sf business times

Showing posts with label budgeting. Show all posts

A Return to Abundance, Book 3: Money management, personal finance education, budgeting, financial planning, time value of money principles, cash flow principles, budget worksheets: a self-help book Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After reading the three volumes of A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, I now have meaningful and enjoyable conversations about money and finance with my teenage children. Other financial books I've read didn't jumpstart money conversations with friends and family. Here are three reasons I think A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE succeeds.
1. Money unconsidered is an unconscious demon, we react out of our long-standing patterns, rather than acting based on conscious choices. Author Paul Gubany's brilliant use of everything from the history of money, to psychology, to Greek Mythology helps uncover a person's individual money patterns. (Volume One and Two) Once you know the patterns, you have choices - and life patterns are always fun to talk about.
2. If you don't decide what's ENOUGH, you'll never have ENOUGH. Gubany helps us figure out what our own Abundance is, and he shows us the satisfaction and simplicity of living with a personal definition of Abundance. (Volume Two) If you don't know what's ENOUGH, you'll never ever have enough money. Gubany's process gave me a sense of peace and well-being about money that I've never felt before - I'm freer now from the money demon than I was before I read A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, freer than anytime I can remember!
3. A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, along with its engaging presentations about the nature of money and the human psyche, also includes the technical aspects of understanding the time value of money. (Volume Three) No problem for my kids to understand this third volume of A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, and, barring the collapse of our world order, they see how they can realistically and easily accumulate a millionaire retirement during their working years. These are nice conversations to have during dinner.
My advice - stop reading the reviews - start reading A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE. I wish Paul Gubany a wide readership, his book is a work of love, a work of art, a benefit to anyone who will open its covers.
Lars Clausen'
Award Winning Author '
One Wheel - Many Spokes

Click Here to see more reviews about: A Return to Abundance, Book 3: Money management, personal finance education, budgeting, financial planning, time value of money principles, cash flow principles, budget worksheets: a self-help book

Money management, personal finance education, budgeting, financial planning, time value of money fundamentals, cash flow principles, budget worksheets: a self-help book in full color

Click here for more information about A Return to Abundance, Book 3: Money management, personal finance education, budgeting, financial planning, time value of money principles, cash flow principles, budget worksheets: a self-help book

10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was flipping through this book at Barnes yesterday while waiting for my girlfriend to finish buying a gift for her friend's birthday. The book is basically a bunch of individual lists and howtos -- how to buy wine, 23 common interview questions, etc. By the time my girlfriend was ready to go, I was still reading the article on how to shop for wine, so I brought the book home. Couldn't put it down the rest of the night! I read through the entire budget travel section since we're planning for a trip this summer. And the article on how to open a roth IRA is going to come in handy. I've been thinking about opening one for the last few months and I think I'm going to do it next week. This book is full of tips for a wide range of financial topics. I highly recommended for anyone looking to get more out of their money.

Click Here to see more reviews about: 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget

Get 32% OFF

Click here for more information about 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget

$3 Meals in Minutes: Delicious, Low-Cost Dishes for Your Family That Can Be Prepared in No Time Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The premise of this book is great. The economy is tough and food prices seem determined to outpace unemployment numbers. However this book fails to deliver on several important points:
1.It's not really $3 a meal. It's $3 a serving and even then I'm not sure it really averages out to be that low in some cases.
2.The 'ways to save money' portions of the book are very general and superficial. The book 'hesitates' to recommend specific coupon websites for fear they might become defunct. God forbid we get a bad link! I mean, seriously? Further, aside from being told to use coupons, there is no specific insider advice beyond that. Nor any mention of Angel Food ministries. They are a non profit that offers meat at approximately a 50% savings. (Here's more info:[...])
Essentially,all the cost saving 'advice' is the same generic stuff you've already heard before. There's nothing new or fresh in this section of the book. We're even reminded to avoid grocery shopping while hungry. Like no one hasn't heard that one at least a dozen times!
3.I knew I was in trouble with this book when the basic roast chicken recipe calls for 3 different fresh herbs. If I were to purchase these at the store, it would easily be $6 in herbs alone. Ironically, I don't recall seeing any 'tips' about growing my own herbs as a way to save money.
4.There's big detour into 'knife skills' and other cooking expertise tidbits that I found kind of odd. This is meant to be an economizing cookbook. We don't go in depth on coupons, but chopping food gets a couple pages? Really?
5.There's no mention of cost on the recipes. I understand prices change, but it would be helpful to know if I'm looking at approximately $10 in ingredients or $20. Some barometer of recipe cost would have been helpful and made this cookbook more relevant.
Overall, this is a generic cookbook that falls short of delivering on its premise. However, the recipes seem competent and there's no question the author knows how to cook. I'm not sure they author really knows how to be frugal, though.
M

Click Here to see more reviews about: $3 Meals in Minutes: Delicious, Low-Cost Dishes for Your Family That Can Be Prepared in No Time

This collection of 250-plus recipes has main course entrees that are less than $3 a serving to prepare. That's less than the cost of a decent-size burger at a fast-food drive-through. And all can be prepared in less time than it takes to have a pizza delivered!

Get 67% OFF

Click here for more information about $3 Meals in Minutes: Delicious, Low-Cost Dishes for Your Family That Can Be Prepared in No Time

10 Steps to Home Ownership: A Workbook for First-Time Buyers Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently read Ilyce Glink's "10 Steps to Home-Ownership" and came away impressed. She has great worksheets, and an objective, no-nonsense approach to the home ownership process. I recently closed on a home in the Southern California area and used "10 Steps" to prepare me for the process. I found myself referring to Eric Tyson's "Home Buying for Dummies" more than this book once I activeley looked for a home. However, I felt "10 Steps" was a good starter for the process and the worksheets made me comfortable with what I wanted and how much I can afford. One small complaint: she includes 70 pages of interest rate amortization tables which could be easily translated on one page.

Click Here to see more reviews about: 10 Steps to Home Ownership: A Workbook for First-Time Buyers

Get 16% OFF

Click here for more information about 10 Steps to Home Ownership: A Workbook for First-Time Buyers

LIVE CHEAP AND FREE Strategies to Thrive in Tough Economic Times Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I thought this book was great. It's simple tips and every day solutions to debt and financial concerns has helped me save money each month. I liked that the author not only shared her every day experiences in an easy to understand way, but promoted financial health and charity. I bought additional copies for my family and friends.
If you want some help getting on track financially, I suggest picking up this book right away.

Click Here to see more reviews about: LIVE CHEAP AND FREE Strategies to Thrive in Tough Economic Times

LIVE CHEAP AND FREE! Strategies to Thrive in Tough Economic Times provides guidance for consumers to make financial goals, track spending, maintain a budget, manage coupons, and build a collection of resources to find products that are cheap and free.

Click here for more information about LIVE CHEAP AND FREE Strategies to Thrive in Tough Economic Times

Depression 2.0: Creative Strategies for Tough Economic Times (Process Self-reliance Series) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book promises a lot and delivers very little. It can be described as a mixture of 1) A vague retelling of what caused our economic woes, 2) Obvious "advice" such as reminding you that in hard times you can move back in with your parents, and 3) Stern admonitions about how decadent modern society is and how much better off we'd all be if our standard of living is reduced to roughly that of the medieval peasant engaged in subsistence farming and participating in a barter economy.
Now, I'm an odd enough person that I more or less agree with this last point. The trouble is that not only does Depression 2.0 contain very few actual "strategies" for coping with such an eventuality, but what it does have to tell us is written in such a self-righteous, heavy-handed manner that even as sympathetic a person as myself felt condescended to and marginalized.
What practical "strategies" this book does contain are more along the lines of making it through a tough but relatively short-lived recession, such as dumpster diving and hanging out at the library for free entertainment. If you're looking for actual tips on how to weather the big one, this is not the book for you. In fact, I can't think of any situation in which I'd recommend this book to anybody. No matter what you hope to learn, it can be learned much better elsewhere.
While the list of topics in the book's description is impressive, you will be amazed at the actual size of the book, as it is quite slim. Consequently, I found that most of the book consists of what would work well as overviews of large sections of useful, practical content, but that, unfortunately, that actual content is not there. Being told that it's a good idea to do something is nice; being told how to do it would be better.
If you are interested in real advice, practical strategies, and solid how-tos, I highly recommend "The Urban Homestead" from the same publisher. That will teach you to do everything from collecting rainwater for irrigation to baking bread to setting up a chicken coop to heating your house without electricity. Much handier to have around if things continue to get worse, and there's no reason to believe that they won't.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Depression 2.0: Creative Strategies for Tough Economic Times (Process Self-reliance Series)

With contributions from Douglas Rushkoff, Claire Wolfe and Charles Hugh SmithWe have grown accustomed to life in a stable and prosperous society, and many of us are not prepared for financial uncertainty.Depression 2.0 is a practical, empowering, hands-on guide to persevering and even thriving in the event of an economic crisis.

Placing particular emphasis on self-sufficiency, community-building, and personal resilience, this timely, informative book offers a hopeful way forward in a time of great uncertainty. Bankruptcy, barter, and survival investing are just a few of the important topics explored.Chapters include: • Worst Case Scenario: Contemplating Unemployment • Down but Not Out: Economics for Leaner Times • Walking Away: Thinking about Bankruptcy • In Case of Emergency: The Resilient Home • Return to Simplicity: Retreat Options • Keeping the Lights on: Home Energy Solutions • Between the Cracks: When You Have No Shelter • Beyond Currency: When Greenbacks Go Bad • Survival Finances: Crisis Investing • Future Shift: The Road AheadDepression 2.0 is the fourth title in Process' celebrated Self- Reliance Series, created to help urbanites make smart choices to live sustainably in the twenty-first century.

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Depression 2.0: Creative Strategies for Tough Economic Times (Process Self-reliance Series)

Suze Orman's Action Plan: New Rules for New Times Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Suze Orman has always offered exceptionally sound financial advice based on personal accountability and moderation. The New Rules for New Times stays true to this message by providing an abundance of strategies for a large assortment of potential financial issues.
The format of the book is very straight forward, containing descriptions of financial situations followed by immediate action plans. This approach permits one to immediately focus on those areas that are most personally relevant. Suze also includes a chapter on introducing finance to children that any parent should be aware of. If this book is your only introduction to Suze Orman, you will be served well.
I have always considered Suze's advice indispensible and a representation of the best from the financial community; however, I question the need for this book on the basis that her message has been made clear in past books. I read this book earnestly looking for something new and discovered only a rehashing of the same message she has always given; leaving me wondering if her desire to sell another book trumped her ability to produce new content.
The book begins with the statement that "the financial hurricane has passed", leading with the notion that we now need new rules. Yet have Suze's rules not always been sound? Does Suze believe her rules regarding accountability, moderation, and respect for risk, rules that have been the cornerstone of her financial advice for years, suddenly now requires upgrading? The realty is her advice is as sound today as it was ten years ago, yet the implication is that we now need a new book with new rules.
Orman's look back on recent events and financial turmoil has supposedly given her a new outlook; yet what does this say of her foresight? If Suze can be certain that the worst of the financial turmoil is behind us now, why was she completely blindsided like nearly all of us when the market turned just two years ago? If she was unable to anticipate the dangers then, why would we have confidence in her assertion that there is smoother sailing ahead?

The reality is Suze's message doesn't need updating and she doesn't need to offer anything new, she simply needs to remind people of why her guidance is sound. Perhaps this approach might not sell as many books but it is a message that is better suited to serve readers than just reprinting the same general material with a different cover year after year.

I really believe Suze Orman and her financial guidance is a huge benefit to society, but this book is just not worthwhile. The reality is Suze Orman deserves glowing reviews for her work in financial community, but I would avoid this book and seek out one of Orman's core books such as the Suze Orman Financial Guidebook.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Suze Orman's Action Plan: New Rules for New Times

Click here for more information about Suze Orman's Action Plan: New Rules for New Times

The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even The Toughest Times Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I found this author from Oprah's web site and read this book. What I love about Jean Chatzky's book The Difference is that she gets to the point in a very calming way.
Money is often times linked to survival and fear in the modern society. I know many of us are raised to have this love-hate relationship with money. For instance, we love to have more money (e.g. one way to get there is to save and invest) but then we spend them instead of keeping them. In Jean's book, she started off describing the research she has done on the individuals who are classified in the following categories:
1.Wealthy
2.Financially Comfortable
3.Paycheck to Paycheck
4.Further In Debtors
Instead of being judgmental to any group of individuals, she simply pointed out "The Difference" wealthy people & financially comfortable people have (traits, the things they do, their beliefs, etc) versus individuals who are in the paycheck to paycheck & further in-debtors categories. Jean never for once went down the path to portray the "wealthy greedy" nor did she judge the "further-in-debtors" as financially irresponsible in her book. Instead, she mentioned many things wealthy and financially comfortable do are things paycheck to paycheck & further in debtors can learn to do to improve financially and our overall happiness (you can find her detailed suggestions in this book). She inspired all of us that to become financially comfortable and/or wealthy is not unrealistic goal in this life time through the research, her findings in the research and her interviews
I love these interviews. I used to have a gut feeling the not all wealthy and/or financially comfortable people are evil/greedy but I had no solid proof of such. Furthermore, if one has watched the news lately, it really does shaken some of my faith about this gut feeling I had all along (especially those news I hear about Wall Street big wigs cashing bonuses, etc). However, Jean's interviews in each chapter helps re-assuring us that pursuing financial goals does not automatically turn us into wealthy greedy categories. In fact, if we read through these interviews, one might realize the inner strengths many of the wealthy & financially comfortable individuals have and is something to admire and follow some of their paths.
Excellent book to get inspired to get our finances together. I highly recommend it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even The Toughest Times

Get 23% OFF

Click here for more information about The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even The Toughest Times

Missed Fortune: Dispel the Money Myth-Conceptions--Isn't It Time You Became Wealthy? Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I came upon an ad by the author, Mr. Andrews in the Sunday Los Angeles Times today - 5/22/05. It mentioned his book as well as a lot of claims to max ones wealth. So, I thought to do a bit of a google search on him and the title of his book. I did finally find a review by a Certified Financial Planner on the Seattle times website: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002192636_qa_retirementhotline.html
I thought it wise to share this with anyone intersted and feel that most who read the following may want to hold back on buying his book.
Equity Indexed Life Insurance-I have been approached by several insurance agents regarding using equity indexed annuities to creat an arbitrage using home equity. They are basing their approach on a recent book written by Douglas Andrew-Missed Fortune and Missed Fortune 101- suggesting interest only mortgages and investing the equity in S & P 500 indexed annuities. Invest the max amount allowable under law with the least amount of insurance required, etc. What are your thoughts on this strategy? Have you read or heard about this book and the author? - Cary, N.C.
FP: I just finished reading the book "Missed Fortune". The concept is interesting and may make sense in a very few specific cases, I would be wary of its general applicability. The book fails to adequately address the risks inherent in the strategy.
The first part of the strategy I would be concerned with is the notion that you can structure interest only loans to last a long time. Interest only loans typically have an interest only period of 10 years or less.
The most "attractive" interest rates are associated with adjustable rate mortgages. Most of these have fixed rate periods of 3, 5 or 7 years. So, for the strategy to work as advertised, you will need to refinance (or sell and purchase another home)as often as every 7 years or less. And then you will have to hope that (a) you will qualify for new financing and (b) that today's low rates are available.
The strategy presented in the book assumes that your home interest is fully tax deductable. The analysis does not account for the fact that most people actually only receive a partial deduction since their itemized deductions aside from the home mortgage interest add up to substantially less than the standard deduction (which is scheduled to rise over time).
And finally, the strategy assumes that you will earn a relatively high rate of return on the equity index life insurance cash value. Every projection the book makes has an unreasonably high rate of interest projected for a long time into the future. The strategy prospects for success are highly sensitive to the rate that you acutally receive.
If the insurance policy return is as little as .5 - 1% less on average, the strategy has real problems. And the problems can be huge.
If you are drawing "tax free" income out of an insurance policy through a series of policy loans as shown in the book, the policy surrender value drops steadily. When the policy surrender value drops to zero, which it could quickly if interest rates are less than hoped for, the policy lapses and all the interest that has been credited on a tax deferred basis suddenly becomes taxable income.
The author's answer to this problem is to suggest that the IRS is unlikely to go after a 90 year old for that kind of tax. You wouldn't want to test that theory.
The bottom line is that there is no free lunch. The equity index insurance products ability to credit interest to the cash value is essentially the same as any fixed insurance product. The fact that the interest credit is "linked" to the S&P 500 index is very different from actual market participation. It's just a calculation that happens to use some aspects of the S&P 500 index performance in the formula.
While the products do provide protection against market losses, that protection comes at a price. The price is that they will not and cannot produce long term returns similar to market returns.
For people in the highest tax brackets who are not going to depend on the insurance policy performance to provide retirement income and who will save enough in income taxes to offset the inherent costs in the strategy, there may be a place for this strategy. Aside from this narrow group of people, trhe strategy is almost certainly inappropriate.
People should recognize that this is a very complex strategy with many pitfalls that are not well presented or analyzed in the book. Be very careful!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Missed Fortune: Dispel the Money Myth-Conceptions--Isn't It Time You Became Wealthy

Get 60% OFF

Click here for more information about Missed Fortune: Dispel the Money Myth-Conceptions--Isn't It Time You Became Wealthy

In Good Times and Bad: Strengthening Your Relationship When the Going Gets Tough and the Money Gets Tight (Wiley) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First I would like to say that I am a therapist and one of the # 1 reasons for divorce are money problems. This transcends all income levels. I loved how this book was really descriptive about how people's attitude about money affect their perception of how whether their partner is messing up with money. For example for some money means security or power or love etc. It really addresses the issue from a psychodynamic approach. If you buy one book, make it this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: In Good Times and Bad: Strengthening Your Relationship When the Going Gets Tough and the Money Gets Tight (Wiley)

Get 52% OFF

Click here for more information about In Good Times and Bad: Strengthening Your Relationship When the Going Gets Tough and the Money Gets Tight (Wiley)

Organize Your Personal Finances In No Time Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you need to simplify how you handle your finances and paperwork, this is
the book for you.
Even if you are organized in this area, this book will motivate you to
simplify even more. It did for me.
As a Professional Organizer, one of the biggest downfalls I see to any money
management system is making it overcomplicated--e.g., waiting to organize
your finances because first you need to learn the computer program you plan
to use.
Next, is the indecision most people face when they are trying to get
organized. This is commonly seen in how to name files and how to store files
(covered simply in the book!).
Stanley provides practical, to the point direction in how to decide what is
just right for you, so that your systems will actually support you and not
work against you by being overcomplicated.
This book takes you through the decision making processes involved in
setting up the systems you'll need.
This is the first book on organizing finances that I have seen that is as
interested in you the person, as a seasoned Professional Organizer would be.
She makes it so easy to decide what you need to do next, based on you. It
was as close to having a live Professional Organizer there with me while I
was reading.
Be sure to check out the cool icons that guide you to quick tips and hints,
such as "Clever Client" and "Organized Enough" (hooray that an organizing
book is finally addressing the concept of not over-organizing).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Organize Your Personal Finances In No Time

Drowning in a pile of bills, receipts and bank statements and don't know how to swim to the top? Organize Your Personal Finances In No Time will be your lifesaver. Written by a professional organizer and coach for the chronically disorganized, this do-it-yourself guide will show you how to create a fool-proof, easy-to-maintain financial system in a single day. Written in a unique step-by-step, to-do list approach, you will master skills such as tracking income and expenses, bill paying, creating a file system and shopping with efficiency. Then, learn to take all of your new skills and apply them to creating a savings plan, a budget and graphs to illustrate spending habits and debt details. When it comes to your finances, if the choice becomes sink or swim, let Organize Your Personal Finances In No Time help you swim.

Get 37% OFF

Click here for more information about Organize Your Personal Finances In No Time

Life Matters: Creating a dynamic balance of work, family, time, & money Review

Life Matters: Creating a dynamic balance of work, family, time, and money

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
New books telling you how to improve your life come off the presses every week, maybe every day. Some are bad, and you realize you have wasted your time. Some are average, and you might learn a few new things, but they aren't all that memorable. Some are great, and you go back to them again and again. "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" is one of the great books. Years later people remember it, talk about it, and reread it.
"Life Matters" is a great book. It covers a lot of good ideas, the thoughts and observations are well presented, and the book reads quickly.
The first chapter starts off talking about what is important in life. The authors focus on four areas: work, family, time, and money. They have a quiz to help in your self-assessment of how you are doing in each of these four areas. A big message of this book is there doesn't have to be conflict between the four areas.
The next chapter covers three things you have to do in any area of your life. The three "gotta do's" are:
1) Validate your expectations. You have to confront reality, for if you have an unrealistic expectation you will be frustrated. The authors make the point that the direction you are heading is more important than how fast you are going.
2) Optimize Effort. Look for ways to get the maximum benefit for your effort, and make sure your decisions are aligned with your goals.
3) Develop your "Navigational" intelligence. This is the ability to be aware of your changing environment, so that what looked like an important task at the start of the day may have to take a back seat when your boss gives you a new assignment, or a child needs attention.
The next four chapters are on: work, family, time, and money, with a chapter on each area. The authors weave each of the above three "gotta do's" into each area. For each area they explore different ways people see the area, for example how do you see your family, or your money. And then they discuss what is the reality. They have a list of "optimizers" which are techniques for getting the maximum benefit for your effort. And they talk about how to be flexible when situations change.
"Seven Habits" mentions a Time Matrix, which is a two dimensional matrix based on how important something is, and how urgent it is. Many people waste time on things that aren't important, or get caught up doing things that are important and urgent. Stephen Covey explores why doing things that aren't urgent, but important, can make a great difference in your life. For me one of the gems of "Life Matters" was exploring this same matrix in relation to money. The Merrill's point is that it is best to invest your money with the same Quadrant II focus, things that aren't urgent, but are important. For me, that idea alone was worth reading the book. There were a number of similar gems scattered through the book.
The last chapter was titled "Wisdom Matters" and here the authors explore why wisdom is important, and how to improve your wisdom. One of the points they strongly make is to develop an ongoing daily self-important program. The idea is to spend a few minutes each day improving your understanding of life, and how to make better decisions.
This is a great book. If you are interested in improving your life, buy this book, read this book, and then reread it. It will help you get better control of your life. For as the Merrills say, life does matter.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Life Matters: Creating a dynamic balance of work, family, time, & money

Get 35% OFF

Click here for more information about Life Matters: Creating a dynamic balance of work, family, time, & money

Blog Archive