Customer Reviews

The Standard & Poor's Guide to Saving and Investing for College

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own and run a small investment firm and this book is what we give our clients to read. We also train our brokers and advisors with this book (among others). Of course, plans and details change constantly, but we feel this is a more than adequate book that's pretty straight and to the point on information for the average person.

I get the feeling they were trying to be "politically correct" in mentioning a lot of plans and ideas on how to save without trying to piss of mutual funds and other managers though. So many states have weird plans that allow little choice to the consumer besides 3 choices. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wish they didn't pull punches and really reviewed and said what they really thought sometimes :-)

This book is a must read for the parents whose children will someday attend college. I wish I had had this book when my children were little. After reading it I gave it to my daughter and son-in-law who just had a baby. They agreed and learned so much about the different ways to save for your child's education. With the price of college rising, you can not afford not to read this book.

David Braverman, a senior director at Standard & Poor's, looks at how financial aid can be part of your savings plan, how to use 529 and Coverdell plans effectively, and the new tax benefits available. For people who are serious about preparing for one of the major expenditures of their entire lives, this is one of the books you need to read early on. Definitely worth a read.

Tom Nixon
Cheap College Degrees website
http://www.cheapdegrees.com

David Braverman's book is a great help in understanding how to finance a college education. It gives families the financial knowledge they need to plan and choose wisely for the future. This book cuts through all the confusion and is clear and easy to read. It's a wonderful guide and resource for all families investing in college.

Successfully finding a book regarding how to save for college depends heavily on the background of the reader. I am mathematically adept (majored in economics) and not a novice regarding buying and selling securities (but I don't go short or do derivatives directly). I needed a book that contains strategies that incorporate the current version of the tax code and investment basics. After some false starts (see some of my other reviews for these), I found this book to be a delight. Finally, somewhat unusual for me, I am keeping this book for future reference even after reading it.

I purchased this book and the "Dummies Guide to 529." I thought this book would be more informative given its Standard & Poor's association. Instead, much of the book was filled with lists of merchants (for upromise) and specific examples that did not pertain to me. I did not find any basic, straightforward information about 529's. I found better information using the internet! I wish this book had explained what to consider when selecting a 529 in checklist form. I wish I had not purchased this book.

After my baby was born, I knew I wanted to save for her college. I read this book and another 529 book. This book was ok. I got more information from the 529 for Dummies book. It walked me through the college savings process, explained how to get college financing, and listed all the 529 companies to go with for each state. It decussed tax issues as well. This is not an easy read for someone that does not have a clue about 529's (Me).