Does This Make My Assets Look Fat?: A Woman's Guide to Finding Financial Empowerment and Success [Hardcover]

Susan L. Hirshman (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 14, 2010

As Susan Hirshman sees it, the rules of successful dieting are the same rules that apply to successful money management. In this upbeat and informative guide she offers women a 3-phase personalized plan that follows common dieting programs to help them understand their finances.

The structure of the book is consistent with that of a typical diet book - it includes an evaluation phase, an induction phase, and a maintenance regimen.  Susan offers specific advice on topics that matter most to women including how to develop realistic and attainable goals, how to make smart financial decisions, how to determine the best way to invest based on a reader’s 'investment personality’, and how and when to get professional help from a financial advisor all while relating it back to a theme that practically every woman has experienced at least once in her life – dieting!. 

Susan's program completely removes the intimidation factor that often accompanies the words ‘personal finance' and 'investing’ and provides women with all the information they need to take control of their financial situations once and for all.

 

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A comprehensive and coherent breakdown of basic financial and wealth management information from a J.P. Morgan financial adviser. An increasing number of women are controlling more and more of the wealth in America, but studies suggest that women's financial literacy is not increasing. Hirshman, who counsels investors on their personal finances, uses comparisons with dieting--a framework also used in Alice Wood's excellent Wealth Watchers--and the metaphor holds up well: both dieting and investing require discipline, take time, and yield rewards. Hirshman presents reviewing a net worth statement as "stepping on the financial scales," and investment categories as the basic food groups. Though it's not overtly stated, the advice is aimed at an audience with a fairly old-fashioned view of finances--she speaks passionately about the need for women to be equal partners in their marital finances and admonishes women that "a man is not a financial plan." Hirshman provides all of the information necessary for a solid financial background, and cheers on her readers with a positive message: "The only person responsible for you is you."
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Review

“Imagine a banker with world-class credentials sitting down at your kitchen table to hold your hand, offer you tea and sympathy, and set up your financial life, savings, retirement, and insurance . . . and the detailed goals quiz alone is worth the book price.”—New York Post

“Hirshman’s advice is sound and far from watered down for the female audience.”—Forbes.com

“By recasting investment decisions into a more familiar realm, Susan Hirshman shows that demystification by analogy really works, and your assets will be the major beneficiary.” —Derrick Niederman, author of Number Freak  

"Women, this one’s for you... if you think you are a little rusty on your financial picture or you let someone else handle the big stuff, there’s new book on the market teaching women to be financially literate and watch your money exactly the way you watch your calories — carefully with an accountable eye." —DIYFrugal.com

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (September 14, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312385536
• ISBN-13: 978-0312385538
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant! May 16, 2011

By Christine Havairis

Format:Hardcover

I bought this book after hearing the author speak recently. What's inside is every bit as clever and fun as the adorable cover. Susan's intelligence and wit come through in a big way to make what can be a scary and very dry subject very manageable, and yes, even fun! As a CPA & financial planner myself, I find myself using Susan's colorful food metaphors repeatedly.

So many people I meet just want to feel smarter about their money, and this book will definitely do that! I highly recommend it whether you're starting out investing, or well on your way! It can help both DIYers and those who work with advisors feel on solid ground in their financial life.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read November 12, 2010

By cd

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been presenting Women's seminars for many years (reading many many books on women and their finances) and have yet to come upon such an ingenious idea as what Susan has presented in this book. Actually had the opportunity to meet Susan and she is as warm and approachable as her book. A great gift idea for yourself, your daughters, ganddaughters, neices, the list goes on.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Foundation for financial planning June 27, 2011

By Paula

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The writing style is easy and entertaining. It's a great tool for understanding the lingo of financial investing and planning. Now that I've finished the book, I will use it as a reference book. It's book that I've recommended to my friends.