Customer Reviews

Smart Women Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams (Revised Edition)

5 star:		(130)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I am a 29 year old mother of a two year old girl and my husband and I have our own business. I knew absolutely nothing about investing but I felt that we were getting older and we needed to start thinking about saving for the future. This book has opened up a new world to me. We have very little money and I was scared to risk or needlessly spend what we do have. This book has shown me how to secure our financial future. Before this book I never even considered getting life insurance. After reading this book, the first thing I did was go out and buy a term life policy so my daughter will be protected in case anything happens to my husband or myself. My insurance agent was so impressed at what I knew about life insurance that he told me that 95% of the people he sold insurance to did not have my insurance buying knowledge. I learned everything I knew about life insurance in 20 minutes from reading this book. This book lays out in terms that anyone can understand how to protect your family and make your dreams come true. Being a small business owner I especailly appreciated Davids advice for those of us who are self employed. The best part of this book is the section that shows you do not have to be rich to save and invest. Even those of us with modest incomes can achieve our financial goals. It's all about make wise spending choices. The wisest choice of all would be to buy this book! I can't really say enough good things about it. The only part missing for me was a section on investing for college. I was looking for some advice on how to invest for my daughter's college education. I also bought Suze Orman's book Road to Wealth and this topic is covered quite thoroughly in there. Actually whenever I have a financial decision to make I read the topic in David's book and then follow up with Suze's for a second opinion. They always seem to agree in their own ways and I feel like I am making the best decision I can to secure my family's financial future.

I'm turning 40 next year, and I've done a fair share of reading/research on retirement planning -- not a lot, mind you, but a fair bit. Much of it was dry, boring, or just plain incomprehensible. As a result, my savings and investing were haphazard (at best), and my record keeping was, frankly, pathetic.

"Smart Women Finish Rich" has motivated me like nothing else has. I don't know if it's because it's easier to understand and doesn't through a lot of jargon around, or if it's because Bach is so personable and seems genuinely interested in his readers.

What really lit the fire underneath me though were the various charts he had illuminating the value of compounded interest, using time to your advantage, etc. Now, this is something we all "know" at the intellectual level, but the way he presented it was enough to get me off my rear and working on putting my financial house in order.

In the past several days, I have set up my filing system, reviewed my IRA account, requested and reviewed my credit report, opened an account for my "emergency fund" and scheduled automatic deposits, and made a plan for paying down credit card debt. In the next week I'll get the ball rolling to contribute to my employer's 401(k) and get estate planning done for myself and my husband.

I can't say enough good things about how this book has helped me put my financial priorities in order. The reduction in my anxiety level over money is amazing. Well worth it!

I'm a boomer and an artist, and I steadfastly avoid reading "how-to" books about where I "should-be" in my savings. Debentures sounds so much like dentures, that I steer clear of the whole Wall Street world. But David Bach's book, Smart Women Finish Rich, not only penetrated my "artistic curtain," but actually changed my woeful banking habits. His book is clear and precise, underscoring how any woman can be rich, regardless of salary. Kind of "it's-about-savings-stupid" love tap to the wallet side of your brain. Not only do I have an idea what mutual funds, bonds, stocks, T-Bills and T-Notes are, I've put together, for the first time in my life, a portfolio. And it doesn't stop there. Bach writes clearly about health and life insurance policies, and I'm currently reexamining my own. How can a person who comparison shops for canned tomatoes not do the same for insurance and pocket the difference? If you need help getting started on a savings program, don't miss this wise financial primer, written by a guy who handles portfolios worth more than half a billion dollars each year.

I learned a LOT from this book. I didn't know much of anything about investing until I picked it up; know I feel foolish for the years I spent not really knowing what a mutual fund was (it's not really that complicated). Bach is good at clearly explaning the issues without relying heavily on jargon. And the book is full of astonishing charts & graphs detailing how a little bit of savings, invested early enough and wisely, can become a huge pile of money. He also gives tidbits of very helpful advice about related issues, like planning for retirement (start early!), creating a living trust, and insurance needs.

I recommend this book for women (or men) who have little or no knowledge of financial planning. His advice is very basic and simple. It's an easy read, too - I finished it in about 2 hours.

He breaks up his chapters into life stages - reasonably, he advises different strategies for a women in her 20s than for a women in her 50s. I'm young so I read the entire book avidly, but I suspect that an older reader might benefit more from a book directed exclusively to her needs.

One thing really irritated me about Bach's style: he continually gives these (obviously fake) examples of women who burst into his office crying and in the poor house because they acted contrary to his advice. If you have a very low tolerance for simple-minded anecdotes, look elsewhere.

I bought this book after seeing David Bach on Oprah Winfrey. I have, for a long time, been wanting to save money but it never seemed to work. I worried about my future and wanted desperately to invest my money so that when I retired one day I wouldn't have to worry if Social Security would still be around. Of course, I thought you had to have thousands of dollars to do this & so I thought I was hopeless. I bought this book thinking it might give me some ideas, that I would flip around to different chapters & only read what I thought I had to. I was WRONG! David's writing grabs you from the first page. I was actually enjoying reading a financial book like you would a good novel! Not only does the book lay out your options in an easy format but he tells funny & engaging stories from his past that relate to the subject. In just a few nights I found out that I can save and/or invest with as little as $50, learned all there was to know about IRA's, 401k, Mutual Funds, Bonds, and my best options for a person my age. Also given are website addresses to go for more information or to begin saving right from your home. By the time I was done reading I was excited & couldn't wait to begin. David not only has the skill to teach you to make your life better financially, but to get you excited about it! Whether you are 20 or 50 years old, David shows you what to do, and I am thankful he did!

A couple of reviewers blasted this book as being useless rehashed financial advice. I'll bet you anything that those reviewers didn't really give the book a chance. I know because I almost didn't, and initially I had the same reaction as they did.

I'm an intelligent woman, my father and grandmother both taught me about investing growing up...also, as another reviewer mentioned, there are some pretty hokey "personal accounts" used to illustrate lessons, that I could have done without. I bought the book at the airport for something to read on the plane and if I wasn't forced into a situation where I had nothing else to read, I probably never would have made it past the first couple of chapters. I'm so so so very glad that I did.

You can't just skim this book for the bits you think are relevant to you; you have to really get into it. Read it from cover to cover, then go back and start working on the charts like the "values ladder" and "Goals for Designing a Proactive Life" worksheet. Why? Because they make you look long and hard at your own value system, visualize the future you want for yourself, and then write down specific and measurable steps to take to get there...no matter how modest those step may be initially.

I don't make a lot of money, and despite what my father and grandma taught me I've accrued almost 15 grand in credit card debt, not to mention college loans. I work in a field that doesn't really inspire me because I've always wanted to be a full-time artist.

Until I read this book that was just a far off dream. I never really thought about what it would take for me to get there. As Bach says, until you write a goal down with specific steps as to how you will accomplish it, it's not a goal, just a wish that probably won't come true.

It's only been a week and I've already learned so much about myself as well as my finances and I'm happy to say that I've worked out a plan where I will be able to quit my current job and work as a full-time artist within the next ten years. To say this book has changed my life is an understatement. Like many other reviewers before me, I'm buying copies for everyone I know.

I saw this book in a local business publication. I went out and bought it the same week. I am the woman David writes about. I thought I had a good grasp on the finances, after all I balanced the check book, helped pay bills, knew where the money was, etc... But invest? No, my prince charming took care of that for "our" retirement, while I spent my money on daycare and the children's needs. I had a strong marriage with a husband who was looking out for us. Well, prince charming left me 4 days after my 30th birthday and 5 weeks after the birth of our second child. I am left with two children under the age of 4. I have learned soooooo much from this book. I have pitched it to all my friends that will listen. Women MUST save their OWN money. It is incredible what I have learned so far. I've signed up for 401K and written out all my values and goals. I've even discussed "savings" with my 4 year old son. I plan to buy this book for birthday gifts to my friends. Do yourself a huge service and READ THIS BOOK! Women empower yourselves. This is easy to read, follow and put into action. I now know what mutual funds, bonds, stock, and IRA's are. It's not hard and knowledge is power. Good luck!

Absolutely the best financial and inspirational book I have ever read. This is a very personable, well written, understandable, humerous educational read. A man writing for women, where did this guy come from?
I enjoyed the fact David shared with us his own personal experiences, making him immediately "real" and trustworthy to the reader. The author speaks of his grandmother, Rose which instantly allows the reader to recognize this author as a sincere, honest and heart felt man.
I was so impressed by the author that I have put my complete trust in him and have decided to follow his advice to the "T". This is an easy step by step book that anyone can follow. I will keep you posted with the results.
This is a MUST READ for every woman, therefore I have purchased one for my boss, co-worker and sister. I sat my mother (who is visiting me from California) down with Smart Women Finish Rich, she's hooked and she is not even a reader. In addition, I have also ordered Smart Couples Finish Rich for my husband and I to get busy on our plan together.
I have been so uplifted and inspired by this author that I am sharing the good news with every woman I know. I visited the David Bach web-site and signed up to receive his personal newsletter. David shares in his newsletter similar to the way he shares in his book; you feel as if you know him personally and that he truly cares about his audience. The newsletter contains updated information concerning financial matters directly from the author, so be sure to sign up. The site also offers resource information and contact e-mail addresses. I am astonished with the personal response I receive each time I e-mail with a question or comment- What an actual response?
David shares with his audience "how to" and how he did, he offers excellent encouragement and inspiration.
David Bach Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your contributions and sharing your wealth of knowledge with us. Keep up the good work!

This book was recommended by my financial planner, and it is the best book I have read on the subject. I bought it only a couple months ago and have already started to see thousands of dollars in savings. The best thing about the book is that it gives you the confidence to be able to make financial decisions on your own, especially as a woman, for the benefit of the entire family. I would recommend this book for every woman.

I LOVED this book, It really helped me put my financial and future life in order. I am 33 and am a model and have been sort of investing in my future but wasn't sure if I was on the right track. I had tried to read many other books on financial success and ask financial advisors my questions but was always confused and thought the books were a snore. I picked up Davids book at a bookstore and literally could not put it down. It was so insightful, and easy to read, it has many real life instances that we as women can relate to and helps you understand in plain english how to make the most of your life. I know now what to do with my investments and how to make the most of my financial and personal life. I have bought this book for many friends and family, they all love it and are on their way to retiring rich!!!!
Whether you are married or single you as a woman should know everything about your finances and this is a great and easy way to get started on the right track!! It is hard to explain how many ways this book can help your life, its just the best book you could ever read for your present and future wellbeing!!!