On Your Own: A Widow's Passage to Emotional & Financial Well-Being [Hardcover]

Alexandra Armstrong (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0788161903 | ISBN-13: 978-0788161902 | Publication Date: August 1996 | Edition: 2

Profiles four composite women in different life situations and follows each as she deals with grief and loneliness, organizes her finances, works with financial advisors, develops a budget and investment plan, and protects her assets.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"On Your Own confronts the subject with intelligence and compassion. From facing your initial reactions through rebuilding your life, the authors deal with difficult issues clearly and realistically. This is a thoughtful and reliable book to help anyone through the shock and confusion of widowhood." -- Modern Maturity

"On Your Own is more than a financial planning guide. It is also a guide for surviving the emotional rite of passage that surviving spouses must endure. On Your Own is a sensitive and practical work about a necessary but painful period in the life of a widow. Widowers should read it also." -- Bureau of National Affairs

"For all who have asked `What do I do now?' or `Who can help me...?' I recommend On Your Own. Like earlier editions, this is a sensitive and insightful resource for those who have recently experienced (or are preparing to experience) the loss of a spouse. In a highly readable and usable style, the authors lead the reader through important topics often thought to be too intimidating or too confusing for someone wrought with fear and sadness." -- Edward Jay Beckwith

"Help in coping. Here are some places to look for help in getting on with life...On Your Own...practical information on health insurance, estate planning and benefits programs." -- US News & World Report

"If someone you care about is widowed, don't send flowers--send this book!" -- Terry Savage, Author and Columnist Chicago Sun-Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

On Your Own Does Not Mean All Alone

The loss of your husband is likely to be the most traumatic event of your life. You did not choose this painful passage, and chances are you are overwhelmed by the events you now have to face.

In the third edition of this bestselling classic, you will be taken through a series of steps, each designed to help you cope with the psychological and financial issues of widowhood. The book shows you how to respond to the grief you are feeling and move on to reach a state of emotional and financial well-being. Authors Alexandra Armstrong, Certified Financial Planner, and Dr. Mary Donahue, psychologist, firmly believe that there is a connection between your financial and psychological recovery. From mourning through recovery, they will show you how to:

* React to your loss.
* Deal with your emotional needs.
* Develop a psychological and financial support group.
* Organize your finances.
* Develop a budget that works for you.
* Develop a long-term financial plan.
* Protect your assets.
* Start over by moving on.

By sharing the stories of four widows, On Your Own will help you identify factors in your own life that will likely play a role as you move through the various stages of grief. You will probably recognize yourself in one or more of these women. These profiles, combined with the advice, checklists, and worksheets included in On Your Own, will guide you through this very difficult time, as you start your new lifeon your own.

Praise for the previous edition:

"From facing your initial reactions through rebuilding your life, the authors deal with difficult issues clearly and realistically. This is a thoughtful and reliable book to help anyone through the shock and confusion of widowhood." --Modern Maturity --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 377 pages
• Publisher: Diane Pub Co; 2 edition (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0788161903
• ISBN-13: 978-0788161902
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,856,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A widow's best guide, March 4, 2001

By 

Judith McDonald (Hanson, Ma. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Your Own: A Widow's Passage to Emotional & Financial Well-Being (Paperback)

I purchased this book five years ago from Ms. Armstrong at a NAIC Congress in Florida. At the time I purchased it as a reference for my investment club's library. With 21 women in the M & D Investment Club I figured someone would need it sometime. I have skimmed it occasionally through the years but when I recently become widowed it was the first book I brought out. Ms. Armstrong has literally saved me much time and grief in trying to figure out what to do next. There is no time of greater confusion and despair than at the sudden and unexpected loss of a beloved spouse. When I can read this book gives me something to do or think about. The suggestions for organization are excellent and will allow me to make informed descisions instead of emotional decisions. While I did not expect to be the recipient of her wisdom I am grateful for it. I highly recommend it for all women, married, single, divorced or involved in any relationship that has financial involvement. We can't afford to not know how to best proceed with our financial future.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Widow's Advisor, March 2, 2002

By 

Donald M. Kohnstamm (Willamsville, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On Your Own: A Widow's Passage to Emotional & Financial Well-Being (Paperback)

As a financial planner specializing in Wealth Preservation Planning, one aspect of my practice is providing life insurance, when appropriate. As a result, part of my job involves the delivery of death claim checks to widows. Unfortunately, many of them have never had the opportunity to deal with family finances or budgeting - but are suddenly thrown into a situation where they must assume that responsibility. It comes at a time of great instability and disruption.

"On Your Own" by Alexandra Armstrong and Mary R. Donahue deals sensitively with both the emotional and financial issues of widowhood, and provides guidance for both - with compassion and authoritative wisdom. It provides comfort and knowledge in a clever structure which allows the reader to review applications of each chapter's information in one of several optional formats, based upon her individual set of circumstances (young with children, elderly, etc.)

I am so impressed with the book that I give it to each of the beneficiaries to whom I deliver a death claim check. The thank you notes I have received have provided a wonderful reward for sharing this valuable information.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book For My Future, August 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: On Your Own: A Widow's Passage to Emotional & Financial Well-Being (Paperback)

Even though this book was written with widows in mind I found it a thorougly useful and informative work about investing. I am in my late twenties and have a young child. I found that this book was written in a way that made it accessible to me, as I am new to investing and all things financial! The book really made me understand how I should be planning out my financial future. My understanding was helped by the fact that this book was written by two women; I was able to relate to it on a financial and emotional level.