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

Book Description

Ninety audio minutes with four guided visualizations that give hope and tools to achieve real dreams. This is an effective and practical approach for women who are ready to set meaningful goals in work, life, creativity and matters of Spirit. All visualizations have a relaxing background of original music by Spencer Brewer, new age pianist. A good description of the experience was written in a NAPRA review this July/Aug ‘01 — “Simply lovely!...a unique and loving tool to help the listener step two years into the future and embrace herself. (The references are feminine, but the program is equally powerful and relevant for men.) Side A introduces the listener to her future self—not just what it looks like but what it feels like—in vivid detail. Side B furthers the process by introducing the ‘personal genie’, a vital part of each of us that is connected to the power of manifesting our deepest desire. Wall is careful to define prosperity as an all-encompassing state! of well-being, not just [the] financial. By focusing on both grounding in true self and projecting that self into the future, she helps us understand and achieve our dreams.” Triana Elan, Editor ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Tools to create a real change!
Cynthia has recorded an artful path with specific tools to help you make very real changes in how you are in the world.She is a gentle guide that coaches a comprehensive way to get from where you are to where you want to be in realizing your dreams.Cynthia combines guided meditations, helpful suggestions and a vision of abundance. I highly recommend this tape for individuals that are feeling stuck or need a boost to create greater properity in life. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A decent reference
The book gives a good summary of different investment vehicles out there to beginner and somewhat experienced investors. However, the book does push the idea of investing through Dean Witter a little too much especially in the beginning chapters. Not bad as a reference book although the Motley Fool books are a little more amusing.

I am a beggining investor and......
I loved this book! It gave me a complete overview of different investment markets, and how to capitalize on them. This book taught me how important it is to understand that starting your investments today is one of the biggest factors to my financial security. I think this book is great for someone who wants a good foundation of the knowledge on Wall Street and other investment areas.

A great place to start
For those people with little or no investment experience, I think this is an appropriate book. It's fairly comprehensive but doesn't go into detail. I would keep it as a handy reference rather than as an investment guide (not enough investment advice). ... Read more

Book Description

The best book on mutual funds just got better-and bigger-in this up-to-the-minute new paperback edition. This is the expanded edition of the acclaimed hardcover guide that earned raves from consumers, reviewers, and booksellers. The Wall Street Journal called Rowland's 1996 guide "outstanding." And The Boston Globe praised it as "a lifetime reference for mutual fund investors," applauding Rowland's clear, concise, jargon-free approach to building a mutual fund portfolio. As one of America's preeminent finance journalists, Rowland has offered top-drawer advice on investing for over 20 years. The New Commonsense Guide to Mutual Funds now includes 75 of her signature DOs and DON'Ts-practical, savvy solutions for the problems, frustrations, and missed opportunities encountered by anyone who owns shares in mutual funds. Inside this new guide, investors will find smart questions to ask before investing. A risk assessment quiz. Powerful techniques and strategies professional money managers use for asset allocation and rebalancing. And guidance about when and how to get into (and out of) a mutual fund. Includes: Roth IRAs; Education IRAs; Over a dozen new DOs and DON'Ts; More resources, including top-ranked fund managers, research tools for investors, key web sites; Greatly expanded guidance on risk-taking and strategies; Over 12 sample portfolios; Answers to most frequently asked questions from baby boomers, retirees, and Gen-Xers who follow Rowland's online column at www.moneyinsider.com. Mary Rowland is a contributing editor to Bloomberg Personal Finance and is one of the most respected authors in the field of personal finance. She has written extensively for The New York Times, Fortune, Worth, Business Week, Money, Modern Maturity, Woman's Day, USA Today, and many other major consumer and financial publications. Her books include A Commonsense Guide to Your 401(k) and Best Practices for Financial Advisors. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The best beginner book on mutual funds I've found.
I checked out many books on mutual funds and investing from the library. This is the one I kept going back to, because its easy-to-read "dos" and "donts" format got right to the point. That might sound too pat, but the advice given within that simple format is right on and consistant with other reliable sources I've checked. There are also more sections beyond the dos & donts for those who want to go further in depth. The advice is basic and sensible - such as what factors to look for in a fund, how to evaluate performance and costs of funds, and recommended further reading. I plan to buy a copy so I don't have to keep going to the library!

Great fundamentals and starting point
This is a great starting point for people who want to know more about investing, and particulary those who want to do it themselves. Rowland packs a lot of useful investing do's and don't, with easy to follow explanations. She stresses the key concepts such as asset and risk allocation, dollar-cost-averaging, and "buy low, sell high" (which, although a cliché, is often ignored). She examines all kind of mutual funds, from stocks, to bonds, to gold, to blend. One drawback is the book is about 3 years old, which hurts the information a little. However, this book can provide investing knowledge that applies any time, whether you believe in the "New Economy" or not.

Nothing to compare with
This is the only book on mutual funds that I have read. It had provided me with basics and with the places to look up mutual fund info. While not necessarily breathtaking read it is informative. The small format is also a plus (I do a lot of my reading in subway cars).

Bad Advice
This book is not for a novice, the best place for a novice is with a professional. She makes very poor and vague advice in her do's and dont's. Specifically in regard to Bond Funds, Asset Allocation, and Share Classes. You get what you pay for. If you are a novice, dont "Play" with your money, seek professional advice. You tip a waiter 15% but wont pay a broker 5% or less ? Think about it.

Information for novice investors and seasoned shareholders.
More than 63 million Americans own mutual funds, but most folks don't really know what they're all about, aside from being the "must" investment of the 90's. This guide will change that. Much of the book is devoted to a series of specific dos and don'ts. There's also a range of asset allocation portfolios for every type of investment "personality," and a primer on how to work with a financial advisor. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A MUST read for all parents!
This book is both extremely readable and extremely useful as a resource for parents with kids of all ages. If you're like me, you grew up with parents who didn't realize that money values need to be taught. As a result, growing into a financially healthy adult has been a long path of many avoidable mistakes. I was so thrilled to read Mary Hunt's advice so that I can give my kids the tools to master their own finances without making my mistakes. I'm buying a copy for all of my cousins and friends with kids ...

great book
Good way to make your kids not make the same credit mistakes that you have made! ... Read more

Book Description

At twenty-seven, TodBarnhart is a member of the next generation of financial superstars.One of the youngest ever people to be licensed as a securities dealer, Barnhartis a brokerage-industry top performer who has established himself as oneof the nation's premier investment counselors.

His secret? Barnhart has painstakingly studied the wealth-accumulation strategiesof the superrich and blended them in a practical action-plan that even averageAmericans can use to catapult themselves to prosperity.

Modest income needn't be a hindrance if one is practicing the "fiverituals of wealth," which involve deploying resources -- even scarceresources -- frequently and with a long-term perspective. Barnhart explainswhy the most important creditor is yourself; why working just to "earna living" won't bring the wealth you seek; why many financial plansdon't succeed; why giving away money can sometimes be just as importantas saving it; and how it is possible to find low-risk investments that yieldhigh returns -- year after year.

With an interactive approach that customizes advice to your particular needs,The Five Rituals of Wealth is a powerful tool that can be put towork immediately for impressive results.
... Read more

Reviews (10)

pillars of your wealth -- and your dreams
Easy and fun to read, and very inspirational. Tod's book not only got me on my financial feet, it spurred me to reawaken my dreams--in my religious life, my career, my marriage. Tod's book is not as chock full of the tactics of making money as you might perhaps expect or desire. That's because Tod's money advice isn't nearly as valuable as his message--that the quality and depth of your life and your dreams is what really forms the five pillars of your wealth. PS. If you're a Tony Robbins guy, buy this book. It's like a syllabus from one of Tony's master trainers--many of the same ideas, but said yet one more, different way that might get you to take action at last. It could be the start of something big for you.

This book totally changed my attitude towards money.
This book totally changed how I viewed money and my attitude towards it. Tod Barnhart's well thought out logic about the 'Wealthy Mindset' and the 'Dream Traps' and even a brilliant section on 'How To Use This Book Effectively' really illuminated my misunderstandings about money and what I needed to do if I wanted to achieve financial success. (And I'm not a financial failure by any means!) This book was easy to read, fun, and had lots of interesting antecdotes that drove home each point in a visual story that I could definately relate to. There was some goal setting, which I needed to do, and I feel all the better for it. I highly reccommend this book.

"Informative and interesting"
I liked this book. The concepts it contains are simple to understand, in fact, sometimes too simplified. This book is almost completely about finances, which is an imperative subject to understand, and follow, if one is ever to have financial stability or wealth. I hoped this would have been more of a feel good motivational book, along the lines of Tony Robbins, but it isn't that kind of book at all. This book does show its age, as it was written in the mid nineties, however, with the current resurrgence of the stock market I can look back and see some of the financial mistakes I've made since that time. When I began reading this book I felt the author lacked a deep understanding as a financier, however, by the time I'd read about half the book I was convinced that He is concerned about the welfare of those he teaches and inspires. In comparison with a book like Rich Dad Poor Dad, well, this book blows that one away. Hopefully you will read this review and skip that one.

Tony Robbins' Top Financial Student Gets an "A"!
Here's a truly excellent book on wealth. What most people aren't aware of (as a student of Tony Robbins Wealth Mastery Course) is that the power of belief precedes all planning and action. So to the average person there may not appear to be enough advice on what to do. But the most leverage really comes from the financial mindset and the wealth blueprints.

The highlights of this book include: great quotations, clear charts and tables, and a thorough understanding of wealth unconsciousness (taught by Tony Robbins).

I guess Tony won't be writing a finance book because this one tells about all there needs to be said at this level (belief and planning).

For those who are looking for stock market advice (since the author is a stockbroker), his simple advice on buying the 10 highest yielding Dow stocks is really great. And if that's too much for investors to comprehend, then just buy an Index fund of the Dow (DIA). The key here is long-term passive investing in the highest-quality American companies. Active investing is a full-time job for pros. Daytrading is for dummies.

There are too many gimmicky books on finance (too simple, for women only, Rich Dad's, etc.). This book is one of the truly great ones.

This should be a regular subject in Public Schools
Sure they teach you all the math about money in high school. But this book is the "real deal" on setting up an attitude about your money. If we all could just go back in time and use the tips in this book. ahhh. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the Audio version of the book Pay Yourself First: A Guide to Financial Success by the same title and author.

For many people, procrastinationis the easiest response to the challenge of putting their finacial affarirs inorder -- a task they may have already determined to be far too difficult to understand and far too daunting to undertake.If pressed, most of them will also conceed that such an approach can be expensive.

For these fiscally challenged individuals, Jesse Brown sinspires hope. He assures them that the required skills aren't difficult to master, nor is the task as daunting as they fear.But far more importantly , he warns, failure to gain the upperhand over their money can be more than merely expensive -- it can be devastating to their financial security.

Jesse puts into print the same message he deliveres to his clients: "educate yourself, get a plan, and take charge of yur financial life." In this compact audio tape , Jesse convesrs the principles of building wealth and discusses mutual funds, as ideal investment vehicles for achieving that end.He reviews the biggest mistakes many people make with their money -- one of the biggest being debt -- and counsels on how to avoid those missteps, or at least how to dampen their potentially negative effects.He discusses how best to use insurance to provide fincial security for loved ones and to protect possessions.

But above all, he urges, immedite action, for time can be a powerfull ally -- or without a sound financial plan, a devastating enemy. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

To the point
Comments: I had an opportunity to hear a segment on WHUR last week and then got the tape. I found it entriguing and enlightening. I want to know more about investing. I am ready to take the leap of faith, but I don't want to make any decisions without a better understanding. Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom.

This is the road map !!!
Comments: I listened to your presentation and I realize I have so many financial "errors" that we MUST pass along to our younger generations the importance of becoming financially saavy. We MUST get them beyond the mindset of giving literally millions of dollars away - aka NIKE, TIMBERLAND, HILFIGER, PERRY ELLIS, NAUTICA, EDDIE BAUER, etc. and not reap ANY benefits of these huge consumer investments. We pump over 400B into the economy - we can turn this around. I know you know - but more of us have got to learn this - and this means ME. ... Read more

Book Description

The best-selling first edition, which sold more than 110,000 copies, is now updated just in time for readers to end the '90s with a bang!Readers get the inside scoop and latest trends on financial planning in the future so that they can start the year 2000 on the right foot.Features updated information on investment strategies, managing money on-line, retirement planning, and saving for college.Readers learn how to shop for the cheapest mortgage rates, and how to protect themselves from extra banking fees.Also features the latest trends in the world of CDs, interest rates, and taxes.Plus, readers get the top ten smart money moves they should make now so that they can devise an effective game plan for their pocketbooks. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

If You Know Nothing About Financing; Start Here...
This has the basic knowledge need to manage your finacing ranging from simple budgeting, credit, stocks and mutual funds, Certificate of Deposit, how to read the market and the prime rate and what it all means. Also, it provides the mental mindset you need to manage and spend money properly, without resorting to short term spending splurges. There's tables for calcuating college funds, morgages, and retirements but most importantly how to avoid the many traps and scams many vendors use to make money off of you without providing any extra services. The one thing I found somewhat worrysome is the way the authors protrayed the banks and other institutions to the point of scaring the reader into being nearly paranoid of all financial instistutions. The fees these institutions charge are describe in the book with good details. A good "how to avoid pitfalls" book.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Money, Second Ed
I love this book! Before reading this book, I wondered how anyone could ever save money in the world today. It has helped me to mangage my money easily. An easy to read book, which I use now as a reference whenever I have a question concerning my personal finances. I finally started a 401K, bought a house, a new car, and I am finally learning to save some money,instead of living paycheck to paycheck.

Very Helpful!
This book gave me invaluable advice regarding my finances. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone! I have adopted many strategies in the book to save for a rainy day. Thank you, and when are you coming out with another edition?

The Complete Idiots Guide to Managing Your Money
This book did a great job of explaining to the average person how to save, invest and avoid the common financial pitfalls we so often make. It was done with humor and wit, which is a breath of fresh air in this often hard to understand, jargon loaded industry. This book is beneficial to anyone who has thought about developing a financial plan but does not know how or where to begin. It is an easy read, fun and should be a required reading for the masses of people buried in credit card debt! Great job!!

Highly Recommended for Everyone
Anyone can easily understand and make a decision about their personal financial future, and also what the best approach for getting out of debt. Good analogies- ... Read more

Book Description

Live Rich; An 18-Step Guide to a Rewarding Lifestyle.

Barry Kaye shares the techniques and philosophies he has used throughout his lifetime to achieve financial success and a deeply rewarding lifestyle for himself, his wife, children and grandchildren. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An Easy Read; It's implementing the guidelines that's tough
Clear, simple, easy-to-read style. Many of the steps are obvious in retrospect. The book merely raises your awareness of the steps so you're more likely to use them ... Read more

Book Description

Are you worried about your children's financial future? Then whatever their ages, now is the time to teach them the money skills they will need every day of their lives.

Neale S. Godfrey is not onlyan expert in family finance but also a parent who puts her advice to work in her own home.Chairman of the Children's Financial Network, mother of two, and a frequent commentator on national television, Godfrey has designed a unique program for kids -- from those as young as three to those in their teens -- that teaches them how to earn, save, and spend money

wisely while it lets parents clearly communicate their family's values. Using age-appropriate exercises and concrete examples, Godfrey shows parents how to deal with a variety of tough situations such as:

• Your teenage daughter desperately wants a $75.00 pair of designer jeans and there's only money in the budget for a moderately priced pair. Do you give her the money?

• Your five-year-old wants an allowance. Should he get it if he doesn't do his chores?

• Your daughter's best friend is going to Florida on vacation.How do you explain why your family can't go?

• What and why do you kids need to know about your finances?

For parents who want to teach their kids the value of money and personal values, there's no better guide than Money Doesn't Grow On Trees.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good book for all parents.
If your a parent and having trouble teaching your children about economy then this is the book for you. It help me with my children very much. This book has many was to help you teach your children and may even teach you a thing or two. So if you need help then get this book. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Confused about the stock market?
Then this book will answer your questions. The author explains, in simple, clear, straight forward and down-to-earth language, exactly how the stock market works and why, and how and why (and when) to buy stocks.

It's the only book I've ever read that straightened out the stock market mess and made sense of it for me, enabling me to gain a grip on the information needed to make rational decisions with my own portfolio!

If you've ever wanted solid, no-nonsense information that would enable you to truly begin to understand the stock market and its workings, written in a delightful form that utilizes all the tech talk in a manner so that it becomes clear as you read it, then order this book today!

Primo Primer for the Incipient Investor
I first read this book more than ten years ago after a particularly rough day at work. I thought "There must to be an easier way to make money." Instead of going straight home I headed to the Boston Barnes and Noble in Downtown Crossing. There I saw this book. For someone who has no idea what the stock market is or how it works this is an excellent book. Though the prose could be a little dry, it provides a basis on what stocks and bonds are, it differentiates between stocks and preferred stocks, it explains why you need a broker to buy most stocks. You definitely should read this before attempting to read more classical investment books because the terminology used can be daunting. This book also complements Tobias' "Still the Only Investment Book You'll Ever Need"

Good finance book
If you ever think to yourself that why didn't you a few years older and know more ?? This is a book for you. It's a history of the finance world and tells what has happened before you was born :) Most important this book really teaches you how to buy stocks.

My favorite book, so i give ***** :)

EQ

Great book, well illustrated and a Must Read!!
This is a great book to understand stocks and debt instruments market. The author explains the various stages in the growth of a company using his fictional Pocket Pole Company and his writing style is lucid. This is a book dealing with a considerable number of terms and Hecht's examples helps one in easily grasping the concept.

The book is big, more than 400 pages long and covers various investment techniques using Stocks, Bonds, Treasury Bonds, Mutual Funds and also discusses the making of a stock market, guidelines to follow while investing etc. It is really a wonderful read for anyone interested in understanding money flow and how corporations are born.

Personally, I enjoyed reading about Pocket Pole and the author's comparison of Pocket Pole with companies like IBM and Walt Disney. It is amazing to note that this book is around half a century old and the concepts haven't really changed.

One thing I didn't like about is that the book needs to be updated, and should discuss the Enron and the recent stock market crash. Louis touches upon incidents of 1994 and I feel that a revision is very much due!

Overall, a great book if you are new to the investment market.

Not a good book at all
This book seems to be a good eye catcher because of the color and the simplicity of the title. It definitely caught my attention to buy it. Was I sorry it did. This book provides nothing whatsoever. Everything is very straighforward and commonsense unless you are a five-year-old, then yes, you should buy this book. You ever get this feeling when you are reading a book that it seems you are reading a whole lot but not getting any information out of it? This is exactly the feeling I was getting while reading this book. If you truly want to KNOW about investing then get "A Random Walk Down Wall Street". This book summarizes what investing and the stock market is all about and the writing is superb. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The word no has figured prominently in our popular culture in the past two decades. "Just say no." "What part of 'no' didn't you understand?" The idea is that no is easily understandable and always definite, as if all social interactions were as simple as that of a parent laying down the law for a child. But as any child quickly figures out, the word no usually means there was a flaw in negotiating strategies, and is only a temporary setback.

That's where Stephen Pollan steps in. As a financial and legal consultant, he coaches clients into favorable resolutions to their problems, whether they've been turned down for business loans, offered great jobs they have reservations about, or been fired from jobs they knew they were good at. In Turning No into Yes, he argues that the path from no to yes involves six steps: figure out the real problem; deal with just one problem at a time (often there are clusters of problems contributing to a rejection); focus on facts and put aside emotions; become an expert on the situation (in others words, know what people in your field make; why your superiors may have turned down your proposal; and who is really undermining your efforts behind the scenes); make sure the people you're dealing with really know and trust you; and, if it's still an issue after you've gone through those steps, get them to reverse their decision and tell you yes.

The beauty of Turning No into Yes is that Pollan and his cowriter, Mark Levine, use real-world examples to demonstrate every point they're making. We see partners in an art gallery work out a sticky ownership issue; an NBA basketball player learn to become a true businessman; an editor at a magazine get the raise he deserves. Somewhere in this book you'll recognize yourself as well as a situation you've found yourself in--or will soon find yourself in. And once you've read it, you'll want to keep it on your shelf for the day when the situation you never anticipated comes to pass. --Lou Schuler ... Read more

Reviews (3)

How To Turn Adversity Into Success!
Turning No into Yes : Six Steps to Solving Your Financial Problems (So You Can Stop Worrying)
by Stephen M. Pollan, Mark Levine

This book demonstrates to the reader how you can look beyond your cash flow problem to the underlying issues, and then gives sound advice and principles in how to deal with those underlying issues.

In every case the path from no to yes is similar:
1. Determine your problem. Is the loan delayed because the banker doesn't like you, or because your income statement doesn't show enough in the asset column?

2. Make sure your dealing with one problem at a time. Don't try to rework your marketing at the same time that you trim your staff.

3. Focus on facts, Make sure that your own fears and worries aren't blinding you to the way things really are.

4. Become an expert. Immerse yourself in your problem; assemble all of the information you need to understand your needs and wants, as well as those of your opposite number.

5. Create an environment of trust; and, if you need to, Turn NO Into YES.

Now that you know the secrets to the authors principle, you should invest in this book and read hundreds of scenarios , ahowing how this technique can be applied in your life, and eventually become a piece of your self-worth fabric.

This book is like having a motivator, coach, and strategist at your home all of the time.

Highly recommend this book, and suggest you put it in your financial literacy library today!

An excellent tool to solvefinancial problems
I bought this book because I was familiar with the authors (I had readtheir books Die Broke and Live Rich which helped me very much). In thefirst part of the book, They explain the six step-approach to solvefinancial problems.I was really looking for a book like this one. We facemany kinds of money problems every day. In the past I bought books aboutlogical decision making and none is more useful and well thought than thisone. Parts 2,3,4,and 5 give examples on how to use the method. I recommendto read these parts; they can be consulted in the future if are not neededat this time. Also by reading them, the whole concept is better understoodand practically the six steps are memorized. Please do not think that youneed to behave robot-like and use the entire six steps every time you facea problem. In my opinion,this book teaches that We need to approach everyfinancial problem as much rationally as We can.And The more We try to do itthe better We are going to become at it.

Super Advice
The book gives you straight answers on how to face challenges, financial and otherwise, that come your way in life: on the job and at home. I liked the examples the authors used; they were vivid and real.Bottom line issolve the problems you face and take responsibility for youractions.

Recommend this book in conjunction with another book on selfdirection and leadership I use called:"The Leader's Guide: 15Essential Skills." ... Read more

Book Description

ReferenceLarge Print Edition* A New York Times BestsellerOn the heels of the enormous success of their first two national bestsellers, The Beardstown Ladies offer more of the common-sense wisdom that has made them the most trusted financial advisors in America. Now the fourteen women tell us exactly what we need to know and do to spend the least and get the most. Its easy once you know the ground rulesand the ladies show you how with fail-proof planners, worksheets, charts, graphs, and a spending-smart Savings Pyramid that cant miss. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Beardstown Ladies Guide to Smart Spending for Big Savings
This book has a wealth of information on how to save money.
It is directed to middle age and elderly people. For instance,
the book provides car buying checklists, brand name equivalents,
repair or replace decision-making criteria, insulation R value
statistics and the priority pyramid . The priority pyramid
ranks spending categories by order of importance. There is a
section of mail order drugs and comparative pricing to local
pharmacies. This book is worth the price of admission in every
respect. It will help you in your personal planning and
routine purchasing decisions.

Everyday hints
This book has a lot of every day hints that are timeless.

Pathetic
OK, Now that it is official that they didn't beat the market, they have reversed gears and try to address the savings part. Nothing to differentiate this from a zillion other such books. I should grant them one thing, they know how to market their name to catch on the gullible. ... Read more

Book Description

David Brancaccio, host of public radio's rambunctious and eclectic business program Marketplace, took an irreverant jaunt around the country to investigate what Americans do with their money. His travels took him from Minnesota's Mall of America to Wall Street. He encountered entrepreneurs in California, homeowners in New York, retirees in Arizona, and some folks following their lifelong dreams in Texas. A drifter in the desert offered advice. So did a U.S. secretary of the treasury.

Along the way, Brancaccio was challenged by a cascade of practical issues: If consumption drives the economy, is there something wrong with saving? Is there such a thing as a socially responsible investment? Is charity an investment? If you can't beat a Las Vegas casino, can you beat the stock market?

Although Brancaccio's financial pilgrimage was a personal one, his eye-opening adventures reveal a great deal about American attitudes toward money at the dawn of the new century -- and they provide entertaining lessons about how best to spend, invest, and save. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Writing aimlessly
A serious candidate for worst book of the year. How did this thing ever find a publisher? It says a lot about the NPR mentality that the author, their chief financial and business correspondent, cannot distinguish between investing in the stock market and going to Las Vegas. The author has no background in economics or finance, no experience in the financial world, no respect for free markets, and no clue about what is going on in the world around him. Alas, ignorance is not bliss in this case. This book is a grotesquely overinflated ego trip in which we learn a lot about what the author thinks, feels, did after college and had for breakfast but nothing more. A colossal waste of money; avoid.

Meandering about Money
In Squandering Aimlessly, David Brancaccio allows us to accompany him on his personal finance pilgrimage. While there was no surplus in question at the moment, there had been a surplus of money in the past and he didn't know what to make of it at that time. Brancaccio is the host of the public radio program, Marketplace and wanted to have more answers handy when asked about money.

"I didn't start out with a surplus, but I came back richer and no longer breaking out in hives if I found myself in the clutches of a bonus payment, a severance check, a capital gain of one sort or another, an inheritance, a lottery win, a tax refund, or simply the realization that the passbook savings account finally contains some serious money."

While some of those situations may not be your money issue, it is that time of year for many of us to have a tax refund pop into our hands. His travels take us from a nudist village in France to the Mall of America to a discussion with Vicki Robin(co-author of Your Money or Your Life) in Seattle to a music college in Texas. I savored this book. This book is to money the way Calvin Trillin's Alice, Let's Eat is to food. There are very few books that that have made me laugh out loud and this is one of them. Beware reading while eating or drinking lest liquid exit through your nostrils.

Let me state up front that I was utterly jealous of a fellow human being who managed to have this pilgrimage supported by someone else's surplus. While the book allows us to share and enjoy Brancaccio's experiences, the subtle lessons about money and life are there in all their glory. In the Mall of America, I want to shout, "Go ahead, have a Cinnabon !" Each chapter ends with a souvenir, a to-do list and calculations relating to the chapter.

Brancaccio considers socially responsible investing while attending a conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. One of his conclusions is that: "Trying too diligently to come up with a really groovy portfolio runs the danger of turning you into one of those obsessive-compulsive hand washers. You keep trying to sanitize your holdings, but you keep turning up more dirt." His wife has endeared herself to me forever with her comments before Brancaccio heads out to research charity in Hawthorne, Nevada. "On the way out the door very early this morning, my wife cast a protective spell around me. 'If you run across a place called the Mustang Ranch,' she said matter-of-factly from her pillow, her eyes still closed, 'keep in mind those women wear stretch pants and fuzzy slippers in their off hours.' "

This book covers the gamut of financial choices one might make with a sense of humor and wonderful storytelling. I highly recommend it.

Money vs. the Good Life
Despite its light and fun tone, this book is thought-provoking. Almost everyone in America's upper middle class or higher receives would be by any world standard a "windfall" (earned or unearned) as an ongoing part of everyday life. Our choices in what to do with it, outside a very narrow range, are largely unexamined. What are the real, practical links between money and a good life, and which of them can be broken if one chooses? This is the underlying theme that unfolds as Brancaccio shares his journey with us. And the good part is, it does "unfold," rather than being declared, because Brancaccio never preaches; he is learning as he goes. He maintains the same irreverent, amusing tone that makes his radio program so enjoyable. In a couple of the early chapters the messages tend toward the obvious (the Mall of America shows that pure consumerism is shallow, and Las Vegas is, well, Las Vegas) but the style is clever enough to carry things there, and the book gets better as it goes on. It's a great read!

The Savvy Traveler in the Marketplace
This book was a delightful trip around the US, exploring how people spend money. He confirmed all that I feel about places such as The Mall of America and Las Vegas. His visit to a planned retirement community in Tucson proved that what these people really want is to be surrounded by their peers, socially,economically,age range, and ethnicity, which is to deny the wonderful diversity of our country. He includes the usual tips for investing and I was really surprised that one of David's resolutions was to pay off credit card debt..he shouldn't have any! The style of writing is humorous, yet thoughtful. I dont know if David knows that Levittown is still highly segregated, or that many of the homeowners convert their cape style houses to two families, called "mother daughter" so that they can afford to live in Long Island. I found the most interesting interview to be the one with Wayne, the drifter, and David compares what he might spend in a day to what Wayne is living on. Wayne has a truly minimalist lifestyle! Probably this book will be another preaching to the choir, but I hope it inspires some to look at their values and goals.

writes as good as he talks
Good talkers don't necessarily produce good books--other Radio and TV interviewers ("journalists")often try to foist off as book what are little more than pastiches of transcripts. Broncaccio writes in the "show, don't tell" style that has the reader with him in every town, roadstop, meeting, casino, flophouse and in on every epiphany. He also knows how to crunch the numbers to learn the truth: how much will it take if a late 30-something like himself wants to retire in an "active" community (millions). Is buying a house really the biggest economic plus you can tally? For such a public figure, Broncaccio gives a lot of himself away in this fast, fun informative book. His premise for this one was right on, and I hope he thinks up some more. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive, step by step guide for everyone who wants to own money and lots of it! More importantly, it outlines clear, correct principles for full financial freedom. These tried and true principles can be converted into working reality by implementing the simple money management methods described in this dynamic paperback book. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Self-Control, Not Self-Destuct
This book does an excellent job of reiterating the simple truth of getting past any obstacle. Instead of performing a high-wire act, this book recommends a safe and direct way to conquest. Specifically, the book tackles financial accumulation, but the underlying principles can be applied anywhere. Lacks the substance of a true financial guide, though. The book could use more explanation of real investment highways (eg What are mutal funds? How do they differ from other investments?). Nonetheless, it is highly recommmended for anyone looking to get back on their feet.

Focused, simple and hastle free
I first read this book in 1994, when I was deep in debt and wondering how to get out. This book gave me specific instructions on how to do that and to move on to financial freedom I enjoy now. It is simple, easy to read and gives you the plan to not only own money, but to own it without the worry that all the "other" investment schemes have built into them. I have since loaned it to my friends, with good reviews, and I periodically re-read it (one of the few books I have read more than once) to keep the focus. GET THE BOOK!

Keep It Simple Stupid
Dennis Deaton has foiled the lazy get-rich-quick seekers who want some clever and cynical way to "beat" the system. Deaton has the only way: utter simplicity: it's what you keep that counts. Companies could learn from this too! Deaton has given the simplest of lessons in the best and simplest way possible. His voice in the book is strong and clear, and he does not leave you wondering what to do. You know exactly what to do. If you want to own money instead of owe money, this is the book. This book will drive shallow people crazy. Which is why I like it.

Financial farce!
Sure, Deaton has the key to financial freedom: Write a nonsensical book in a preacher's tone and give it a provocative title. Unfortuantely, it is the unsuspecting financial novice who ends up on the short end of the deal. Any words of wisdom that Deaton has to share are lost in his sermon about the acquirement and accumulation. His quest to be funny feels more like an insult.

Pay yourself first and read Dennis Deaton's "Money".
Dennis Deaton's book "Money" taught me how to stay focused on all the reasons why I work for money. Run a tight ship, but, by all means buy this book. ... Read more