Rating: 
Summary: Good advice from a highly qualified CFP
Review: Ric Edelman may tell you a few things you don't agree with or don't coincide with other so called "experts" who write financial books, but, how are you doing financially? How much money have you lost in the market following their "expert" advice?I know I got smacked following a certain East Coast female author and got back on track with "What You Need To Do Now" and Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth." I have just strated to read this book along with "Discover the Wealth Within You." I also recommend Suze Ormans excellent books "The Road to Wealth" and "The Laws of Money" to get you on the fact track to financial success. A lot of what Ric teaches is different and controversial but the bottom line is, it works.
Rating:
Summary: Good advice from a highly qualified CFP
Review: Ric Edelman may tell you a few things you don't agree with or don't coincide with other so called "experts" who write financial books, but, how are you doing financially? How much money have you lost in the market following their "expert" advice? I know I got smacked following a certain East Coast female author and got back on track with "What You Need To Do Now" and Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth." I have just strated to read this book along with "Discover the Wealth Within You." I also recommend Suze Ormans excellent books "The Road to Wealth" and "The Laws of Money" to get you on the fact track to financial success. A lot of what Ric teaches is different and controversial but the bottom line is, it works.
Rating:
Summary: Good advice from a highly qualified CFP
Review: Ric Edelman may tell you a few things you don't agree with or don't coincide with other so called "experts" who write financial books, but, how are you doing financially? How much money have you lost in the market following their "expert" advice? I know I got smacked following a certain East Coast female author and got back on track with "What You Need To Do Now" and Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth." I have just strated to read this book along with "Discover the Wealth Within You." I also recommend Suze Ormans excellent books "The Road to Wealth" and "The Laws of Money" to get you on the fact track to financial success. A lot of what Ric teaches is different and controversial but the bottom line is, it works.
Rating: 
Summary: Watch out for Edelman's logic.
Review: The author is rather inconsistent in his logic, particularly when topics related to his various potential conflicts of interest arise. The most telling example is his diatribe against index funds. He fails to mention that many index funds (eg Vanguard 500, Schwab 1000) use tax-management techniques that will alleviate the tax bite that would otherwise result from mass redemptions. With all the initials that he has after his name, he should realize at least that some index funds use tax-management techniques. Does his omission result instead from the fact that NO index fund will pay him a commission to direct his customers to it? Other inconsistencies appear with respect to consideration of individual risk tolerance. For example, while he stresses diversification as a risk management tool, he fails to consider individual risk tolerance with a blanket condemnation of mortgage prepayments. Overall, the book contains much useful information, but one wonders how much sleep he had on the days when he wrote his logic-impaired sections.
Rating: 
Summary: A good eye-opening financial book.
Review: The good part: This book will open your eyes. Many contrarian (opposite most popular radio gurus) views, some of which are shocking - avoiding dogs of the dow and index funds. His arguements are compelling but not quite enough to make you dump your index funds. However, most of his ideas and insights are well-argued and will really open your eyes. It's easy to read and you'll enjoy it. One minor flaw - the over-use of footnotes - there are so many it's distracting and most are not needed. One major flaw, the book is full of "what not to do", but when it comes to asset allocation, the categories are mentioned - but nothing is said (it would take 1 page max.) about the *ratio* of assets. The reason for this is clear, he wants the reader to use (pay for) a financial planner, like the author. Going into such details except for the *core* of finance makes my rating of the book an 8 rather than a 10. However, I already purchased his other book here, as he is a good author.
Rating:
Summary: This book is fundamentally sound
Review: The negative reviews below amuse me. Edelman doesn't advocate never changing jobs because of missed investment opportunities. He provides a principal so others CAN do the math and make sure their decision is sound. The principal is basic, but I'll bet many have fallen into that trap. He does state the logic of avoiding bi-weekly mortgage payments. In fact, I've found that all his rules are well reasoned. He's not trying to do your thinking for you, just trying to introduce some principals that you can incorporate into your own decision-making. Well worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: AN EYE OPENER
Review: This book is an excellent "eye opener" to the world of personal finance. The truth is that money doesn't come withan instruction book and when it comes to money, nobody is your friend. The people we typically get advice from have their hands in our pockets; brokers, bank loan officers, financial planners, auto and life insurance salespeople, car sales people etc., etc. This book and The Truth About Money will wet your appetite for more. For actual techniques, I highly recommend "More Wealth without Risk" and "Financial Self Defense" by the late great Charles J. Givens. "Millionaire Next Door" is also a great work, although like Edelmans books, a little lacking on the "what" and the "how"
Rating:
Summary: this book opens doors to the realm of money
Review: this book opens doors to the realm of money, and it also shows people how to use monet wisely and with more confidance.It is written in a context which is all in its own intriging
Rating: 
Summary: Bad advice from an angry financial planner
Review: This book sounds like the author is angry at index funds for siphoning off some of his commissions. His advice on investing in index funds (not) goes against most financial wisdom. He keeps repeating that these funds don't really beat the S & P 500 as they claim. What he doesn't mention is that most are within a percentage point or less of of matching the S&P. That's why people continue to invest in them. He also claims most funds will beat index funds in a down market. Oh yeah? Maybe he'd like to look at Janus Mercury, Janus 20, Fidelity Megellan etc. etc. etc for the last fiscal year. I could go on and on but you get the picture. Other advice I could get from my father or the man on the street i.e. don't spend too much on a wedding. Really? How insightful. If you must, check this out at the library, but don't waste your money on it. That's one of the "New Rules" you won't find in his book.
Rating:
Summary: Where is the logic?
Review: Where is the logic behind these "rules"? I re-read several parts in good faith and still wondered with conviction where is the back up for many of the "new rules"? Among the unsubstantiated examples is where it is asserted that we should avoid bi-weekly mortgage payments. Check it for yourself: the section stating this "rule" is a single short logic-deviod paragraph. As someone who has used a bi-weekly mortgage program with favorable results on my finances, I must vigorously disagree with this "new rule", as stated in its respective section. Personally, I'm glad I follow the old-fashioned common sense of "doing the math myself" instead of any set of rules whose most salient attribute is purported as "new".
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