Book Description

The true story of Staten Island badboy Louis Pasci uto's meteoric rise to the top of Wall Street's notorious chop houses--by the award-winning journalist who broke it. Hood brokers. Monthly million dollar paychecks. Thirty-six hour cocaine binges. "Rocky" themed pep rallies. Run-ins with Mafia thugs toting Mac 10 machine pistols. This was the life of Louis Pasciuto, a fast-talking Staten Island kid who, from the age of 19 to 25, moved stocks for 17 different brokerage houses--most of that time without even a fake license. This inside account of the Mafia's infiltration of Wall Street details Louis' career as the consummate liar, selling phantom stocks to naive Americans and leading a lifestyle worthy of Caligula. To avoid a long prison sentence, Pasciuto eventually turned state's witness. Now, Gary Weiss shares the inside story of Wall Street's notorious "chop houses," the crooked Mob-run brokerages where rampant thievery netted several billion dollars from gullible investors. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A great read for the uninitiated
This is a terrific story about the intersection of needs and desires between criminals, Louis Pasciuto et al, and their victims. It rings true in every aspect. And, this I say after spending a career in wall street as a stock broker, albeit one who worked for reputable brokerage houses. A part of my business career also put me in contact with people who used these kind of chop shops to promote stocks whose ascendance benefitted greatly those on the inside of the game. Yes, trashy behavior by trashy people, but one should not lose sight of those in government and other societal institutions who perpetrate even larger frauds on the public; the ponzi scheme aspects of the social security system come to mind along with the recent problems the catholic church has experienced with Gay priests. Add to this the recent problems of financial fraud in the Washington DC teachers union, committed against its dues paying members, along with the recent insider dealings of the Board members of United Labor Life Insurance company, a union owned entity, where insider actions led to a breach of their fiduciary duties, in a major way, and it becomes abundantly evident that corruption knows no one source.

In my travels I also learned that the SEC and other regulatory bodies, while having many dedicated and honest people, often let larger crimes go unmolested while restricting themselves to smaller fish that they "can fry" within their budgets. That is they often pursue the "honest guys" who make administrative mistakes while letting the larger frauds continue i.e. the egregious accounting scandal at WorldCom perpetrated by Bernie Ebbers and his minions. Where was the oversight?

A positive for "Born to Steal" is that it's darkly funny and easy to read, and will receive wider exposure by being made into a successful movie. In this vein the more investors can learn about stock fraud the better. I would council everyone to read Manuel Asensio's, "Sold Short: Uncovering Deception in the Markets."

Also, the tendency for readers and reviewers with a preconceived mindset to see "corporate greed" behind every illegal action speaks clearly to the anomaly of the human condition; that on the one hand most wish to see themselves as morally virtuous while retaining an unquestioned capacity for self deception. Furthermore, it could be averred that just about everyone has a price when it comes to their complicity in a deal where "something for nothing" seems in the offing. These subsets of the most human of conditions do not restrict themselves to corporations, big business or wall street. One who holds to that notion just hasn't availed themselves of the vast trove of historical data and anecdote which would expose this self-contradiction.

A good read for the summer!

Best book I've ever read about the Mafia or Wall Street!
Good gawd, this is the best book I have read in a long time--and definitely the best book I've ever read about the Mafia or Wall Street. It is funnier and more knowing than Liar's Poker, and much more disturbing than any of the James Stewart books I have ever read. And it is a cut above any book I have ever read about the Mob--thrilling and funny at the same time.

I read this book in two sittings--I absolutely could not put it down. Weiss takes the reader through the netherworld of the Mafia and Wall Street with a sure hand, as he tells the story of a young broker who becomes a tool of the Mob. It is reminiscent of the story that Nick Pileggi told in Wise Guy or the movie Goodfellas, but with considerably more humor and with a more entrancing style. At times I laughed out loud!

One of the startling revelations of this book is its description of how New York celebrities and sports figures, Jets players and cast members of the Howard Stern show, benefitted from stock scams at the expense of the small investors ... The book also indicates that there is corruption among regulators. Surprising this book's revelations weren't mentioned in a recent Times review--I found them stunning.

Born to Steal's portrayal of Wall Street is dead-on and frightening. What is most intriguing is how the two worlds collide. The Mafia and Wall Street have much the same values and, in some cases, personnel.

The book also paints a picture of the Mob in decline--gangsters who walk into jail almost willingly, as a result of their own blindness and stupidity. Its portrayal of a declining Mob is reminiscent of Donnie Brasco, but with less violence and more humor.

Born to Steal is a winner!

Start reading this early in the day
Why? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T PUT IT DOWN!!!!! I took this book to the beach during the July 4th weekend and made the mistake of starting to read it in the afternoon. There I was as the sun was setting at 8, and I was still reading it. Everyone was gone and I was squinting as the sun went down. That's how electrifying this book is.

Louis Pasciuto is a parochial school kid from Staten Island who has a slight character-development issue: He steals. He stole when he was a small child and as a teenager he found just the place to practice his craft. Wall Street beckoned, in the form of a well-groomed stock scammer named Roy Ageloff.

Such is the setup for one of the most readable stories that have come down the pike in a long time. Weiss's portrayal of the world of Wall Street and the Mafia is extraordinarily revealing. I heard this is going to be a movie and I can see why.

I don't want to give away any of the plot, as this is one of those books that you read with your hand on the page to keep from letting your eyes wandering down to see what is happening in the future. It was an education on the subject of Wall Street, and I came away from reading this book with a wealth of education that I hope will make me into a smarter investor.

One thing about this book that is surprising is how entertaining and funny it is. You wouldn't expect that from a book about Wall Street or the Mafia. But Weiss has extraordinary comic sense and he brings out the irony in some characters who are at once loathsome and fascinating. He also makes some sharp observations on the abysmal failure of Wall Street regulation and the moronic character of so much that has been written about the Mob.

Born to Steal is a winner in every respect.

Interesting story let down by lack of true storytelling
I was truly looking forward to reading this book, so when I started it and saw an abundance of quotes from Louis (who the book is written about) I thought it was to serve as a prelim before detailing his story. Unfortunately this style of writing lasted for at least the first 200 plus pages and never really left. What I mean is that the author seemed to have taped several hours of louis repetively telling how stupid people were and smart he was, and between that, giving tiny pieces of the actual story. The author then seemed to have the interview transcribed into text and then wrote small summaries (with very little detail) tying together the almost unmentioned events. This type of style really prevents this book from ever becoming very interesting. It would have been so much better (and more work for the author) if he had used Louis' words to tell an actual coherant story. For instance, we hear how crazy a character named Roy is. This guy gave Louis his start and louis made him alot of money. Yet when Louis left his firm there was no mention of how the volatile roy reacted to losing a key employee. A better written book would have documented the experience Louis had telling Roy he was leaving the firm. A perfect example of an author doing a much better job is in the book "Bringing Down the House" in which the main person is quoted frequently, but that never overcomes the actual naration of events in the story. Meaning you actually could feel tension, while in this book you could never feel any tension become no event was ever mentioned in any real detail. The author in that book also took the time to educate the reader on the subject(blackjack) while in this book the auther does not even seem to understand the financial industry or does not care to give the readers a little lesson that may have helped them understand the scams a bit more. In a sense this reminds me of one of those old biopics where the hero goes from a nothing to a world power within ten minutes. I would have loved to read blow by blow of Louis' early cold calls, as well as his hiring kids and how they reacted to the business. All we got is Louis telling us these events in a sentence or two mixed in with how great a speaker he is.

All in all, very disapointing unless you wanted to read a rambling interview instead of a book. I actually felt this book was a 2 star book, but because the subject was such a can't miss, felt I would a deduct a star from it due to the authoer actually "missing".

Hotter than shares of QCOM in '99!
Louis is a cocksure Staten Island juvie with a history of small time hustles and a bigtime desire for upward mobility in the profession of thievery. He meets a successful stock promoter at his gas pumping job and persuades the promoter that he has what it takes to become a stockbroker super swindler. Louis learns fast. Within a few months he is banging down $50k+ a month from bilking anonymous suckers on the other end of the line that are more than willing to fork over tidy sums to believe that a phantom company will become the next Microsoft. Louis is only 18 years old and without a license (he goes by the names of registered coworkers). With the fast money comes a lifestyle of excess that includes a wicked cocaine habit, gambling, exotic cars, a yacht, Score's girls, etc. Louis is living it up while his clients are losing their shirts. Louis must move from chopshop to chopshop to get the product, IPO shares of non- existent companies with huge "rips" (commissions), in order to push it on all of his gullible optimistic clients. In this corner of Wall Street, even 18 year old ex- gas pumpers and small time drug dealers without high school degrees can make it big providing they are smooth talkers, have zero conscious, and are willing to put in a few hundred cold calls a day and deal with the goons that are the brokerage management. The quick money, decadent lifestyle and unsavory broker management element attracts the attention of the mob, which eventually wrests control of the industry and the lives of the brokers.

This is the most exciting book that I've read in a long time. I like the Sopranos, but this book is more entertaining and it is TRUE. It is better than Boilerroom because the protagonist does not have a moral dilemma. Louis is unscrupulous and that's that. Readers should start to read this book early in the morning on a day that they do not have any committments because they will not want to stop reading this book.

Weiss, the author, does a great job of drawing the psychological sketch of Louis. Louis thinks most people are stupid and gullible, he is an atheist, he is persuasive and stubborn, he is not shackled by a conscious, he lives in the now and makes zero plans for the future. Material possessions determine his worth in society. Most importantly, Louis learned as a youngster that bad behavior does not result in negative repurcussions for him. He believes that he does not have to abide by the laws. These traits catapult Louis forward in the chopshop industry and are the springboard for his demise.

The portrait of Charlie Riccottone, Louis's mob "Guy," is also enlightening. Weiss shows the underpinnings and machinations of a real organized crime foot soldier that is very different from the image that is typecast in cinema and tv. In the midst of this helter skelter the NASD, SEC and media are asleep at the wheel. It is too easy for the chopshops, bucketshops, mob, and outerborough teenage superbrokers to make mince meat out of the penny stock investor. Meanwhile, the legitimate Wall Street is ripping off the public investor in legal and sometimes illegal but unpunished ways. Illegitimate and legitimate Wall Street often use the same methods to rob. Only after the onslaught do the regulatory bodies wake up.

Weiss uses the same sources as the screenwriter for Boilerroom and also the writer for that Barron's piece on the mysterious death of that New Jersey stock promoter that came out a few years ago. I noticed some common referrences. ... Read more

Book Description

Are finances holding you back from being home with your kids? Discover how you can get the life you want!Author Joanne Watson dreamed of full-time motherhood, but she and her husband—like many couples across America—felt they simply couldn’t afford it on his salary alond. Instead of going back to work, she decided to help boost her husband’s income—and tripled his earnings! Now Joanne shares her secrets and, whether your husband is a car mechanic or a CEO, shows you how to help him:

Build his confidence…Determine if he is underpaid…Negotiate a raise or promotion…Find high-paying job offers beyond the classifieds…Start his own business and become a self-employed success…Ace job interviews…Make sure he keeps that better-paying job…And much more! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Waste of my money
Unless you are looking for a way for your husband to get a new higher paying job or get a pay raise, this book is not for you. I am currently a stay-at-home mom and absolutely love it, but am looking for a way to boost our income a bit. The whole book is about techniques to find your husband a better job or to ask for a raise if he is underpaid. There is one chapter on small jobs for extra income, but that's it.

Helped me
I thought this was a great book. It was easy to read and It had lots of helpful techniques and resources including websites and phone numbers to make it easier to increase your income. My wife and I used the info and I did get a raise. I would definitely recommend it. I think the people with negative comments haven't actually read the book or if they have maybe they are too jaded by life to have hope...

Agree with the concept- male view absent, poorly written...
This book isn't for women that want to help their husbands make more money. This book is written for women who are wishful thinkers.

As much as women may not want to hear it- supporting their husband means being an effective and productive household manager. It means being willing to defer gratification "wants" in favor not only of more income, but a steadily growing net worth which is the ultimate foundation for financial security. Women (and men) who are a bottomless, insatiable pit of "need" for destructive assets like automobiles, which the whole time you're making interest payments on them, are rapidly depreciating will never get ahead with mere "cheerleading" which seems to be where the advice begins and ends in this book.

Sorry, ladies but telling your husbands daily that they're "Smart enough, good enough, and doggone it- they're worth it" isn't a strategy. It's wishful thinking.

Don't let naysayers keep you from reading this book
Obviously a lot of the reviews written here are about people's objections to stay-at-home moms, not the book itself. I am a feminist, and there is nothing wrong with helping yourhusband or partner earn more money (man, if you don't like the idea of staying home with your kids, than don't do it-- don't tell people to earn thier own money and let the husband stay home! Geez! Feeling a little insecure about your own choices?)

This book is really a great idea, and not a new idea either. This is the attitude my grandmother had about her husband's work, and she was much more financially stable than most women today. Obviously you want to have your own work skills, bank account, savings account, in case of death or divorce, but for many women who can not possibly do any more penny-pinching, and who either don't want to use up thier time with thier children running a business from home, or are already doing so and could use more money, this is agreat resource.

Good job to the author! Thank you for writing a book about something that us women have been thinking about.

I think this book is worth its price, even on a stay at home mom budget!

Kids have the right to be cared for by people who love them, and I think any book that helps a women or man stay home with thier own children is a great addition. I am going to recommend to my library that they buy this book.

As for the folks who review this book and criticize moms at home, why are you reading tis book in the first place? Seems thou dost protest too much.............

June Cleaver Wanna Be
If this lady is so successful at getting hubby making money,
why is she marketing this? Why not help all us poor, unhappy, overworked women to save our children from the abuse of daycare by offering this wonderful advice for free?
Perhaps that mini van isn't in the driveway of her McMansion yet.
Or maybe, being June Cleaver/Donna Reed wore thin and she needed to find something to do to help her pass the time.
If you want to and can be a SAHM, fine. But don't insult yourself by becoming the "little woman" this book depicts. ... Read more

Book Description

Smart Ways to develop confidence in investing—ideal for anyone feeling uneasy or nervous about putting hard-earned money at risk

Smart Advice on buying and selling, using a broker, and developing and tracking a portfolio

Smart Tips on how to make college savings, tax-free investments, and retirement plans work for you

• Smart Ways to develop a sensible investment plan NOW to maximize savings and to minimize the financial demands of later years
• Smart Advice on setting your financial goals, understanding the different investment choices and their risks, diversifying a portfolio, and maintaining a patient, long-term outlook
• Smart Strategies to avoid the eight common investment mistakes, such as spending too quickly, investing too conservatively, and over-reacting to market fluctuations
• Smart Tips on financing a college education, consulting financial professionals, tracking investments via the Internet, and planning for a comfortable retirement
• Quick reading and easy referencing with a comprehensive index and loads of sidebars and tables

Reviews (1)

GASP, I UNDERSTAND IT NOW!!
This book is brillant. Absorbing accurate, brief and clear paragraphs was a joy. In the margins there are money-making/ money-saving tips. It follows much easier than certain "for Dummies" claim. BUY THIS BOOK. You'll be happy with what you, too, have learned! ... Read more

Book Description

From the Bloomberg Personal Bookshelf... selected by the Money Book Club and Eagle Book Club, this personal finance book from Bloomberg offers more than 100 strategies to help you minimize risks to your money, developed for the super rich, but useful for anyone who wants to preserve hard-won earnings.

"Brian Breuel's Staying Wealthy belongs at the elbow of anyone who wants to keep taxes low while building a family fortune.... After you've read it, give it to your children. Even better, give it to your parents. Your heirs will thank you."-- Landon Y. Jones,

Vice President of Strategic Planning, Time Inc., former Managing Editor, Money magazine

"Sound advice on how to enlarge and preserve your wealth no matter what your net worth is."-- William D. Zabel, Esq., author of The Rich Die Richer and You Can Too

"If you've ever worked hard to leave something to your children, don't give the government more than it deserves. Before you consult your lawyer and accountant, you need to read this book. It will open your eyes to some amazing possibilities."-- Kenneth L. Lay, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO, Enron Corp. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Solid Effort!
Brian H. Breuel gives detailed advice about estate planning, business succession, investing, and long-term care. He argues that many wealth-eroding pitfalls can be avoided with diligent planning and professional advice. He covers common problems, including dying without a will, outdated wills, and business succession. Keeping your business's value in your family's hands requires planning well in advance of your retirement or death. The well-organized advice here is detailed enough to be useful to sophisticated readers. We [...] recommend this book to anyone looking for detailed guidance about estate planning and business succession. [[...] note: The legal matters covered are based entirely on U.S. law.]

The Only Estate Planning Book You'll Ever Have To Buy!!!!
Brian takes you step-by-step through the most basic estate planning to the most intricate. This book should be in every household throughout America. A must read and an excellent book to refer back to from time to time. Well worth the $$$!!! ... Read more

Book Description

There's a day to be born and a day to die, and what you do

with those days in between determines whether your life

serves and honors God. ... Read more

Book Description

“The only person you can depend on to take care of you financially is . . . you!!!”

Georgette Mosbacher learned this lesson the hard way. Divorces from two powerful men left her financially and emotionally bereft, while a split from the former Cabinet Secretary Robert Mosbacher rocked her world yet again. Georgette's eventual triumph over these deeply painful experiences taught her, at her very core, that women cannot depend on anyone for their financial and emotional well-being but themselves. She learned the critical role that money plays in every woman's ability to achieve her goals. And she learned many specific yet simple strategies to ensure her own financial security and, beyond that, to accumulate real wealth'the kind of wealth that ultimately enabled her to make her loftiest dreams come true.

Now, Georgette shares the secrets of her financial success with you. Whether you're starting your first job or entering your golden years, married, single, widowed or divorced, living on a modest income or earning a bundle, Georgette's simple step-by-step plan for economic independence will give you the tools you need to take control of your money and make your own financial dreams come true. As down-to-earth and outspoken as Georgette is herself, It Takes Money, Honey is a truly comprehensive money guide, covering all aspects of a woman's financial life.

Sharing examples from her own experiences, along with those of a diverse group of women, Georgette addresses:

• How to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle• How to get out of debt, and stay out of debt for good• How to make sure you're paid what you're worth• How to make a success of your own business• How to ensure financial fairness in your relationships with men

But It Takes Money, Honey is about a lot more than just ensuring financial security. It shows you how to live the kind of life you dream about. Because, as Georgette says, “Life shouldn't only be about being safe. Financial security is crucial but it's not enough. You should always, always be reaching for more.” ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A smart, savvy guide to getting your finances in order.
I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't your ordinary run of the mill financial advice. Georgette gives practical information on how to improve your life as well as your money. She doesn't mince words. She gives it to you straight and to the point. Every woman, married, single, divorced and in-between needs to read this book. It just may change your life!!!

Simply put, the best guide to managing money I've ever read.
At last, here is a comprehensive guide to managing your money, written in plain English, that addresses the real-life issues and obstacles women face on the road to true financial security. I was skeptical, I admit--after all, I thought, I'd be rich too if I married a millionaire (or two). But Georgette obviously made her money the hard way--she earned it. And in this book she demonstrates an extraordinary ability to communicate what other women need to know about money to achieve their dreams, too. I've never seen a clearer guide to getting started with a solid investment program (if I'd known it could be this simple to set up, I'd have done it years ago) or better advice on how to stop the cycle of living from paycheck to paycheck. Best of all: the book's motivational tone, inspirational anecdotes and plain-spoken advice. I'm giving copies to my mother, sister and best friend.

Very useful advice
I found this book very useful from a professional standpoint: I am a divorce lawyer whose clients are mostly women. I am always surprised to find how many women, in this day and age, still depend on men for their financial security. I have met so many women who are divorcing (or being divorced) and have absolutely no idea how much their husband earns, whether he has any savings, investments or other assets, where he does his banking, and so on. Furthermore, they have no savings of their own. As you can imagine, this puts them at a tremendous advantage. Georgette's advice is very basis - too basic for women who are already financially savvy - but most women would benefit from reading this book and applying its principles.

Hits and Misses
This book is best when Georgettte is describing her own personal experiences and triumphes over difficult circumstances. At those times, I am inspired by her determination and encouraged to keep strong in my own struggles. But her much discussed separation and divorce cracked her wide open. Lots of her deeply held beliefs do tumble out here and there. Despite all of her experience, she really seems to think it takes a man to be complete. It's just an overall impression I get from the book. (Honey you are successful now) And the advice on investing sounds pretty funny (written before the market went bust) now that we're all losing all those unrealized capital gains that intoxicated everyone over the last decade. It was hard for me to figure out what the book was supposeed to be? A pep-talk? Financial advice? Well, it was probably healing for her to write. I do empathize with her pain over her divorce.
Georgette is an admirable woman and I like her; won't stop liking her. But the book's not that great.

And to think this was a FLUFF book.
Wow, I am very impressed with this book! I've seen this book in the bookstore on various occasions, but I didn't purchase it because I thought it was a bunch of fluff and no substance. Well, my curiousity got the better of me and I just had to read it. After several pages, I had to stop reading it....because the information hit me square in the head and I had to get a notebook to jot the information down! You see, I have a demanding career, and I'm starting a business of my own. Despite that, I was depending on man to secure my future. Thank Goodness for Georgette's advice "wake up" is perfect for what I need in my life. I sure wish my mom had read it before my dad passed away. My mom fell victim to a lot of stuff that was addressed in the book...but she didn't know any alternative. I didn't either, and I would've made the same mistakes. Georgette is like the friend who tells you what you need to hear, whether you WANT to hear it or not. I will be buying several copies for friends/family for sure. I hope to meet Georgette one day and thank her for kicking my [rear end] into the right direction. Maybe it'll be on a plane in the first-class section! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

the best finacial book ever!
hal writes with obvious experiance. this book has been a great help for me and the friends i shared it with. ... Read more

Book Description

You're no idiot, of course.You know that, for better or worse, the economic climate will change in the year 2000.But every time you consider what will happen to your money as the new millennium ball drops, you imagine that the Y2K bug will take hold of your wallet...and eat it.Don't unplug your financial future just yet!In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get: ... Read more

Book Description

For the 36 million American families trying to raise responsible savers, earners, spenders and investors. In her sharp, intuitive book, Kids and Money, Jayne A. Pearl offers scores of innovative, proven solutions for problems that concern parents of children ages 4 to 18+. Pearl talked to everyone-from personal finance experts to professors to money psychologists to families across the nation-and the result is a tremendously practical, helpful book for today's parents. Pearl's goal in writing Kids and Money was to track down the most relevant solutions and real-life strategies for helping parents teach their children lifelong money skills and values. What to tell kids about money, and when. How to make children financially responsible-and ultimately, financially independent. How to defend against misconceptions and questionable values picked up from television, films, advertising, credit card companies, friends' families, and adults (even parents themselves). Kids and Money guides readers through financial milestones: allowances, credit cards, first jobs, budgeting, and saving for college. It helps parents, including single parents and blended families, face tough issues like shoplifting, gambling, and overspending. And it offers practical tips about wealth, estate planning, and charitable giving over a wide range of family money situations. Kids and Money is sensible and its advice is easy to implement. It will be of value to parents who are financially knowledgeable. To parents who aren't, it will be a gift. Features: Transforming shopping trips from battles over bucks into cooperative learning experiences; A four-step plan to help kids create- and use-a budget; Tips for minimizing college costs and maximizing college saving; Leads to valuable programs offered by banks, public companies, and financial markets; Includes worthwhile resources: web sites, books, periodicals, multimedia products, software; Speaks to a full range of family financial circumstances. Jayne A. Pearl is an independent journalist and author, formerly on the staff of Forbes magazine and a co-launcher of Family Business magazine. She has been writing about business and finance for nearly 20 years. She is, of course, a parent! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

An easy-to-understand, well-written parental guide
Jayne Pearl's Kids And Money: Giving Them The Savvy To Succeed Financially is a thoughtful, easy-to-understand, well-written parental guide to a the sticky conundrum of teaching children from age 4 to 18 on how to be responsible with their money. Various money-related milestones, from allowances and first jobs to credit cards and college, are all carefully navigated with frank, friendly wisdom. Tougher issues such as shoplifting, gambling, and overspending are also discussed, with practical advice for the wide gamut of family money situations. In an increasingly modern society where a few clicks of the computer mouse can drain one's credit card account as fast as electrical information can travel, money savvy is more important than ever, making Kids And Money a "must" for any parent whose children aren't already majoring in finance.

A Good Read!
Jayne A. Pearl shows you how to give your children financial roots and wings. By roots, she means good financial information, values, and ethics. By wings, she means encouraging kids to be confident, independent financial managers. While Jayne Pearl's information is thorough, some of it is specific to U.S. taxation laws and economic structures, which makes the book less useful to an international audience. We... recommend this book to parents who are concerned about their children's financial well being, and to those who need a refresher on good spending habits.

Money sense and family peace!
How many books do you know that have actually improved your life? We're not just talking finances here. This book will change the atmosphere in your family in ways you thought impossible.

Kids and Money convinced us to change our approach to allowances. Not only did we end up spending less by eliminating all those little "off-budget" extras, our kids suddenly became interested in getting value for their dollars. No more extravagant purchases that they wore once and forgot. And they began to take better care of the things they did buy. No more nagging!

Kids and Money is full of great advice on many other subjects. Including how to finance college if you didn't (or couldn't) start saving when the kids were born. And there's a terrific list of web resources at the end.

Everything I Never Knew...
Financial matters to me are a big yawn, so it was great to read a book that made money something even I could understand. I don't know whether I've always handled my son's financial education in the best fashion, so it was reassuring to know that it isn't too late to make up for lost time. This book did a superb job of giving me actionable advice and -- for my husband and son -- lots of great websites to go to for more information. (Males will read anything that is on a website!) This book also makes a good reference for financial situations as they arise. My 11-year-old is nowhere near ready for college, but I'll keep the book handy for when the time comes...

I wish my parents had a book like this when I was a kid!
Reading Jayne Pearl's excellent book, Kids and Money, I was encouraged to find a roadmap to guide my daughter through the complexities of the financial world. Pearl's practical approach to teaching children ways of handling money from early on can help my child develop a healthy and savvy attitude about money that will serve her well throughout her life. If my parents had a book like this when I was growing up and had taught me more about dealing with money, it might have saved me from struggling with finances in my adult life. Children need a firm foundation in understanding the value of money and knowing what to do, or, what not to do with it. This can only come through conscious, explicit teachings. Pearl encourages dialogue with children and offers a wealth of advice in communicating about this difficult subject. ... Read more

Book Description

If you're like most people in their twenties and thirties, you don't feel like you're in control of your financial life.But if you want to take full advantage of the best financial opportunities, it's important that you get started right away.Get a Financial Life shows you how to manage your money and make it grow.In it you will learn how to:

• Refinance your high-rate credit cards and student loans
• Start investing in the right mutualfunds
• Find low-cost auto loans andmortgages
• Make the most of tax deductions you never knew existed
• Use tax-advantaged savings plans to build a serious nest egg

From 401(k)s to health insurance to stocks and bonds, this book focuses exclusively on what you really need to know at this stage in your financial life. Whether you earn $15,000 or $150,000, whether you're single or married, whether you're financially inclined or financially challenged, this book will let you manage your money with the smallest possible investment of time and effort.

Reviews (69)

An excellent introduction to managing your finances
I bought an earlier version of this book way back in 1996. I had just gotten my first job and I was looking for information on how to manage money and to find out how much I could "afford" when buying a car and/or other expensive stuff. This book helped with all of that. It helped me understand the basics of personal finance, loans, insurance, 401(k), etc. There's lots of good advice in there, so I'd certainly recommend buying this book. The information is this book is beautifully organized and very easy to digest.

Unfortunately, I haven't learnt a whole lot about personal finance since reading this book. I've read numerous books on personal finance after this one. All of them tend to say more or less the same things as this book, but they haven't said it as well.

Bottomline, if you understand the basics of personal finance (such as the principles of compounding, the importance of investing early in a 401(k), why it's bad to have credit card debt, etc.), you can probably afford to skip this book. Otherwise, it's a must have.

An easy-to-use reference guide
I bought the original edition of this book after seeing Ms. Kobliner on a morning news program. I was rather uninformed about my finances at that point. I had several thousands of dollars of credit card debt, was about to finish grad school and get married, and didn't have a job waiting. Worried about merging my bad financial life with my future husband's relatively well-organized one, I bought this book.

Together, my husband and I read it and developed a road map for what we thought we needed to accomplish. It gave us the basics to get our financial life on track, including paying off all the credit card debt (we carry none at all), getting a mortgage, buying a new car, and starting retirement plans. Now that we arethinking about insurance, starting a family, planning for college funds, etc., this was the first place I thought to turn for well-seasoned advice.

This book covers a lot of topics in an accessible format, but I acknowledge that for someone who is already aware of their finances and has some knowledge, it may be repetitive. But I always find myself wanting to go back to it when I have questions--so today I'm buying the updated edition, and letting a financially challeneged friend keep the other one.

An outstanding roadmap to getting your finances in order
This book served me well as an introduction to the fundamentals of personal finance. By following each step before moving on to the next, "Get a Financial Life" helped me formulate a financial plan and make it a reality. I repaired my credit, bought my first house, paid off my student loans, eliminated my credit card and automotive debt, and created a way to save/invest 28% of my gross monthly income. It required a few years of sacrifices on my part, but I credit this book with teaching me the "how, what, when and whys" of financial freedom.

words for the unwise
i have been taking beth's advice for the past three years and am finally finacially stable. i worked for the publisher and otherwise probably would not have heard her speak or gotten a copy of the book. she adressed all of my financial concerns and gave me the feeling that it was possible to dig myself out from under my debt.

get this book and follow her advice. all will be well.

Just what the doctor ordered
My father bought this book for me and it's been absolutely great to read and take notes from. It isn't deep, it isn't complicated, but it does have some very good information in it. I'm 21, about to graduate from college, and admittedly don't exactly have the best financial practices in the world. This book has already helped me get more organized and on-the-ball with my finances, though, and I think it's something I'll keep around as reference for some time. A previous reviewer complained that the book is shortsighted and only targeted at people in their 20s and 30s. Well, so what? If you want more in-depth, there are more than enough books out there to cover all the things you could possibly want to know. This isn't meant to be a guiding light for your personal finance from now until you die. it is meant for younger people and it serves them quite well, I think. It's not a limitless resource or something for people already well-versed in good personal finance management. If you're looking for a handy book with practical, real-world advice, though, then this should serve you quite well. ... Read more

Book Description

Say good-bye to expensive brokers! Forget gambling on their latest "hot stock," or their junk-bond or high-cost mutual funds recommendations. The results can be disastrous. Instead, veteran Wall Street Journal editor and CNBC commentator Douglas R. Sease shows you how to take back control of your money with a simple, safe, yet powerful investment program that can be tailored to your individual needs.

Writing with the solid backing of The Wall Street Journal, Doug Sease reminds us that many financial services providers try to make investing appear mysterious and difficult in order to justify their fees.

You can use a combination of inexpensive, easy-to-purchase investment vehicles -- stock-index mutual funds and inflation-indexed Treasury bonds -- to build a portfolio that will maximize your returns and minimize your risk. Combining a disciplined savings program with an equally disciplined investment program is a virtual guarantee of success. It puts more money into your investments instead of into Wall Street's pockets. Best of all, Sease shows how to make the most of your money at different stages of your working life.

Winning with the Market shows you how to make the most of you rmoney for a lifetime of successful, broker-free investing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Whether it's the invisible chat room jockey pumping penny stocks or the silver-haired Peter Lynch hawking Fidelity Investments, finding financial advice these days is pretty easy, and for most of us the real problem is not getting advice, it's getting good advice. Which is something that Terry Savage dispenses in good measure in The Savage Truth on Money.

It's not that Savage has found a new way to get rich. She hasn't. What makes this book work is her commonsense approach to attaining financial security. At the heart of Savage's advice is the notion that getting ahead is a matter of "self-discipline," which "means making knowledgeable decisions based on a rational assessment of likely results and then sticking to your decisions in the face of emotional upheaval." Forget about sticking your head in the sand--for Savage, knowledge is power, and knowledge begins when you examine your own relationship to money. She encourages getting online as way to manage your finances, educate yourself, and seek out new opportunities. The book is filled with insights on topics such as risk management, investing in mutual funds, saving for college, and buying insurance.

Savage's experience as a financial journalist (print, television, online), stockbroker, the first woman member of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, as well as her service on the Board of Directors of McDonald's and Devon Energy Corporation brings a air of credibility that's hard to find in books of this ilk. The Savage Truth on Money is for people who think seriously about their money, no matter how smart they think they are. --Harry C. Edwards ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Very complete - excellent financial book.
Does the thought of saving for retirement, coping with debt, or paying for college leave you fearful and frazzled? Are you confused and intimidated by "expert financial advice" you can't understand? You need the Savage Truth on money--from the cash in your pocket to the world of online investing.

The candid and up-front advice in The Savage Truth on Money is aimed at your mind, your heart...and your balance sheet. Whether you're just starting out or well on your way, Terry Savage will empower you to make informaed money decisions and evaluate the advice that the financial industry sends your way. Savage's expertise comes from her experience as a stock trader, stock broker, investment advisor, television commentator, andbest selling financial author.

Step by step and dollar by dollar, The Savage Truth On Money enables you to manage your money by freeing yourself from debt, creating a budget you can live with, and investing wisely---even on a modest paycheck--to build equity and wealth. Savage helps you harness the power of the web by using money management software to develop and track your financial plan.

There's a Savage side to investing today. Find out what it is and how it could impact your 401 (k) choices and IRA decisions. Discover how to control the twin emotions that destroy your financial plans: fear and greed. Learn how to invest for retirement; insure for long term care; create a college education fund; use life insurance and annuities; and make a smart estate plan so that your hard earned wealth isn't confiscated by taxes. Terry Savage wills how you how.

The SAVAGE Truth On Money gives you the facts, resources, and confidence you need to take charge of your finances today--and give you a secure future for tomorrow.

What a pleasure it was for me to read a quality financial book written by a nationally recognized financial authority like Terry Savage. Excellent book and not just for women either.

Disregard those reviews by tax people, brokers etc.
I have Terry's book but also enjoy listening to quality material in my car so bought the cd as well. This is a very complete, financial education program. SHE COVERS EVERYTHING. And I found the tax information very beneficial as well.

I noticed one of the negative reviewers claiming to be a tax attorney. How can we expect this person to give a fair and credible review of this book and tape program. He is afraid of losing business!

Don't expect brokers to be anymore sympathetic either. They would rather have you buy their "Soup D'Jour" which pays them thehighest commissions irregardless of whether you make money or not.

The JBQ crusaders; all I can say is compare the background and credentials of Ms. Savage and JBQ. NO CONTEST!

The Savage Truth on Money is an excellent program and I highly recommend it.

A fresh, new perspecive
Have you noticed how so many of the other financial books out there all say more or less the same thing? I bought "The Savage Truth on Money" CD and was so impressed that I went back and bought the book also.Ms. Savage has a vast background on personal finance and offers a fresh and unique approach that is backed with fact.She is a pleasure to listen to as well. Playing her CD is like having Ms. Savage in your car or office talking directly to you.Great program but only for those who are open minded.

Not just for women
I bought this book by Terry Savage along with Don't Mess with My Money by the Dolans after returning Making the Most of Your Money by Quinn.

I have to admit I felt a little strange buying this book which at first appeared to be for women, but after inspection, found this book to be outstanding and a great financial book for everyone.

Ms Savage covers everything you need to know about money from mutual funds, "chicken money", insurance and going on into retirement. Her style makes this an easy read and she is witty too.

By contrast, I bought Making the Most of Your Money by Quinn and was wholly dissappointed--returned it after one day.

Terry Savage has written an excellent book for anyone interested in truly Making the Most of their Money. In Savage's case, it is not a fancy line, but reality.

Great book Terry. I am looking forward to your next foray!

Excellent author review and book
I enjoyed this book by Terry Savage. My wife bought this book along with The Road to Wealth and The Laws of Money by Suze Orman.

In many ways, Savage pushes Orman on financial advice and savvy and is a witty writer as well. Both have credentials to write financial books, unlike other authors.

I also felt that Ms. Savage showed class in her review, thanking her fans and clearing the air o n the Microsoft issue. And at least she (Savage) writes reviews using her own name, not an alias as some other authors do.

Overall good good written by a person of quality. ... Read more

Book Description

The best available guide to saving money on a home construction project.The Owner-Builder Book is the most reader-friendly of the self-contracting books currently in print, and has the biggest emphasis on saving money when you build. The only book in the category printed in two colors, it is loaded with interesting reader sidebars and a substantial resource guide.

"...16 easy to read chapters with lots of charts, lists and examples...More practical advice..." Nancy Cook-Senn, The Shawnee News-Star

"...this is the book which will tell you how to design and build your own home just the way you want it.It also tells you how to save thousands of dollars in the process...You can also save up to 50% of the cost of a house by becoming an owner-builder...goes through the stages of how to plan, planning, how to buy, developing a network for purchasing your materials, how to get bids, what to look for in bids on different areas, how to supervise your sub contractors, etc...seems to leave very few, if any, stones unturned." Curtis Rivers, Vero Beach Press Journal

"Assuming you have the same costs that a general contractor will have, you will save the profit (more than 10 percent average) and the overhead (two to three times the profit) paid to a general...The Owner-Builder Book discusses just how this can be done." Ask the Experts, Country's Best Log Homes

"If you don't want to be sorry, follow the process outlined by Mark Smith in his book, The Owner-Builder Book." Builders Showcase, Northwest Herald

"...covers every aspect of the building process, including planning, scheduling, working with subcontractors, financing, building permits, etc....has, perhaps for the first time, demystified the home-building process for the layman.Consider this to be a textbook." Prince William Region Home Focus

"...highlights techniques for materials shopping (what he calls "commando shopping") and planning your home room-by-room to maximize savings." Home & Real Estate Weekly, Daily Times-Call

"This new book gives a step-by-step approach to building your own home and saving up to 50 percent on construction costs.Chapters show how to beat contractor pricing tactics, how to deal with paperwork (contracts, permits, and legal and insurance protection), how to manage home building project on a daily basis, and how to avoid common owner-builder mistakes." The Henry Herald

"Great practical little book filled with tips to save money when building a home.If you want to take on the project yourself, it's good to know the tricks of the trade first.You'll learn to manage bureaucratic paperwork, how to get subs on your side, and even become privy to "commando" shopping techniques.The Smiths explain how to benefit from new tax laws and how to prepare yourself to get loan approval." Simple Living Quarterly

"If you ever have thought of building your own home, The Owner-Builder Book is for you because it is a step-by-step guide for the amateur and covers all aspects of building a home." Robb Northrup, Kitchener-Waterloo Record

"When it comes to building your dream home, sweat equity a.k.a. doing it yourself, can help economize.But you don't need to swing a hammer to nail substantial savings.In The Owner-Builder Book Mark Smith leads home-owners through a step-by-step guide of planning, scheduling and financing a custom built house." Michelle Mahfouri, American Press

"The 16-chapter book takes [you] from putting a materials list together and putting out bids to subcontractors to shopping for bargains and close-outs on framing lumber, fixtures, concrete and appliances.It also discusses how to avoid first-time mistakes." Kansas City Star ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Great overview of a complicated process
Owning your own home has long been considered the American Dream. For many, that includes designing and building the homes themselves. But building a home is a complex project filled with pitfalls and traps, and unwary budding homeowners can find their dreams turning into nightmares.

Enter Mark Smith, who has built several houses of his own. Written by a man who acted as his own general contractor, "The Owner-Builder Book" is crammed with useful advice on how to oversee your own project, from planning to construction. But be warned: it's unflinchingly honest about the amount of work and stress involved. While Mark Smith writes that it's possible to build a house in six months, first will come at least a year of planning and organizing. Once construction begins, you'll have to deal with ensuring that subcontractors appear on time and finish their work on time before the next group of workers appears. You may also have to deal with problems such as late deliveries of materials, subcontractors who don't show up, or who demand advances before working, threatened lawsuits,

Reading this book will give you a better appreciation of what the general contractor goes through. It will either fire your desire to run the show yourself and pocket the savings, or gratefully turn over the work to someone who does it for a living. But what it will also do is give you the information needed to make informed decisions that, even if you work with a contractor, will save you money.

Very helpful book!
I was fortunate to come across this book as I was making my decision to owner build my custom home. This book was an excellent resource and it allowed me to go in to my construction effort well informed and ready to tackle the project. From tax insights, to planning and organizing techniques this book covers everything that I needed to know. It's step by step plan of attack, and it's insightful and fun to read reminders truly helped me get into the drivers seat. In the end, I was able to save a substantial amount of money in the construction of my home, as well as avoiding several headaches, and mistakes along the way. The owner builder book chronicled owner builders like myself who had a story to tell, and insider tips. I also learned strategies that enabled me to take advantage of tax benefits. In owner building, knowledge isn't only power, it's tremendous savings.

Very Helpful Guidance * Practical Advice to PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
This is an excellent book to read during the PLANNING stages of your building project. The book is written in an easy-to-read format and had insightful suggestions on cost savings, tax avoidance, quality construction and more.
Highly recommended!

When Lenders Listen to Owner-Builders
The Owner-Builder world is here. When the cost of buying a home in the local subdivision is priced out of the hands of 50% of the local population it is time to look for alternatives.

The title of this book states it all. The Owner-Builder book is the first purchase (must have it) for those considering building their next home to meet family needs. The Author takes an on hands approach listing subject matter in easy to find sections. I like the way he relays this information.

The book will guide you to understanding many of the areas you are expected to know prior to talking seriously to a lender when securing a construction loan. I recommend this book to anyone approaching me for a construction loan. If they can complete the exercises and follow thru with the recommendations, they will have my ear for considering them for a loan. As a Construction Lender and Construction Site Supervisor this book is a must read for my clients. It saves money, time and enhances communication for all involved. Thank You for a great tool I can add to my professional arsenal. I recommend this book daily.

lacking in actual construction information
I found the book helpful in areas such as financing,getting subs to show up on time, and getting good prices on material.
I was looking for very specific info regarding the actual steps of constructing your own home. I need to know exactly what type of foundation is best, how to calculate much fill I'd need for the project and so on. If you're looking for a factual book on home construction, this is not the one. I'll keep looking. ... Read more

Book Description

America's leading HMO reporter provides a tool kit for knowledgeably choosing the right HMO or health plan and getting the most out of it. How to find the best doctors in an HMO. When to go outside the plan. How to avoid excess costs. ... Read more

Book Description

The Star Strategy outlines the steps to create wealth. Using real estate as a base, you will create wealth utilizing all investment vehicles while securing a monthly income stream that will eventaully replace employment income.Using the Star Strategy will create an income stream, produce tax advantages and increase buying power.Over time, anyone can attain the level of wealth they desire. The great part is that the Star Strategy starts at the very begining and provides step-by-step guidance through every phase.

The product is a 90 minute audio cassette program with a 65 page manual that compliments the information presented on the audio cassette.Part of the package includes some simple "forms" to assist in some basic money management activities as well as setting goals. ... Read more

Book Description

The Fast Forward MBA in Financial Planning brings you the information you need when you need it most—now!

This practical, easy-to-use guide gives you instant access to the cutting-edge ideas and hard-won wisdom of today's financial planning world. In short, lively segments using real-world examples, it delivers the facts you need to navigate complex financial issues. You'll find brief descriptions of key concepts, tips on real-world applications, compact case studies, and warnings on how to avoid pitfalls.

Here are all the tools you need to set—and meet—all your financial goals. Learn how to:

• Create and analyze personal financial statements
• Develop a sound spending plan
• Protect income and assets
• Select the right insurance coverage
• Implement retirement and estate planning strategies
• And much more

From the creators of the bestselling Portable MBA series comes The Fast Forward MBA . . .

• A quick way to brush up on new ideas
• An easy-to-use format that fits in any briefcase
• Real-world information that you can put to use now!

Book Description

It couldn't last forever?and it didn't. Finally, scores of e-businesses that once enjoyed astronomical capitalization in spite of their vague business plans, modest sales, and absence of profits have been called on the carpet. The experimental first era of e-business is over and now its time for the next, when companies will deliver customer value and make a profit or disappear altogether. Nick Earle, Hewlett-Packard's chief strategist for e-services, and Peter Keen, a respected strategy and business consultant, map the future of online business and describe the six key drivers that companies must master in order to survive the next era of e-commerce. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Highly Recommended!
This solidly researched and written guide shows you how to move into the next phase of e-business operations: actually making them profitable. The authors call this era .profit (dot profit), and aside from that little gimmick, the book is refreshingly free of space-filling babble. Instead, it concentrates on the elements needed to make a profit on the Internet, and gives plenty of examples from cyberspace so you can learn from those who are already in .profit world. We from getAbstract recommend this book to anyone charged with developing business strategy.

Good for understanding how the Internet affects business
"From .com to .profit" is a thought-provoking book for entrepreneurs who want to build major, Internet-based businesses or who want to understand more about the business models of larger, Internet-focused companies.

The authors discuss six "value imperatives," which they feel successful Internet companies must have in their business models. These imperatives are:

1) "Perfect Your Logistics"

2) "Cultivate Your long-term relationships"

3) "Harmonize your channels [of distribution] on behalf of the customer"

4) "Build A Power Brand"

5) "Transform Your Capital And Cost Structures"

6) "Become a value-adding intermediary"

The book devotes a chapter to each topic. One of my favorite chapters was "Perfect Your Logistics," where Earle and Keen give many examples of how companies have used the Internet to save money and significantly reduce their operating costs. The Internet allows companies to be more efficient.

Earle and Keen say that improvements in logistics will be a huge advantage of the Internet. While consumer-based Internet companies have captured the most public awareness, the biggest benefit of the Internet to businesses will be greatly increased efficiency in doing mundane things, such as ordering paper clips. Business-to-business transactions will probably create more savings and opportunities than business-to-consumer transactions.

"From .com to .profit" does an excellent job discussing business-to-business hubs and portals (web sites where businesses can come to broker supplies and services).

The book's discussions of branding, value-added intermediation, partnerships, and relationship building are also excellent.

I took off a star for some silly statements about capital structure. Earle and Keen write that the Internet has created a "capital revolution," and if a company can show a "Price/Vision" premium, investors will continue to bid up the price on the company's Internet stock. Wanna bet? The Internet has not created a "capital revolution." It has created an investment mania.

Earle and Keen go on to glibly write, "There is no correlation over the longer term between market value and any standard accounting measure of profitability. ..." Ah, can we have some evidence, please? This seems an incredibly silly remark to make without supporting evidence! Unprofitable companies over the long-term tend to disappear from the stock market. Some apparel companies do manage to limp along for decades without ever being profitable. But, such companies are hardly a good investment.

The authors observe that once you have highly-valued stock, it can be used as currency to acquire intellectual capital and other assets of real worth. This is true. And, as Earle and Keen point out, not having highly-valued shares to trade for intellectual capital is a disadvantage of privately-held companies. But, let's not legitimize funny money as a way to build a business!

Overall, "From .com to .profit" offers a lot of great insight into business models and into what separates customer-focused, successful business operations from less successful operations, making it worth a read.

Peter Hupalo, author of "Thinking Like An Entrepreneur"

Good discussion of eBusiness</