Talking Money: Everything You Need to Know about Your Finances and Your Future [Hardcover]

Jean Sherman Chatzky (Author), Jean Chatzky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2001

Jean Chatzky, featured columnist for Money "RM" magazine and USA Weekend magazine, and a regular contributor to NBC's Today show, unleashes her winning strategies for effective money management, including: -- getting the little problems under control so the larger picture can quickly fall into place -- cutting the interest paid on one credit card to reduce the interest accruing on remaining cards, and to also reduce the interest paid on mortgages or home equity loans -- filling a portfolio and allocating the assets as easily as picking stocks and mutual funds -- and more. Using simple, time-honored methods, Chatzky tells listeners that accomplishing short term goals more quickly allows them to find the money to take that needed vacation or buy that new car, as well as achieving larger goals, like financing college tuition, retirement, or caring for aging parents.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A Today Show contributor and editor for Money magazine, Chatzky walks amateurs through basic decisions like choosing a mortgage, investing for retirement or college, and buying insurance, all in a conversational tone. Some advice is boilerplate (e.g., "When you invest your money, do it in a way that minimizes your tax rate"), but her case studies, clear overviews of financial options and practical tips make it all go down easily. Chatzky's high profile on TV and her five-city author tour and radio satellite tour should quickly land this one on bestseller lists. (Jan.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In this highly popularized approach to financial planning, Chatzky (editor-at-large, Money magazine; financial editor, Today show) applies her down-to-earth style to show how money works. Built on her perspective of today's financial planning realities, which include being responsible for financial security and information overload, she relates her own experience and professional knowledge in this succinct discussion of managing credit, understanding equity, investing in bond funds, and saving for college. The delivery will likely appeal more to twentysomethings, especially those needing special attention regarding credit cards, but others who may not desire to listen to Chatzky's "Buffy" sounding narration might instead prefer to direct their attention to the works of Robert T. Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad), Margaret Malaspina (Don't Die Broke), or Jonathan Pond (Your Money Matters), which all cover basically the same material. Recommended only for demand in smaller public libraries. Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 290 pages
• Publisher: Warner Business (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446525707
• ISBN-13: 978-0446525701
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,750,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! An excellent, clear, take-charge guide!, January 10, 2001

By 

C. Wong "CarmenWU" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talking Money: Everything You Need to Know about Your Finances and Your Future (Hardcover)

This is an excellent, fundamental guide to taking control of your finances! As a 20-something with everything from looming graduate loans, to wanting to save to buy a home, Jean's advice is exactly the clear, basic, and never-boring information-guide I was looking for. After watching her for a couple years on the Today show, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the book encompasses most every topic she has covered in interviews, and then some - and so well!! I was especially grateful for the sections on aging parents and family finances - which tend not to be in other, more 'fluffy' personal finance books.. There is so much must-have information here. I highly recommend it!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great information and easy-to-read, January 9, 2001

By 

Heather Forrest (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talking Money: Everything You Need to Know about Your Finances and Your Future (Hardcover)

I found this book to be a pure joy. Jean Chatzky's writing style mirrors her effective presentation as a regular on the Today show. Sure, some of the information is old news, but only because the book is just so complete. Her writing style makes even typically dull subjects like mortgages and credit cards fun as well as clear. I'd recommend this book for anyone who is intimidated by personal finance, anyone who thinks they need financial advice, and, yes, even those who think they do not. Tons of info and a pleasure to peruse.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too Superficial, January 20, 2001

By 

Ann Jacoby - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talking Money: Everything You Need to Know about Your Finances and Your Future (Hardcover)

If this book is supposed to get us up to speed on important financial decisions then why does it spend so little time on very important topics (only 1 1/2 pages on bonds and less than 2 pages on mutual funds)?

We need to invest to have money as we get older or to send our kids to college but this book has no more substance than a thin pamphlet.

After reading almost half of this book I feel like I now know less than I knew when I bought it. This book had potential but it totally misses the mark because you walk away with almost no usable information.

What a waste.