Customer Reviews

I'm in Debt, Over 40, with No Retirement Savings. HELP!

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

As a freelance writer myself, the first thought that occurred to me before I was halfway through this book was, how in the world did this guy find a publisher? At the very least, any "how-to" book worth half its salt should provide specific, detailed instructions on how to go about accomplishing the task set forth in its title. Instead, this book strays off topic. Instead of explaining how to get out of debt, most of its pages discuss how to buy a used car, an existing home, used furniture, and cut down on simple expenses such as candy bars and cable tv. Nevertheless, I perservered through it before making a final judgement.

After finishing it in less than an hour, I am thoroughly disgusted. This book offers so little in the way of practical solutions, I feel entitled to a refund. A quick search online reveals that the publisher, Everlove and Bohannon is owned by the author, John White, and apparently has produced only one title - this one. What does this tell you? If anyone can write a truly valuable book on the topic of digging out of a middle-aged financial crisis, they will be able to sell their proposal to the highest bidding publisher, rather than self-publish.

The only saving grace of this book is that it doesn't offer any really bad advice. It offers a lot of good sentiment about the mindset of frugality, and the appendix lists some very good books on money management.

For anyone who is in serious financial trouble with a steep ratio of unsecured, high interest credit card debt and little in the way of assets (i.e.; home equity), however, I strongly urge you: DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY buying this book!! If you can avoid this and 9 other books like this one, written by self-proclaimed and self-published experts, you will have saved yourself $150.

Note to the author: Mr. White, as a writer myself, I normally adhere to my grandmother's sage advice - say something nice or nothing at all. You have written on a subject that is too important, however, and it affects millions of people - debt management is far too complex and life-changing to be to be skimmed over and treated with platitudes. If you ever want to rewrite and revise, I strongly suggest that you offer the reader a basic threshold diagram explaining debt to income ratio, and the tipping point at which bankruptcy (Chapter 7) must be carefully weighed and considered, as opposed to seeking help through Consumer Credit Counseling Service. Otherwise, your book is akin to a first aid manual that makes no mention of CPR.

Written by a real life survivor who climbed out of debt to credit card companies to re-establish positive net worth, John L. White's I'm In Debt, Over 40, With No Retirement Savings. Help! is a very practical survival guide to improving an otherwise bleak financial situation. From breaking bad spending habits; to keeping expensive teenagers in check; to saving money on the family car; to buying an affordable mortgage; developing a mind set conducive to savings; and so much more, I'm In Debt, Over 40, With No Retirement Savings. Help! is an easy-to-understand, "must-read", for anyone approaching middle age or older who finds themselves ill prepared for a financially comfortable retirement.

This book was the worst. Calling it a book is laughable, since it's the size of a pamphlet - 120 pages! Two-thirds of the book was autobiographical and had no useful information at all. The rest of the book had all of the same tips that you usually find in these type of books, (e.g. save money, only buy items used or in bulk, contribute to your company's 401k, etc.) And there were actually two chapters devoted to buying a car!

If you are looking for a good book on getting out of debt, buy any or all of the Jerrold Mundis books.

The moment I started reading this book I could not put it down! It was a very easy and entertaining read. What I found inspiring and enlightening was the personal desire to improve ones financial well-being, and the lessons that were learned when it was realized.

Initially spending habits remained pretty much the same, except with one troubling exception. Instead of running out of pocket cash and with it the ability to buy anything, now your improved financial income earned you the privilege to buy with credit and your buying power was only limited by the card's credit limit! The more you bought on credit and paid each month, the more your credit limit increased, along with your credit rating, which attracted other credit card institutions to give you their pre-approved credit card which added to your overall credit limit. Can you see where this is going?

But this book has a happy ending.

The book begins to take you through the simple and everyday things that you either ignore or take for granted. Just by applying a few easy money saving and earning techniques, you can accumulate a significant amount of money over time. We're not talking about a get rich quick scheme, rather a disciplined approach to spending with tips that can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars when you have to part with your hard earned dollars.

This book speaks in simple and clear terms. No dictionary or financial consultants are needed to understand and use its straightfoward tips. Buy this book today and it will pay for itself on your next trip to the grocery store!

I read this book in two days and to be honest I'm really surprised as to how many people gave this book 5 stars. Forgive me but you must have very low standards to give this one such high ratings. Almost half the book talks about insurances,mortgages, how to drive really old cars and not spend money on new ones (so as to save), how to not go to restaurants too often and not buy things that you won't really use. That's about it. And I bought this book thinking that I would get some expert advise that I didn't know myself already. Sorry!

This was a disappointment. I expected some new ideas or at least a guide to resources but all I got from it was get a better job and pay your debts off as fast as you can.I think my own father would have been just as much help.

This book really resonated with me, both cognitively and affectively. The information was good, but mainly the author's writing style and anecdotes made for rich, compelling reading.

I felt like the author was writing about me and speaking to me. I could definitely relate to the chapter called "Are You a Slave to Your Possessions?" I realized that we (my wife & kids and I) have spent so much money on things (the author calls it Junk) that we didn't need and never used. On top of that, the stuff becomes a pain because you have to clean it, store it, move it, yada, yada, yada. For the first time, it really registered with me that if we curtail our impulse buying it will keep us from wasting so much money on things that just wind up in the garage for a few years, then ultimately end up being thrown out or donated to Goodwill.

Another chapter that hit home was "Retirement, Will You Get There?". Now that I'm no longer a kid (and sold my motorcycle), I realize that I'll probably live to see 65. If I don't make some changes, the only thing I'll have to live on is Social Security (I don't have a company pension). Reading that chapter changed my life -- I have to get serious about saving today, I can't wait any longer.

Great Book!

I ordered this book for my Mother (she's doesn't have much saved for retirement). If she doesn't make some changes, and start saving money, all she's going to have is Social Security..I don't want to see that happen to her.

Before I gave it to her I figured I would browse through it myself and I'm glad I did because it made me realize that pretty soon, I'll be in her shoes if I don't make some changes about my spending habits.

Almost every payday, I go out shopping to buy something new for myself. My sister and I were raised to shop. My Mom used to take us shopping almost every Saturday when we grew up. After reading this book, it made me think twice about that. A lot of the clothes I bought are just hanging in my closet, and I've maybe worn them once or twice. Instead of spending so much money on Junk? as the author refers to it, I decided to put it in a savings plan at work.

The chapter on buying used was good, it made a lot of sense to me. I was raised with the idea you should only buy new. Kind of like if you didn't buy new, you weren't treating yourself right or that only poor people shop for used things. In the future, I'm going to shop for used things first.

I think my Mom will like it because it makes you realize it's never too late to start saving. I'm going to tell her to give it to my sister after she's done with it.

I've never finished a novel but have always been interested in finance and technical articles. When I purchased this book to read I never thought I would finish it but bam I'm done! This book was so easy to read and follow and just full of common sense tips about how to keep your butt out of debt. Whew! Get this book for you and your kids! It's never too late to start living right and being able to sleep at night knowing that what you have is yours and nobody can take it away from you. Now that's what I call the American DREAM! This would make a great Christmas stocking stuffer that they will keep their pockets full of Christmas cheer the whole year through!

I'm In Debt, Over 40, With No Retirement Savings. Help! is an easy-to-understand, "must-read". I've found most financial books to be cumbersome to get through with not enough "here's how to do it" information. This book is a funny, practical quick read with real life examples and stories. My hat's off to the author for bringing a potentially difficult subject "to life".