|
Easy Money: How to Simplify Your Finances and Get What You Want out of Life (Liz Pulliam Weston) | 
 enlarge | Author: Liz Pulliam Weston
Publisher: Financial Times
Category: Book
List Price: $17.99
Buy New: $9.96
You Save: $8.03 (45%)
New (33) Used (11) from $9.66
Rating:  55 reviews
Sales Rank: 37309
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 208
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7
ISBN: 0132383837
Dewey Decimal Number: 332.024
EAN: 9780132383837
ASIN: 0132383837
Publication Date: November 16, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: 100% Brand New! - Ships Today! Identical to Amazon's book in every way. Flawless! Not a cheap Remainder or Book Club Copy! *We recommend Expedited Shipping option for much faster mail delivery
| |
| Also Available In:
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Pulliam Weston (Your Credit Score), columnist for MSN Money and author of the nationally syndicated column "Money Talk," provides a practical, easy-to-understand guide to taking control of personal finances and establishing financial security. Like most financial advice books, this collection covers the basics, such as creating a financial toolkit, investing, planning for retirement and saving for college. While Pulliam Weston provides insights into these areas-especially for those without a financial background-she also charts new territory with her "60 Percent Solution" and "50/30/20 Plan," both aimed at spending control, as well as getting the most out of your credit cards and what to do if you've overspent on a car purchase. An advocate of online banking, Pulliam Weston maps out the right way to pay bills and advocates account aggregation and consolidation. She also provides a useful resource guide for finding a financial planner, a tax professional and an estate planning attorney. Checklists are included in each chapter, as well as helpful charts and tables that aid in getting and staying organized.This book will be a valuable guide on the path to financial control and security. --Publishers Weekly "If you want to simplify your life and make solid decisions--fast--this book is your answer. It's one more reason Liz remains one of America's most trusted financial columnists. Quick, easy, and empowering!" --Jennifer Openshaw, Author of The Millionaire Zone and CEO, WinningAdvice.com "As usual, Liz cuts to the chase to provide readers with practical, easy to implement tips for living a rich life. If you follow only half of her on-the-money recommendations you'll be exponentially better off tomorrow than you are today." --Lois P. Frankel, Ph.D., Author of Nice Girls Don't Get Rich and Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office Simplify your financial life! now and forever! / By the Internet's #1 personal finance expert, MSN's Liz Pulliam Weston / Stop feeling overwhelmed by your finances: take control, the easy way! / Save time, avoid mistakes, and help secure your future Common sense. Easy solutions. Plain English. Best selling author, Liz Pulliam Weston, takes on the problem everyone has, and nobody talks about: the sheer hassle of managing your money!Weston offers practical guidance and easy checklists for every decision: investments, credit cards, insurance, mortgages, retirement, college savings, and more! Discover how to consolidate, delegate, and automate your finances!save time and money!and live a more rewarding, secure life! www.lizweston.com
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 50 more reviews...
 A great resource October 2, 2008
Kurt A. Johnson (Marseilles, Illinois, USA)
I first became acquainted with Liz Pulliam Weston when I started reading her weekly column at MSN Money. She's a personal finance columnist, and an author of several books, including the wonderful Your Credit Score. In this book, she takes her wealth of financial knowledge, and presents the reader with a great, step-by-step set of instructions on taking control of your finances. The book begins with Setting Up Your Financial Life, and talks to you about just about everything the common man and woman needs to know about money.
I must say, I have found this to be a great resource. I have read through it several times all ready, and I keep it right by my bed, so that I can always reach down and look something up. The book is very readable, which is nice for someone like me, and I like the way that the author takes no-nonsense approach to her writing. This isn't a self-help, motivational book, it's a how-to book for your personal finances - a great one.
So, as you can tell, I really like this book. I think that everyone should read this book, which will really help you to take control of your finances.
Lots to absorb through the pages of Easy Money August 22, 2008
Bonnie Sayers (Los Angeles, CA)
Easy Money is not a light read, but rather a book to seek guidance from throughout your adult life. There are eleven sections in under 200 pages. Most people will find answers to organizing their finances and planning for their future. The first section on Setting up your Financial Life is basic common sense stuff that I have been doing already for many years.
I filed bankruptcy in 2004 and was able to obtain a car loan in March of 2008. I did obtain my FICO scores from all agencies and got an approved loan rate before heading to the auto dealerships. I was curious about leasing cars having read pros and cons to this.
Easy Money author Liz Pullman Weston suggests not going that route in leasing cars. She also suggests not getting a car loan that is longer than four years. She also stresses that a car is a "need" not a "want".
I have always been a renter and was a bit disappointed that the briefly glossed over renters insurance with barely a paragraph. I have all my insurance policies with Allstate so if I go shopping for another quote for my auto insurance I will lose the discount I have on my Renters insurance and there are specific clauses about pets and home businesses and other children that need clarification for the lay person.
I am a single parent with two special needs kids. I was glad that Liz mentioned special needs trusts for our families and how families need to find the right qualified professional for this trust. She frequently recommends Nolo Press Guides and has an extensive list at the end for further reading. The index has key words in bold and italics making it easier to browse through to find related issues relevant to current needs.
There is a section on Saving and Planning for College. My son is 13 and this is something I am learning about. I liked how Liz gives an overview on College Savings Plans. Luckily California does have them, but I need more guidance due to SSI. This is a section I will be perusing later on as my son enters high school in two more years.
At the end of each section is a helpful checklist. I like the goals section for life. Since I turn 50 in two more years one goal I have considered is purchasing a home. Liz guides the reader on what to do one year prior to this decision, six-months and so on. This is a section of Easy Money I have highlighted and plan to follow as the current year ends.
Easy Money was a nice read to see what I can do currently for my financial situation and help guide my future plans. I recommend this book to be used on a regular basis.
HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE........ July 18, 2008
Dana Y. Bowles (West Chester, PA USA)
Informative, easy-to-follow book answering many questions that we have (but might be afraid to ask for fear others would consider us stupid!!)....I found the section on investments to be especially helpful, as this is an area in which I know little about. A quick read, and a handy reference tool. I have gone back to the book on more than one occasion to re-read certain sections. A must read, and a must have.
DYB
 Usual stuff - perky presentation July 18, 2008
Stephen Chakwin (Norwalk, CT USA)
This is going to be short because there's not much to the book. Imagine all the real basics of money management - spend less than you earn, think before you spend, buy things that matter, plan out your financial needs, prioritize sensibly. Weston has a nice writing style but her point seems to be that she comes by a lot of this naturally and those of us who don't should Get With The Program. Fair enough. But, unless you are really immature or very unfamiliar with concepts like cause and effect, if you engage in unhelpful behavior, whether it's financial or of other kinds, it usually means that something deep is going on and that there is something you need to address - either by changing behavior (surface manifestations) tiny bit by tiny bit until you've paved the problem over or by digging down to the problem, taking it on, and getting rid of it, and then building over the new foundation. There are advocates of both approaches and this is not the place to sort that all out. Suffice it to say that these depths are unaddressed in any useful way in this book.
Bottom line is that if you don't understand basic concepts like don't waste money, know what you're spending it on and why, etc., this is a pretty passable book. If you want real substance, look elsewhere.
Half way to easy money July 17, 2008
Michael R. Airhart (Providence, RI, United States)
Easy Money is an easy-to-read, graphically appealing guide to financial basics:
1. How to organize one's accounts and records to ease monitoring and control
2. How to set up a realistic budget
3. How to control credit card spending
4. Basics of investing
5. Basic shopping tips
6. Basics of insurance
7. Basics of homebuying and car-buying
8. Setting long-term goals
Each section is so brief that I almost overlooked the 15-page section that was of greatest interest to me: homebuying and car-buying. The section on mortgages was especially brief: six pages, just enough space to define terms, quickly itemize a few pros and cons, and demonstrate monthly payments for a 15- or 30-year, $250,000 mortgage. The section does not even mention state and federal programs for first-time homebuyers -- a critical oversight given these programs' ability to make down-payment and closing costs feasible for young buyers.
This book is ideal for someone who may be just out of high school and getting started in life, or for someone suffering from overall financial malaise and confusion, who is looking for a quick and easy way to simplify, organize and focus. Since much of the book is a glossary of basic concepts, it is not targeted to non-beginners.
Persons looking for thorough discussion of various money-management, investing, or real estate strategies should first re-read the book's title: "Easy" Money. And since the book simply seeks to simplify the basics of personal finance, it should not be viewed as a sure guide to making money.
|
| Worthwhile Reading | Myths and Realities about Working Longer
Alicia H. Munnell and Steven Sass. 2008. “Working Longer: The Solution to the Retirement Income Challenge.” Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press.
For more information, contact Andrew Eschtruth at 617-552-1729 or eschtrut@bc.edu.
Myth: Given the growing retirement income challenge, people will have to work forever.
Reality: If individuals worked full time until at least 66, they could enjoy a long and financially secure retirement, with incomes one-third higher than if they retired at 62.
Myth: Older workers will choose to work longer on their own.
Reality: Most people retire as soon as benefits are available at age 62.
Myth: As baby boomers approach retirement, employers will embrace older workers.
Reality: Many employers are lukewarm toward retaining older workers due to concerns that they cost too much, lack current skills, and don’t plan to stick around long.
Myth: Employers will quickly change their tune in response to labor shortages.
Reality: Many employers with a high proportion of older workers are in declining industries. Others can tap global labor markets.
Myth: Older workers have little to offer employers.
Reality: Older workers often have advantages over younger workers — including higher productivity, better judgment, a stronger work ethic, and better people skills.
Myth: Phased retirement — shifting to part-time employment with a career employer — is the solution for keeping people in the workforce longer.
Reality: Many firms are reluctant to offer phased retirement due to concerns over which workers would be eligible, health insurance costs, and part-time schedules.
Myth: Most workers can work longer by remaining with their career employer.
Reality: Career employment is declining fast — only 44 percent of male workers age 58-62 are still with their age-50 employer, down from 70 percent two decades ago.
Myth: The working longer prescription is the answer for everyone.
Reality: While today’s older workers are generally healthier and better educated, up to a third could be hard pressed to work into their mid-60s due to poor health or job prospects.
Myth: Government cannot do much to encourage longer work lives.
Reality: Raising Social Securitys earliest eligibility age of 62 could push back the work-retirement divide by changing the mindset of both workers and employers.
Myth: Eliminating mandatory retirement removed a major barrier to working longer.
Reality: Mandatory retirement could actually promote longer work lives by providing both employers and workers clear expectations about when careers end.
|
|
|
|
|
| | Retirement Facts | In the private sector, participation by type of retirement plan has largely reversed over the past quartercentury: 'Traditional' defined benefit pension plans were dominant in 1979, but have been overtaken by defined contribution (401(k)-type) plans. The share of workers who are in both a defined benefit and defined contribution plan has remained fairly constant over the years.
|
|
|
|
