Rating: 
Summary: This Book Rocks.
Review: Ok, to be frank, I love this book and frequently lend it to my 20/30 something friends. The following well-thought-out review applies to my experiences, too. (Cut and Paste Starts Here)This updated version of Beth Kobliner's work (5/2000) can help the folks in their 20's and 30's get a handle on their finances. Even with a college education, most students fail to come away with sufficient knowledge on how to manage their dough. This book is an easy read, not filled with useless info. There is special emphasis on paying off college loans, getting credit cards, buying a car, and financing a first house or apartment. Things that you really need to know. The main chapters include: Figuring out Where You Are and Where You Want to Go, Finding the Best Loans and Getting Yourself Out of Hock, How to Get the Most from Your Bank for the Least Amount of Money, All You Really Need to Know About Investing, Living the Good Life in 2030 !!, Getting an Apartment or House of Your Own, What Insurance You Need and Don't, Finding the Right Policies and Forgoing Coverage You Don't Need, Making Your Life Less Taxing. There is info on using the Web to help you save, spend and invest wisely, how to refinance your high-rate debt and avoid hidden fees and traps, taking advantage of the latest tax breaks- including deductions for student loans, and planning your long range savings program. In addition, there are details on car leases, credit reports, mutual funds, and more. A wealth of information available for less than 12 bucks. Highly recommended. A great gift.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent introduction to managing your finances
Review: I bought an earlier version of this book way back in 1996. I had just gotten my first job and I was looking for information on how to manage money and to find out how much I could "afford" when buying a car and/or other expensive stuff. This book helped with all of that. It helped me understand the basics of personal finance, loans, insurance, 401(k), etc. There's lots of good advice in there, so I'd certainly recommend buying this book. The information is this book is beautifully organized and very easy to digest. Unfortunately, I haven't learnt a whole lot about personal finance since reading this book. I've read numerous books on personal finance after this one. All of them tend to say more or less the same things as this book, but they haven't said it as well. Bottomline, if you understand the basics of personal finance (such as the principles of compounding, the importance of investing early in a 401(k), why it's bad to have credit card debt, etc.), you can probably afford to skip this book. Otherwise, it's a must have.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Those Just Starting Out.
Review: When I got out into the "real world" at age 21 I was a financial wreak. I didn't know ANYTHING! I spent and spent and spent and when I realized that the my bank account was nothing like my parents I knew that I had to get help. I heard the author give an interview about the book on a local morning talk show and it sounded like the help that I needed. I've read this book cover to cover twice and have often used it as a reference tool. This is a great book...well written...and brimming with useful pertinant information. I've recommended this book and have actually bought it for a friend that was financially lost.
Rating:
Summary: Financial Care for the Impatient
Review: Beth Kobliner's "Get a Financial Life" is rapidly becoming a financial classic. Why? It's clearly written, moves quickly, offers solid, reasonable, responsible advice, and provides the right amount of detail for beginners. Jaded pros need not inquire. Too much detail and you've got an intimidating, encyclopedic tome like Jane Bryant Quinn's (excellent) "Making the Most of Your Money" - the most many novices will make of that book is as a door-stop; Too little and you've got got a comic book version of Personal Finance that edifies nobody. "Get a Financial Life" is the perfect primer for anyone who wants to stop being afraid of money and start taking control of her financial future. Personal Finance ain't rocket science, folks - the basics are quite simple - and Beth Kobliner shows you how comprehensible and non-scary Personal Finance can be.
Rating:
Summary: Very Informative
Review: I am 22 and wanted to learn more about how to better plan my finances, for now as well as the future. The book answered almost all of my questions regarding banking, saving, retirement and more. It is now updated to include the Roth IRA as well as providing several websites for more information. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about and take control of / better plan thier spending and finances. Check it out.
Rating: 
Summary: All Hype and Nothing I Didn't Already Know
Review: Very, very basic information. As for those 100 web sites, you don't need to buy this book to find them. Go to any news web site (CNBC, ABCNEWS.COM or MARKETWATCH) and you'll get the information in this book plus more web links than you could ever want. Sorry Beth but this is old, old news.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent gift for those in their early 20s!
Review: It is a very easy read - and can either be read cover-to-cover, or you can read which chapters you think will help you most. I have had a hard time trying to read Rich Dad, Poor Dad (as it is rather boring), but this book was a great read. It really helps you understand different financial terms and how it effects you. Also, (not to be a dork, but...) it kinda empowers you by showing you how you can control your finanical situation - no matter if you make $10,000 a year or $100,000 a year. I really, really recommend this book - it completely helped my husband & I figure out how to manage finances post-college and how to better our situation. Which also helps our relationship, because we don't have to argue about money - we developed a sound financial strategy which we both understand. I am not going to pretend it didn't take 7 months of mistakes to realize how important some things are :) Some things you just have to learn on your own!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Advice for the Novice
Review: I found Beth's book excellent,incredibly user-friendly and easy to understand for someone like myself who doesn't know much about finance. It gave me wonderful, practical tips about purchasing a home and the basics of investment. I frequently refer to it as different financial questions arise. I'm in my 30's & find it continually relevant. Check it out!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT INTRODUCTION TO PERSONAL FINANCE
Review: GET A FINANCIAL LIFE is a great introduction to personal finance matters that we all need to deal with. Although written for those in their 20s and 30s, it's a wonderful book for anyone (of any age) who needs to know how to straighten out their finances and wants to learn the basics of saving and investing. There are no "get rich quick" gimmicks or tricks like many other books, just sensible, valuable advice that works! I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Back On Track
Review: Ms. Kobliner's text clues us "clueless" Generation Xers in. What an excellent intro to the world of finance. I found her style light, playful and nonintimidating. This is a great guide book for those who are looking to educate themsleves and to learn more about financial resources online as well.
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