This is another upbeat, enthusiastic guide from Richard Bach on how to get the money to save for retirement, and how to save it. He has a lot of experience in women’s concerns and weaknesses because of the Smart Women Finish Rich seminars he has been teaching for years. (Smart Women Finish Rich covers quite a bit of the same ground but is focused more on investing and is directed specifically to the issues women have with money.) Surprisingly, he says that women in general are more competent investors than men, because we are better able to commit to a plan and stick to it without being tempted by something more exciting.
There's nothing new here, but he he covers the basics in a straightforward and readable way: cutting expenses to get money out of your paycheck, the scams of the credit industry and paying down credit card debt, why you need to get a raise and how to go about it, the advantages of buying a home, where you should put your savings, investing in real estate, the advantages of starting a small business on the side. He gives good explanations and justifications for his recommendations.
However, Bach is an investment counselor, and he doesn’t really believe in do-it-yourself. Parts of the book sound like advertising for his profession. You can be knowledgable and empowered and still use professional help, of course, but the important thing is to educate yourself first so you aren't turning your financial choices over to someone else. And some people are offended by the number of products he has for sale on his website.
If you are basically happy with your direction, are earning sufficient income, and especially if you have “disposable” income - but just haven’t been putting sufficient attention on saving for the future - this is a great book for you.
If you are self-employed and just making it, barely living month-to-month or have overwheming debts, this is still good information but not the place to start - start with Your Money or Your Life or How to Get Out of Debt or Prince Charming Isn't Coming.
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A No-Fail Plan for Achieving Financial Freedom at Any Age