Book Description

If you are concerned about estate planning you may be surprised that, even with a will, the probate system can eat up as much as 10 percent of an inheritance and delay the process two years. In The Living Trust, noted living trust authority Henry Abts presents a simple, inexpensive legal alternative that eliminates the costs and delays of probate and ensures that your loved ones will receive their inheritance promptly and exactly as you intended. This new edition has been completely updated to reflect the federal tax codes and up-to-the-minute developments in the legal system.

Reviews (13)

This book is terrific for the layperson. Highly recommended.
After reading Abts book on the Living Trust, I followed the author's recommendations, collected ALL pertinent documents and now they are in one place. If you want peace of mind regarding how to protect your assets, this book is the one to guide you through the process. It is a priceless reference source on an on-going basis. The book is straight-forward, well written, easy to understand and follow; I highly recommend it.

The best I found.
It is not for writing your own trust, but it was by far the best for the legal information, explanations and especially case scenarios. After reading 3-4 other books, I found this to have the clearest presentation of a complex subject; but of even greater value--it gave common (but unknown to me and not mentioned in other books) alternatives for dealing with problem personal situations like irresponsible children or family. Ex: dividing estate into three dispursements given out at five year intervals to give heirs a chance to "blow it" and then grow up. Because of this book alone, I was able to make decisions I was finally comfortable with.

The BEST
This book gives all the answers in clear, easy to understand language. I have spent a lot of time researching the subject and this is the only source I feel I can trust (get the pun?)

Am surprised it's "popular"
This book is a very long advertisement for the trust-writing services of the man's company, complete with urgings to call their 800 number to find their local agent. Also, everything in the book could have been said in 1/10 the space. It's filled with full page charts that contain no usefull information, and it rambles without reason. And, as long as it is, I still don't know much about living trusts.

Information or Advertisement?
This is an interesting book. Being a lawyer specializing in trusts, I am, contrary to public opinion, open to new ideas. Generally, this is a very well researched and written book. Is it a manual for the unlettered? Not at all. Is it a book to be used by the moneyed? Not at all. This book contains many of the fundamentals of trusts, estate taxes, and administration of estates. The technical sections are very well done!

But, I regret to say the book is flawed. For example, the author makes the assumption that the practices of one state are common to all. The average reader will be uncomfortable in the discovery that some of the title practices, public officials, and even terms to which the author alludes or even states are not in use in the reader's locale.

At the same time, the author seems to think that the form is sufficient. Not so! It is the substance of the words, not their form, that is important. I fear that many unskilled readers will prepare their own trusts, leaving out some unconsidered thoughts, only to have the trust fall apart at wrong time, namely after the grantor has died.

Finally, I am pleased that the author has had such a successful business selling...trusts. I wish that the book dealt more with trusts, since their common law inception with the Statute of Uses passed during the reign of Henry VIII, and less with the business. ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for JOHN NEFF on investing

"This book offers important insights into the methods and long-term rewards of ‘value’ investing. The serious investor will not want to miss this clear exposition of the successful Neff technique."–BURTON G. MALKIEL, Author of A Random Walk Down Wall Street

"A must read for anyone who is serious about investing."–JOHN REED, Chairman and Co-CEO, Citigroup Inc.

During his thirty-one years as portfolio manager of Vanguard’s Windsor and Gemini Funds, John Neff beat the market twenty-two times while posting a fifty-seven-fold increase in an initial stake–making Windsor the largest mutual fund in the United States in the process.

Now, the "investor’s investor" is ready to share the strategies that earned him international recognition. He delineates, for the first time, the principles of his phenomenally successful low p/e approach to investing, and describes the strategies, techniques, and decisions that earned him a place alongside Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch in the pantheon of modern investment wizards. Packed with advice, guidance, and invaluable lessons in investing, John Neff on Investing reveals for the first time the long-heralded investment strategies of a Wall Street genius. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Revealing & Insightful
As many have already pointed out; Neff's record speaks for itself. But what his book does is give you an idea of how he achieved his results throughout various economic & political cycles. Most of the book reads like a chronological journal. This gives the reader, and hopefully many new investors, an idea of how much stock valuations, and peoples attitudes towards them, can & do change. For example, in '78 the Windsor fund was valued at 5.6x earnings (an implied earnings yield of 17.9%), with an estimated growth rate of 9.7%, & current yield of 5.5%. More tantalizing is the company specific valutions he writes about. Such valuations sound absurd by todays standards, but after following Neff during his career, hopefully some readers may realize that today valuations may be just as crazy.

Along with some recent market history (the last 30 yrs.), Neff imparts to the reader the importance throughout his career of buying low P/E stocks & always focusing on the price paid for each company.

All in all a very good book & most certainly informative for any investor.

Back to basics
John Neff recounts his life as one of Wall Street's legendary value players in this book. This is more of a personal memoir in some ways by one of investing's legends rather than a detailed investment book, but I found it enjoyable and full of useful advice nevetheless. Neff's warnings about the dangers of "story stocks" and momentum stocks, which recent events in the market have certainly underscored, will no doubt ring true to many investors looking to reassess their investment strategies after the recent market downturn. Neff tells how he ferretted out unloved and battered stocks with low PE's whose businesses were still solid and were set to rebound when conditions eventually turned around, which they did sooner than later in Neff's case. Although a little light on the technical details, as I said, it's more of a personal memoir, and overall, it's a good book on the lessons and advantages of value investing and how Neff pursued that strategy in the different economic environments and stock markets of the 60's to the 90's for the Windsor Fund.

Learn how to profit significantly from Neff!
John Neff on Investing is a must read for any serious investor. I myself have read many MANY investment books written by (or on behalf of) masters such as Buffett, Fisher, Graham, Lynch, etc, but none has been more influential to my own investment style than John Neff.

Like the contrarian himself, Neff's book is somewhat different from the usual. For the most part, it reads like a journal. Although I personally found it extremely practical and enlightening. Most importantly, Neff reveals how a master like himself thinks. By and large Part 2 is the best - I constantly re-read that section over and over again.

Since reading his book, I have profited significantly. Low P/E investing and Total Return Ratio is now the cornerstone of my investment style. Good luck to all!

Nice, not Great
A nice book that shows a sensible investing style.

While the book is full of good decisions, I would have preferred the mention of more of the mistakes that were made, and an analysis of them.

Also, I found that the chronological style was a bit dry. It does not allow for a way to pull the threads together into a mental model. And, finally, the mental model is what is important if one wants to benefit from this book. I think the book imposes on the reader much of the task of building such a model.

Using a Total Return Strategy to Maximize Returns
Before John Neff retired in 1995, he managed Vanguard's Windsor and Gemini funds for over 30 years. He managed these funds well enough to beat the Standard and Poor's 500 Index over 70% of the time. During his tenure, Vanguard Windsor became the largest mutual fund in America. Neff's account, "John Neff on Investing" contains three distinctive parts. Part One, "My Road to Windsor," is autobiographical in nature.

Part Two, "Enduring Principles," guides the reader through Neff's low price-earnings investing methodology. John Neff lists his main ingredients in picking stocks as a low price-earnings ratio (p/e), a 7% minimum earnings growth rate, a desirable dividend yield, and a favorable "total return ratio." To limit downside risk, Neff considers fundamentally strong companies and industries, and cyclical companies with extremely attractive price-earnings ratios.

John Neff low price-earnings strategy begins with a "total-return ratio" formula. Neff estimates a company's earnings growth rate, adds its dividend yield and divides the total by the stock's price-earnings ratio. Historically, Neff has generally looked for stocks with a "total-return ratio" greater than two. Interested individual investors can access and try John Neff's "total-return ratio" formula, with the option of entering up to five company ticker symbols at a time.

"Neff on Investing" continues in Part Three with "A Market Journal." This chapter chronicles Neff's formidable challenges and remarkable successes in his years at the helm at Vanguard under varying business, economic, and market conditions. Nearly one-third of "Neff on Investing" is devoted to Neff's personal history. Readers who wish to get a full measure of Neff's life - and his investment philosophy, methodology and investing track record may wish to purchase "John Neff on Investing." ... Read more

Book Description

The Overspent American explores why so many of us feel materially dissatisfied, why we work staggeringly long hours and yet walk around with ever-present mental "wish lists" of things to buy or get, and why Americans save less than virtually anyone in the world. Unlike many experts, Harvard economist Juliet B. Schor does not blame consumers' lack of self-discipline. Nor does she blame advertisers. Instead she analyzes the crisis of the American consumer in a culture where spending has become the ultimate social art. ... Read more

Reviews (49)

From the Overspent American -NOT
As a newcomer to this country, I find books like these fascinating, as they give me glimpses into the thought process of my fellow citizens (not all, of course). I enjoyed the book for answering the questions of "why", but found many ideas on coping with consumerism quite hard to swallow. (Sharing the lawnmower with my neighbors? I don't even know their names! (Nor do I want to know them! For that matter, I don't wish to mow my own lawn at all! )And no, the TV show "Friends" have not replaced real people in my life yet. Downshifting and spirituality are great, but seeing the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids, and the Red Square are also quite an experience. As long as one does not deplete their life's savings to do it, why deliberately deprive yourself? ) If you are looking for the book on "how to", this is not the one. Instead, a good starting point is "A Millionaire Next Door" coupled with "One up on Wall Street". If you wish a peek at our "class-less" society and their spending/living patterns, read Paul Fussell's "Class". If you are looking for a book on why you may be making a six-digits salary and living in debt, read "The Overspent American". (...)

Engaging and Informative
Juliet Schor provides Americans, in this engaging book, the knowledge of what their overspending can and probably is costing themselves, their families and their community. The data and research allow readers to look at themselves and what they consume to determine who they are and how they can make their lives happier. Schor's pioneering ideas that consumption can make people less happy need to be looked at by many families in America, so that they may be more conscious of advertising and television. Debt in America is becoming a problem, and this book promotes a higher rate of savings by families and spending less for their well-being and happiness.

Wake up and smell the exhaust
This book was pretty good, although I enjoyed Affluenza a little more. Many Americans come off online as spoiled babies who can never get enough, as is seen by reviews for this book. They get their opinions from Talk Radio and television, because they are incapable of thinking for themselves. They deny and placate away any guilt because they would rather be a soul-less consumer than a responsible human being. It is not liberal to care for the environment; it is smart. If you're smart, you surely would know better than to excrete in your own cave. Perhaps not.
Yes, consumerism all comes down to personal responsibility. With great freedom comes great responsibility. In this country of "entitlement", few seem to want to bear the brunt of that responsibility.

Makes You Think About Your Way of Life
Mrs. Schor brings up so many great points that hit so close to home, several times during my reading, I had to put the book down, and simply think for a moment about the sociological points on consumerism she brought up. Something she said, either applied to me, someone in my family, or a friend, or my neighborhood.

This book really caused me to think about reevaluating my priorities. It made me think about whether buying my "things" really gives me satisfaction, or temporarily satisfies a void in my life.

However, this is one of many books that deals with extreme consumption, and simple living as a way to combat it. As with all these books, whenever the issue of "simple living" is discussed, there will be mentions of caring for the environment, and living with less. Any mention of caring for the environment suggests liberalism, which may annoy some readers. If you bother to read this book, be prepared for that angle, though the entire book is NOT liberal.

If you want to handle a book that was good, even though it is HIGHLY LIBERAL, read "Your Money or Your Life", by Dominguez and Robin. This book is familiar to whomever is reading this review. I'm sure of it.

A perspective on Consumerism
The statistical data presented in this book may now be outdated but it still is very insightful as it is. While there is personal accountability, many people may neither be quite aware nor they have realized the reasons why they are in debt very consciously. Some people lack financial goals or money management skills (even if they are considered high salary earners) fueled by lack of values and especially the seductions and 'pressures' to acquire more - that is to keep up, to give or please, to show, to belong, to be seen as.

This may not be the first book written about frugality, I believe that this is a good read. It could make a person more aware of what consumerism is for. I suspect the reason why some readers weren't so pleased with this book was because it is more of 'whats and whys' written in an academic context ( a thesis) with so many lists of bibliography, notes and works cited that maybe others found irrelevant. But we need to understand the whys and whats in order to do the now what and how to...practically.

In terms of downshifting that is earning less and working less or leaving a 9-to-5 job, it may not be possible for others to do. The truth is its not for everyone. A reviewer said that downshifters look suspicious to him or her, well, I could understand the point too since there are many dishonest people everywhere and there will always be. Nonetheless, there are people who have done it with honesty and dignity.

I am merely a student of frugality and I have readt few books about the subject. For people who are interested about the idea of downshifting, I would like to recommend the book below:
"How to Survive Without a Salary: Learning how to live The Conserver Lifestyle" by Charles Long. Reviewers of this book seemed to be very pleased with the way it was written, including myself. ... Read more

Book Description

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO HELP YOU MANAGE ANY PROJECT

Getting Started in Project Management

Whether working on an international project for a Fortune 500 company or organizing a family reunion, project management is essential to ensure timely and efficient completion of any project. Using their CORE Project Management™ methodology (Collaborative, Open architecture, Results-oriented, Easy-to-use), management consultants Paula Martin and Karen Tate provide a solid foundation for anyone looking to learn or enhance their project management skills.

This easy-to-follow and highly accessible guide introduces the four phases of project management–project initiation, planning, execution, and closeout–and what it takes to successfully complete each phase. Besides outlining the project management process, this book teaches you how to utilize the tools that drive it. From using an issue list for planning to creating an effective project team, Getting Started in Project Management provides proven methods for executing any project that comes your way. Quickly learn:

• The seven keys to project management success •
• Different approaches to the process: directive or participatory project management •
• How to assess risk and avoid pitfalls by identifying them early on •
• Scheduling and budgeting techniques that will keep your project on time and on the money •

Project management is a valuable component of both professional and personal life. Take this opportunity to improve your skill set with guidance from the most respected individuals in the field. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

An essential book for all project managers
Whether you are a project manager, someone who manages project managers or the poor soul picked to "manage" that career-killing, out of control project, this book is for you.

Breaking down the practice of project management into easy to learn steps, Martin and Tate take you through the basics of project management.

Using the principles defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Martin and Tate take you through each step, from assembling your team and assigning roles through to completion (and celebration!).

If you are uneasy about managing projects or simply don't know what is entailed, this book will put you at ease. Once you understand the basic principles of managing a project (any project!) and lay out the steps defined, it is easy to bring your projects under control.

Whether you take the Martin-Tate class on Project Management or not, this book belongs in your library. As with any good reference book, you'll find yourself referring back to it over time.

Great Resouce for New Project Managers
Paula Martin and Karen Tate have created an excellent guide for those transitioning to the role of project manager. This book is well organized, well written, and presents the complicated topics of project management in a straightforward and easy to understand fashion. The CORE Project Methodology (CORE PM) presented in the text differs from most mainstream methodologies in its simplicity, yet it provides all of the key functionality needed to manage the project life cycle.

The authors emphasize four of the five PMI project process (initiation, planning, execution, and closure), and embed the fifth (control) as a thread running throughout the other four. As most project managers would agree, planning is the key process in a successful project, and this is where the authors have focused their attention. Their treatment of the planning process, from identifying scope through building the project schedule, is presented in a step by step manner which is quite easy to understand and follow.

The text presents several tools and techniques that the new project manager can employ to involve the project team in the planning process. These tools and techniques will help develop a sense of ownership in the project by the team.

All in all, this book is an excellent introduction to all aspects of project management, and provides some simple, yet effective, tools and techniques for managing the project life cycle.

Best book for new project managers
If I had to recommend just one book for the novice project manager, this would be the book. Nicely designed, easy to read and well organized. This book has a practical orientation so it will not be satisfying to the academically inclined but if you are starting your first project and are looking for help then GET THIS BOOK AND READ IT.

Even Enhances the Skills of Experienced Project Managers
This is an easy to read book for anyone seeking an introduction to project management or to refine their skills.

The book goes beyond a mere introduction to the four phases of project management - initiation, planning, execution and closeout -- by providing tools which integrate common analysis and decision techniques. The authors' approach is based on identification, organization, analysis and choice. Their toolset provides a roadmap to help teams make the best decisions during the planning and execution phases of the project.

I also found the sample team contract and self-assessments found in the appendix to be insightful.

There is a beauty in simplicity; Paula Martin and Karen Tate have achieved it with this book. Even if you have been practicing project management for years, spend some time with this book. The insights contained in it will reward you for years to come.

For the occasional PM with ideas for the pro
This book is the best I've come across for the occasional project manager. It also contains techniques that even a seasoned project manager will find useful.

For the occasional project manager the authors provide a straightforward and [in my opinion] foolproof approach to planning and managing projects. What I like is the emphasis is on taking the time to properly plan the project, and focus on what is going to be delivered and the quality of the deliverables. While deliverable-based project management is one way to assure a properly planned and managed project too many PMs only discover this basic fact after many projects and not a few disasters. This book brings this technique to the occasional PM and explains it in a manner that makes sense. Deliverable quality is addressed by showing the PM how to develop customer acceptance criteria. This ensures that the stakeholders are getting what they require in a form that can be measured. For anyone who has developed a solution using sketchy requirements only to have the solution rejected, the customer acceptance criteria alone makes this book worthwhile.

For the advanced project manager the method outlined is missing some critical elements, such as earned value project management and a coherent discussion of developing a work breakdown structure. However, these oversights can be overcome by purchasing a book such as Visualizing Project Management, which covers these basics. What is not found in any other project management book I've read (and there are dozens) is the integrated use of common analysis and decision techniques that is the topic of Chapter 11. The approach is based on identification, organization, analysis and selection (choices). These are achieved through affinity diagramming (identification and organization), interrelationship diagraph (analysis and choice), a decision matrix (analysis and choice) and multivoting (analysis and choice). The end result is a thorough analysis and consensus among all project stakeholders for deliverables, acceptance criteria and other aspects of the project. These tools are extended in Appendix D, which briefly, but succinctly, describes the Martin Tate Problem Solving Methodology.

Occasional and advanced project managers alike will benefit from the detailed instructions for managing project changes, the many checklists and tables throughout the book (augmented by well designed illustrations), and the way the authors blend hard project management techniques with people skills.

If you find yourself tasked with managing relatively simple projects this should be the first book to which you turn. If you are a seasoned professional who wants to add some effective skills to your bag of tricks this book will prove to be a wise investment. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For many of us, the single biggest financial transaction is buying a house. Even more significant than the hefty down payment we fork over is the 15- to 30-year mortgage that needs feeding every month. If you have this much at stake, a little knowledge can go a long way, which is where Eric Tyson and Ray Brown come in. In Mortgages for Dummies, Tyson and Brown (who also wroteHome Buying for Dummies andHouse Selling for Dummies) provide a comprehensive introduction for anyone who is contemplating a mortgage. The book tells you how to evaluate your creditworthiness, determine your borrowing power, and shop for a lender, as well as covering the various types of loans. The authors also devote a section to refinancing and discuss what you should consider when prepaying a loan. They include amortization and remaining-balance tables, and a useful glossary. Whether you're a first-time home buyer or are just looking to refinance, you'll find this a valuable, easy-to-use guide. --Harry C. Edwards ... Read more

Reviews (11)

very helpful, if not extremely polished
You will definitely find out just about anything you wanted to know about mortgages: fixed and ARM (all the others are variations on these themes). My only small complaint is the same as the reviewer's below: several times the authors refer to appendices that are not there! There are also some typos ("suprised") some in prominent places -- it just gave me the feeling that the book was rushed. One piece of information I felt they could have spent more time on was the mechanical side of paying down a 30 mortgage faster. For example, how many years does it take off your loan to put in one extra payment a year, or $100 per month, etc.... Home buyers often pick a 30 year mortgage because of the low monthly payment, but can strive to put in an extra payment a year to save tens of thousands of dollars of interest. This information would have given more details to the types of mortgages most people get. The authors spent a bit too much time by comparison on some relatively rare loans (reverse mortgages) although no one will put a gun to your head and make you read those parts. Overall, it was easy to follow and the best of the books on understanding how mortgages work and how to compare them.

Great Book For home buyers or refinancers
Buying a home is the biggest financial deal many people will ever make. If you're about to buy your first home it pays to learn the ins-and-outs of mortgages. Structuring your mortgage properly can save you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage. "Mortgages For Dummies" explains how mortgages work and how to get a great deal on your mortgage.

"Mortgages For Dummies" begins by asking the reader to evaluate how large of a mortgage he/she can afford. Tyson and Brown discuss budgeting, which is something many people will already know. The authors point out that in addition to covering your basic expenses, such as food and water, you must also allow for your other financial goals, such as retirement planning. Only through budgeting will you get a handle on how large of a mortgage you really can afford. Obviously, you don't want to wind up with mortgage payments you can't pay!

Lenders have separate evaluations of how much you can afford. Tyson and Brown suggest that lenders will expect your monthly housing expenses and repayment of non-housing debt to total no more than about 36% of your monthly income. And, your total housing expense probably shouldn't exceed 28% of your monthly, pretax income.

Tyson and Brown suggest not making an overly large down payment, "if it depletes your emergency financial cushion." And, don't accept a bigger mortgage than you think you can afford just because the banks say you can afford it!

If possible, you probably want at least a 20% down payment on your home. Lenders borrowing to people with less than 20% equity have found that there is an increased risk of default. Because of this, Tyson and Brown explain new homeowners with less than 20% equity in their homes will need to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). PMI can cost hundreds of dollars a year. PMI benefits the borrower, not the homeowner. Tyson and Brown suggest that as soon as you have 20% or more equity in your home, you should eliminate PMI.

Another option is to have the government insure or guarantee your loan. Mortgages For DummiesTM mentions FHA, VA, and FmHA government-guaranteed loans.

Chapter 3, Fathoming the Fundamentals, was one of my favorite chapters. The chapter does a good job explaining the secondary loan market and the purpose of the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA, or Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC, or Freddie Mac).

"Mortgages For Dummies" discusses the difference between conforming and non-conforming mortages. Tyson and Brown write: "This delicious tidbit of information can save you big bucks. Conventional mortgages that fall within Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's loan limits are referred to as conforming mortgages. Mortgages that exceed the maximum permissible loan amounts are either called jumbo loans or nonconforming loans. ... You pay dearly for nonconformity."

"Mortgages For Dummies" goes on to give the money-saving tip: "If you find yourself slightly over Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's limit, don't despair. You can either buy a slightly less expensive home or increase your cash down payment juuuuuuuust enough to bring your mortgage amount under the conforming loan limit." The "juuuuuuust enough" isn't my typo, although I probably got the number of u's wrong. It's Dummies' humor.

Today, "Mortgages For Dummies" Chapter 9, Refinancing Your Mortgage, will be popular. Tyson and Brown provide an example showing how quickly your refinancing will breakeven. They give us "Refinancing's Magic Formula" to calculate if you should refinance.

"Mortgages For Dummies" doesn't formally introduce the annual percentage rate or APR, and I believe this is a critical oversight. (The book does mention APR in its glossary). So, you might be quoted 7.2% and not realize this rate doesn't take into consideration points and fees you will pay, i.e. it's not the APR. Suppose your current mortgage rate is 8% (APR), you might quickly calculate that you save (neglecting tax effects) 8 - 7.2 = 0.8% on the principal loan amount. This would be incorrect, because your actual APR would likely be higher than 7.2% due to the added fees. You really need to distinguish between the fee-inclusive rate and the fee-exclusive rate you might be quoted.

Overall, I think reading "Mortgages For Dummies" is useful for people who are buying their first home or considering refinancing an existing home. Enough dollars at stake that you should pursue all information on the topic and become an informed consumer, even if you need to tolerate some siiiiily jokes.

Peter Hupalo, Author of "Becoming An Investor"

Great Book for mortgage buyers
If you are contemplating buying a home, then this book is a must. Everthing is in here. So complete.

I followed this advice in buying my own home. It works and samed me a bundle.

By contrast, I tried to follow advice in JBQ's book and found that most was outdated and the rest was ineffective.

Extremely helpful in getting our mortgage
I read this book shortly before we signed to build a home, and I can't say how helpful it has been. Knowing how mortgages work (especially ARMs) and the right questions to ask has definitely changed the treatment we have received from various mortgage companies. We ended up going with our builder for financing and after dealing with them, I get the impression that a lot of people DON'T read up on mortgages and just take whatever is offered. Don't just trust the mortgage companies to give you the best deal - read this first and arm yourself for negotiating!

Do not go Home buying without reading this first !!!!!
This book has done a great job in explaining and putting in simple, understandable words all the mortgage techicals and jargon. The mortage offical that originated my loan application was amazed at how much i knew about the matter (if she only knew). Seriously, if you want to get the deal that benefits you the most, then get this book and save hundreds and maybe thousands on closing costs and interest rates during the life of your loan. It will only cost you $16.99 and some little time to read and understand. Hope your have a great deal!!! ... Read more

Book Description

THE GREAT BOOM IS COMING

How and where we work and live is about to change drastically. In The Roaring 2000s, Harry S. Dent, Jr., one of the world's most prescient forecasters, turns his visionary eye to the full spectrum of possibilities that will follow in the wake of a burgeoning turn-of-the-century economy. Dent identifies opportunities, explores trends, and makes concrete predictions. Among them are:

A Dow that will reach at least 21,500 and possibly 35,000 by the year 2008
The rise of "gazelles," small- to medium-sized, high-growth companies that are now creating most of the jobs in the country
The Eight Critical Technology Trends Changing How We Live and Work
The New American Dream -- why changing technologies could mean a return to small-town living, and the nine types of boomtowns that will offer the highest quality of life
The New Network Corporation, which features leadership at the center rather than management from the top, and human browser teams that represent customers by connecting them directly to servers or specialized products and experts. These organizations are fast, responsive and entrepreneurial
The Seven Principles of Successful Investing

For anyone who wants to take advantage of these invaluable, emerging opportunities. The Roaring 2000s is a necessary guidebook to a not-so-distant future. ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Share market and real estate
I think the basic assumption about the impact of the baby boomers is correct, but where Harry went wrong is that he encapsulated the "message" by focusing exclusively on the sharemarket. If he had said that assets, viz average share prices and average property values, will quadruple by 2008, then he will probably be right. Unfortunately he said words to the effect that the Dow Jones will go from 10,000 to 40,000 by 2008. What he didn't properly explain was that in some years real estate will go up, and down, likewise the share market. Together, over the period 2000 - 2008, the combined value will quadruple. His thesis is correct; it was the catchphase that was wrong.

How this guy ever got published is a lesson in itself...
How this guy ever got published is a lesson in itself!
I read this book back in 2000 before the crash and agreed with
some of his reasoning as to the mechanics and ideas which would be implemented in the New Millenium, but disagreed with his
belief that there would be such great prosperity,as history ALWAYS repeats itself.
But alas, no one wants a pessimist. Then he came out with the "Roaring 2000's Investor", which again was creative and showed brilliance, but proved to by flawed on many levels. Now he has another book slated to come out

"The Greatest Bull Market in History: 2003-2008: Investment, Business and Life Strategies - For the Great Boom Ahead and the Great Bust to Follow"

If his past predictions are any indication, this title itself is already filled with hindsight and error. I can tell you there will be no sustainable bull market on any of the indexes for at least the next decade.

I must admit I would like to speak with this guy. With a few real life experiences under his belt he may really hit the target, but so far the best title for a book would be "The Roaring 2000's: How to prosper by making the best seller list by publishing books that make people believe you have the answers."

Lession #1: Don't put dates in the titles of your books that try to predict the future"

What is your opinion of the economy?
It is amazing how everyone has a prediction about the economy, but few will have so many predictions come true. Start with Mr. Dent's first book "The great boom ahead", how did Mr. Dent know the deficit would be wiped out by 1998? Furthermore, I encourage the reader to really study the dow channel. Regarding the Roaring 2000's, I would encourage the reader to read (by the way this was published in 1998) page 296 "remember 2002 could see a substantial correction for adding to stock positions." Furthermore, turn to page 305 "the best years in the stock market and economy should come from late 2002 into...." The last piece of evidence you will find on page 52 "The Roaring 2000's will parallel the Roaring 20's on a two generation or 80 year lag." Do your own research, look at the chart of Intel July 1992-July 2002 and General Motors February 1912 and February 1992, you will find they overlay exactly, exactly 80 years apart. Enough said.

This time around Dent's predictions are completely wrong.
Harry Dent poses as an economist but he is not. He also poses as a demographer but he is not either. As a consequence, he develops sweeping broadbased theories without solid scientific foundation. His main theme is that the large Baby Boom generation is going through its peak spending years during this decade, and as a result it will sustain an economic and stock market boom until 2009. He concludes that it is almost certain that the stock market will earn 10% and above returns throughout this decade.

However, when you look at the record so far, Harry Dent's prediction in 1999 for the first decade of 2000's is way off. The ink was barely dry on his book when the stock market actually peaked (first quarter of 2000) and then tanked. The stock market then suffered a three year bear market. Current outlook for the stock market is for increased volatility, but reduced growth in the single digit range (not the double digit range, Dent predicted).

Dent missed a lot of things. Some of them he could not have predicted such as heightened geopolitical risk, terrorism. Some other factors, he should have predicted. These included the overvaluation of stocks as a result of the Internet Bubble, the onset of World deflation associated with the flooding of cheap exports from China, the eventual slow down of the U.S. economy among others.

Dent also pauses as a futurist. In this role, he just repeats what Alvin Toffler stated in Future Shock almost 30 years ago. Technology will reform the workplace, will boost economic productivity, etc... Nothing new or informative here.

The only somewhat valuable part of this book includes several recommendations for successful investing, including:
1) Save at least 10% of your salary;
2) Use buy and hold strategies, don't try to time the market;
3) Use mutual funds to most efficiently diversify your holdings;
4) Use asset allocation. The greatest returns result from the correct asset allocation. Asset allocation should match your personal risk tolerance; and
5) Invest systematically not emotionally.

However, the author did not support these good investment strategies with adequate useful details. For instance, using a 401K is the best and easiest way to implement all of his five strategies mentioned above. Also, within his mutual fund recommendation, he did not mention the advantages of index funds (greater diversification, lower cost). Thus, he omitted much information for this section of the book to be as informative as it could have.

The Knaves and their New Economy
Harry Dent couples an investment advisory book with a piecemeal economic analysis of the dynamics of the so called 'New Economy' in the 21st century. The author Harry Dent may drool blissfully over his portfolio (which at the time 1998 was probably doing quite well) and see a world of compounding returns and infinite growth, but we live in a real world of scarce resources and measured productivity gains which usually grow marginally each year. One thing that I find anecdotal was the chapter on human development entitled the 'The Right Brain Revolution,' which appealed to the kooky materialism of Abraham Maslow. This was just a rehashing of tired humanistic theories over man's wants and needs.

First to give a background to this book: it was written in 1998-which in Greenspan rhetoric may be deemed a time of "irrational exuberance"-so not suprisingly the author was blissfully optimistically over a booming economy. In reality there was a long-term inflationary boom coupled with a strong market for IPO's and tech stocks. Of course, the speculative bubble burst. Contrary to the harbingers of infinite economic growth, there are no new dynamics to the so called "New Economy." If companies hemorrhage money on spending-showing no prospects for profit in their foreseeable future-than they'll probably be restructuring, going out of business, or solve their insolvency problem by merging with a larger firm. Generally, the present recession has made those who believe that there are some new rules to the game come to retreat from their Alice and Wonderland economics. Granted, we're not going to be in this recession forever contrary to the prophets of eternal economic gloom. However, there are NO new rules for a "New Economy" where profit margins can be razor thin, earnings simply non-existent and profit/equity ratios are absurdly proportioned. So, now we can come back to the real world of 2003, where high government spending and half-trillion dollar deficits crowd out the supply of credit and capital.

Dent is optimistic over the labor market giving way to 'entrepreneurs,' freelancers and temps. However, it is by no means a positive sign when corporations are taking the axe to their personnel that we're in for more prosperity. In addition, some of Dent's positive economic indicators and his analysis are erroneous. For example, he sees large population growth as some positive sign that with more people, they'll be more consumption and consumer spending. But consider that in recent years, GDP growth aside, actual productivity gains have been miniscule and sometimes actually losses over the previous year. Moreover, the population growth (chiefly fueled by immigration) far exceeds productivity growth. So how is this deemed a positive sign if they're less goods and services available on per capita basis? These factors which shade the real 'New Economy,' may suggest that we will be in the economic doldrums for a little while longer. Dent ignores substantive economic indicators, which even in 1998 could have foretold the present recession. If anything, it is quite tenable that the first decade of the 21st century may resemble the stagflation of the 1970s-where inflation and unemployment are high-though not with such severity.

All things considered, the blissful optimism and absurd economic logic so popular which fueled the speculative boom circa 1998 was but a foreshadowing of the present dreary state of economic affairs. The prosperity gurus will never be able to transcend common-sense economic logic with their gospel of eternal economic optimism. Then again, their perspectives are skewed in times of boom when all they see are compounding equity returns. It just seems when some people have a run of luck in the market, they have a tendency to have their judgment clouded in seeking out more 'easy money.' Some like Dent even hope to jerry-rigged the market with a psychology of perpetual prosperity. Anyway, Dent's bullish predictions have already been disproven. (I give it a pithy 0.5/5.0 star rating ... ... Read more

Amazon.com

How can you join the ranks of America's wealthy (defined as people whose net worth is over $1 million)? It's easy, say doctors Stanley and Danko, who have spent the last 20 years interviewing members of this elite club: you just have to follow seven simple rules. The first rule is, always live well below your means. The last rule is, choose your occupation wisely. You'll have to buy the book to find out the other five. It's only fair. The authors' conclusions are commonsensical. But, as they point out, their prescription often flies in the face of what we think wealthy people should do. There are no pop stars or athletes in this book, but plenty of wallboard manufacturers--particularly ones who take cheap, infrequent vacations. Stanley and Danko mercilessly show how wealth takes sacrifice, discipline, and hard work, qualities that are positively discouraged by our high-consumption society. "You aren't what you drive," admonish the authors. Somewhere, Benjamin Franklin is smiling. --This text refers to the hardcover edition. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Fascinating Look at the Habits of Wealthy People
This book provides a fascinating summary of the buying habits, lifestyle, and jobs of the wealthiest group of Americans (the authors define wealthy as a net worth of $1 million or more). The emphasis in the book is that the average millionaire is most likely your own unassuming neighbor who runs his own small business, lives in a "regular" house, doesn't take exotic vacations, has a strict home budget, and tends to buy a used car. The authors's analysis is sometimes statistical, but not overly so, and certainly easy to understand by non-statistical types (like me! :> ). The ultimate point of the book is that if you want the financial success of being one of the top 1%, you need to live below your means and save money wherever you can - purchases, taxes, etc. I really enjoyed the book and found it to be a good read and an easy read. I picked up a number of tips fromthe habits of millionaires on saving some money (the authors say the average millionaire knows where ever dollar goes!) I recommended it to several coworkers, each of whom enjoyed it as well. (Perhaps if I were to follow the principles in the book, I would have offered to sell my own used copy for a few bucks to one of them! ;> ). For [theinexpensive price on] the paperback, you won't be disappointed.

Personal lesson from this book: To amass wealth = be Frugal
This book reveals interesting statistics about real-life wealthy people and their habits/secrets.

There is a lot of good advice and examples (some technical) on how to acheive wealth but the true eye opener is that self-made millionaires adopt a lifestyle which can be surprising...they are frugal. (ie may not be wearing a Rolex!)

This changed my personal outlook on becoming wealthy. For example by keeping my car a couple of extra years...then buying the model I wanted but 1year old instead of new etc.

The book shows us how if we truly adopt a frugal lifestyle it is much more realistic to become wealthy. The great irony I see in this is that to become wealthy you need to focus your life on LIVING and not on THINGS or money itself (ie be frugal).

This book truly demonstrates methods and ways that people who adopt this lifestyle acheive the most in monetary terms.

This book is a definite must buy for anyone interested in gaining serious wealth no matter what your income may be.

Sensible Advice on Accumulating Money
This book will teach you, if you will listen, to move to the next level of wealth. Combined with one of Mary Hunt's books on how to eliminate debt and stay out of it, you can get on the road to fiscal sanity through simple, sensible behavior.

Great Book
I found this book to be very precise and insightful. I understood the underlining points that he makes and understand what he is saying when he elaborates on these points. Obviously Richard Lam did not see this, why I don't know. I found it not to read like a textbook and I have read many being in the computer field. I would recommend this book to anyone who is serious about becoming economically independent.

This book changed my life: it's excellent!
This book, and its successor, The Millionaire Mind, changed my life. I am a type-B person who is smart enough -- and talented enough -- to make an okay-living but I know I'll never bring home the big bucks because I like leisure activities and time with my family too much. I am married to a man with the same outlook. Reading this book made me realize that I could build wealth by passive means rather than active (i.e. earning a big salary.) Even an ordinary person can become financially stable -- even very wealthy -- by following the basic living rules that your parents taught you (or should have taught you.) Far more than a book about money, this is really a book about values and how you live your life.

The book should really be titled "Everything Your Mom Taught You (or Should Have Taught You) is Right." If you follow all the rules laid out in this book, you will never be poor (except for some disaster that you have no control over, but in that case you'd be poor no matter what you did.) The rules are the ones that Americans used to live by before the coming of the 60s and 70s and the "turn on, tune out" generation's destructive, infantile philosophy.

These rules are: 1.) Complete at least high school (a college degree is better, but not necessary. 2.) Marry a hardworking reliable spouse, not a flake, and stay married. (Advice is good for both sexes -- divorce is a huge wealth-killer). 3.) Live below your means, save and invest the left-over money. 4.) Buy good quality stuff, not trendy "stuff" that goes out of style or falls apart after a few years, and keep it for a long time. 5.) Buy used, good quality stuff rather than new, poorly made junk for the same price. 6.) Don't do stuff that harms your health, like substance abuse and promiscuous sex. 7.) Don't buy on credit. Pay off your credit cards every month and save up for what you want rather than financing it at 18 percent interest. 8.) Realize that excessive consumerism is really another word for slavery. It really is better to have a couple hundred thousand dollars in the bank and be able to sleep at night than to have the latest model luxury car and the biggest house, and not be able to sleep at night.

... ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Could be half the size
I caution against this book. I found it quite patronizing and takes forever to get to the point. Some of the economics are quite dubious and I don't like it's continual use of analogies; this is an excerpt explaining how stock market cycles are made up of smaller cycles.

"Here's an analogy. This book is made of many chapters. Within each chapter are separate sections that, when strung together, create that chapter. The sections are made of a series of paragraphs: the paragraphs are built of sentences , which are formed by words. Each word, sentence, paragraph, and section is a complete unit in and of itself. And, when looked at as a whole, they form the complete book. Get the picture?"

If you don't mind paragraphs like the above (and there are a lot of them) then there are some pearls of wisdom in this book but I find the style quite distracting. If you are serious about trading this might be a good first book but I strongly suggest going on to read some more serious books.

Excellent book for someone new to trading
This was a well written book in easy-to-understand English. I am new and green to trading and trading terms. The author made complex subjects easy to understand. Before this book, I looked at stock charts, threw my hands up in the air and screamed out of ignorance. Now, having read the book, I can read stock charts with ease.

This is a great introductory book for short-term trading. After this one, you'll be more knowledgeable and able to advance to the more complicated books.

Toni Turner, thank you for this book.

BUY IT!
This book is packed with valuable, usable information from oscillators to use of candlestick patterns and lots more. The writing style is simple yet effective, better than most books that cost many times more. BUT IT!

Road to Rich's
I found Toni Turner's book a very excellent one crammed with lots of information very useful for those "going short" to those that "going long" and everything in between. Armed with all the information contained within, and learning about chart's and graph's, terminology, market data, resources, indicators, etc., etc., your goal of success will be very high. And to top it off she's very funny; so the sections that have to cover the boring information is made very fun and light hearted. Plus her "Hot Tips" throughout the book are very useful and the motivation sections are just icing on the cake. Nothing less than 5 Stars for such a great asset and a great source of reference material in the future.

Simple & Fun
In this book, Toni Turner takes a complex subject,hits all the basics and makes it fun and easy to understand. AWESOME beginners book!!! ... Read more

Book Description

The number of new personal bankruptcies filed each year continue to increase. And there is no relief in sight. Bankruptcy is never a painless or easy decision, but with a little know-how, you can get through this process with a minimum of headache, heartache, and indigestion. With a clear focus towards the future, you can then begin to get your finances—and your life—back in order.

If you’re considering bankruptcy, are currently in the process of filing for bankruptcy, or on the brink of bankruptcy and looking for a way to get through debt, Personal Bankruptcy For Dummies can help you make the best decisions about your financial future.

Personal Bankruptcy For Dummies is a nuts-and-bolts toolbox, which covers both Chap7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Written by two seasoned experts on bankruptcy law, this easy-to-follow guide walks you through the bankruptcy process and explains how to rebuild your credit after filing for bankruptcy. Straightforward answers and re liable advice can help you sort out all of your possibilities, with a clear understanding of what you have to gain and what’s to lose. This carefully written guidebook will show you how to:

• Consider alternatives to bankruptcy
• Decide which type of bankruptcy is right for you
• Prevent further financial damage before filing for bankruptcy
• Defend yourself from bill collectors and the IRS
• Save your home and other important assets
• Wipe out credit card debt
• Use bankruptcy to deal with tax debts
• Repair your credit and stay out of financial trouble

Filled with expert tips and tactics for navigating the world of bankruptcy, Personal Bankruptcy For Dummies gives you the ammunition and information you need to intelligently and confidently choose your own best path and get back on your feet again. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good Book
Good book although some aspects are very general. See also Surviving Financial Disasters By Tiffany R. Love it comes with a CD ROM.

Indispensable primer for anyone considering bankruptcy
This tome is an absolute godsend for those who are considering filing for bankruptcy yet may not know much about the process. This book covers all the bases concerning Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings. From common mistakes and misconceptions to the highly specific legalese of bankruptcy law, this book addressed nearly every one of my concerns about this complex and emotionally challenging process. I opened the front cover a bankruptcy know-nothing and set it down feeling like an attorney.

This is not a DIY guide to financial rebirth (in fact the authors highly discourage this), but more of an "Everything-You-Ever-Wanted-to-Know-About-Bankruptcy-but-Were-Afraid-to-Ask" reference. The authors do not delve into the minutia of the process. They seek to be more like tour guides, leading you through the perilous wilds of US bankruptcy law with their collective wealth of knowledge on the subject. I found more useful information in the first 10 pages of this book than I did in six hours of web-surfing.

The most superlative compliment I can bestow upon this volume is that it helped to allay my fears and crystalize my plans for my financial future.

Finally, an understandable bankruptcy book!
This book is clear, concise, understandable and even funny at times. The authors have done an incredible job of taking a very complicated topic and making it understandable for a lay audience. At the same time, they avoid talking down to the reader.

Personal Bankruptcy for Dummies is, first and foremost, a very useful tool for anyone even thinking about bankruptcy. It answers all the questions without preaching or browbeating. It ought to be read by every potential bankruptcy client before they meet with a lawyer. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bestselling author Jane Bryant Quinn has revised and updated her classic 1991 primer on finance, Making the Most of Your Money, to prepare readers for the challenging fiscal atmosphere that she sees in the coming century. Written in her familiar, easily understood style, it starts out by helping you determine exactly where you stand on money matters and explaining basic money management techniques. Next, Quinn offers comprehensive discussions about insurance needs, home ownership, college funding, investment planning, and retirement. A useful series of appendices provides additional information on insurance, college, bonds, pensions, and more. ... Read more

Reviews (176)

BORROW IT--DON'T BUY IT!
I gave this book a 3 only for people
who don't know beans about personal
finance and like to read as a hobby.
The information is way too basic and
some is misleading i.e. her comments
on stock splits. Quinn makes it
sound like when a stock splits say
2 for 1, you now have two five's in
place of one ten. The truth is when
a stock splits a tremendous amount
of momentum and excitement is
created --- it goes beyond a stock
splitting,it's the amount of money
that can be made during all phases
of the split that makes investing in
stocks that are splitting exciting. I saw similiar errors
with insurance. home buying, mutual
funds, credit etc, etc.etc. If you
are curous, like was, you may want
to read this. But don't take the in-
formation too seriously and you'll
definitely want to read some other
financial books to get some real
meaty financial techniques. My best
advice---save your money and your
time---READ SOMETHINGELSE.

Mostly 1970's advice
The bulk of this book is just regurgitated information from a book that Quinn wrote back in 1979. The newest piece of information that I found were the new (ha-ha) Roth IRA's

This book is really 180 pages of information fluffed out to 1,000 pages of mostly useless trash. The most useful stuff can be found on the internet for FREE. If you really want to read this book you can borrow it from your library for FREE. It will be there. This is not a hot book with a huge waiting list.

I also found it amusing to see this book listed with Suze Orman's great book The Road To Wealth here at Amazon. No doubt this is just an attempt by Quinn to jump on Suze Ormans coat tails (just like she did with Venita Van Caspel in late 70's and early 80's)

The Road To Wealth is an excellent book that has content which is also current by the way and Suze Orman has the credentials to boot. What credentials does Quinn have? I rest my case!

Skip this book and buy The Road To Wealth, The Automatic Millionaire or something useful. You may also want to buy the original version of this book; Making The Most of Your Money by Ray Linder. JEESH QUIIN: You can't even come up with an original title for Gods sake!

Almost as Imporant
As a companion book to "How to Make the Most of Yourself," this anthology can begin to reveal the other decisions of life that are important for everyone, and place in perspective the priorities we have, and those we make, and how. Usually leads to a comfortable life, if not always a happy one. Highly recommended for those who consider the deprivations of life as related to their finances and the power they possess rather than the satisfactions of life from other more elusive sources that cannot be spent but may be longer lasting and self fulfilling. Usually a help in making money!

This book has been valuable to me for eleven years.
I originally bought this book called "Making the Most of Your Money" back in 1992 in order to help me with estate planning and general financial advice: I was only 24 years-old. That being said I don't know how Quinn could have stolen the title from Ray Linder's book since Quinn's original book was published before Ray Linder's book (1995).

For the record, we have followed the advice of Quinn's original book. Overall our net worth increased substantially during the period 1999-2004 because we were diversified and we continued to invest throughout. We also saved around 15-20% per year: not as good as the 30% per year that another reviewer from Japan recommends, but still a decent amount considering we live in one of the most expensive areas in the U.S.

I totally disagree with those who say that the 1991 version of the book pushes annuities and cash value insurance. My father-in-law who is a CFP and insurance agent always hated Quinn's advice because she recommended Term Insurance. We personally don't own any annuities, but our parents like them so maybe we'll invest in them in the future.

I do agree with those who say you shouldn't rely on the book for detailed investing, estate planning, college savings, and insurance purchases. For that you should find a detailed up-to-date book on the specific subject that interests you and then consult a good CFP, accountant, or estate-planning attorney. There are a lot of things that have changed since 1991; as a result the book is out of date in many respects.

In conclusion, the book was very helpful to me as an introduction to personal finance, estate planning, and purchasing insurance. It was a very good book when it was published 12 years ago. However, a lot of things have changed making the book out of date in specifics. But, I still believe that the general advice in the book is good.

Incomplete, confusing and boring
From reading passagers of this huge tome by Quinn, it is all so obvious what she has copied from other financial authors...and what she has left out. In some areas Quinn rattles on and on buut never seems to get to the point. Somewhat like asking someone for the time and they try (incorrectly) to explain how a watch works and leaves you wondering; what the heck was that all about?

Another problem is that this book is now about 8 years old. A lot of changes have occurred in personal finance during the last 8 years.

Although the book looks intimadating by it's size, the real problem is how much is left out.

I recommend Suzes Orman's excellent book The Road To Wealth in place of, not in addition to this book. Other good books to get you up to speed include 10 Smart Money Moves For Women, Smart Women Finish Rich and 9 Steps to Financial Freedom. ... Read more

Book Description

Running, or working in, a small business can be a highly rewarding experience – especially if the businessowner knows how to make the most of financial management tools, such as the accounting software QuickBooks.

QuickBooks 2003 For Dummies shows you how to turn your PC into a valued business partner. Bookkeeping becomes a breeze as you discover ways and means to

• Track accounts receivable and payable
• Set up online baking and bill paying
• Monitor inventory
• Print checks
• Pay your employees
• Prepare quarterly and annual tax returns

The number-crunching know-how of QuickBooks automation comes in several flavors: QuickBooks Basic, QuickBooks Pro, and QuickBooks Premier. QuickBooks Pro adds advanced job-costing and time-estimating features. QuickBooks Premier build on all that with features for accountants and auditors who want to use QuickBooks for rather large small businesses. QuickBooks 2003 For Dummies explores the nuances of these variations, with information and insight into

• Entering names of products, employees, customers, and vendors into lists
• Installing QuickBooks for network use
• Printing credit memos in a batch
• Tracking customer open invoices and collections
• Adjusting inventory records to reflect what's really in stock
• Balancing a non-online bank account
• Restoring your QuickBooks data (if you lose it)

You don't need to know much about accounting or double-entry bookkeeping to use QuickBooks, which is most of its appeal. With the power of QuickBooks 2003 For Dummies, financial details can be tamed the fun and easy way as get down to the business of building your moneymaking enterprise. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Useless
Almost half of this book has nothing to do with using Quickbooks, and the half that talks about Quickbooks instructions is shallow and almost useless. Every time something confused me when I tried to decide how to use the Quickbooks features, I looked it up in this book. Half the time there was no information, and the rest of the time the information was less helpful than the instructions that appeared on the Quickbooks screen. I ended up calling my accountant so often, he told me buy a book. When I told him I'd already bought this book, he told me to buy the other bestselling book on Quickbooks , which is the one he used. He was right.

Incorrect Information
There isn't a lot of good, practical information in this book, because the author spends too much time on non-Quickbooks information and wisecracks. However, when I had a problem, the information in this book was wrong.

My bank reconciliation didn't work, and I looked up the solution in this book. The picture of the reconciliation window the author used to explain the problem wasn't the same as the window in Quickbooks. The author's "solution" was to let QuickBooks make a change to my records - which my accountant won't accept. I finally went to a bookstore and found another book, which gave a clear explanation of the problem, how it happened, and how to fix it (it was the QuickBooks Official Guide by Ivens).

This book is not only missing important instructions for Quickbooks users, some of the instructions that are in the book are wrong.

Haven't read the book yet, but emailed Steve & he answered!
I haven't read the book yet, but I just bought it. I read the Mr. Nelson's statement (third reveiw listing) and took him up on his offer to email him with questions. He answered very quickly and was very helpful! I figure that any author that makes himself that available, must really believe in his book. Thanks Steve, appreciate your time.

Not Recommended
I am disappointed with this book. The author does not get to the important points, but distracts the readers with unnecessary details. He started off some sections by introducing two methods, recommends one of them and says that he will talk about the other one. But he never did.

Unless you have not used a computer for the last few years, you will not learn much from this book.

Dog-eared and coffee-stained, for good reason!
I have 4 different books on using QB, including this one. Know what? The book I always finding myself reaching for first is this one!
The chapters 17 thru 21 are an especially nice treat; they are not really QB-specific, (so some might argue that these chapters are "filler"), but they are incredibly interesting ways of looking at your business! Like a said, a nice treat. This is the first book I've found that gave a CLEAR and interesting explanation of double-entry bookkeeping. (It doesn't make sense to learn QB if you don't pick up at least a **little** accounting rules along the way!)

The "style" of this book is very friendly, and you'll find it is a very fast read; maybe it's because the explanations about WHY QB does things the way it does MAKES SENSE!

Keep up the good work, Mr. Nelson, this book is a gem! ... Read more

Book Description

In this book, the author gives the reader the keys to building wealth while also creating a successful, united family. In the course of the author’s work with men and women in all phases of life, Ramsey has identified the ten key traits that are essential to creating prosperity, teaching your children about money, living debt-free, and achieving marital bliss around the issues of finances. This book also provides practical lessons that will help you enrich your wallet and your life. This book inspires with the author’s down-home, folksy voice; heartwarming case histories; inspiring insights from his wife, quotations from the Bible, exercises, quizzes, and simple work sheets. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Must read if you don't have MORE THAN ENOUGH
Dave's teaching is practical and common sense. If you follow his plan you will have peace and prosparity. His simple teaching may be scoffed at because it seems common sense, however most people don't follow this and they suffer. I hope you'll read it for your benefit. If you want to have more than enough in your financies and in your life, then read this book.

Must-read for anyone, great perspective on money and more
In this book Dave really drives it home - it's all about values, integrity, honesty and money is just an indicator of those. It taught me a lot on how it really works and it does, you can have more than enough! Go get it!

Dave Ramsey hits a homerun "It truly is about Integrity"
This book should help just about everybody. Dave's open and honest text helps the reader look deep inside himself to look not only for finanial peace but peace in knowing that the reader can sleep at night with all the other parts of his life no matter who he or she is or how finacially secure he or she might beRamsey has worked hard at his own success and makes no bones about sharing a life that is more about integrity and doing the right thing than the typical finacial strategy books on the market.His tips are solid as a rock and should not be ignored. Especially in todays enviroment where words like integrity, honesty and courage seem to be set aside for excuses and lies. The book takes Dave's first book and drives home the behavioral changes that need to take place to be successful in all aspects of life. Great Job Dave and thank you.

Do yourself (and your family) a favor ... read this book!
I submitted a review of this book last week. I loved the book. I would gladly write an additional review. I wholely believe in Dave's Methods and have shared them with many friends and family. They will change your live.

If you want to stop worrying about money - READ THIS BOOK!
More than enough will give you the keys to assisst you to become one with your spouse. Not in a way that one spouse concedes or bullies one another other, but in a way that helps a couple communicate and agree upon what is important to them. On his talk show, Dave says that if he is given a couple's checkbook and day planner, he can tell you where your heart is. He opens your eyes to where your heart is, not where you think it is. As I have read Financial Peace more then once and now More Than Enough, I think my heart is in a better place and that my husband and I, as a couple, are steering a course in the same direction. ... Read more