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Book Review: Smart and Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People
By Daniel | April 11, 2008
Smart and Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People by Jane Bryant Quinn lays down a solid foundation for a long-lasting financial plan. The book is 256 pages of easy reading, it’s not too dry nor too complicated to read and provides a great way to start learning and implementing finances in your life. Jane Bryant Quinn is currently a contributing editor at Newsweek since May of 1978 and has won numerous awards in the field of financial journalism.
On each topic she explains several options and discuss why she recommends one over the other. The key part to this book is keeping it simple, and providing sound principles and common sense. If you’re already familiar with the basics of personal finances this book is a great refresher. This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone right out of school or wanting to get their finances in order. I often refer back to it at times for good reference. The book is available at almost any book store, online, or at your public library. I picked it up online at Amazon.com. The ISBN is 0743269942.
Topics covered:
- Spending and Saving
- Saving 10-15% for retirement
- Reducing and eliminating credit-card debt
- Creating a cushion fund(emergency fund) of at least 3 months
- College saving for your kids(if you’re saving for your retirement already)
- Prepaying your mortgage
- Wipe out your Debt
- Find extra cash to pay debt
- Reduce your interest rates
- Automate your debt reduction plan
- Living off remaining income
- Keeping yourself credit-sharp
- Your Safety Net
- Term life insurance at least 8 times your income
- Sign up for a health-care flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Homeowners policy for replacement cost
- Re-shop for auto insurance
- Long-term care insurance
- Wills, power of attorney, living will and named health-care represenative
- Buying a house
- Increasing your equity
- How much can you afford
- What is your credit score
- How big of a down payment do you need
- Mortgage types
- Paying points
- Mortgage terms
- When to refinance
- When you should sell
- Investing in a vacation home
- Paying for College
- How much should you save
- College saving plans
- How to pay for it
- Better Investing
- Investing 101
- No worry investing
- Taxes and mutual funds
- Diversify your investments
- Re-balancing
- How to manage a 401k, 403b, and IRAs
- Stocks and stockbrokers
- Working with financial planners
Topics: Books, Education, Personal Finances, Reviews |