The Smart Cookies' Guide to Making More Dough: How Five Young Women Got Smart, Formed a Money Group, and Took Control of Their Finances (Hardcover)

by The Smart Cookies (Author), Jennifer Barrett (Author)
Key Phrases: smart steps, perfect day exercise, money group members, Est Month, United States, Monthly Average Monthly Totals (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. In 2006, a group of 20-something women saw an episode of Oprah that featured financial experts offering advice on paying down debt. Though all five were outwardly confident in their careers and goals, they were secretly drowning financially; between them, they had a combined $35,000 in credit card debt and barely any savings. Inspired by what they'd seen, they started a money group and took responsibility for educating themselves about spending (and saving) habits, goals and investments. Within a year they made great strides: they'd added thousands to retirement accounts, paid off more than $15,000 in credit card debt, saved more than $15,000 and had all bought or were well on their way to buying homes. The enterprising authors address the nitty-gritty of goal-setting, negotiations for raises, debt management and mortgages, and their plainspoken, encouraging style and helpful breakdown of information make this the perfect gift for recent grads—or anyone who needs convincing that financial health is attainable. (Oct.)
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Review
"Anyone who's afraid to take hold of her financial life should grab this inspiring book with both hands. These five women, who started as a 'collective financial mess,' turned their situations around in less than a year. They can show you how to do the same."—Liz Pulliam Weston, MSN Money columnist and author of Deal With Your Debt and Easy Money

"Smart Cookies is a great motivator for anyone looking to sharpen their financial skills and shine a bright light on their financial life. Witty and insightful, this book shows people how they can band together and achieve their financial wishes by getting those dirty little money secrets out in the open and working in concert with one another. It's a great read."—Howard S. Dvorkin, founder of Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc., author of Credit Hell: How to Dig Out of Debt

“A perfect gift for recent grads—or anyone who needs convincing that financial health is attainable.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review


From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385342446
• ISBN-13: 978-0385342445
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #439,171 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Are you kidding me?, February 20, 2009

By	Libraries Rule! (Athens, GA United States) - See all my reviews

I can't believe this book. How are these women able to write this book with a straight face? This isn't a book for the average woman, it's for rich girls with no sense. They share personal stories about how to cut back; and I laughed at every one of them. One of them owed 12 pairs of $300 jeans. Are you kidding me? I own two pairs of jeans, and the most I have ever paid for jeans was $35, and that felt like a splurge. They suggest taking your lunch to work instead of eating out, reducing your number of lattes, and only buying a few designer pieces of clothing. What a joke! In the real world, all the women I know bring a lunch to work. I don't know anyone with a designer anything. One of the women in the book was proud that she and her spouse figured out how to live on just one of their salaries and save the rest...they were making a combined $150,000. Their one salary was still way above what my husband and I make combined. So if you are trying to figure out how to save up for a trip to a spa (3 nights for two people: $6000. This is an actual example from the book; I'm not making this up.), then this might be the book for you. If you are already juggling a mortgage, keeping a 14 year old car running with frequent trips to the mechanic, student loans, and any type of medical bill, this in NOT the book for you. If you are an airhead who already makes well above the median income of the average US citizen but still manages to spend it all in one month ($500 dresses for dates! Crazy!) then this book might help you out.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book - follow the steps!, October 16, 2008

By	Michael (Toronto, Ontario) - See all my reviews

Great stocking stuffer for this XMAS - especially in these tough times!! This is simple practical guide to getting your financial house in order. What I like are the personal stories that make sense for everyone. They really push "know your numbers.."....very smart :)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrift, January 11, 2009

By	Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The authors show the public how to reduce reliance
on credit. They make statements that appear to be
quite true in my own experience. i.e.
o interest doubles on late payments as penalties rise
o a good payment history drastically reduces interest
o users of credit cards should ponder the alternative
use of the money
o split appetizers at fancy restaurants
o take advantage of muni-facilities for the public
o examine how long mutual funds have been in business
o review mutual fund manager experience

I would add to this the 424 Dividend Boost Program.
The program allows you to buy shares from participating
companies like Pepsi, Altria and Wal-Mart. Simply
ask the company for the required forms
( investor relations), execute them and mail a
check for the purchase. There are no broker
fees whatsoever. In addition, make certain that you
take full advantage of the dividend re-investment feature
so that the stock portfolio grows even quicker.

Good luck and open up more of these investment clubs.
This is the best way to avoid stock market rip-offs
of all kinds.