I saw Jean Chatsky on TV. Her approach to financial security was refreshing. Instead of "waiting" until you become a millionaire in order to solve all of your financial concerns, she rather teaches us that you don't have to be rich. Instead of trying to stare at the big picture, realize that the big picture is nothing more than a lot of little pictures. When you get the little pictures in order, the big picture changes. For example by observing for two weeks, where your cash in pocket goes, you can find ways to reduce annual expenses by even several thousand dollars per year. Figuring that amount of money, invested over ten years, you come up with a substantial amount of money.
By sitting down and figuring out a budget, or allotment of monies, you can help rid yourself of the irrational spending. Start to figure out what makes you incessantly spend, spend, spend. Counting your money can be fun. Instead of enjoying your new toy for only a day or two after you buy it, then on to the next buy, you rather find joy in the ongoing financial strategy that you employ.
By setting new goals and dreams, you focus your income on value pursuits, rather than buying a whole lot of junk.
This book is chock full of great advice. I'm going to work hard at the suggestions. Enjoy the freedom of knowing that your financial well being is in order.
Hey if your books all balance, even though you are not a millionaire, you can begin to enjoy life. Instead of that aching feeling in the background telling you that something is wrong. Your new value dream that replaces your nonsense spending will fulfill your need to buy.
This book will take you step by step as to how to "clean out the garage" of your personal finances. Highly recommended, and personally I think Jean Chatsky is hot, hot, hot.

Ms. Chatzky has done a lot of research, not only on the financial habits of Americans, but on what truly makes us happy, consulting with many leading happiness experts. No surprise -- beyond a certain income level that provides the basics, money doesn't really make us happy. In fact, stress over money -- even if we have more than enough -- can make us miserable.

She encourages us to take control of our money, which will help us take control of our lives. Many of her suggestions are simple, but practical: organize your papers, pay your bills when they come in, don't buy things you don't need, track your spending... But she frames them all in the discussion of finding happiness in your life, melding the practical with the philosophical.

It's true; this book will be more useful to people whose finances are way out of control. But I still learned a couple of things: some guidelines for portfolio composition, that I could probably track my spending more closely, and that I should do some estate planning.

If you're not sure you need this book, live one of Ms. Chatzky's mottoes and don't buy it: check it out of the library instead!

Two thumbs up!!

Our entire family have been fans of Jean Chatzky's NBC Today appearances for several years. Her clear, plain-spoken approach to understanding and tackling financial challenges is once again on display with this latest book - which offers straightforward, practical advice on identifying and fixing the common problems that nearly all of us seem to share.

Check out the website at www.payitdown.com. i use it as a good morning reminder that a simple, small and consistent effort can have a great big payoff!

I am going to make this simple, but let me start by saying that I have a Business Degree in Management, and I have an extensive knowledge in Money management.

IF YOU HAVE NO MONEY MANAGEMENT UNDERSTANDING: Read Below.
If you have NO knowledge of money management, and it seems that you are always living paycheck to paycheck. PLEASE read this book or any personal finance book. Also if you haven't already, purchase "Microsoft Money" it will help identify where you're money is going each money, and assist you in planning for your future.

IF YOU HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF PERSONAL FINANCE: Read Below.
Now if you have a base knowledge of financial management, and/or you are already using MS Money or another finance program, you are already on the right track. DON'T waste your time on this book; read something else, anything else.

Hope this helps everyone.

There are dozens of books which address many of the same topics and issues and this is one of the best because it was written primarily for non-experts such as I who seek "comfort, happiness, and financial security on [our] terms," of course, and need guidance to make appropriate decisions. Answers to questions such as these are more difficult to formulate now than at any prior time that I recall:

* What are the significant differences between standard of living and quality of life?
* Are they mutually exclusive?
* How can -- and should -- "wealth" be measured?
* To what extent (if any) is there a correlation between personal happiness and net worth?
* What do the happiest people seem to share in common?
* What are the most damaging misconceptions many people have when formulating a financial plan?
* Which strategies and tactics are most effective to achieve financial security? Why?
* What are "The Ten Commandments of Financial Happiness"?

Chatzky address these and countless other questions which many of us may have but feel embarrassed to ask. Of course, we can retain highly reputable financial planners whose services are worth every dollar they cost. However, my own experience suggests that a financial planner's best client is a well-informed client. More specifically, financial planners are most valuable once a client has carefully completed exercises such as those which Chatzky includes in her book. Invoking direct address, what do you REALLY want in life? Being rich and being happy are NOT mutually-exclusive. Many people are unhappy because they are essentially insolvent, if not destitute. No savings, credit unworthy, deeply in debt, in danger of foreclosure or eviction, etc. Many others are just as unhappy because of their affluence. They yearn to possess what money can't buy: physical health, peace of mind, friendship worthy of the name, etc.

Caveat: Do NOT purchase this book or any other such book unless and until you are wholeheartedly committed to doing the "homework" required and then to following through on whatever decisions you make. I think that Chapter 6 (all by itself) is worth far more than the cost of the book. However, do you REALLY understand the requirements as well as the benefits of living within your means? Tough decisions may need to be made. (I mean TOUGH.) Do you have what it takes to make them? More importantly, do you have what it takes to stick with those decisions no matter what? Years ago, the actor Rod Steiger was asked if young people ever requested career advice. "Oh yeah, sure, all the time. I look them right in the eye and ask `Do you want to be an actor or do you HAVE to be an actor?' The longer it takes them to answer, the less likely they'll ever make it." If you HAVE to have financial security, Jean Chatzky can help you to achieve it. Otherwise....