Rating: 
Summary: A fun and educational look at investing
Review: As a 401(k) Plan Manager, this book not only addresses the important advantages of why people should start thinking about investing and saving for their future at an early age, but also provides extremely useful information about the opportunities that are available to do so. "Girls Just Want to Have Funds" is written like a Cosmo article so it's easy to understand and makes learning about investing fun!
Rating:
Summary: A Sensible Primer For New Investors
Review: Behind the style, and the exclamation points, is a well-put-together guide for those who want to learn the basics of investing. A pre-existing sense of humor would also help those who read this book. Despite what other reviewers here say, there are plenty of people who could benefit from reading this. The idea that Ms. Goodman is "older" and her advice is not current is rather naive. The same principles that governed financial markets in 1929 govern the markets today: a speculative bubble is still a bubble.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm a GUY and I enjoyed and got a lot out of this book
Review: I borrowed this book upon the recommendation of a close friend (who is a girl) who was also recently interested in getting a financial life. I saw it and it's bright pink back cover and thought, "what the hell am I getting into." But I never judge a book by it's cover or it's girly title, so I went ahead and started to read it. I've been reading it for the past day and have not been able to put it down. Guys: If you can get past a few of the girly anecdotes, and girl-talk, you can seriously learn a lot from this book. The language is easy to read and actually fun, unlike similar books on investing that I have read that have such dry language. You won't fall asleep during this read!
Rating:
Summary: Good if you know NOTHING about money
Review: I highly recommend this book for people who don't know anything at all about money. Goodman explains:
-why we need to start working on our 401(k)s early/ then different kinds of retirement plans,
-bonds, stocks, mutual funds,
-intimidating terms like small, mid and large cap,
-why even the safest investments are more valuable than leaving
money in a savings account
-Tax implications (did you know that capital gains tax can take out 20% of your investment gains? I didn't!)
-budgeting -benefits to 401(k)like being able to borrow against it at a lower interest rate than credit cards
-how to research the company(ies) you are interested in investing in
-And then--GASP--Goodman does not suggest that she is the alpha and omega of financial investment, she suggests other places to go to continue building your understanding of personal finances
This is only an introduction to finances. Please continue to read other books, and check out websites that update frequently. Without this book I would have never understood Suze Orman's books which I feel goes on the assumption that people are already investing (and frankly are for older people who may have family, houses and life insurance plans).
If you are an expert and understand 401ks and how to read financial reports you don't need this book. Yes the book is overly cheesy and uses way too many girly analogies, however the explanations were crystal clear and effective. It is amazing to me that the people who are criticizing this book can't even spell condescending. Open your minds. Those who didn't get anything from the book, didn't want to.
Rating:
Summary: Good if you know NOTHING about money
Review: I highly recommend this book for people who don't know anything at all about money. Goodman explains:
-why we need to start working on our 401(k)s early/ then different kinds of retirement plans,
-bonds, stocks, mutual funds,
-intimidating terms like small, mid and large cap,
-why even the safest investments are more valuable than leaving
money in a savings account
-Tax implications (did you know that capital gains tax can take out 20% of your investment gains? I didn't!)
-budgeting -benefits to 401(k)like being able to borrow against it at a lower interest rate than credit cards
-how to research the company(ies) you are interested in investing in
-And then--GASP--Goodman does not suggest that she is the alpha and omega of financial investment, she suggests other places to go to continue building your understanding of personal finances
This is only an introduction to finances. Please continue to read other books, and check out websites that update frequently. Without this book I would have never understood Suze Orman's books which I feel goes on the assumption that people are already investing (and frankly are for older people who may have family, houses and life insurance plans).
If you are an expert and understand 401ks and how to read financial reports you don't need this book. Yes the book is overly cheesy and uses way too many girly analogies, however the explanations were crystal clear and effective. It is amazing to me that the people who are criticizing this book can't even spell condescending. Open your minds. Those who didn't get anything from the book, didn't want to.
Rating:
Summary: INVESTING CAN BE FUN
Review: I love this book for its light wit and easy reading style on a usually dry and boring subject. I'm 24 and I must say that this book really speaks to young women, fresh out of college and ready to get going on building their nest eggs. Too simplistic for a seasoned investor but perfect as a stocking stuffer for that new college graduate. If I got anything out of this book, its to recommend to all my friends to max out their 401Ks!
Rating:
Summary: This book is THE place to start!
Review: I'll admit to some skepticism when my friend recommended that I read the book. I'd been interested in 'getting rich', of course, but as much as I love money, I assumed money was pretty much a dry subject. The first thing I read in the book is something that will stick with me until the day I die: "Start putting money away NOW-- as early as possible -- before you have a clue about anything else." This is advice that anyone can give you, of course, and it's just common sense, but Susannah Blake Goodman doesn't just issue advice; she tells the reader WHY it's so important to follow the advice. Her stories explain in clear, concise detail what happens and how it happens. Her instruction is simple without being dumbed-down. The title suggests that this is a book for girls, but I didn't find much in the book that would make it SOLELY for women. Sure, there's some feminist ponderings about why women typically aren't as money-savvy as men, but that is kept to a minimum. The book itself makes a dry subject come alive, and I strongly recommend this book for ANYONE, regardless of age or gender. In fact, I not only bought a copy for myself (after reading half of my friend's copy), but I also purchased a copy for 2 of my friends and for my mother. After reading this book, I won't claim to be an expert, but I'm comfortable enough that I can discuss money and investing with some very finance-minded friends and acquaintances and I can hold my own in a discussion. Most importantly, the book has taught me which questions to ask and what to do with the answers. It's a great stepping-stone and the lessons I learned from this book have given me a sound enough knowledge base to continue learning about the subject without feeling overwhelmed.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome book
Review: If you are sick of the usual books that cater only to those willing to take risks with their money they intend to set aside for their future, then here's a good book to invest in.
I'd play close attention to the section on traditional and non-traditional IRA's, but keep in mind those laws are changing soon, for a brief but potentially profitable 11 year period, and then reverting back to what is described in this book.
This book is a must have for women who know that they should start investing for their own futures and yet who aren't really sure where to start.
Start by picking this book up and finding out for yourself first hand just what it takes to be a millionaire by the time you are 63, and how it won't require that you live like a pauper just to achieve this coveted status.
Rating:
Summary: Good information despite some cheesiness
Review: Initially it was a little hard to get past all the girl talk, but I found that this book really does have some good information. It pretty much teaches you the basics. It doesn't get very in depth, but it allows you to become familiar with investing concepts. I knew virtually nothing about investing before I read this book. But I feel like I now have a good basic knowledge of investing, which will now allow me to read other more advanced books on investing. I would recommend this book for the beginner just wanting to get familiar with all their different options and investing terms and ideas.
Rating:
Summary: A great primer written with an upbeat tone
Review: This book isn't written for bankers and traders- it's wriiten for the average woman in a language that's easy to understand with advice that is practical and sensible. The 20 to 30 year old woman who's spent her post college years without a financial plan (or who's wondering what a financial plan is) will find this book the first step to financial freedom. Instead of writing in a monotonous and preachy style Goodman uses her humor to draw analogies that are understandable and that you can relate to. You can buy other books that have been written by accountants or financial gurus but your probably not going to finish/ incorporate those books because they are a big snooze. Girl's just want to have funds is never boring and it's practical. Whether you're from rural Ohio and just starting out or if you're well on your way in Silicon Valley you will be able to relate to this book and to pull from it practical advice.
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