25 myths you've got to avoid-if you want to manage your money right: The New Rules For Financial Success, by Jonathan Clements

The author writes the weekly "Getting Going" personal finance column for The Wall Street Journal. This is not a "how to" or reference book but one to help you develop an understanding of the dynamics of your personal finance and investing decisions. The author writes in an engaging style for quick reading. This book is likely to be read cover to cover, unlike some of the wonderful comprehensive personal finance books that are made for reference and detail (and gathering dust on a bookshelf). Clement's book does not provide detailed definitions but helps the reader make decisions in today's marketplace. I think his weekly (Tuesday) column is terrific: concise and cogent comments on personal finances in a nutshell.

Available:
USU Merrill Library HG179.C6512

 

Going through a divorce requires you to make many financial decisions. Using worksheets, this book helps walk you through many of these decisions such as dividing debts, setting alimony and child support, working out a settlement that you can both agree on, and what happens to retirement benefits.

Available:
USU Merrill Library KF524.Z9 W66
Logan Library 346.73 Woo C.1
Nolo Press $29.95

Everything You Know About Money is Wrong, by Karen Ramsey

Karen, a Certified Financial Planner, shatters common money myths and shows anyone how to take control of their finances and realize their dreams. Let Karen Ramsey help you find the road to happiness and financial security -without deprivation. For more info on the book plus a free Personal Spending Plan workbook (print from the web site) and a risk profile assessment: http://www.karenramsey.com/.

Available:
Logan Library 332.024 RAM
Amazon.com @ $12.57 hardcover and$10.20 paperback

 

Available:
USU Merrill Library HD 7125.W375
Logan Library 332.024 War C.1
Nolo Press: $17.47

IRAs, 401(k)s, and Other Retirement Plans: Taking Your Money Out by Twila Slesnick & John C. Suttle (2001)

This book explains in easy to understand language the different kinds of retirement plans such as IRAs, 401(k)s, self-employed plans (Keoghs), annuities, and more. It also covers tax strategies before retirement and at retirement, dividing a plan at divorce, and the tax penalties for taking your money out early. The 3rd edition covers the IRS's new 2001 distribution rules.

Available:
Logan Library 343.7305 SLE C.1
Nolo Press $25.00

Kids and Money by Jayne Pearl http://www.kidsandmoney.com/

As the title suggests, this book gives encouragement to late start investors that it is never too late to begin planning for your financial future. The Author takes a holistic approach towards retirement and helps readers determine where they currently are financially and where they want to be. He then proceeds to show how to achieve that through planning and goals. I enjoyed his style of writing and found it not only entertaining but easy to understand potentially difficult financial material.

Available:
Amazon.com $11.96

The legal guide for starting & running a small business, by Fred Steingold (1995).

Small business owners are regularly confronted by a bewildering array of legal questions and problems. Ignoring them can lead to disaster -- but with lawyers typically charging $150-$250 an hour, calling one to answer routine legal questions can be a fast track to the poorhouse. Fortunately, you have a better alternative. Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business clearly explains the practical and legal information you need to with topics including, raising start-up money, getting licenses and permits, insuring your business, and coping with financial problems.

Available
USU Merrill Library KF1659.Z9 S76
Logan Library 346.73 STE c.1
Nolo Press $29.95

Luxury Fever; Why Money Fails to Satisfy in an Era of Excess, by Robert H. Frank, (1999).

In the book Luxury Fever, Robert H. Frank provides a thoughtful look at the growing economic trend of Americans spending less on necessities and more on luxuries in an attempt to gain social status through possessions. He explains how the spending patterns of the wealthy minority influence the entire population. He points out many faults and irrational spending habits of Americans as a whole and suggests ways that they may be remedied. He also demonstrates through numerous studies how wealth in itself does not bring satisfaction in life.

Available:
USU Merrill Library HC110.W4 F7
Logan Library 305.5Fra C.1

Money Mastery in Just Minutes a Day, by Waddell, F. (1996). Auburn, AL: Genesis Press.

This book was written for people who feel powerless over their financial situations, Waddell helps readers reverse negative spending and saving habits by delving into the psychological barriers preventing them from controlling their finances. First, the book helps readers examine their financial lives. Second, readers are encouraged to perform practical, hands-on exercises to help them develop an effective plan.

Available:
USU Merrill library on order
Logan Library 332.024 WAD

Nickel and Dimed; on (Not) Getting by in America, by Barbara Ehrenreich (2001).

This is an interesting look at how the millions of Americans who work for poverty level wages survive on such a low wage. The Author Barbara Ehrenreich chose to take a low paying job so that she could view first hand the life that these people lived. It was from her observations and experience she wrote this book. This book gives and interesting insightful look on how prosperity is viewed from the bottom.

Available:
USU Merrill libraryMCN E108
Logan Library 305.569 EHR

 

On your own: A widow’s passage to emotional and financial well-being, by Armstrong, A. & M.R. Donahue (1993).

Donahue, who is a certified financial planner & Armstrong who is a psychologist, teamed up to write this practical book offering help dealing with both the emotional and financial worries that come from losing a spouse. This book relates well to readers because both authors have experience with widowhood. In the words of the authors, "this book reflects our belief that there is a connection between your financial & psychological recovery. The better able you are to come to terms with your loss emotionally, the better you will be able to address the financial consequences. Similarly, the more you understand about your financial situation, the less anxious you will be, which in turn will contribute to your emotional healing."

Available:
USU Merrill Library HG179.A724
Logan Library 332.024 ARM c.1

With clarity and common sense, Estate-planning experts Attorneys Denis Clifford and Cora Jordan help you establish clear, realistic estate planning goals as they cover everything from estate planning basics to sophisticated tax-saving strategies. The book covers federal estate and gift taxes, trusts used to control property left to beneficiaries, charitable remainder trusts, durable powers of attorney, living wills, and funerals and burials.

Available:
USU Merrill Library KF750.Z9 C59
Logan Library 346.7305 Cli C.1
Nolo Press $33.95

Prosperous Retirement: Guide to the New Reality by Michael K. Stein (1998)

This book is a comprehensive guide to retirement planning. It is one of the few books that explains that most people spend MORE (than while working) in the early years of retirement when they travel, etc. then go into a less active, less expensive stage, and finally spend very little (unless for medical/long term care) in final years of their life. So planning models that plan for the constant (real dollar) expenditures often overstate the amount you need.

Available:
USU Merrill Library HG 179.S832

The right way to hire financial help: A complete guide to choosing and managing brokers, financial planners, insurance agents, lawyers, tax preparers, bankers and real estate agents. by Charles A. Jaffee.

Friends who have borrowed it have given very positive reports. There are some preliminary chapters: "How to start looking for help" "Your first meeting with an advisor" etc. and then chapters on hiring specific professionals: planner, brokers, insurance agents, accountants, tax preparers, attorneys, etc.

Available:
USU Merrill Library: HG179.5 J 34
Logan Library: 332.6 jaf c1

The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton; Prima Publishing

"In the updated third edition of this popular financial planning book, David Chilton, president of Financial Awareness Corporation, shows readers how to achieve the financial independence they've always dreamed of. With the help of his fictional barber, Roy, and a large dose of humor, Chilton encourages readers to take control of their financial future and build wealth slowly, steadily, and with sure success."

Available:
USU Merrill Library: Reserve
Logan Library 332.024 CHIC.1

Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes and How to Correct Them, by Belsky, Gary & Gilovich, Thomas. Simon & Schuster, paperback $12

This easy to read book, written by former Money magazine writer Gary Belsky and Cornell University psychology professor Thomas Gilovich, offers a revealing view of the way we spend, invest, borrow and waste money. The authors summarize three decades of research on behavioral economics, the study of why people make irrational decisions about money, in a way that helps the reader evaluate their own spending and, perhaps, think twice as they make future financial decisions. Humberto Cruz writes in his review: "In a fast-paced, smartly written 224-page book I read at one sitting, the authors distill three decades of research in behavioral economics an finance, the study of why people often make irrational or illogical decisions about money...My favorite among the scores of personal finance books on bookstore shelves today."

Available: Logan Library: 332.024 Bel

The Overspent American: Upscaling, Downshifting & the New Consumer, by Juliet Schor's (1998)., NY: Basic Books.

If you find yourself saving less money and watching more T.V., mentally downplaying your credit card debts, or always wanting to buy more, this book can help you get in control of your financial situation.

Available:
USU Merrill Library: HF 5415.22 U6 S.36
Logan Library: 339.47 SCH C.1