The Green Magazine Guide to Personal Finance: A No B.S. Money Book for Your Twenties and Thirties (Paperback)

~ Ken Kurson (Author) "Every personal finance book begins with the same instructions: add up everything you've got and subtract everything you owe..." (more)
Key Phrases: Ken Kurson, Social Security, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kurson does an amazing job of writing a book on financing that's actually an enjoyable read. It's filled with funny and enlightening stories, pop culture references, and clear, useful examples. -- Wired, Gareth Branwyn

Product Description

Straight-up, jargon-free advice on personal finance for those made nauseous by the phrase "personal finance."

What the hell's a stock? A bond? A mutual fund? And why do I need to know?

Is it better to start investing, or pay off that lingering credit card balance?

Should I borrow money to buy a bungalow? A Jaguar? A jalopy? How?

What's so great about compound interest anyway?

Is the price of this book tax-deductible?

The Green Magazine Guide to Personal Finance answers these questions and provides savvy, sensible money advice for anyone who doesn't want to wade through lots of b.s. Ken Kurson, editor of the critically acclaimed Green magazine, demystifies all types of personal financial matters--investing, retirement planning, credit card debt, student loans, first-time home buying, insurance, taxes--as well as providing valuable information on learning to live within your means, dealing with deadbeat roommates or spendthrift boyfriends, and putting on a cheap wedding. Ken Kurson's engaging yet always pragmatic money-speak is enlivened with real-life examples, pie charts, comics, and dead-on humor. His advice doesn't always sound like Dad's, but it's every bit as solid. The Green Magazine Guide is the only book that speaks to all those who are cynical, intimidated, or simply flummoxed about money matters.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Main Street Books; 1st Main Street Books ed edition (March 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385487592
• ISBN-13: 979-0385487596
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,103,957 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent intro to understanding personal finance terms., October 3, 1999

By A Customer

If you really want to get started taking charge of your own financial situation, this book is a must-have. I've highlighted sections of mine and can go back and refer to it because everything is in plain English- but the author doesn't talk down to you. I'm going to give this to all of my younger family and friends as a college graduation present. The analysis of different types of investments, insurance plans, terminology, and etc. is excellent and now I have enough confidence in my own knowledge to move to the next step of actual money management.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real gift to those of us a bit spooked by money, January 17, 2001

By	John McGowan (Des Moines, Iowa) - See all my reviews

I received this book as a gift from my girlfriend, who keeps trying to persuade me to save money for retirement, invest in a 401k, blah, blah, blah. I can't help it - I have a mental block about money, it just intimidates me. Well, it did until I got this book. It's written in normal english and it explains everything, not just the concepts, but WHY my life will improve if I understand this stuff. My only regret is not having the book about five years ago. Have already read it twice, and am already dispensing advice to my friends now, and even a little to my girlfriend. Really good job by the author.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A totally fun money book for people scared of money, October 23, 1998

By A Customer

Practically my whole life, I've felt the need to know more about personal finance, but I was too afraid of all the jargon the guys in suits on TV would spew every time I tried to learn. This book's different. Somehow, the author writes like people really talk and think, and I learned more valuable stuff about what to do with the few bucks I have spilling over every month in the first couple chapters than I did trying to follow all the TV shows. A definite keeper for young people who don't like to be B.Sed.