I am a personal finance junky and not easy to please. This is it ... the best book I've read on the subject. Not at all condescending. I give it 5 stars because I learned a lot even tho I thought I knew it all.

God this, God that
Can't people just write self-help books anymore without throwing God into the picture?? This is just another example of Christian authors trying to push their values onto others. The author suggests that we give away 10% of our income, and that connects us to God? I don't think so. And besides, if I'm buried in debt and am having financial problems, am I really in a position to just give away 10% of my hard-earned money? I think not! If I make $2000 per month, I'm supposed to give away $200? Maybe when I'm OUT of debt, I'll be in a better position to donate, help the homeless, or aid some other cause.

This book lost credibility from the get-go. ... 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

If you’re like most people, your biggest investment is your house. Sell your house wisely and you not only save loads of time, but you also pocket thousands—if not tens of thousands—of dollars more than you would otherwise.  Making a big mistake in the sale of your house, on the other hand can easily cost you additional weeks—perhaps even months—of work and headache as well as half a year’s worth (or more) of your take-home income.

If you want to sell your house and don’t know where to start, House Selling for Dummies, Second Edition can show you the way. If you’ve researched this topic and would like to discover more about certain aspects of selling your home, then look no further.

House Selling for Dummies, Second Edition is a user-friendly, holistic book totally oriented to your needs as a seller. This friendly guide cuts through confusing real estate lingo and explains in plain English how to make the best possible decisi ons for your situation—whether that decision means staying in your current home rather than selling or if it means selling through a good local real estate agent. This updated edition can help you avoid making mistakes in your selling decisions and will ensure that you sell your home in the best way possible. This down-to-earth guide shows you how to:

• Research your options and the personal finance ramifications of your decision to sell or not to sell
• Decide whether you should sell your house yourself or bring in an agent
• Find the right team of real estate professionals to work with
• Prepare your house before you put it on the market
• Determine the value of your house
• Time the sale of your house
• Negotiate the sale of your house
• File your income taxes after the sale of your house

Reviews (9)

Fairly Helpful
We recently sold our house ourselves. It worked. It was definitely worth it.

I bought this book to help me better understand the issues I was facing when we got started. It was helpful and definitely worth the money. The language was easy to understand and it did highlight a number of issues that made the process easier for me.

Unfortunately there was a lot of information that didn't apply to a fairly normal situation and a number of things weren't covered (one issue is that real estate laws can vary a great deal from state to state). I think a lot of people could find the important stuff mentioned in this book on the internet or from talking to friends.

Lots of good advice
I wish I had read this book BEFORE hiring an agent, it would have saved me a lot of grief and maybe some cash. Don't think that this book is just for people selling a house themselves -- there is a lot for those who choose to work with an agent. If you go into the selling process without knowledge, you're largely at the mercy of someone who interests don't overlap yours in every way. This is the most important financial transaction of most people's lives, self-education is the best way to prevent stress and getting burned.

The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is the relative lack of information about how to leave your house -- what is expected of the seller in terms of patching walls, cleaning etc.

This book is the best investment you can make
This book was indispensable while I was selling my house. The numerous practical tips on preparing a house for sale and the explanation of the legal ins and outs were certainly helpful, but what was absolutely invaluable was the advice on avoiding the emotional pitfalls that can make you miserable and keep you from making the best business deal. Using this book's advice, I priced my house right and staged it well, and it sold very quickly for above the asking price.

This is a very small investment that will help you with a six-figure financial transaction, so it's well worth the cover price.

Don't be discouraged, all you FSBOs out there!
While I agree with a previous reviewer that it was a little discouraging that the authors thought so highly of realtors, I just ignored that part and used all the other very useful information in this book. Short story short, our house ad went in the paper on a Friday (in what the book termed "Death Valley" season, no less) and we had our buyer the next Monday!!

The info on how to spruce up your house and how to negotiate the contract was a big help. We did it all without a realtor, got the price we were aiming for, and avoided that ridiculous commission.

Absolutely practical
With no other experience than this book and its sister 'House Buying for Dummies' I have done 3 transactions over the last two years. I used them as overviews, instruction manuals and reference guides. Covers the basics in straight forward language, and also goes into sufficient detail to not require buying another books. Don't be fooled or ashamed of the title. There is nothing but intelligence in this book. ... 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 t