Don't Spend Your Raise : And 59 Other Money Rules You Can't Afford to Break [Paperback]

Dara Duguay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 16, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0071402225 | ISBN-13: 978-0071402224 | Edition: 1

A survival guide for young adults to turn financial chaos into financial order

Consider these facts. The average college student graduates owing almost $20,000 in student loans. In addition, nearly 10 percent of undergraduates owe more than $7,000 in credit card debt. Young Americans aged 15-­25 filed bankruptcy at a record rate in 2000, accounting for nearly 7 percent of the nation's personal bankruptcies. Clearly, young people today need help managing their money better.

Don't Spend Your Raise, by one of America's leading advocates for personal finance education, offers young people in college or just starting out in the real world practical, doable "money rules" to help them handle their money more wisely and dramatically increase their personal wealth. It does not contain lengthy, complicated charts and equations for financial analysis and planning.

Instead, it presents 60 clear, uncomplicated, easy-to-follow dictates­­such as Never have more than two credit cards, never buy a new car, and don't fly first class for the free cocktails­­which, if followed, will guarantee fewer money mistakes and more money successes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...delightful..." -- The Detroit News, April 14, 2003

"A 'Poor Richard's Almanac' for modern times. Read one chapter each day and you will improve your financial well-being immeasurably. " -- Stephen Brobeck, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of America

"Dara Duguay's new book can help rescue the next generation from the financial sins of their elders. " -- Sam Gerdano, Executive Director, American Bankruptcy Institute

"No matter your age or financial status, this book is a gem of insight and guidance to financial self-reliance. " -- H. Randy Lively, President and CEO, American Financial Services Association.

...immerse yourself in this book. Duguay's rules will no doubt help you make fewer financial mistakes. -- Washington Post, June 8, 2003

From the Back Cover

A easy-to-understand guide to mastering your money and getting a smart start on your financial life

If you're a college student or recent grad, chances are you're drowning in debt. That's because, like most Americans, you probably spend more than you make. In fact, the average college student graduates owing almost $30,000 to student-loan agencies and credit-card companies. But it's never too late to start making smart money choices. And with the easy-to-follow advice found in Don't Spend Your Raise, those choices don't have to be painful ones.

Written by one of America's leading advocates for personal finance education, this book offers dozens of practical, painless "money rules" guaranteed to help you make fewer money mistakes and instead make smarter decisions. You can start leading a more prosperous life with these simple, but powerful rules:

• Never have more than two credit cards
• Balance your checkbook
• Develop a credit history during college
• Never buy a new car
• Check your future spouse's credit report
• And many more

Take charge of your financial future today! And remember: money doesn't buy happiness, but money troubles will make you miserable.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (December 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071402225
• ISBN-13: 978-0071402224
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,280,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dara Duguay is the former Director of Citi's Office of Financial Education where she oversaw Citi's global, company-wide financial education efforts, including a $200 million 10-year commitment to support initiatives in over 50 countries. Ms. Duguay also served as the Executive Director of the non-profit Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy a national coalition of organizations dedicated to improving the financial literacy of kindergarten through college-age youth, and prepare youth for life-long successful financial decision-making.

Previously, she was the Director of Education for the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Los Angeles and a professor at the University of Phoenix and California State University. Dara is the author of three critically acclaimed personal finance books: The Citi Commonsense Money Guide for Real People; Please Send Money: A Financial Survival Guide for Young Adults on Their Own; and Don't Spend Your Raise: And 59 Other Money Rules You Can't Afford to Break.

Ms. Duguay is considered a national expert on personal finance, with over 20 years of active involvement in a wide range of financial education issues. A frequent resource of information to the media, Dara has appeared on ABC World News, CNN and on international outlets. Ms. Duguay currently records a monthly segment called "Financial Fitness" for Clear Channel. She also is a featured columnist in Military Money, a magazine distributed to the U.S. Military.

An accomplished public speaker, Ms. Duguay has spoken in front of audiences at hundreds of major conferences, including: the G8 Summit in Moscow on financial literacy; the European Commission's Summit on financial capacity; the OECD annual meeting; the National Association of State Treasurers; the Society of American Business Editors and Writers; and the American Bankers Association.

Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Duguay has received the Medal of Merit from the U.S. Department of Treasury (Savings Bond Volunteer Committee), and was appointed to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Economics Steering Committee.

Ms. Duguay earned a Master of Arts in International Relations from Schiller University in Paris, France and participated in "Semester at Sea" a global study abroad experience. Duguay received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dara currently resides in Washington, DC.

For more information on Dara, please visit www.DaraDollarSmart.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got Debt?? Read This Book, February 16, 2003

By 

alfonso v. guida, jr. (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Spend Your Raise : And 59 Other Money Rules You Can't Afford to Break (Paperback)

Having struggled with substantial credit card debt and personal problems over the last few years, I turned to Dara Duguay's "Dont Spend Your Raise And 59 Other Money Rules You Can't Afford To Break" for sound advice on budget and financial planning. I found it to be absolutely invaluble. Ms. Duguay not only provides the black letter rules that help with day-to-day and month-to-month spending decisions, but she also pares them with real life stories that bring the rules to life. For example, she advises consumers to set aside money for an emergency fund, and then tells the story of poor Brendy who had to take job at Starbucks after her boyfriend left her just to pay the monthly bills.

Like I said, an invaluable book....for yourself....or for your kids who are just graduating from high school or college.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Here is one more money saving tip, September 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Spend Your Raise : And 59 Other Money Rules You Can't Afford to Break (Paperback)

I have been reading lots of these types of books of late so I feel that i have a pretty good sense of what is good and what is not.

Here is tip number 61: dont buy this book, it is so simple and basic that only a 15 year old starting out with his first job could possibly find the content useful. Instead I would purchase "The Wealthy Barber," a useful and timeless classic, and its Canadian content is a plus.

If you are still curious then follow this advice instead, go to the bookstore and spend 10 minutes reviewing the headlines in each chapter. There is not much more depth beyond those words.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't afford not to own this book, June 12, 2003

By 

Paige Lewis (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Spend Your Raise : And 59 Other Money Rules You Can't Afford to Break (Paperback)

Tackling personal finance as a young adult is extremely difficult, especially if you don't know where to start. As a recent college graduate with too much debt, too many credit cards, and too little income, I was looking for a way to get myself on track. I picked up a copy of "Don't Spend Your Raise" and immediately discovered that I couldn't put it down! Ms. Duguay's recommendations have been so helpful to me. Do yourself a favor and spend the twelve bucks on this book. It might save you thousands down the road..