Product Description
It's tempting to believe that having more money will solve your problems and make you happy. It's easy to forget that happiness is not found by making "the most."It's found by making the most of what you already have. It's true that making money and managing it carefully can help you accomplish many things--but discovering your life's purpose and the abundant life God has already given you will help you find success and fulfillment in ways no amount of money can buy.

Wisdom and Wealth shows you how to make wise financial decisions and successfully manage your finances, and also helps you identify your purpose and place your money in the proper perspective in order to use your wealth to bless and serve others. Greg Womack, an experienced financial planner, examines stories and lessons from the life of King Solomon--one of the wisest and richest men to ever live--and shows how applying Solomon's time-tested wisdom and business knowledge to your life will help you avoid financial trouble, diversify your investments, protect your estate, and leave your family with an inheritance and a lasting legacy. Beginning with the desire to seek wisdom above all else, Greg helps you develop a practical plan for your money and teaches you how to build a strong financial foundation that will last for generations to come. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Sound Financial Wisdom to Help You Start Changing Your Finances
It isn't very often that you find any books on financial planning and debt reduction that approach the process from a Biblical perspective. I think one of the reasons may be that so many Christians think that money is evil and therefore don't want to have any honest discussions about it.

There's a problem with this though. Money is just as much a part of life as anything else. Just like a lot of other things, it's not intrinsically good or evil on its own. It's what we do with it that makes it this way. Christians, just like everyone else, often have money problems, and they need to learn how to manage their money properly. Not only are we to be good stewards, we are to use our money to promote the kingdom of God.

Understanding this is how this book will help you. It relies on the wisdom of Solomon, the wisest and richest king who ever lived. Solomon knew plenty about having it all, and he also knew all about the pitfalls of having it all. He wrote about it in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Womack takes this scripture and others and shows you how to apply this wisdom to your life and your finances. You learn how to formulate a practical plan that will not only help you pay your bills and plan your future, but it will also learn how to make the right choices and get out from underneath the stress of managing your finances.

Although this book won't tell you everything you need to know about managing your finances, it is a good primer for getting started. It is also the first place that Christians need to start. It will help you put your finances in perspective. This book will put you on the path to financial sanity.

Wisdom and Wealth Greg Womack
An excellent source of information for anyone wanting or needing reliable information on tried and true ways to achieve financial freedom and lifestyle worth living

Ok for a basic overview
For a basic overview this book is okay. It's brief, covers the main issues and the reader can take what they need and go on to the next step. However it falls short of being practical for the 58% of Americans whose household income is under $60k. The budget breakdown by % is inadequate. Effective budgeting deals with actual costs in all categories, not a % of income.

Financial planners can show us comprehensively what needs to be done. But when real numbers are applied, many families, middle class and below, will find themselves short on income.

Also, a few passages from the Bible were quoted out of context and do not actually teach the message as the author used it. The best financial material I've seen is from Dave Ramsey.

Great Guide for Faith Based Financial Planning
have read several financial planning books.I was very impressed with Greg Womack's approach to financial planning.I am a Christian and was amazed by the scripture Greg used and how he applied the scripture to today's world.It always amazes me how the teachings of thousands of years ago still apply today.Most of the financial books say the same thing; they all have 7-9 steps that one must do in order to secure financial freedom.Greg does differ on some of the points, such as, whether you should pay off your house before you start saving for retirement.

After reading several financial books, I really thought I would be bored with reading this one.However, I was not bored because of the new twist Greg uses by applying the wisdom of King Solomon to today's issues.

It may scare those looking for a quick fix to their financial problems.Greg emphasizes giving as one of the basis to a solid financial plan.I have a friend who read the book and is not a Christian.He did not enjoy the book as much as I did, because of that fact.However, I believe he worries about money more than I do because of the faith I have in my belief as a Christian.I have personally seen the power of giving work for me and others.

I highly recommend the book.

A good book when you visit your financial planner

This book is a very easy read and makes financial concepts understandable.The author does a nice job of weaving the Christian concepts in with the realities of life.Take this book with you as you visit your financial planner! ... Read more

Product Description
This workbook approach provides an alternative to traditional budget approaches. It keeps your focus on where you want to go, not where you have been. Its primary focus is to help you stay on top of your monthly bills and spending between paychecks. It can be started any time in the year. If you, or someone you know, has been budget-resistant, you should try this approachable, non-intimidating, practical, and easy-to-use budget approach that helps you: spend less time & worry managing your bills, teaches you the easiest & most effective method I have found to help you successfully keep track of your household's spending, is responsive & adaptive to a busy household's changing spending needs, is transparent for shared awareness & responsibility, gets you off to a fresh start so that you can feel positive and hopeful, and most importantly, it can help you begin to achieve your long-term, lifestyle & financial goals."There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no one independence quite so important, as living within your means".- Calvin Coolidge ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

A Delightful and Useful Book
This book is delightful, but perhaps more important, it is very useful for all who want to learn the basics of managing your money.First of all, it is bright and cheery and positive.It is easy to read and use.The coverage also seems quite appropriate.Congratulations to the author on putting a book like that together.I suspect there was a tremendous effort by her in creating it.But, she should be proud of the result.The modest price on the book makes it a very worthwhile investment.

Fresh Start to Finances
Excellent, simple easy plan to follow.Simplicity can be wonderful and it is done in easy to ready (actually enjoyable) and fun format.

Calculators(websites that you can go to listed in the book)that help you see your goals is a wonderful tool.

Pretty good, needs more pages
This is a pretty good budgeting book for those who have never sorted out their finances before. It really helped me get organized without making me feel like an idiot for not knowing how to balance my check book or create a budget (always a plus!)

I just wish I had made copies before writing in the book. The list of monthly bills organized by week is very helpful; to see WHEN your money is going out, now just how much, but there is only one sheet like this in the entire book. 3 weeks later I needed to update it because I had changed a few dates and added a new bill.no can do. wish this book came with a Cd to print out additional forms.

4 stars because there is room for improvement.

Get to it
Get to It! Budget Book: A Fresh Start to Personal Finances to Help You...Get Organized! Get Control! & Get on With Your Life! Just what I needed holds more information, such account numbers, APR, and give you a great action plan to follow. Now I can claim I am following a budget.

A different approach that works
My family has been using the Get-To-It Budget book for over two years...and what a difference it has made! It's a budgeting method that is detailed enough so all our basic bills are accounted for but remains flexible to allow for unforeseen expenses. I've tried the spreadsheets and the computer programs, but I still found myself constantly stressed out trying to plan for EVERY possibility--just try budgeting for how many times your child might get invited to a birthday party or the emergency haircut due to the fact that trimming your own bangs wasn't such a great idea after all. My family knows at a glance from the whiteboard Spending Tally how much we haveat any given moment and can make our spending choices accordingly...without having to revisit a detailed spreadsheet or recalculate our entire monthly budget. We've found this to be the one thing in this method that has given us the greatest sense of control. It's a system that is so simple to put into place and maintain, that at first I thought, "Wait? It can't be this easy?" But you know what? It is! ... Read more

Product Description
Medical students and residents have a late start at generating wealth.This book was written in order to educate students and residents about personal finance. Topics addressed include IRAs, 401(k), real estate, insurance, automobiles, credit scores, and much more.After finishing this book, the medical student or resident will possess a thorough understanding of these important personal finance issues, which will serve as the foundation for a solid financial future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Not helpful "Beyond" residency, despite the title....
This is the 3rd book I read about financial planning specifically for doctors - and it really didn't add much.I was disappointed that there was virtually no info for after residency, despite the title "...and Beyond".There were really only 2 mentions of $ after residency:One was about whole life and suggested getting a financial planner, and the other was a quick line about paying estimated taxes.The book would benefit from more info about the transition from residency into practice, since that's when there's a lot more money to manage - but then I realized the author is still in his residency.

While there was definitely some good info, there was also quite a bit of stating the obvious/things not really unique to being a physician & financial planning:
housing/renting - "Don't forget where you parked!"
car maintenance - "When you're filling up, take a moment to check the air pressure of your tires..."
health insurance - "Don't forget about your teeth and eyes."
homeowners/renters insurance - "If you have a major house fire, you'll want to board up the windows and doors to prevent thieves from going through the place..."
conserving money - "Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and lights off when not in a room"

Lastly, the book is 156 pages, but the last 50 pages are references & a glossary!

I'm giving him 3 stars instead of 2, which is because he had good advice about retirement savings, and he got me to finally open my Vanguard account.

Honest Review
Overall impression: Excellent Book, Very informative, and a must read for medical students.
The book itself is very nicely organized and can be read in 2-3 DAYS.

I start medical school this year and this book is truly worth reading before starting school.I have read other financial books and this one is very easy to understand, the glossary is superb, and the organization of the book is amazing.

The only thing I did not agree with was on how the author at times advocated managed funds but would later go on to agree that index funds outperform managed funds.He would contradict his original statement. Also, he claims that residents should look into life insurance policy if they have kids...I kinda disagree...but I guess its personal when it comes insurance policies.

I would recommend reading other financial books with this to get different perspective.

Clear advice on finance specific to graduating medical students
Having previously been disappointed by the irrelevance of other personal finance books (e.g. Personal Finance for Dummies) to the particular circumstances of a graduating medical student -- such as very high loan debt, relatively low immediate earnings, and relatively high long-term earnings -- this books is refreshingly specific. Unlike most personal finance books I've seen, which seem to be aimed at those too clueless to keep track of a personal budget or avoid credit card debt, this book clearly explains topics such as when and how to defer payment on loans, choosing retirement accounts, and taking out extra loans just before and during residency. Unfortunately, Dr. Lefebvre allows his (leftist) political views color his advice on choosing medical insurance or discussions of tax brackets, but these are relatively minor issues. Also, I was disappointed that, although he repeats the well-worn, general advice that one should begin saving for retirement as early as possible, he provides no clear financial breakdown of just why a young physician earning $45K per year should set aside a significant amount of scarce money for retirement now rather than waiting for a few years when that same physician may be earning over $300K per year.
Overall, it's a quick, easy, and highly relevant read for those about to graduate from medical school, and this would be an excellent gift for a gruaduting medical student. I'm surprised that other reviews view it as so applicable to "young professionals" in general, but be aware that it is written on the assumption that you are a physician, or about to become one; the more your financial circumstances diverge from this, the less value the book will have for you.

Easy to read; covers all the bases for a young professional
I think the title should read "for the Young Professional," because the book really discusses topics that are relevant to everyone, like student debt, insurance, real estate, retirement investing, etc.It's quick and easy to read and really explains things well.Highly recommended.

Great Book, and a good read.
I have read Dr. Lefebvre's book, and must admit that it was very well written, and more importantly very informative. In fact, my only critique for this book is that the title should be corrected to read, "Personal Finance for the Young Professional" as the information contained within is applicable to anyone.

I have put into practice some of the values that are preached in the text, and I am already noticing some positive changes in my overall financial health. I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely curious about personal finance-you should be if your not already.

Finally, I just wanted to say that authors Lefebvre, and Hungerford should be commended for their efforts in producing this much needed master-piece of how-to-books.
... Read more

Product Description
A hands-on, interactive guide to managing your monday and building your financial future

Many of the worksheets in this book are available online and can be saved, printed, and recalculated at any time. Go to: WSJ.com/BookTools

Understanding your money, and getting it to work for you, is more important today than it ever was, because you alone are responsible for every aspect of your financial life, from managing your day-to-day living expenses to planning a college savings fund and, ultimately, retirement. The sooner you start taking control of your financial life the better, and there’s no greater authority on financial matters than The Wall Street Journal. This workbook takes the mystery out of personal finance and addresses every topic you’ll need to master, from building a solid financial base to growing your financial assets. Worksheets, charts, and step-by-step instructions throughout help you do the math and work through the basics, making it quick and easy to organize your cash and eventually build wealth. Learn how to:

• Create a spending plan and budget

• Balance a checkbook

• Make decisions about what types of— and how much—insurance you need

• Manage credit and debt

• Finance big expenses like real estate and education

• Understand and properly assess your own appetite for risk

• Formulate the right asset allocation

• Start building an investment portfolio

• Make real estate decisions like purchasing vs. renting

• Refinance a mortgage

• Manage your 401(k)

• Deal with taxes

• Plan for college expenses


Also available—the companion to this workbook: The Wall Street Journal Complete Personal Finance Guidebook, by Jeff D. Opdyke

Get your financial life in order with help from The Wall Street Journal. Look for:

• The Wall Street Journal Complete Money and Investing Guidebook

• The Wall Street Journal Complete Identity Theft Guidebook

• The Wall Street Journal Complete Real Estate Investing Guidebook ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very Helpful
We received this book as a wedding present and found it very helpful and easy to read. The book is very helpful for someone who wants to start getting their financial life in order. It starts with simple lessons like the importance of saving,tips for budgeting, and goes on to bigger issues like how to decide if you should buy a house. It is a good resource for people just starting on their own. A good graduation or wedding present. ... Read more

Product Description

Personal Finance teaches students how to save and invest, manage student loans, decrease credit card debt, find reliable financial online and much more. Throughout the text, students receive advice from personal finance experts, and encounter a variety of real-life scenarios featuring people facing a wide range of financial challenges. The Eighth Edition also includes an easy-to-use guide to recent changes in tax laws, updated graphics and a more sophisticated color scheme, and coverage of the latest trends and topics.

• "Golden Rules of Personal Finance" boxes appear on the second page of every chapter. Each list provides concise advice on making good personal finance decisions early in life to avoid financial hardships later.
• "Advice from an Expert" boxes are co-authored by some of the nation's most renowned personal finance authorities.Topics include Money Mantras for a Richer Life, How Inflation Affects Borrowing, and Buy Your Retirement on the Layaway Plan.
• Group discussion issues appear as end-of-chapter activities, offering students an opportunity to share some of their personal finance experiences with others in the classroom.
• Chapter 19 has been rewritten to cover the basics of estate planning and focuses on actions newly employed college graduates should take to secure their assets.

Customer Reviews (3)

Great study guide
I"m currently studying for my designation to become an Accredited Financial Planner and this book lays out all the complex concepts into easy, everyday concepts. This book is great for anyone wanting to learn more about financial planning.

Good condition and shipped fast
The book came in a timely manner and was in (at least) as good a condition as advertised. I would definitely buy from this seller again.

Should be required reading
(As the Amazon listing for this book has an incorrect spelling for the author-Should be GARMAN not GARNAB- I am reposting here.)
While this book is framed as a college-level textbook (and I am currently reading it as a certification requirement), it is a lot less daunting than many college textbooks. The chapters are short and manageable, and cover a wide variety of topics, from budgeting to taxes to credit cards to mortgages to retirement plans. The concepts are presented in a straightforward manner and the chapters are peppered with supplementary blurbs and side articles. At the end of each chapter, there is a wide variety of review exercises, and throughout the book you follow the ongoing financial journeys of several theoretical families.
This book should be used as a primer to real life. One warning, some of the material quickly becomes outdated (for example, the tax chapter), so be mindful of this if you don't have the latest edition. ... Read more

Product Description
The goal of this book is two-fold. The first is to have readers appreciate the importance of planning and have a basic understanding of planning techniques. The second is to develop readers' abilities to think critically and to make effective decisions. This book covers financial planning including the time value of money, cash management, buying now and paying later, investment basics, stock and bonds, mutual funds, and protecting your income and wealth. For financial advisors/planners and any individual seeking a sound financial plan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great
I was very happy with the speed of delivery and overall quality of the book. Thanks

The Bible of Personal Finance Textbooks
This is a very comprehensive ( and expensive) textbook that we used on the introductory course at Florida State University's Certified Financial Planner program.While the price is high, it is less than the cost of one hour with a CPA or 20 minutes with an estate lawyer.You will gain a more-than-basic understanding of finance, time value of money, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance, tax planning and a host of other subjects.If you have a need to know more about finance than the "Dummies" books can provide, this is well worth the money.At least you will know who and what to ask and save yourself many times the purchase price.

There are a lot of poor quality books on this subject.This is NOT one of the bad ones.I would rate it as the best I have seen.Obviously, we had many other courses on each of the topics described above, but this book will let you understand each of these issues enough to get professional help where necessary. ... Read more

Product Description
In the midst of today's ever-shifting finances and changing lives, a strong personal financial plan is more important than ever before. This market-leading PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING, 12E equips you with the tools and techniques you need to better understand, define, and achieve your financial goals. The book follows a life-cycle approach that prepares you to plan and make decisions about assets, credit, insurance, investment, and retirement as you progress through life. The latest updates throughout this edition reflect the most recent financial developments -- from new tax laws to the impact of the recent global financial crisis. Brief advice from financial experts, helpful technology software and tools, and examples from actual life prepare you for personal financial success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Informative Textbook
This is a great textbook and it has a lot of real-world advice in it that is directly applicable to you now. I had to order this for a class, but I plan on keeping this book for future reference!

good
Generally in very good condition. Especially I liked the swift shipping. It only took 3-4 days! I would buy a book from this seller again. :)

Great Purchase
Book is in great shape and arrived in a timely manner. I am very happy with this purchase.

Everyone needs Personal Finance guidance
I find this book well worth the money, especially for young people just starting out, like college grads.This also is great for high schoolers because it teaches basics in checkbook and savings, investing, and other good pointers that many young adults never hear otherwise.

great boko
I got this for a class and really liked it.It is easy to read and had a nice layout. ... Read more

Product Description
Take control of your finances!

The latest on how to save more, invest wisely, and plan for the future.

Do you need help managing your financial priorities? Relax! This friendly guide give you just the information you need to take control of your finances and make the most of your money. Whatever your income level, whatever you financial goals, the updated edition of this national bestseller is the Canadian sourcebook of sound financial planning.

Discover how to:

• Get out - and stay out - of consumer debt.
• Reduce your spending
• Save more of what you earn
• Make profitable investments
• Buy insurance coverage that's right for you
• Select the best financial advisers

Get smart! @ www.dummies.com

• Find listings of all our books
• Choose from many different subject categories.
• Sign up for eTips at etips.dummies.com

Praise for Personal Finance for Canadians For Dummies®

"One of the most comprehensive and readable guides available on the subject." - Calgary Herald

"Packed with useful information, all presented in bite-sized segments in a clear, uncluttered format." - Toronto Star

"Reaches out to everyday readers with straightforward tips and an easy-to-read format." - Ottawa Citizen ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good, but...
It is a very good book to start organizing your personal savings and to know Canadian investing options, taxes and some proceedings. However the book is often repetitive and has some minor mistakes.

Une base extrêmement solide
Ce livre est plein d'informations utiles et faciles à comprendre.

For Dummies!
Every Dummie should have this. This book is excellent! ... Read more

Product Description
This is a book for people like us, and we all know who we are.
 
We make our own hours, keep our own profits, chart our own way. We have things like gigs, contracts, clients, and assignments.  All of us are working toward our dreams: doing our own work, on our own time, on our own terms. We have no real boss, no corporate nameplate, no cubicle of our very own. Unfortunately, we also have no 401(k)s and no one matching them, no benefits package, and no one collecting our taxes until April 15th.
 
It’s time to take stock of where you are and where you want to be. Ask yourself: Who is planning for your retirement? Who covers your expenses when clients flake out and checks are late? Who is setting money aside for your taxes? Who is responsible for your health insurance?
 
Take a good look in the mirror: You are.
 
The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed describes a completely new, comprehensive system for earning, spending, saving, and surviving as an independent worker. From interviews with financial experts to anecdotes from real-life freelancers, plus handy charts and graphs to help you visualize key concepts, you’ll learn about topics including:
 
• Managing Cash FlowWhen the Cash Isn’t Flowing YourWay
• Getting Real AboutWhat You’re Really Earning
• Tools for GettingOut of Debt and Into Financial Security
• Saving ConsistentlyWhen You Earn Irregularly
• What To Do When aClient’s Check Doesn’t Come In
• Health SavingsAccounts and How To Use Them
• Planning forRetirement, Taxes and Dreams—All On Your Own ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

I am going to read and reread until this book is in tatters, and then buy another copy.
I've been self-employed as a writer for nearly 20 years, and never have I come across financial advice that's as helpful and inspiring as the advice in this wonderful book. It's clear, it's concise, it's logical, it's broken down into steps that you can follow... and it's empowering to read. I can't say enough good things.

My new desktop manual
I found this book a couple of weeks ago in the "new" section at my library, and I've just added it to my amazon wish list for future purchase, as I feel it will become a constant companion for a while.Nearly 12 years as a self-employed person and former accountant in career days, it's not that I don't understand all the concepts written here individually, but putting all that knowledge together with a plan for the variable income has been my problem.

The authors caught my attention right away in the introduction, and, though I haven't finished reading the book yet but am trying to organize my items as I go along with it -- you know, as business owners, time is money, and I try to do things only once and finish a whole job -- I have been thrilled with the style of writing, the direct comments, the grace provided for poor financial planning, the reminders not to judge but to just face things and get on with it, etc., etc., etc.!

I'm looking forward to creating a savvy, smart plan for myself, getting out of debt, and building my savings so I can allow myself choices and stop losing time striving and worrying everyday about my next account.I know that if I can stay calm and follow a plan and not be sidetracked by money worries, I will be far more productive each day and thus (praying hard for this one) far more financially secure.

Thanks Joseph and Denise for putting your story and a practical and personal understanding of what we variable income earners go through in The Money Book.

The money-management system freelancers need to thrive in today's "gig economy"
If you're a freelancer, solo professional or someone who works multiple gigs for a living, trying to manage your finances like a traditional worker will only cause you heartache. Most of it just doesn't work when your income is variable and you have to pay Uncle Sam directly, take care of your own healthcare and fund your own retirement. But the problem is, there's very little good advice out there for those of us who aren't traditional employees. And the bit advice that does exist is either complex or impractical (or both!).

The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed is the book ALL independent workers need to survive and thrive financially in what is clearly becoming a freelance-powered economy. The system that D'Agnese and Kiernan have put together is brilliant. It's simple and easy to implement, regardless of your current financial knowledge. Best of all, it works! I've already implemented a few of their ideas and am getting great results. And, get this -- you'll actually have fun reading it. In fact, I think this is the first personal finance book that has made me laugh! The authors' voices and personalities really come through, and they keep you engaged and entertained all the way to the end. I can't recommend this book highly enough!

Ed Gandia
Co-author of The Wealthy Freelancer: 12 Secrets to a Great Income and an Enviable Lifestyle

Great book
This was a great book for me. I am a recent new freelancer and this book really helped clear up a lot of questions I had regarding taxes, retirement and emergencies. Great job..I highly recommend this book for those just starting as freelancers. Thanks.

Great financial help and a fun read
I loved this book so much that I made my husband read it and also did a full review on my blog [...]. It's a must for anyone struggling financially, especially those with "not-so-regular jobs." ... Read more

Product Description
You realize you have to manage your money. But often you don't decide to do something about it until you want to buy a house or new car. Sams Teach Yourself Personal Finance in 24 Hours provides a comfortable, straightforward approach for yor to find the best ways to manage your finances. From budgeting for a purchase to avoiding major problems, this book covers today's popular personal finance solutions--and tells why some are not always such a good idea. The authors give you the inside information on bankruptcy, home equity loans, and credit card debt. Content also includes: ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Wish I had read this book sooner!
Teach Yourself Personal Finance in 24 Hours contains everything you need to know about getting yourself financially fit. It's interesting, well-written and easy to read, and gives you the tools to start taking control and managing your money right now, no matter what kind of financial shape you're in. Best of all, it gives a hopeful outlook for a brighter future, even to those who feel they're way behind, like me. This book makes a great gift for yourself or just about anyone on your gift list--I want to give a copy to all my friends and relatives!

Wish I had read this book sooner
Teach Yourself Personal Finance in 24 Hours contains everything you need to know about getting yourself financially fit. It's interesting, well-written and easy to read, and gives you the tools to start taking control and managing your money right now, no matter what kind of financial shape you're in. Best of all, it gives a hopeful outlook for a brighter future, even to those who feel they're way behind, like me! This book makes a great gift for yourself or just about anyone you care about--I want to give a copy to all my friends and relatives.

Sales pitch more than advices good for consumers
I bought the book to start learning about Personal Finance.I found the book not very satisfactory because it only reiterates information that you can get from any financial product marketing material which contains more sales pitch then facts important for consumers. ... Read more

Product Description
Adapted by Canadian financial journalist Tony Martin, this guide contains Canadian rules and regulations regarding mortgages, RRSPs, retirement plans, and more! Insightful answers explain everything from reducing spending to making intelligent investments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book for beginners to intermediate
This is a great book covering all aspects of personal finances: savings, mutual funds, stocks, real estate, retirement, rrsp's....It is precise and to the point.All basic information is in this book.It is a greatstarting point for anyone starting their journey in personal finance and itis also a great reference for people who just want to know enough! Ihighly recommmend it. ... Read more

Product Description
The quick and easy way to manage money and achieve financial goals

The recent economic meltdown has left people in terrible financial shape with little idea of how to turn things around. Using Morningstar's time-tested strategies and sensible approach to money management, Morningstar's 30-Minute Money Solutions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Finances breaks down important financial tasks into do-able chunks, each of which can be accomplished in 30 minutes or less. The practical, no-nonsense book

• Lays out the tools to get organized, including how to create a filing and bill paying system
• Details how to find the best uses for one's money, as well as how to properly invest for savings, college, and retirement
• Other titles by Benz: Morningstar® Guide to Mutual Funds: Five Star Strategies for Success

These are uncertain times. Morningstar's 30-Minute Money Solutions provides expert guidance on all aspects of personal money management, and it does so in quick, easily digestible steps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very Basic
Based on the reviews I was expecting advice which I hadn't seen before in my financial education.The advice in this book was ok, but very basic and I didn't learn anything striking....there were no "moments of illumination". This is a good book for someone with no financial knowledge who is just starting out.

Very comprehensive but quite basic
I am a retired banker and I get asked financial management questions a lot, and I was looking for the perfect book for someone who is starting to manage their financial affairs.Not just young people, but people who have no financial training, such as new widows or divorcees or those worried about retirement planning...... or engineers or liberal arts majors.
The pluses with this book start with the fact that it assumes NOTHING, and the breadth of subjects covered is impressive.She has also done a good job of breaking a possibly daunting project into 25 tasks of 30 minutes each.It is also reasonable to skip over things you know and just go to the things you want to learn as chapters more or less stand alone.Christine is one of my favorite columnists and she writes in a VERY approachable style unlike many financial gurus.

Why 4 stars and not 5?I personally get a little tired of each chapter starting with "Samantha and Charlie had such-and-such a problem...." as I think no one is going to read this book unless they already know they need help.... trying to convince them there's a problem seems like a waste of time.Secondly, the "30 minutes" for each task starts after you have assembled the necessary records and paperwork.In my experience very few people have the necessary paperwork readily available - or even available at all - so you may have to do a lot of background work before the 30-minute task is possible.Also, don't be surprised that some of the more complex topics (taxes, estate) give you just a surface view and refer you to your CPA or attorney.Finally there is little discussion of picking/buying individual stocks or bonds.... all of Christine's investment recommendations relate to mutual funds.This is no surprise: she has worked most of her career as an analyst of mutual funds and there are many advantages to using such vehicles.But if you are looking for even basic advice on owning individual bonds (which can be very viable solution even for beginners, in certain situations) look elsewhere.And I think her discussion of the risks in bond funds is somewhat brief.As topicking/buying individual stocks, it may well be that mutual funds or ETFs are the best solution.... just be aware that this is her approach.

So a good book for beginners (and therefore good as a gift) but it stays pretty basic.

A Very Practical Guide
This is a very well-written and practical book, as I hope to describe.Morningstar is a reasonably well-known and well-regarded investment research firm, and the author, Christine Benz, is Morningstar's Director of Personal Finance.Benz rose rather quickly through Morningstar's analyst ranks--she eventually became the director of all Morningstar's mutual fund analysts--and she would have had a crack at a top corporate job, had she not decided to work in the area she loves best, financial planning.

The "30-minute" part of the title does not mean that you can read this book in 30 minutes or that you can build a personal financial plan in that short a time, either.The book is divided into 11 parts, and each part has several chapters that are oriented to help you accomplish specific goals in 30 minutes.So, the book's title might have been "36 Chapters of 30-Minute Discussions about Financial Planning."But that doesn't grab me very well.

If you have a particularly complex financial situation, this book isn't going to solve all your problems.Indeed, it won't tell you everything you could possibly know about a number of financial topics.(If it claimed to cover everything completely, I'd be very suspicious.)However, it will help a large majority of the public.A key attribute of the book is that it breaks down the financial planning process into manageable, doable steps.You can make a list of the steps relevant to your situation, check them off one at a time, and move on.Here is how the book is organized:

Part One:Find Your Baseline.(1) Calculate your net worth, (2) See where your money goes, (3) Set your financial goals, and (4) Create a budget.

Part Two:Get Organized.(1) Create a bill-paying system, (2) Create a filing system, and (3) Create a master directory.

Part Three:Find the Best Use of Your Money.(1) Determine whether to pay down debt or invest, and (2) Decide where to invest for retirement.

Part Four:Get Started in Investing.(1) Find the right stock/bond mix, (2) Create an investment policy statement, (3) Invest for short-term and intermediate-term goals, and (4) Create a hands-off long-term portfolio.

Part Five:Invest in Your Company Retirement Plan.(1) Determine how good your company retirement plan is, (2) Decide between a traditional and Roth 401(k), (3) Select the best investments for your company retirement plan, and (4) Make the most of a subpar 401(k) plan.

Part Six:Invest in an IRA.(1) Determine what type of IRA is best for you, (2) Identify the best investments for your IRA, (3) Determine whether to convert your IRA, and (4) Roll over your retirement plan into an IRA.

Part Seven:Invest for College.(1) Find the right college saving vehicle, (2) Find the right 529 plan, and (3) Select the right investments for your college savings plan.

Part Eight:Invest in Your Taxable Account.(1) Identify the best investments for taxable accounts, (2) manage your portfolio for tax efficiency, and (3) Harvest tax losses.

Part Nine:Invest During Retirement.(1) Determine your portfolio withdrawal rate, (2) Build an in-retirement portfolio, and (3) Find the right sequence of in-retirement withdrawals.

Part Ten:Monitor Your Investments.(1) Conduct a portfolio checkup, and (2) Rebalance your portfolio.

Part Eleven:Cover Your Bases on Estate Planning.(1) Get started on your estate plan, (2) Handle beneficiary designations, and (3) Create a personal legacy.

Obviously, you don't need to read the various chapters in sequence.This book does not emphasize complex solutions.Indeed, Benz is convinced that some of the best-laid plans are often the simplest ones.For example, just because there's minute-by-minute coverage of the stock market doesn't mean that successful investing involves frequent, rapid changes to your portfolio.Simplifying myself, I would say that a basic theme of this book is to save enough and have sensible investments.

Importantly, there is a companion website that's "free and exclusive" to readers of this book.The website provides downloadable worksheets, useful financial calculators and other planning tools, and lists of Morningstar's picks of investments for various goals.That's a good idea.

In short, this will be a very helpful book for many individuals.If it merely starts you off on the right track, that's an important accomplishment.Regardless of one's age, it pays to know something about finances, yet this stuff is hardly taught in schools.Obviously, the best time to have planted an oak tree is 20 years ago.But the next best time is now, and that's where this book comes in.
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Product Description
If you want to take control of your financial future and unlock the doors to financial success, you must have a plan that will allow you to find good investments, reduce taxes, beat inflation, and properly manage money.

Whether you’re new to financial planning or a seasoned veteran, this updated edition of Ernst & Young’s Personal Financial Planning Guide provides valuable information and techniques you can use to create and implement a consistent personalized financial plan. It also takes into consideration the new tax rules that affect home ownership, saving for college, estate planning, and many other aspects of your financial life.

Filled with in-depth insight and financial planning advice, this unique guide can help you:

• Set goals
• Build wealth
• Manage your finances
• Protect your assets
• Plan your estate and investments

It will also show you how to maintain a financial plan in conjunction with life events such as:

• Getting married
• Raising a family
• Starting your own business
• Aging parents
• Planning for retirement

Financial planning is a never-ending process, and with Ernst & Young’s Personal Financial Planning Guide, you’ll learn how to tailor a plan to help you improve all aspects of your financial life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

A Quality Desk Reference
I first read this book while attending the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. It was on a professor's recommended reading list of favorite financial industry books. The selection does not disappoint. This book explains the general principles of financial planning and gives other resources of useful information. It also provides a few examples. The book does not teach you how to do it yourself, but it provides some good background knowledge for the financial novice. Overall, a great book for beginners.

Great book for everyone!
This book explains the general principles of financial planning and gives other resources of useful information.It also talks about some specific situations.While it cannot teach you how to do it yourself, it is a good start for everyone who needs to do financial planning!

a good book for people who is cautious about personal financial planning
If you are cautious on your personal finance and don't want to just listen to your financial advisor, the book might be good for you. It covers a lot of topics of personal finance. The second part is especially good. It talks about the financial issue at life time changes such as marriage, becoming parents, divorce, etc. Very solid information on tax issues. A lot of tips on tax saving.

Great Guide
This is a great book. It is full of helpful information on the financial planning process. I highly recommend it!

Planning for an Uncertain Future
When I started teaching financial planning to US Air Force officers planning on reentering the general economy it was a little known subject and you had to scout up your material from pamphlets, magazines and newspapers with help from stockbrokers.
"Ernst & Young's Personal Financial Planning Guide" published by John Wiley & Sons, which is the same publishing house that publishes the JK Lasser's tax manual puts the information all in one volume.
Of intense interest to us is the chapter on starting your own business, which as authors we are doing in our senior years. The material is geared to the younger generation who are just starting out, but the advice is sound and easy to understand without an extensive background in accounting and economics.
Financial planning is rough at this period in our history, because of the skyrocketing prices of necessary goods and services not used in the consumer price index, hence they are excluded from inflation percentage calculations. Gasoline, medicines and health care are three I can name, off hand, that affect the general population, but fall outside the index. This phenomena is not addressed in the planning guide, but then Congress has not touched it since the Johnson adminstration either. It is not something that winning the lottery will answer for an individual, but it is like trying to hold a large balloon half-full of water in one-hand and keep it round.
"Personal Financial Planning Guide' is the best we have found for a realistic look at all aspects of financial planning. The table of contents and index are outstanding for locating information.
Nash Black, author of "Taxes, Stumbling Blocks & Pitfalls for Authors 2007."
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Customer Reviews (1)

Great Learning Tool
This product is very well put together and a wonderful learning tool for both school and yourself!Two thumbs up. ... Read more

Product Description

Master the Fundamentals of Money and Learn to Make Wise Financial Desicions

Much of what we do with and for our money is determined by beliefs as old as money itself--beliefs of which we are often unaware. Societal forces sanction those ancient beliefs, and our families of origin unwittingly grant them the kind of power only unexamined beliefs can have: the power to act contrary to our stated intentions.

Customer Reviews (1)

Best Guide I've Found for Living an Abundant Life
After reading the three volumes of A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, I now have meaningful and enjoyable conversations about money and finance with my teenage children. Other financial books I've read didn't jumpstart money conversations with friends and family.Here are three reasons I think A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE succeeds.

1. Money unconsidered is an unconscious demon, we react out of our long-standing patterns, rather than acting based on conscious choices. Author Paul Gubany's brilliant use of everything from the history of money, to psychology, to Greek Mythology helps uncover a person's individual money patterns.(Volume One and Two) Once you know the patterns, you have choices - and life patterns are always fun to talk about.

2. If you don't decide what's ENOUGH, you'll never have ENOUGH.Gubany helps us figure out what our own Abundance is, and he shows us the satisfaction and simplicity of living with a personal definition of Abundance.(Volume Two) If you don't know what's ENOUGH, you'll never ever have enough money.Gubany's process gave me a sense of peace and well-being about money that I've never felt before - I'm freer now from the money demon than I was before I read A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, freer than anytime I can remember!

3. A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, along with its engaging presentations about the nature of money and the human psyche, also includes the technical aspects of understanding the time value of money.(Volume Three) No problem for my kids to understand this third volume of A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, and, barring the collapse of our world order, they see how they can realistically and easily accumulate a millionaire retirement during their working years. These are nice conversations to have during dinner.

My advice - stop reading the reviews - start reading A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE.I wish Paul Gubany a wide readership, his book is a work of love, a work of art, a benefit to anyone who will open its covers.

Lars Clausen
Award Winning Author
One Wheel - Many Spokes
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Product Description
NOTE: This edition has a linked "Table of Contents" and has been beautifully formatted (searchable and interlinked) to work on your Amazon e-book reader or iPod e-book reader.

On of the earliest and best self-help finance books to come out. Robert Blatchford, an acclaimed activist, said it was "one of the most delightful and invigorating books it has been my happy fortune to meet with" and argued it should be taught in schools. If your a fan of Dave Ramsey, then you'll love Samuel Smiles!

Samuel Smiles' self-help books have been cited as influential on the New Thought Movement in late 19th century America and England, and, in particular, on the career of the New Thought author Orison Swett Marden, who said that his early ambition had been to become "the Samuel Smiles of America."

This book has captured the imagination of millions and inspired readers everywhere to follow their dreams. A timeless example of the power of the human spirit! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

To the point
Thrift says it all.It was short and to the point.Kept it focused and didn't include meaningless content.

Common sense is timeless
I was on the Dave Ramsey plan 2 years ago in an effort to turn things around for myself. Of course, one of the things you have to do to be a true Dave Ramsey fanatic, is to save money so that you can pay down your debt. So I didn't have a lot of extra money for reading and the library is fairly long drive from my house.

So I got this little book for less than a dollar. I was very impressed with just how much of it really does ring true for today's modern society. Mr. Smiles is indeed a literary ancestor of Dave Ramsey.

You should know that this book was written very long ago. And there are some things that have changed. The author refers to "penny savings banks," things like saving a dollar a week, and etc. But it's still very easy to adapt to what he is saying. Needless to say, a dollar back then, bought way more than a dollar does now.

The gist of his advice, and Dave Ramsey's, is to avoid debt. Always save. Live within your means. And work hard. Common sense stuff, but it's fun to read about how people have always had problems with taking on too much credit debt. Looks and works great on my Kindle.

As for me, yes, I worked hard and finally became debt-free!Freedom! :)

Be Thrifty and Buy This Book.
I came across this book (an original copy) in a used bookstore years ago. It is one of the best purchases I ever made. The sound advice, and the wonderful stories illustrating the value of thrift are so helpful, and I return to them again and again. The consumerist, material world that we live in makes it difficult to keep living a thrifty lifestyle. It seems that we are constantly swimming upstream in our efforts to live below our means in a society that does not value frugality, thrift, saving, or denying ourselves in any way. This book is a wise antidote to all the salespeople, the marketers, the advertising literally everywhere trying to entice you to spend your money rather than save it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in saving money, getting out of debt, and becoming a finer person. ... Read more

Product Description
Jason Kelly's two previous books demonstrated his talent for translating the complicated jargon of Wall Street into a common language the financially fearful could understand. Now Kelly's tactics will reach an even wider audience with The Neatest Little Guide To Personal Finance.Combining friendly advice with solid expertise, Kelly's newest book provides guidance on how to figure your net worth, get out of debt, maximize your income and plan an investment strategy for retirement. He includes lessons on how to borrow money wisely, choose an IRA, and manage student loans while offering hints on selecting insurance plans, filing tax returns and financing a home. With Jason Kelly's trademark flair, The Neatest Little Guide To Personal Finance shows how sensible saving and spending can lead to peace of mind and a profitable future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Very Similar
His book was all to similar to another book I had read right before "Guide to Personal Finance in your 20's and 30's".The Kelly guide was almost the same, plus he made what seemed to be personal judgements about people's financial situations, whereas the other aforementioned book did not.I am young and have college loans- so what?Plus, he plugs his other books too much, which is not flattering.In any case, since I decided to keep only one finance book that I have read so far, I kept "...in your 20's and 30's" because it just stated some information without the snide remarks.

Probably the best book out there for most intermediates.
If you are decently knowlegeable about how to manage your money, then you probably won't need this book. If you are also totally dumb about your money, this book might be too advanced for you. This is a good book for someone who's been surviving on their money management system, but doesn't know if they know enough, like me. There are also just some very good tips in here about what types of policies are scams. The tips on how to reduce your interest rates and the statistics he presents on what ends up costing so much more is very good. This book helped me learn a lot; it might or might not do the same for you. The used book price is really cheap, so you might as well give it a try.

Good insurance listing
I was able to lower my car insurance by a few hundred dollars by calling Amica, the company recommended in this book. The other information about credit cards and bank loans made sense to me too, but will take longer toachieve a benefit. The car insurance savings were immediate, though.

Superficial advice, save your money
This book was a big waste of money.The information is so basic only a real novice would learn anything.And don't believe the positive reviewsyou read for Kelly's books.It's obvious he wrote them himself, since noone with a brain would praise the kind of junk he puts out.

Great for the financially fearful
I know Jason Kelly's stock book gets all the attention, but this little book about personal money and saving and stuff is really good too. I liked the stock book, but I'm so darned far in debt that I can't use it yet. SoI've found this money book better for me. Maybe when I'm done paying off mydebt I will be able to use his other books about investing. He's a goodwriter and funny too. ... Read more

Product Description
Having a solid financial plan is one of the first steps toward a happy and content life. Personal Finance Made Easy helps readers by providing essential information, money-saving tips and tools required for anyone who wants to manage their money wisely. Whether they're creating their first budget, planning for retirement or trying to get out of debt, readers will learn how to make smart decisions regarding investments, housing, retirement planning, personal credit, debt, taxes, insurance and much more. They can also determine their net worth, create short- and long-term goals, analyze their budget and keep track of spending habits using the worksheets placed throughout this interactive book. ... Read more