Personal Finance for Dummies, Fourth Edition

Rating:
Summary: great book for a subject in which most of us ARE dummies
Review: This book is terrific. Tyson isn't out to sell a system or a product; instead, he's providing the advice your mother would give you if she were a financial analyst: cut up those credit cards, reduce your debt, invest in your education and retirement, don't spend ALL your money on books, etc.. Sounds simple, but Tyson manages to be convincing and reassuring at the same time. He also gives sound, useful advice about venturing into mutual funds. I actually enjoyed contemplating my financial future

Rating:
Summary: A Must Have Book
Review: There is simply not a better book on personal finance. The author provides the reader with REAL information on complicated topics. The book can be read straight through or on a chapter-by-chapter basis. Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of this book is that Mr. Tyson actually gives his personal recommendations on which mutual funds to buy, purchasing real estate, how to invest for your children, etc. No hype, nothing to sell, just straightforward methods on making the most out of your money. Don't let the "dummies" in the tittle fool you, this book is for everyone

Rating:
Summary: Complicated/boring subject; terrific presentation!
Review: Eric Tyson does a masterful job, presenting one of the toughest subjects in an interesting and easy-to-follow manner

Rating:
Summary: A book on finances that's actually INTERESTING!
Review: Eric Tyson describes financial concepts in terms that are easy to understand and does so in a light and fun manner. He actually makes finances interesting! My only complaint is that sometimes similar topics are discussed several times throughout the book (like recommending you fully contribute to your company's 401K plan before doing other investing). It occassionally feels like he's beating a dead horse. However, this book is supposed to be "for dummies" so it it errs a little on the side of repition, I suppose that's better than not explaining things well enough. This is a minor complaint and can be solved by simply skimming through repitive sections if you feel you've already "got it". All in all an excellent book! I read the 1994 edition, and now I'm buying the 1996 2nd edition. That in itself is a great review

Rating:
Summary: Must reading for all who want control of their finances!
Review: This book provides an excellent foundation for individuals to understand how to plan their financial future. Eric takes the reader through the steps involved in analyzing your current situation and planning your future. Along the way he provides tips on how to reduce expenses. One of the best parts of the book is the foundation knowlege the reader can obtain on how to invest your money for short, medium, and long term goals. All of this is done in a manner that does not require complicated financial knowlege or hours per week studying the markets. This is all presented in a simple, easy to read manner

Rating:
Summary: Tyson makes it easy and self-assuring reading
Review: How refreshing it is to read a book about a very tedious subject like personal finance and come away with it with a confident plan of action. I've now bought all the Eric Tyson books and feel like, for the first time, I've got a handle on all this mess

Rating:
Summary: Audio book (abridged) is not worth it
Review: This book on tape consists of only one tape and the info was crammed into it in a very poorly organized way. I'm presuming the book version is better!

Rating:
Summary: Great Book for Beginners
Review: By the time I bought this book, I had already read several other books on the subject of personal finance. However, I found PF for Dummies to be the best of the lot. Eric Tyson lays out basic prinicples of finance in easy to follow, well ordered chapters. He has an attitude of encouraging the reader to go out

Rating:
Summary: very helpful
Review: I know almost nothing about finances, so this book helped me a lot. It makes things simple to understand. Learn how to budget your money, avoid debt (or get out of it), invest in stocks, bunds, and mutual funds, and handle your retirement. I am so glad that I bought this book. It has really helped my finances!

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful book
Review: This text could should be required reading at all American high schools, if not colleges.

It gives a solid introduction to every aspect of personal finance: handling debt, hiring financial help, taxes, retirement accounts, investing, mortgage, real estate, insurance for everything (you, others, and collateral).

It gives practical and useful tips throughout each section on how to save for what is important and recognize what is not so critical to buy for maximum savings, savings which you'll use for your retirement account, so that you'll live within your financial means throughout your entire life.