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Rating: 
Summary: I liked it - it continues to be a good reference.
Review: Despite being associated with the Wall Street Journal, the group of persons involved in putting together this guide have not a clue how to prepare a comprehensive, understandable, and readable personal finance guide. It is horribly repetitive, and gets way too hung up on obvious, simple concepts (how many times do I need them to remind me to minimize credit card debt, and to avoid spending too much and saving too little?). It is very poorly organized, and the editor should be taken out and strangled for the way he allows so much of the book to be taken over by meandering, verbose paragraphs trying to describe the simplest concepts. It is almost as if they assume everything you have done in your life so far with your finances has been totally brainless, and they need to beat you over the head with it. It is like being lectured by an uncle who doesn't know how to shut up and has had too much to drink.And to make matters worse, why must they use light green ink throughout the book; this makes it all but impossible to read, except under high-power halogen lamps. It causes extreme eye fatigue, and makes an already unreadable book infuriating. I can't help but wonder what the true connection to the Wall Street Journal must be for such a badly written, poorly edited book such as this, especially when they find the need to resort to a cutesy tactic such as green print throughout (oh, I get it! Money is green, therefore the book is in green print - Ha Ha Ha!)
Rating:
Summary: Use as a Reference
Review: Don't read this book like a book. Use it as a reference guide for the particular area that you need to learn about and the stage of life that you are in. That is the way to get the best out of this book. I found it very helpful and refer to it for study and ideas.
Rating:
Summary: Use as a Reference
Review: Don't read this book like a book. Use it as a reference guide for the particular area that you need to learn about and the stage of life that you are in. That is the way to get the best out of this book. I found it very helpful and refer to it for study and ideas.
Rating:
Summary: I liked it - it continues to be a good reference.
Review: The book hit upon all common aspects of personal finance with a chapter devoted to each, and did so in stages that correspond to a person's life: 20s-30s, 40s-50s, 60s and beyond. After giving an overview in that format, each aspect was discussed in detail with ideas, things to look at in your own finances, and common pitfalls. Yes, reading it cover to cover, many things were repeated; however, I'm using it now as a reference, looking up only the chapter or subheading I need, and I've found that I don't have to flip back and forth to various pages in other chapters. Each chapter can stand alone, as can each subheading. I moderate a family finance forum, and refer to the book a lot in this way. One thing I absolutely love about the book are the various checklists, worksheets and tip boxes. I've put some of the calculators on spreadsheets for my own use, and have shared them with other folks who are interested in personal finance.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Beginners Book
Review: While this film is clearly not for people that have a background in investing, it is an excellent reference for people that are just looking into their financial situations. It is packed with information that is presented in a very basic manner so that anyone can understand it. The book is divided into different sections ranging from investing and insurance, to estate planning. In each of these sections, the contents are further divided into different phases of people's lives (20-30's, 40-50's, 60'+). This is helpful in allowing one to reflect on their own strategies as well as where they may be headed. Again, the real strength of this book is how rudimentary it is. It would be a terrible disappointment to anyone that has even a minimal understanding of finance. Thus, if you are seriously considering this book, know that it will be a good refresher if you are rusty, or jumping off point if you have no knowledge. I was particularly impressed with the discussion on estate planning. I have an advanced background in finance and investing, but nevertheless was able to gleam a pearl or two. This book makes a great reference as well. I chose to read it cover to cover, but it would have been equally as helpful as a reference book. People with children may even consider purchasing it as a project to go over with their kids. Best of luck.
Rating:
Summary: Great Beginners Book
Review: While this film is clearly not for people that have a background in investing, it is an excellent reference for people that are just looking into their financial situations. It is packed with information that is presented in a very basic manner so that anyone can understand it. The book is divided into different sections ranging from investing and insurance, to estate planning. In each of these sections, the contents are further divided into different phases of people's lives (20-30's, 40-50's, 60'+). This is helpful in allowing one to reflect on their own strategies as well as where they may be headed. Again, the real strength of this book is how rudimentary it is. It would be a terrible disappointment to anyone that has even a minimal understanding of finance. Thus, if you are seriously considering this book, know that it will be a good refresher if you are rusty, or jumping off point if you have no knowledge. I was particularly impressed with the discussion on estate planning. I have an advanced background in finance and investing, but nevertheless was able to gleam a pearl or two. This book makes a great reference as well. I chose to read it cover to cover, but it would have been equally as helpful as a reference book. People with children may even consider purchasing it as a project to go over with their kids. Best of luck.
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