Product Description
Advertisers are well-known for targeting teenagers and have a firm reason for doing so: Teenagers spent close to $190 billion in 2006, and that figure is expected to jump to approximately $209 billion by 2011. It seems quite obvious that teenagers know how to spend money, but do they know how to save? Personal financial planning is the process of establishing your own financial goals and finding a way to reach them. It is an ongoing process that involves examining all existing resources, developing a plan to use them, and systematically implementing the plan to achieve your goals. While teenagers yield immense spending power, many lack the financial knowledge necessary to manage their money wisely. The Complete Guide to Personal Finance: For Teenagers is a reliable and relevant source of financial information in which teenagers will find a wealth of useful information. In this new book, you will learn how to get and manage credit, how to make and stick to a budget, how to save for college, how to determine your needs versus your wants, how to pay for a car, how to finance college, how to manage risk, how to open a bank account, how to write a check, how to balance a checkbook, how to avoid the pressures of consumerism, and how to avoid financial mistakes. You will also learn about investment options, taxes, checks, debit cards, credit cards, and basic budget tips. This book is filled with helpful suggestions from financial and family counselors, and you will discover creative ways to get a jumpstart on your financial future and use money responsibly. Even if you have had a few missteps along the way, you will be able to learn from your mistakes and get on the path to financial well-being. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Must-Read for Today's Teens and College-Age Students
If there is a must-read book for young people today, it's "The Complete Guide to Personal Finance: For Teenagers and College Students" by Tamsen Butler.This book undoubtedly fills in the gaps in the area of managing debt that schools and parents don't cover.Butler slowly takes the reader from the easy to the more complex areas of debt managment and with each topic gives examples that are in-line with its target audience.

Read Chapter 3: Stashing Your Cash. Then ask your teen or college-age child if they know the difference between a debit card and a credit card, or if they know that a CD is not just a disc that contains music.There is a good chance you'll receive a shake of the head, which means your job in preparing your child for the real world isn't over just yet.Most parents, when considering having "the talk" with their child(ren) normally don't consider financial responsibility as a part of that talk.And it's a safe bet such topics as comparison shopping for banks and credits union, alternative forms of saving such as money market accounts and CDs, and how interest is compounded for a savings or a credit card account rarely make dinner conversation.Butler's book covers these topics and more, and constantly reiterates how easy it is to get into debt and the importance of budgeting.

So if you're unsure on how to approach the subject of finance with your children, purchase a copy of this book but don't let it be your sole method of educating them on financial reponsibility.Use it as a jumping off point to a more in-depth conversation.Forewarning your children about the pitfalls of reckless spending is forearming them.

The Complete Guide to Personal Finance For Teenagers and College Students
The Complete Guide to Personal Finance For Teenagers and College Students
By Tamsen Butler
2010 Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 4 stars

The personal finance education Tamsen Butler provides in this guide is not a boring course by any means.This comprehensive book talks to teenagers and college students in a down to earth real life manner, giving them the basics that will capture their interest, and the options to handle their money now.Why is it important to learn how to handle money while young?The good habits learned now will serve throughout life, especially now when there are no firmly established bad habits they would have to unlearn.Handling money well is an important first step to independence.

This book gives the full picture in short, specific case studies, mainly from other teens, but additional from a parent or two, and a financial expert.Learn the difference between needs and want.Find out how to spend, how to save, and what the consequences are of debt.Know about the different types of bank accounts and credit cards.Find out the tactics that marketers use to influence teen spending.Save Smart Tips throughout the guide offer quick advice to help.

A budget begins with the first allowance received, includes money received as gifts, and goes on to when a job increases income.Leaning how to handle money when young begins the path to independence.The concluding glossary of terms and bibliography of other books and websites makes this a valuable reference not only while young, but also helps ensure a better handling of money for a more secure financial future.

Guide to Personal Finance for Teenagers and College Students
Where was this book when I was in school?Solid financial advice can be priceless and I'd like to think I would have at least browsed through this little (290 page) book and stored away some of the recommendations in the back of my brain for future use.Saving, saving, saving is stressed throughout the book and Tamsen Butler does an excellent job detailing the advantages of saving and the pitfalls of not saving money - clearly and concisely; defining the needs vs wants theory of spending.She does a great job explaining different types of accounts, and how interest (particularly compounded interest) can work either for or against you.In the section on credit cards Butler even details the `hold' that credit card companies often put on an account when booking travel, hotels, and some other major expenditures.Something that a lot of adults may not even be aware of.

From kids getting an allowance, to trying to balance a full time job and a college schedule, to the young adult leaving home for the first time, Butler explores various options for setting up a budget, explaining that discipline and self-motivation are key.She uses realistic examples and brief case studies written by real people - from how to afford concert tickets or a new CD to saving for college or a car, to handling your money once you move out and are on your own, including how to use a credit card responsibly.

The author encourages parents to sit down with their kids and have a heart to heart about finances.After all, our first, and probably most lasting lessons about finances come from our families.It's how we handle money that affects the way our children handle money.Even if we never discuss it, the examples and the visual cues are there.Although written for teens, adults would do well to peruse this book along with their kids.It's never too late to learn how to handle your money more efficiently.

A Complete Guide to Personal Finance for Teenagers and College Students

A Complete Guide to personal Finance for Teenagers and College Students by Tamsen Butler provides a clear and invaluable survival tool that should also be read by their parents. Not only does it teach them about the kind of options available, but it also helps them to understand the consequences of their choices.

As someone who worked as a financial counselor for over eight years, I particularly commend her on Chapter 6 (understanding credit and how creditors actually work), and well as Chapter 10 (understanding credit scores and the consequences of identity theft).

I hardily recommend this book and just hope that anyone who gets it not only reads it, but practices what it preaches.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great textbook
Works very well for the class I am taking. Make sure workbook comes with it, it is very informative. ... Read more

Product Description
Unclutter your pile of bills in a day!

Can you imagine your desk completely clear of stacks of bills and receipts? Would you like to know that your checking account balance is correct? Are you interested in avoiding $15, $25 and $35 late fees that are applied when you’re just one day late with payments?

Organize Your Personal Finances In No Time offers today’s time-crunched individuals easy, practical solutions to accomplish financial organization. Author Debbie Stanley, National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) member and conference speaker, makes a career of managing chronically disorganized clients, leading them into organizational bliss. The book takes a project-based approach to breaking apart the steps needed to achieve order in your personal finances and teaches you multiple options to managing finances including online, electronic, and paper-based systems.

With quick, easy projects, you’ll discover many ways to manage your personal finances including:

How to set up a foolproof system for collecting receipts and ATM slips. How to set up a bill paying system and avoid late fees and overdrafts. Learning the "ruthless rules" for managing mail. Choosing your paper organization method - even going paperless. Shopping smart. Advanced number crunching techniques - measuring your net worth, P&L, savings and more. No time to figure it all out? Let Organize Your Personal Finances In No Time be your first step to getting it all together. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

organize your finances - wish I could
I wish I could review this item - but it would be difficult since I never received the book. Bayfront's response was that they delivered according to the shipper but since no one had to sign for it = they weren't responsible for the fact that I didn't receive it. Pretty poor customer service - let's face it the book cost more to ship that it cost to buy it - a 75 cent book - that they cannot honor.. That is okay - I will find another copy from another website and seller. Thanks for nothing.

Finally - a solution to my neverending chaos.
I have read many, many books on organizing my papers and my finances and considered the complexities and upkeep of many, many systems. However, this book gave me the ideal -- simple to set up, easy to maintain, and logical in approach.This is the one I am using, and it has brought order to the chaos. It is not for perfectionists but rather people who want a straightforward, not-too-complex, "good enough" system for keeping track of those important pieces of paper, warranty books, receipts, and other miscellaneous papers that jam up our lives.Easy to understand, well-illustrated, and practical. Highly recommended.

Getting finances in order used to be a struggle
This book was very helpful.If you take it step by step as in the book you will be organized in no time at all.I love how it is written step by step.Worked great for me.Now I am ready to face 2007 financially organized.

Here is the help you need in getting your finances organized.
Whether you have been managing your personal finances for years, or you have just left home and have no idea where to start when it comes to managing your finances, you will benefit from this book.Stanley's approach to teaching the reader how to manage their finances is fun, exciting and motivating.The ideas in this book are practical and easy to implement.They are easy-to-follow and are adaptable to various situations and varous personalities.

Great step-by-step guidance!
Because the books contains consise "To-Do lists" as well as flagged reminders of key organizing principles, it is easy to take the information from the book and apply it to each reader's own situation. Working as a professional organizer, I was able to utilize the information from the book to help my clients become less overwhelmed with all of their papers and stick to an organized bill paying system that works for them. ... Read more

Product Description

Whether you've been living paycheck-to-paycheck, are trying to save for a down payment on your first home, or are hoping to one day retire in comfort, ON MY OWN TWO FEET can help.This succinct guide will teach you how to balance your desire to live well today with the need to save and invest for tomorrow.In this lively, no-nonsense financial primer you will learn:

* How much of your income to save
* How to avoid the perils of credit card debt
* How to create a budget you can live with (and still have fun!)
* How to invest wisely using a powerful, keep-it-simple plan
* How to deal with real life situations - such as figuring out how much home or car you can afford & how to handle money when you couple up with that someone special

ON MY OWN TWO FEET redefines Personal Finance 101.The sooner you apply the basic financial concepts highlighted by Thakor and Kedar, the more likely it is that you'll achieve common life goals such as owning a home, providing for yourself or your family, taking fun vacations, and retiring in comfort -- all free from financial stress. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (68)

Great resource!
This is an excellent book with lots of great information.I highly recommend it for anyone who is trying to gain a better insight into the world of budgeting and saving.I definitely feel more actively involved in my financial future.It is easy to read and doesn't try to complicate things.You may need additional information on certain areas of your finances but this is a great place to jump start your involvement in your savings.

Great start towards financial responsibility
Prince Charming is not a financial plan.That's the sentiment echoed by this author who wants women to stop looking for a man to rid them of their financial woes and instead, take charge of their own financial future.Understanding that financial matters can be intimidating to people, but especially women, she quickly gets to the point without bogging the reader down with boring or too complex details.

Below are the different subjects discussed in this book and the kinds of issues discussed with each:

SAVINGS
-- Why you should save
-- How much should you save
-- Where you should store your savings

CREDIT CARDS
-- What the true cost of credit card debt is
-- Why it's harmful to only making the minimum monthly payment
-- What the common credit card pitfalls are (like having too many cards or thinking your interest rate is set in stone, etc...)
-- Understanding your credit score
-- How your credit score influences your life
-- How to find your credit score
-- What your score is based on and how you can improve it

INSURANCE
-- The 3 critical types of insurance you need
-- Suggestions for purchasing insurance
-- Where to buy insurance

BUDGETING
-- How to make a budget (there's a great pie chart that shows exactly how to divide up your expenses)
-- What type of expenses you should expect

INVESTING
-- Why you should invest your money
-- How to invest your savings
-- What your investing options are
-- Suggestions on the smartest types of investment you should make
-- Q & A portion (like, "Is it wise to invest in real estate?")

RETIREMENT
-- What type of retirement is out there (employer sponsored and individual)

HOME
-- Should you rent or buy?
-- Making sure you don't buy a home you can't afford
-- Buying a home the smart way

CAR
-- Making sure you don't buy a car you can't afford
-- Should you buy new or used?Lease or buy?

INCOME TAXES
-- What types of taxes you owe on your income
-- When you pay your taxes
-- How to file your taxes
-- The types of documents you'll need when you visit your tax preparer

LOVE AND MONEY
-- Why financial compatibility is so important
-- What kind of money talk couples should have with each other
-- Deciding whether to have a joint or separate bank account
-- Deciding who will handle which financial chores
-- How often couples should do a financial check-up
-- How to protect your finances (especially for stay-at-home moms)
-- Handling sticky subjects like pre-nups
-- Why it's unwise to assume your Prince Charming knows more about money than you

Some women might be embarrassed not being as knowledgable about these subjects as they'd like, but in the last chapter, the author offer 4 empowering insights about money to make them feel better:
(1) Most people don't have a clue about money even if they pretend they do
(2) Things aren't always what they seem
(3) Literally millions are intimidated by money matters
(4) After reading this book, you'll know more than the vast majority of Americans

In the end, I thought the author did a great job taking an intimidating subject and making it more user-friendly for women.This book offers a great start towards achieving financial responsibility.

Nothing New and Somewhat Out of Date
While this is basically a good book and well-written, I didn't think that any of the information was earth-shattering or different than what is in every other personal finance book.Also, this book was written before the economic downturn, change in credit scoring, etc., so is a bit dated.

My favorite personal finance book!
I love, love, love this book! I first checked it out of the library and loved it. After checking it out several times, I decided to buy it.

What I like most about this book is that it's a real-life personal finance book. It addresses all of the major issues in personal finance and does so in a way that's useful, not theorical like many PF books. This was the first book that addressed prioritization in a way that related to my life. Sure, everyone knows that you should save money for retirement and emergencies but this book tells how much and how to do those these things.

I wasn't a personal finance neophyte when I first read this book but I learned A LOT from it. I still go back and review certain chapters when I have questions. This book is both empowering and powerful. It's definitely my go-to personal finance book.

Must-have for young professionals!
I'm just finishing three years of graduate school and will start my first professional job in about six months. This book was exactly what I needed! Clear, interesting, and concise. I never thought that learning about finance could be so simple and enjoyable. Thanks to this great book, I now have a solid grasp on:

-Why it's so important to start saving for retirement early
-Where to put short-term savings for higher interest rates
-Where to invest money that won't be used for at least five years (S&P 500 mutual fund)
-That paying high-interest debt (credit cards and student loans) is one of the best investments I can make
-How my credit score will affect my mortgage interest rate
-An estimate for how much of my income to spend on "fun" purchases and how much to save

The authors also provide short stories and easy-to-understand, solid figures to illustrate basic concepts. Their advice is mainstream and trustworthy. Recommended for anyone who wants to get their finances in order and achieve a healthy financial life. I will be sharing the information I've learned with the people in my life. ... Read more

Product Description
Personal financial planning is the process of establishing your own financial goals and creating a way to reach them. The ongoing process involves examining all existing resources, developing a plan to use them, and systematically implementing the plan to achieve your short and long-term goals. They must be monitored and reviewed periodically to make adjustments to assure that they continue to move you toward your financial goals. Your family's financial future depends in large part on decisions you make and steps you take today. Busy, successful people are often so involved with day-to-day personal and business responsibilities that they don't take the time to plan their own financial future. And unfortunately, financial security and sound investments rarely happen by chance. This new book, written in easy-to-understand terminology, will guide you on the way to financial security for you and your family. You will learn the personal financial basics of budgeting; insurance; marriage, single, and divorce financial solutions; health care possibilities; retirement planning and saving; wills and estate planning; managing and eliminating debt; solving your credit score and credit issues; and home ownership. You will avoid legal issues, obtain documents you need to have, deal with mortgages, taxes, and tax planning. You will invest your money using the latest strategies while responding to life events, starting a small business, getting college financial aid, avoiding debt and bankruptcy, and borrowing money. The new areas of concern are explained: elder issues and identity theft worries. The companion workbook on the CD-ROM contains worksheets, charts, and quizzes to help you set financial goals, budget, find how to reach those goals, set retirement planning goals, and determine the best savings and investment strategies that fit your situation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Sound Guidance!
In our current economic climate personal finance has become the priority of many.Pitfalls abound, so the need for sound financial guidance is critical for all consumers - those who are financially sound and those navigating rough waters.In order to prevent financial disaster, or recover from one, it is imperative that we learn to control our money so our money doesn't control us.

The Complete Personal Finance Handbook:Step-by-Step Instructions to Take Control of Your Financial Future begins with the logical first step of creating and analyzing a budget.That information is supplemented in the next chapter on banking; the author helps you navigate the banking system and gives sound instruction on keeping your accounts balanced to keep your budget in tact.

The following chapters on saving, wealth management, insurance, and retirement are designed to help you keep more of your money and put it to work.Then, The Complete Personal Finance Handbook:Step-by-Step Instructions to Take Control of Your Financial Future addresses the wise use of credit, how to avoid bankruptcy, and improving your credit history if you have already made some mistakes.

The chapter on buying a home is particularly relevant since so many are making their first foray into real estate.The Complete Personal Finance Handbook:Step-by-Step Instructions to Take Control of Your Financial Future is an invaluable primer for the first-time home buyer to navigate the terminology and processes involved in buying a home.

The included appendices in The Complete Personal Finance Handbook:Step-by-Step Instructions to Take Control of Your Financial Future give the readers sample documents, checklists, and worksheets to manage every aspect of your finances.

Knowledge is power, and The Complete Personal Finance Handbook:Step-by-Step Instructions to Take Control of Your Financial Future gives you the power correct or improve your financial future whether you are financially stable or financially troubled.

great little book
Need to learn how to balance a budget, buy a home, or save enough money so you can retire in style? In her book, " The Complete Personal Finance Handbook," author Teri B. Clark presents personal financing in a clear and concise manner. In 16 easy-to-understand chapters, she teaches the reader how to organize one's budget, buy a home, invest smartly, save for your children's college, hire a personal planner, and much more.

This is, in my opinion, the most common-sense book on home financing yet, as the author uses simple language and lots of real-life examples throughout the text. In addition to the different real-life case studies, the author provides a plethora of handy appendices at the end of the book that contain tools like Q and A sheets for your stock broker or a financial advisor, sample real-estate contracts, and much more. A glossary of terms also allows a quick glance in case readers want to look up a certain financial term.

What I especially liked in this book were detailed descriptions of various financial scams out there and how to protect yourself and avoid them. Also eye-opening was a lengthy but interesting chapter on saving for retirement, along with financial charts and other tools. This handy little book should be a part of everyone's library because saving money should be everyone's concern.

Personal Finance Bible
The Complete Personal Finance Handbook: Step-by-Step Instructions to Take Control of Your Financial Future is a real good book. I've read several Suze Orman books and Your Money or Your Life and other such tomes. And I've tossed aside several books on personal finance that couldn't hold my interest past a couple pages. But because of Personal Finance Handbook's comprehensiveness, clarity of explanation, detail and upbeat tone many will consider it their finance bible.
The book starts with budgeting and moves step-by-step through saving (in a multitude of ways), keeping track of your money, banking, the thrill of compound interest, financial advisors, insurance, investing and more.
"Now You Know" charts recap the chapters' main points. And gently, but frankly the book helps people through the emotional aspect of handling money. For example: budgeting and saving bring peace of mind. Yet, if you're in financial trouble, this book will help you without shaming you. Finally, Personal Finance Handbook contains helpful appendices, glossary and index.
The book's only fault is its lack of spacing between words and sentences in the foreword.

Lifelong Financial Success!
The Complete Personal Finance Book should be on every high school and college graduate's gift list.If every graduate--or at least most--read this title, we would no longer hear news reports of massive credit problems, home loan foreclosures, and the "savings crisis."However, don't short-change yourself if you're not a recent graduate.This book has invaluable lessons on when and how to plan for retirement, and invest in stocks and bonds.Not sure how much life, disability or car insurance you need?This handbook spells it all out!

Truly - if you are serious about achieving financial success - no matter your age or credit status, this book can help you achieve your goals.As a reader who has never fully understood how stocks and bonds work, or how to ladder a CD, I can honestly say I can talk with confidence about these topics.

In addition to the straight talk on how to save money and reduce fees, I particularly benefitted from the "Now You Know" summaries at the end of each chapter.The Appendices include a wealth of useful information ranging from sample budget and insurance forms, retirement worksheets, real estate contracts and a section on selecting a financial advisor.The money you save by reading these sections will more than pay for the book!In short, no one should open an account or incur any debt before reading this book!

Learn How To Better Manage Your Money
Learn how to better manage your money and become wealthier no matter where you are financially by saving and budgeting with this book. Every financial topic that one might encounter is presented in each chapter. Certain financial books can be overwhelming and difficult to understand, but both basic and thorough information can be understood because of the author's use of examples, exercises and bullet points that advise, encourage, and challenge. All the information you need to understand and improve your finances is included complete with outside resources.

If you have made mistakes with your money in the past or are in debt, this book can help you fix and avoid those mistakes so your credit score will improve. The chapter on saving is written in a whole different approach to the reader. First, the author explains why you should save and how your finances will improve if you start or continue to save your money. I found this type of approach gave me motivation to keep my money instead of spending it. I also found it helpful that the author explained how current economic issues and taxes affect an individual's finances and what to do so you don't become a victim to economic conditions. Clark lets the reader know every aspect of how your money is involved in the banking system in Chapter 2 and does the same for more difficult topics.

After reading this book and answering some of the questions presented to me in the text, I felt I understood my finances better and incorporated my goals into a financial plan that is sure to be rewarding in the near future. You will be surprised how much you didn't know about your finances before reading this book.
... Read more

Product Description
A user-friendly presentation of the essential concepts and tools for calculating real costs and profits in personal finance

Understanding the Mathematics of Personal Finance explains how mathematics, a simple calculator, and basic computer spreadsheets can be used to break down and understand even the most complex loan structures. In an easy-to-follow style, the book clearly explains the workings of basic financial calculations, captures the concepts behind loans and interest in a step-by-step manner, and details how these steps can be implemented for practical purposes. Rather than simply providing investment and borrowing strategies, the author successfully equips readers with the skills needed to make accurate and effective decisions in all aspects of personal finance ventures, including mortgages, annuities, life insurance, and credit card debt.

The book begins with a primer on mathematics, covering the basics of arithmetic operations and notations, and proceeds to explore the concepts of interest, simple interest, and compound interest. Subsequent chapters illustrate the application of these concepts to common types of personal finance exchanges, including:

• Loan amortization and savings

• Mortgages, reverse mortgages, and viatical settlements

• Prepayment penalties

• Credit cards

The book provides readers with the tools needed to calculate real costs and profits using various financial instruments. Mathematically inclined readers will enjoy the inclusion of mathematical derivations, but these sections are visually distinct from the text and can be skipped without the loss of content or complete understanding of the material. In addition, references to online calculators and instructions for building the calculations involved in a spreadsheet are provided. Furthermore, a related Web site features additional problem sets, the spreadsheet calculators that are referenced and used throughout the book, and links to various other financial calculators.

Understanding the Mathematics of Personal Finance is an excellent book for finance courses at the undergraduate level. It is also an essential reference for individuals who are interested in learning how to make effective financial decisions in their everyday lives. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether looking to create and adhere to a budget or trying to best utilize consumer credit and loans, Personal Finance will help readers make smart financial decisions throughout their lives. Guiding them all the way through to retirement, this book includes numerous real-world examples to easily show them how to apply the material. They'll gain a strong understanding of critical financial concepts as they better learn how to manage their finances properly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Amazon Textbooks vs College
I will never buy another textbook at school with sellers like this available. Good quality at half the school price.
Thanks.

Easy to UNderstand
I have this book for a class I'm taking and we are following it to the T. It is very easy to understand and could be used for anyone interested in learning more about how to run their own personal finances and wants to know what investing is all about.

Great Service
Book was shipped as promised. Only problem was that USPS damage the book really bad during transaction. I called the seller and there was nothing they could do about it. Anyways, I am totally satisfy from the seller, too bad USPS damaged my book.

Satisfied Customer
My book arrived before my class started even though the estimated time was a day after the start of class.The book was is good condition.

Awful
I purchased the item on 8-20-08I still have NOT received it.I contacted seller and he assured me it was on its way . . . yet I am still waiting, $40 short. Im very disappointed this book was for school and weve already taken our first test.YOU WERE A WASTE OF MY TIME. ... Read more

Product Description
Are you a single mother who worries about your family's financial future? The Everything Guide to Personal Finance for Single Mothers has the savvy financial advice you really need. Packed with helpful tips and sound financial practices, this practical yet inspirational guide leads you on a step-by-step journey to financial independence and security.

This guide features tools to help you:

• Assess current financial health
• Set goals near and far
• Narrow the wage gap
• Conquer debt

From how to get out of debt, establish good credit, and qualify for a mortgage to opening a college fund, planning for retirement, and even starting your own business, The Everything Guide to Personal Finance for Single Mothers is the financial advisor you need to secure your future--and that of your children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Really Helpful Book
I have several personal finance books that I've purchased throughout the years.However, none of them provided me with as much knowledge as this one did.This is an easy to read, easy to understand book that covers the basic money principles everyone should know.I have recommended it to several of my friends - even those who aren't single moms!This book isn't for the savvy, financial investor.It's for those just starting out on the road to financial independence. ... Read more

Product Description

Deborah Smith Pegues, author of the popular 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue (over 500,000 copies sold), now offers friendly, doable money management strategies in 30 Days to Taming Your Finances.

Giving readers the benefit of her many years’ experience as a public accountant and certified behavioral consultant, Deborah sheds light on the emotional and practical side of putting finances in order. The wealth of information readers will gather includes how to

• forget past financial mistakes and start fresh
• stop emotional spending and still be content
• fund future objectives with confidence

Each day’s offering will inspire and motivate readers to savor the freedom that comes with organizing, valuing, and sharing their resources wisely.

Customer Reviews (4)

Should be called "Personal Finances for Christians"
If you're a devout Christian and can't read non-fiction without getting advise from Jesus, this is your book. However, if you don't care to hear what Solomon did about his mortgage, I suggest you go with a book from an actual Financial Advisor.

I know I just upset about a million people, but come on. If you bought a book about finances and opened it up and started reading passages from the Quran, you'd panic!

I think a religous viewpoint is fine, but it should be disclosed on the cover. This book is an attempt to sabatoge people with a religious opinion.

Just my thoughts.

Taming your finances
If you would like to tame your finances, this is the book to get, I purchased one for my friend.She hit a lot of areas regarding your finances, a great read.

Excellent financial advice
This little book is chock full of simple, practical, advice. Who couldn't use some help bringing finances under control. Deborah Smith Pegues starts out by showing the reader how to determine where he stands financially by considering two financial aspects; what you own and what you owe, and what you earn and where it goes. That last one is the one I've always had trouble with. It goes, that's for sure, but I'm not always sure where it went.
She then helps the reader develop a fianncial plan, followed up with suggestions for saving and eliminating debt. She freely admits her own financial mistakes and shows the reader how to avoid them. Deborah Smith Pegues is an experienced public accountant who combines experiences with biblical principles in an effect plan for financial security. You'll want to keep this for a reference book. It's short and easy to read and full of excellent advice.

Wisest money you've spent in years!
Finances. Money management. Just thinking of it is enough to cause stress and anxiety attacks, especially if you are drowning in a sea of debt.

Certified public accountant, Deborah Pegues is an expert in money matters, and she has put together a simple, practical plan to help you control your spending habits and find more money in your pocket in just 30 days.

The author includes such information as:

-- Write your vision
-- See where you stand
-- Prepare your plan
-- Investigate your insurance
-- Spend smart
-- Eat economically
-- plus much more

Included at the back of 30 Days to Taming Your Finances are several forms that you can copy and fill out to help you see where you stand and where your money is going.

I found the book easy to read, I read it through in a day, but would recommend going through this book slowly and mastering one step at a time before going on to the next. It is full of common-sense approaches such as making menus and shopping lists and don't shop hungry, but also some other advice that one might not have considered. The only thing I didn't care for was cutting down eating out to only two nights a week and two lunches a week. If our family of seven ate out that much we'd be bouncing checks like you won't believe. So certain things you'd have to eliminate if they are too extravagant for your circumstances.

I recommend 30 Days to Taming Your Finances as a common sense approach to managing money.

Armchair Interviews says: If you are having trouble making ends meet and wonder where the money hole is, definitely pick this book up. You won't be sorry--it might be the wisest $6 you've spent in years.






... Read more

Product Description
Madura’s hands-on, practical approach and financial plan-based organization–its six-part structure mirrors the six steps of financial planning–ensures students learn to make sound financial decisions and leave the course with their own ready-to-implement financial plans. The Third Edition’s enhanced interactive format features integrated Internet resources and a new in-text financial planning workbook to make sure students get more for their money. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Fast, efficient, and new.
Im very satisfied with this seller.I ordered it and in less than 48 hours I received my shipment. The book was new with attached CD software.Very affordable and well below my intended budget for textbooks shopping. I will use this book as a financial resource.. I would shop from this seller again.

CD is only Windows-compatible
The book may be fine, but I bought the product for the combination of capabilities it offered, including access to the software.Apparently this is not a dual-OS media, and it is unreadable in Mac OS, which I only found out after purchasing the book, and breaking the seal on the CD.

No possibility of a refund, and while some of the material may be available on a companion website, this is not what I thought I was purchasing.

Very unhappy with a large expenditure, which did not work out as I'd planned.Hardly the way one wants to approach their own Personal Finance.

Good book to have
I needed it for a business class and kept it! Although I'm not a business major but has lots of things we need for life. Well explained and illustrated.

PERSONAL FINANCE BOOK W/SOFTWARE EXCELLENT
This book and software are great. I thought so much of it I gave both my sons who are in their 30's copies of it for Fathers' Day.

Very Basic, but hey it was for class
Had to use this book for a Finance Management class. The weird part was it has nothing to do with Business Finances. So it was a poor choice from the teacher. But to rate the book, it was good to know the concepts for succesful personal finance management or planning.So if you have to buy it because its for class, then buy it. If not, then google the topics on it. You would have the same luck reading [...] excerpts on the content. ... Read more

Product Description

We live in an increasingly complex financial world where we must make personal financial decisions almost daily. Our financial well being depends on it. But where do you look for information to develop the ability to make and monitor your financial decisions? Financial mathematics and its applications are not taught in public schools or even colleges except to business finance and accounting majors.

The Mathematics of Personal Financefills that gap. It is a complete reference for financial mathematics and its applications. Reading this book will teach you how to analyze almost every type of financial situation you will ever encounter during your financial lifetime.With this knowledge you will be able to:

• Evaluate your financial options
• Monitor your financial progress
• Plan your financial life
• Ensure you are not being exploited.

Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent reference for the do-it-yourself investor
Very thorough explanation of the mathematics of personal finance, for those who can tolerate algebra.
It has a chapter on annuities with an excellent illustration of the mathematics and taxation of annuties. The author commits one error in that he does not correctly define an ordinary annuity and an annuity due.But one can find those definitions on the internet.If you need to understand the mathematics of mortgages and annuities, this is a worthwhile purchase.

The book was excellent
This helped me understand interest rate and how to analyze my personal finances and those of my small business.

The book was excellent
This helped me understand interest rate and how to analyze my personal finances and those of my small business.

A very good basic book on financial math
This book presents a very good basic and detailed understanding of the time value of money mathematics and also shows how to apply the principles to most real life financial applications that one is likely toexperience.

To me it was an eye opener to see how financial math can beused to analyze most financial functions such as home mortgages, insurancepolicies, mutual fund rates of return, and consumer loans, as an aid inmaking important and informed financial decisions.

The book is easy tounderstand and there are many examples to demonstrate the applications.Also it is a good book for self teaching with many examples to work withanswers provided to check results.

However, it is necessary to understandbasic algebra and to have the ability to follow the examples that are quitecomprehensive. The author shows how to use a Hewlett-Packard 12C financialcalculator to perform the math. For those who can do this it will be quiterewarding. For example there is a method shown on how to easily save asignificant amount of interest on one's home mortgage as well as check theprogress of a variable interest rate loan if you have one. The book must bestudied and the problems worked to get the full benefit. It cannot be readlike a novel. ... Read more

Product Description
444 pages ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fantastic!
Arrived just as promised - on time, in great condition, with no hassle. I'd definitely buy again from this user! ... Read more

Product Description
Updated to reflect the current investment climate, this large reference volume presents a financial dictionary with definitions of more than 5,000 terms, an analysis of many current investment opportunities, guidelines for non-experts on what to look for when reading corporate reports and financial news sources, an up-to-date directory of hundreds of publicly traded corporations in the United States and Canada, and a directory listing the names and addresses of brokerage houses, mutual funds families, banks, federal and state regulators, and other major financial institutions. A previous edition of this fact-filled reference book was called "required reading for students, investors, and writers" by USA Today. The brand-new eighth edition is bigger and better than ever. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

It worked out great.
I ordered this book and it came in a timely fashion and in great shape.I will do it again.

J. Benson

Excellent Reference
Excellent, extensive compendium reference for the investor and professional alike.A crash course for a novice.A must for every library.

Fantastic reference book
This is a very comprehensive reference book. I use it all the time. It is a must for investors, economists, etc.

Finance & Investment Handbook
This is a book you keep within hands reach. I'm an investor of stocks, real estate and businesses. There are so many "terms" for business and not everyone uses them properly. I constantly refer to my Finance & Investment Handbook and it gives me the knowledge I need to operate my business. The definitons are simple to understand and it has a great "Abbreviations & Acronyms" section.

Investor's Dream
After reading this book, I went out that day and made $50,000 buying stocks, bonds and real estate.However, I blew it all the next day investing in rare coins and beanie babies.Maybe I should stick to CDs andmoney market funds.

Easy come, easy go. ... Read more

Product Description

The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Personal Finance gives you clear, simple explanations of the complextities you face every day in your financial life. This revised and updated edition also includes the information you'll need to make smart decisions about -- and avoid the pitfalls of -- banking, credit, home finance, financial planning, investing and taxes.Amazon.com Review
Kenneth M. Morris and Virginia B. Morris update this now classic handbook to the fundamental principles that govern personal financial management.The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Personal Financecovers the basics of banking, credit, home finance, financial planning,investing, and taxes in a concise and unambiguous manner. Thedetails--amplified by graphics and peripheral data that consistently makeits points easier to understand--range from the pros and cons of differenttypes of banking institutions and the various kinds of checking accountsthey offer, to the methods available for handling credit-card billingerrors and the steps to employ when deciding how large a mortgage one canafford. Obviously, a book of this nature cannot fully answer all questionsthat might arise in every area it addresses; this one, however, goes a longway toward providing the relevant information that most readers will needto make knowledgeable decisions on their own. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Good for a brief overview, but I wouldn't call it a "Guide"
A book that calls itself a guide should be full of information that the reader can take and use on his/her own.This book has a good overview of finances, but it does a poor job of relating one branch of finance to another.There is no building of knowledge for the reader, so it is as if you are reading a different book on each page.For a book issued by the Wall Street Journal, I was rather disappointed.

Great Starter Guide
Most of us have some gaps in our understanding of personal finances.This approachable guide lays it out briefly and understandably.Since my attention span is short for this topic, this is the kind of guide I needed.
For instance, the two-page section on DEALING WITH A LENDER, shows a loan application form with 6 boxed explanations for parts of the form.
You won't learn everything you need to know in two-page bites, but it gets you briefed on everything from mutual funds, making a will, getting insurance, understanding credit card statements, 401(k) plans, your W-2 form, etc.
Once you grasp the basics, you can find a book specifically on wills or whatever you are dealing with at the moment.
Gaining control over your finances can start with this book!

Beginners Complete Book to Finance
This book is filled with illustrations and is great for beginners or for those who are more visual learners.I personally didn't find this book extremely helpful because I have a background in finance but the illustrations and information is helpful for tutoring and explaining some of the concepts.It is also a good review tool or handy reference guide when you have a quick question about finance matters.In addition the range of material covered is great.You won't find this much investment information in one place so concisely organized.

Limited introduction to finance...I expected more from WSJ
I've just graduated from college and wanted to learn how to not be poor anymore. I bought this book because I knew about Wall Street Journal's reputation for expertise and in-depth analysis of the economy etc. What I didn't expect was a book equivalent to a children's primer on personal finance. It's not bad, per se, it's just not what I expected from the Wall Street Journal.

The book covers a broad range of topics from paper money to mortgages to stocks and bonds. Unfortunately, the coverage is shallow, mostly giving definitions of what things are. The book consists of teen magazine-like layouts of pictures, graphs, and diagrams. Some of the information is helpful while some of it is interesting but trivial, and all of it is in colorful, bite-sized portions. While it's entertaining and easy-to-understand, it's also quite "fluff"-y at times.

It's a good introduction to personal finance for someone who doesn't know much about how money works beyond how to buy things. It may be ok for new high school or college grads, either as a reference or a first book on personal finance but it's not at the level for anyone who actually wants to start investing and already knows the basics. Ironically, it seems to be below the level of Wall Street Journal readers. I have since given my copy away. For someone who already knows the basics but wants a introduction to investing, I enjoyed "The First Book of Investing: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Safely" by Samuel Case. It's the only other book on investing I've read (I bought it on sale on a whim), but it was clear and informative, albeit a little optimistic.

a great introduction, but that's all
this book is a great introduction to personal finance, including banking, loans, investing, taxes, and retirement planning. it covers all of the basics, provides a nice, clear description of the processes and the structures of documents, and a glossary of important terms.

however, it's just an introduction. the book doesn't spend more than a few pages on any subtopic (ie the structure of a paycheck, the basics of a tax form). for details you'll have to go elsewhere, so keep that in mind.

as such, i'd reccomend this book to someone who is just learning the basics of money and the world of personal finance. it's a big world, you don't need to start with all of the details, so this is a good place to start. but very quickly you'll find you need more information, and you'll outgrow this book. ... Read more

Product Description
When it comes to money, the editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance believe you should be able to keep more of it, make it grow, enjoy it, protect it, and pass it on. In the most comprehensive handbook on the market, Kiplinger's Practical Guide to Your Money shows you how.

Essentially 10 books in one, this guide is a resource for every one of life's financial milestones. This thorough personal finance bible shows you how to:

• Take charge of your money, from savings to credit
• Buy a home and manage its value
• Select the right insurance for a home, car, or your health
• Control the costs of your car
• Provide for children, from raising money-smart kids to child support to financing college
• Invest for today and tomorrow
• Plan for retirement--and your estate

Customer Reviews (5)

great book
Bought this for a graduation gift in which the receiver was upset that she didn't receive cash.In the long run, the book set out to do what it was meant to do, enlighten people about finances.

GREAT FINANCE/MONEY BOOK for GRADUATES
AFTER all the high tech, modernistic, ideolistic education kids receive in school, there is not much DOWN-to-EARTH education given to managing the financial basics...Assets & Debt, Credit Cards, Loans, Insurance, IRAs & 401Ks, Mortgages, Pensions, et al.

This book, although a bit dated (Note to Debby Fowles: We need an updated version), gives some of the best life style guidelines for financial issues.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it for High School and College graduates because it gives the basics about choices and risks concerning everyday financial issues.

The book lacks some of the latest issues, like Roth 401Ks, but that should not stop a person from buying this book.

Worth every cent 'cause it makes good sense!Good book...JAS

PS:After you give your graduate(s) this book, the next book you should consider giving would be THE COMPLETE IDIOT's GUIDE to WILLS & ESTATES (Fourth Edition), especially following a wedding.Think Christmas.

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ADDENDUM on 8-14-09:There is now a 2nd Edition of this book by the author, copyrighted 2008.Have received a new copy and see my concrned have been addessed.The first edition is cheap; the second edition is more up to date.EITHER would make good additions to a young person's library (but choose the newer edition if available).

Still a 5 Star , *****, selection.Better book...JAS

Great for 20-somethings Just Starting Out
I bought this book for a younger sibling who has just set out on her own.I read through it at the bookstore and thought it'd be great for someone just starting out in the world - it covers a lot of the basics in an easy-to-read manner.Not great for someone who wants to learn some new personal finance tricks, as this covers most that some of us have heard over and over and over.But a great, and affordable book, for new high school/college grads trying to find their footing financially.

Personal Finance - nothing new to learn here
This book did not help at all.I thought it was kind of worthless.

Best $11 Bucks I've Ever Spent!
Finally! A book on personal finance for the average person. This book is filled with easy-to-understand advice about managing your money. You can read it from cover to cover or just browse through it and pick the topics you're interested in right now. The budgeting and credit card debt chapters are great. Even though it's geared towards those of us in our 20s and 30s, most of it is good advice for anyone trying to get ahead financially. Best $11 bucks I've ever spent. ... Read more

Product Description
Being a single mother is difficult?especially in the cash-strapped financial environment that we live in today. With the cost of gas, food, and college all going up, how can one woman do it all? Single mothers need a practical, issue-specific, easy-to-read guide to personal finance issues. Answering questions about the costs of rent, day care, health care, college, and more, this book will serve as a valuable tool for struggling single mothers everywhere. Whether they receive child support or not, most single mothers live on tighter-than-tight budgets?and they need a go-to guide to get them through tough times and plan for the future. Offering the advice single moms need to find a sense of security, this book is an affordable alternative to a financial advisor. ... Read more

Product Description

Did your investments take a hit in the recession? You're not alone. Between 2007 and mid-year 2009, the average 401K lost 31% of its value. Ouch. It's time to take control of your investments with Personal Investing: The Missing Manual. Financial experts agree that with the right guidance, consumers can make investments better than many professionals. This lively and easy-to-understand guide gives you the confidence, tools, and insight you need to evaluate financial products and make smart investments that target success over the long term.

You'll learn how to set long-term goals for critical, high-cost events such as retirement, your children's education, and future health care needs. Then you'll learn what types of investments will best help you achieve those goals. In step-by-step fashion, this book shows you how to research mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and other financial products to create a portfolio of diversified investments.

• Get crystal-clear, practical advice from personal finance expert Bonnie Biafore, author of Missing Manuals on the Quicken personal-finance program and QuickBooks business finance program
• Understand why you need to invest -- Biafore shows you how savings accounts simply won't outpace inflation or give you the returns you need for long-term goals
• Learn how to evaluate and buy traditional investments, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
• Discover lesser-known investments, such as index funds and exchange-traded funds, which cost you less and provide more tax advantages
• Choose the best funds offered by your employer for your 401K, and learn how to get the greatest tax advantages

How Investing Makes Your Money Work Harder

With inflation’s 3.41% price increases compounding year after year, figuring your expenses produces some galactic numbers. Sadly, you can’t choose whether to accept the compounding of inflation. But what if you could use compounding to inflate the money you save? It turns out that you can, by investing your money and reinvesting all your earnings. You can choose the compounding of the returns you earn on your money, so it’s important to understand just how powerful this strategy is.True, investment returns aren’t as steady as the inflation rate. Some years are better than others, and some years are downright dogs. But for now, assume that your investments increase 7% each year (that’s the return most financial planners tell their clients they can expect on a diversified investment portfolio). Say you seed a retirement account with $10,000, as the table below shows. If you earn 7% the first year, you’ll have $10,700 at the end of the year. The second year, you earn $749 (7% on $10,700) and end up with $11,449. If you earn 7% each year for 40 years (from the time you start working until you retire), you’d have almost $150,000! That’s $140,000 of earnings on a single $10,000 investment.



On the other hand, what if you invested $10,000 and earned 7%, but withdrew each year’s earnings? (That return is called simple interest, because you earn the same amount on your original investment each year.) You’d earn $700 each year for 40 years, for total earnings of $28,000 on your original $10,000 investment. By letting your investment returns compound, your total earnings are five times what you’d earn with simple interest. The graph below shows how your nest egg grows like wildfire when you let your earnings compound.



Compounding is a powerful force, even when the rate is small, as you’ve seen with inflation. But this technique really shines when you earn higher returns, like the 7% from a diversified portfolio, and give your portfolio time to mature. The graph below shows how a $10,000 nest egg grows when you put your money in diversified investments, bonds, money market funds, and savings accounts. Compare the line for inflation to see how investing can help you beat the steady rise in prices.You can see how investments start to take off after 15 years. That’s compounding at work, and that’s why it’s important to start investing for long-term goals as early as you can.



Investing for the Long Term

Although well-diversified investing works like magic when you give it time, it doesn’t make sense for short-term goals. That’s because you have to accept some risk to earn higher returns. Investments in the stock market can decrease during a single year--and do so every several years. The good news is that the risk of losing money decreases the longer you keep your money invested (think decades).During recessions, the stock market can really tank, like the almost 50% drop it suffered in 2001. You wouldn’t want to see half your nest egg go away the year before you retire. However, since 1929, the average annual return on stocks is more than 11% despite battering from the Great Depression and several recessions.Besides, a diversified portfolio isn’t invested solely in the stock market, as you’ll learn in Chapter 9. By investing in stocks, bonds, and real estate, you won’t see drops as big as the ones for stocks alone. Chapters 9, 10, and 11 also tell you how to move money that you need in the next few years into ultrasafe savings so it’s around when you need it.Lots of folks would rather be certain of having a small amount of money than worry about whether a large nest egg might falter right when they need it. You might think that putting money into a guaranteed money market account means you won’t lose money. Think again. If your money doesn’t keep up with inflation, you lose buying power, which is the same as losing money.

Customer Reviews (5)

A readable guide for long-term financial planning
This book is a comprehensive guide to investing that caters to the young professional already in a stable financial position. Focused heavily on long-range financial planning, this book is for those concerned about planning for retirement and other later-in-life goals such as paying for children's college, buying a vacation home, and funding nursing home costs. After introductory matters about the basics of financial planning, this book teaches the reader to choose and buy investments. The authors begin by describing investment concepts, easing the reader into a world filled with foreign-sounding financial lingo. Subsequent chapters focus on funds, stocks, bonds, REITs, and portfolio management.

Because of our country's recent economic downturn, one must be careful when buying financial advice books as the information even in new books can be outdated. This book is safe in this aspect as it is written for this economic climate where Social Security payments for upcoming generations are in question, few employers offer traditional pension packages, and interest rates yield little. Like many books in the //Missing Manual// style, this book is an easier and more enjoyable read than its cousins in similar guidebook series.

Reviewed by Megan Just

Fantastic Introduction To Personal Investing!!!
I love the Missing Manual books because they are so readable, so enjoyable, and so open to all areas of individuals.Branching out past the computer books is a +++++ in my opinion because TMM line is all about QUALITY.With 'Personal Investing: The Missing Manual', the authors teach you they whys, wheres, and hows of investing starting from scratch.This isn't the Wall Street Journal or Barrons, it's a simple intro guide that will get you on the path to knowing about saving money and learning more about how to do it.

I think this book is perfect for new college graduates or anyone looking to learn about saving for the future.The writing is great, content is great, and it's simple and broad at the same time.

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

A great book that demystifies personal investing
What I love about "Personal Investing: The Missing Manual" is that it makes so much sense. Many financial advisors create an air of inpenetrability about investing one filled with complexity that is designed to intimidate even a highly intellegent person.Personal Investing: The Missing Manual" presents a straight forward simple and easy to understand approach to investing which highlights the risks and the tax advantages (and disadvantages) that are often overlooked by eager portfolio manangers looking to sell investors "the flavor fo the month" investment plan. The book demystifies the vocabulary of personal finance and brings readers closer to the true nature of personal investing: taking care of oneself and your loved ones.

Early in the book, the authors discuss putting together an investment plan created from personal goals.This is a powerful way for readers to interact with the material presented.If you are one of the many concerned about how to live well with the money you have while saving for the future you imagine for yourself, you'll find "Personal Investing: The Missing Manual" lively and insightful reading.

As an entrepreneur and an adjunct professor of business, I hear people talk about "do what you love and the money will follow."I've always answered that with "then what?" "Personal Finance: The Missing Manual" is the bridge for taking what you have and allocating to the present and creating the future.The easy to use online tools provided as an accompaniment to the book are excellent for "what if" scenarios and figuring out exactly what the best investment modalities are for your situation."Personal Investing: The Missing Manual" is a compelling approach to guiding your financial life using your own values and goals.

Excellent introduction to personal investing
Personal Investing: The Missing Manual is a great resource for new investors as well as anyone wanting to brush up on basic investing topics. I found the book's structure and content to be very clear, concise, and easy to understand. The number of helpful spreadsheets and links add an additional value and reason to use this book as a continued reference. This book focuses on how to plan for retirement as the main reason why one should learn how to invest his money. This focus highlights a valid point all working individuals should understand.

I recommend this book as a gift to college students (and mature high school students) who should learn the basic topics of budget, compounding interest, and retirement savings as early as possible. I also suggest this as a gift to female friends and family. Too often women rely on a spouse or companion to make their investment decisions. But really anyone who hasn't been exposed to personal investing topics will benefit from reading this book. It empowers readers to make informed financial investing decisions, spurs interest into learning more regarding the topics, and removes the fear that personal money matters have to be complex.

Investing - Nuts & Bolts
As is typical for the missing manual series, this is a well written, informative book that covers many investing topics. It starts by having you set goals for your life, and then encourages you to get out of debt (It's hard to invest when you're underwater financially). Budgeting is promoted, spending wisely has its own chapter, and a brief section on psychoanalyzing your personal approach to investing fills out the introductory chapters.

The next section of the book gives an A-Z summary of common investment options. The "magic" of compounding is explained. The authors then go on to discuss what they call the "big four" of investing, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and REITs. Pros and cons of each of these choices are clearly discussed. There is also a section on asset allocation, which suggests different amounts portioned to different investments depending on the financial climate.

The book ends with chapters on putting money aside for college and health care.

There are references to online tools that will allow one to refine strategies. One puzzling mistake that is repeated throughout the book is giving the incorrect age for "full retirement" as defined by social security for most of the baby boom generation. This doesn't detract from the usefulness of the book for people looking for a thoughtful introduction to personal investing.

... Read more

Product Description

Streamlined, straightforward, and simple to read guides from Standard & Poor's and Lightbulb Press.

The easiest way to get a grip on personal finance, investing, and retirement

From the world's leading financial analysts and investor education specialists comes an invaluable foundation of knowledge for every kind of investment you want to make. These guides, a collaboration between Standard & Poor's and Lightbulb Press, use clear language and informative graphics to demystify financial topics. The books make it easy for you to navigate the financial markets and understand the basics of investing and personal finance.

This guide provides the essential information you need to manage money and make key financial decisions. From saving for college to planning for retirement, the guide provides a concise look at saving, investing,credit, home ownership, insurance, and more.

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book to learn the basics of personal finance
i read this books and its great. plain and simple. if you want to learn the basics on how to invest your money, buy this book ... Read more

Product Description
A streetwise MBA that offers you a degree in success

Whether you're a novice or an experienced professional, The Wall Street MBA explains the underpinnings of financial valuation, financial analysis, and corporate accounting and describes how each drives corporate America and Wall Street.

Peppered with true stories and amusing anecdotes, this concise, easy-to-read, interactive resource teaches MBA concepts by applying theory to real-life examples. You'll learn how to review financial statements, analyze earnings, detect fraud, assess stock prices, value companies, and structure mergers and acquisitions, among other exercises. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Me + Finance = Oli + Vinegar
Somehow the author of this book talks about Corporate Finance in a way that even someone like me can understand, and even enjoy! While reading this book, I found myself smiling alot, and even laughing out loud at times.This guy is one gifted writer.

I am a law student (soon to graduate) and I found this book a perfect intro for a someone considering a career in corporate law.And lately with the economy collapsing as it is, more and more everyday people are realizing that they can no longer hide their heads in the sand and ignore corporate finance.

I chose law school over business school, and before that I chose Poli-Sci over Business as a college major, because I found Accounting to be a complete and utter snooze-fest.But there is no snoozing while reading this book.The author is well aware that accounting as we know it is a snooze-fest, and he does everything in his power to make it interesting.All of the concepts are broken down into simple terms, and there are great anecdotes in the beginning of each chapter and throughout.

I have recommended this book to many friends and will continue to do so.

Good overview
This book was a good overview/refresher of some basic accounting/finance principles. It was recommended to me by a good friend at a top NY law firm who works in securities...apparently this book is assigned reading for new associates at his and other top BIGLAW firms.

Very good A-1 intro to corporate finance
A good book that gives you a no nonsense A-1 approach to understanding corporate finance - without having to sit through a long boring class or read a 1000 page textbook. Throws in a good sense of humor, too. A few things could have been explained a bit more clearly, but definitely something you could plow through in a short amount of time and gain a good amount of knowledge.

Excellent Book!!!!
I liked the style of the author which is very down to earth. He discusses a lot of topics related to the Corporate Financessubject in a very practical and informal way. Even he tells a little about the reality of the "street knowledge" and "street disasters" of the past which I appreciate. Most of the time other books only answer the "what" question but do not answer the "why" question. The author goes into that detail which is critical to learn to make decisions in the real world. I found excellent information nuggets which I would never find explicitly in a typical textbook. I bought it and I will keep it, just in case the "theoretical" monster creeps in and clouds my vision. Welcome to the real world!!!!

Well Written Introduction
Chapter 1 of this book is called Accounting Basics. It starts out:

Q: What's the definition of an accountant?
A: Someone who solves a problem you didn't know you had in a way you don't understand.

That sort of tells you the tone of the book.

From then on Chapter 1 is indeed on accounting. But he tries to put in enough humor to enable you to keep your eyes open. He reports on enough history (mostly of frauds), and enough of the real life options in accounting (what the tax man wants vs. what the SEC wants) to give you a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of our system.

After about a hundred pages on accounting, there's about 80 pages on Finance - no they are not the same thing. Here's a description of risk, expected rate of return, and some delightful stories of corporations acting badly.

Then, something I've never seen before he puts up a dummy set of financial statements and goes through an analysis showing how to evaluate the company.

All in all, an introductory book that is very well written, easy to understand and covers the basics. ... Read more