4.28

3

Jan 06, 2007

While this is a decent guide to budgeting, saving, and investing, the c. 2000 edition felt very dated. (See, for instance, the chapter praising the man making a 50% return on his dot com stock portfolio, and criticizing the woman whose portfolio was balanced and made "only" 11% annually. I wonder who still had retirement savings in 2001.)

I would probably recommend this title to women with established money management problems, or more mature women. If you're young, just landed your first job, While this is a decent guide to budgeting, saving, and investing, the c. 2000 edition felt very dated. (See, for instance, the chapter praising the man making a 50% return on his dot com stock portfolio, and criticizing the woman whose portfolio was balanced and made "only" 11% annually. I wonder who still had retirement savings in 2001.)

I would probably recommend this title to women with established money management problems, or more mature women. If you're young, just landed your first job, and want some guidance, read Suze Orman instead: she addresses issues like credit card debt, student loans, and how to live on a low income--and her tone is snappier, her expectations more realistic and forgiving (because, after all, you're 20, not 40).

Smart Women Finish Rich, on the other hand, spends a long time dealing with women's emotional relationship to money, and how to develop a healthy attitude about spending and saving. The first chapters help you explore why you earn what you do, what you do with it, and then direct you into different courses of action based on your ultimate life and financial goals. This kind of thinking is a good reality check, and can help you develop sustainable money management strategies over the long term, but the reader looking for a lot of hard financial advice upfront might find this book too psychological. ...more

4

Oct 12, 2007

Just in the way of explanation. This was the first book David Bach wrote b/c it was his grandmother who taught him about personal finances and in his financial advisor business he was tired of seeing women not knowing anything about money after a divorce. I bought it for a few women in my famiy and friend circle, but I never give a book to someone without reading it first. Now you now why I read a book entitle Smart Women Finish Rich =) It is a great read regardless of your sex.

4

Aug 24, 2008

Self help books are not my "thing" but this one I really liked for two reasons. First, it was a step by step instruction on what to do and how to do it to get your financial life in order. The beginning step is to buy folders. Then the author tells you how to label them and what to put in them. Seriously. This is the sort of guidance I need. Maybe most people know what they have but when you have a family, house, job and so on things get away from you and it is hard to get a handle on where all Self help books are not my "thing" but this one I really liked for two reasons. First, it was a step by step instruction on what to do and how to do it to get your financial life in order. The beginning step is to buy folders. Then the author tells you how to label them and what to put in them. Seriously. This is the sort of guidance I need. Maybe most people know what they have but when you have a family, house, job and so on things get away from you and it is hard to get a handle on where all the money, insurance, retirement accounts, savings accounts, wills and so on are. The second thing I liked about the book was that it had very specific tips on how women should save differently from men. For example, women live 20% longer so the rule that you should have 10% of your salary isn't enough for women, we should save 12%. If you are looking for answers on where to put your money, this isn't that sort of investing book. If you feel like you need to start saving but feel you don't have extra cash or you are overwhelmed by trying to figure out where to start or if you are doing the right things related to your financial life, this is a great book to get you started without a financial advisor. ...more

5

Jan 30, 2009

This book changed my life. For some of you who are more financially aware it might not have such a dramatic effect but for me, a 30 year old with no retirement started and paltry savings, it was a god-send. The most valuable thing for me was that it helped me set some financial goals and it got me interested in attaining them. Thoughout the book he speaks to those people who may earn tiny salaries - such as us ladies in non-profits - and gives you confidence that you can achieve your goals too, This book changed my life. For some of you who are more financially aware it might not have such a dramatic effect but for me, a 30 year old with no retirement started and paltry savings, it was a god-send. The most valuable thing for me was that it helped me set some financial goals and it got me interested in attaining them. Thoughout the book he speaks to those people who may earn tiny salaries - such as us ladies in non-profits - and gives you confidence that you can achieve your goals too, that talking about money isn't just for rich people. ...more

0

Aug 16, 2019

I'm refusing to rate this book, on the basis that I am not yet a millionaire.

Further bulletins as events warrant.

2

Feb 04, 2011

Pretty elementary - should be read in high school. Don't pay for his books. Adults - Just read the chapters you need in the library standing in front of the shelf. (It is that fast.) Kids - Read his books and do what they say. I felt this was pretty remedial and outdated.

3

Nov 14, 2013

Like most finance books, this one became rapidly dated (savings accounts at 4%? Ahahahaha) but it's still good on general financial literacy. And I do endorse his project here of speaking specifically to women and women's financial concerns – make less, live longer, get screwed in the divorce. I just wish he hadn't accompanied that agenda with a lot of gender bullshit about how women and men are fundamentally different in how they invest and women have more patience, everybody, it just comes Like most finance books, this one became rapidly dated (savings accounts at 4%? Ahahahaha) but it's still good on general financial literacy. And I do endorse his project here of speaking specifically to women and women's financial concerns – make less, live longer, get screwed in the divorce. I just wish he hadn't accompanied that agenda with a lot of gender bullshit about how women and men are fundamentally different in how they invest and women have more patience, everybody, it just comes pre-installed as part of vaginas, obviously.

Still, I wish I'd read this eight years ago in my first real job, when I didn't understand tax-deferred accounts or insurance and just flailed vaguely around learning on the go. For contrast, today I bought shares of an index fund that tracks the MSCI real estate investment trust index, and I did it with confidence and as much knowledge as I wanted. This book didn't get me from there to here, but if I'd read it at the right time it would have saved a lot of effort.

Still would have been annoying, though.
...more

3

Jul 28, 2008

A good reminder to not spend everything you make! Some good tips on how to save and invest money to maximize returns and basically how to keep your financial house in order. Giving up a latte a day can make a huge difference in your savings account over 20 years.

1

Aug 29, 2018

It took me forever to make myself finish this book. Whereas I believe the premise is great (ensuring women take charge of their finances, etc), I found much of this book to be condescending. The author relies on extremely outdated stereotypes and what seems like obvious stories of fiction. Some of the tips are good but not anything that you probably haven’t heard many times over (at least those of us that are drawn to books like this). I can appreciate the effort and applaud the author for It took me forever to make myself finish this book. Whereas I believe the premise is great (ensuring women take charge of their finances, etc), I found much of this book to be condescending. The author relies on extremely outdated stereotypes and what seems like obvious stories of fiction. Some of the tips are good but not anything that you probably haven’t heard many times over (at least those of us that are drawn to books like this). I can appreciate the effort and applaud the author for anyone that this helps, but I’m just not a fan. ...more

4

Jul 08, 2011

Changed my perspective on how I looked at money when I first read this 15 years ago! Enjoyed picking it up and re-reading the highlighted parts recently.

5

Jan 29, 2011

I spent a large portion of today resting & reading. This book is so much better than Suze Orman's 'Women & Money', because it gets past the initial shock of women being clueless about money (I know I am... which would make her cringe to hear).

It gives practical advice on how to change bad habits by forcing you to think about your values. How could I not save money??? Don't I want future comforts??? I feel like an idiot now... but hopefully now I have a reason & means to change.

5

Nov 24, 2017

I would recommend this book as a beginner financial education book and a life coach book. What I love about this book is that, instead of a cold blooded financial education, through this book I can feel the passion and the real author as a person. I really enjoy reading it, for one I got to learn some financial basis, and for second I get some valuable advice on life. I borrowed an ebook from the library but now I am going to buy a copy for my husband and me for reference. It's one of the books I would recommend this book as a beginner financial education book and a life coach book. What I love about this book is that, instead of a cold blooded financial education, through this book I can feel the passion and the real author as a person. I really enjoy reading it, for one I got to learn some financial basis, and for second I get some valuable advice on life. I borrowed an ebook from the library but now I am going to buy a copy for my husband and me for reference. It's one of the books that I will go back to read multiple times. ...more

5

Aug 13, 2016

Motivating tips about saving and understandable explanations of financial terms. I also wasn't expecting this to have such an inspiring, find-your-dream-and-live-it message. Really liked the points about compounding interest and IRAs!

"$300 a month on clothes...car phone...restaurants...dry cleaning...leased car...all in all, she was spending over $2000 a month - well over half her take-home pay - on things that had absolutely nothing to do with what was most important to her: namely, having more Motivating tips about saving and understandable explanations of financial terms. I also wasn't expecting this to have such an inspiring, find-your-dream-and-live-it message. Really liked the points about compounding interest and IRAs!

"$300 a month on clothes...car phone...restaurants...dry cleaning...leased car...all in all, she was spending over $2000 a month - well over half her take-home pay - on things that had absolutely nothing to do with what was most important to her: namely, having more time to devote to her family and community."

"I'll have enough money only when I decide that what I have is enough." ...more

5

Aug 13, 2009

These are challenging economic times and what's a single gal to do? Hide her head in the sand like an ostrich and wait for a better tomorrow? Hells, no! This is a great book for anyone (boys and girls) who want to get their financial house in order. The author provides pretty basic information on how to save and how to invest ... how to make your little cash dollars work for you like in that ING commercial where they are doing little sit-ups and jumping rope. This book is probably not for those These are challenging economic times and what's a single gal to do? Hide her head in the sand like an ostrich and wait for a better tomorrow? Hells, no! This is a great book for anyone (boys and girls) who want to get their financial house in order. The author provides pretty basic information on how to save and how to invest ... how to make your little cash dollars work for you like in that ING commercial where they are doing little sit-ups and jumping rope. This book is probably not for those who already have some know-how about finances but its definitely good for someone who needs to figure things out from scratch. Highly recommended! ...more

3

Jan 23, 2015

This book is a good introduction to personal finance. It spends a lot of time explaining why you should take actions and how to think about money, especially value based financing. It got me interested in taking actions and learning more. It's also an easy read and accessible to general audience. Some of his advice also applies to career and life decision makings. The biggest down side to it is how outdated it is. This edition is published in 2002 and uses statistics (like interest and return This book is a good introduction to personal finance. It spends a lot of time explaining why you should take actions and how to think about money, especially value based financing. It got me interested in taking actions and learning more. It's also an easy read and accessible to general audience. Some of his advice also applies to career and life decision makings. The biggest down side to it is how outdated it is. This edition is published in 2002 and uses statistics (like interest and return rate of 4%) that simply doesn't apply any more. David is planning on publishing an updated version in mid 2015 though, so I would wait for that one before buying this, since you'd have to supplement a lot of material with a more updated information anyways. ...more

4

Jan 25, 2009

So this is absolutely not a book I would normally read - in fact, just looking at the title makes me feel greedy (and more than a little cheesy). But after reading a book on home buying that mentioned Bach's book, I thought I would pick it up. It never hurts to do a periodic financial check-in, and getting a book specifically geared towards women turned out to be smart. If you can get past some of the silly jargon (Bach has "9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security," and he *trademarked* the So this is absolutely not a book I would normally read - in fact, just looking at the title makes me feel greedy (and more than a little cheesy). But after reading a book on home buying that mentioned Bach's book, I thought I would pick it up. It never hurts to do a periodic financial check-in, and getting a book specifically geared towards women turned out to be smart. If you can get past some of the silly jargon (Bach has "9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security," and he *trademarked* the phrase "Latte Factor"), there is a lot of wisdom to be absorbed from this book. Most of us have never received any formal training on how to manage our finances, and it's sad but true that women have to be extra assertive and vigilant to achieve some sense of financial security and happiness. Bach never talks down to the reader and avoids stereotyping women as shopaholics - he just gives good, common sense advice in the simplest language possible. A great place to start if money books scare you... ...more

5

Oct 08, 2019

I am making a new goal to read a non-fiction book at least every other month, and after listening to David Bach on a podcast I love (The RISE podcast with Rachel Hollis) I wanted to kick off this new goal with Smart Women Finish Rich. I am someone who grew up with no financial savvy or assistance, have been shockingly poor, and have amassed a lot of debt while trying to put myself through college and start my own businesses. I’ve always wanted to learn about money and at one point even hired a I am making a new goal to read a non-fiction book at least every other month, and after listening to David Bach on a podcast I love (The RISE podcast with Rachel Hollis) I wanted to kick off this new goal with Smart Women Finish Rich. I am someone who grew up with no financial savvy or assistance, have been shockingly poor, and have amassed a lot of debt while trying to put myself through college and start my own businesses. I’ve always wanted to learn about money and at one point even hired a financial planner and accountant to help me – and have gotten burned multiple times in the process, actually costing me more money in the long run.
I could really appreciate how Bach broke everything down in simplified categories, and spoke to me in non-technical, un-scary terms that I could actually understand. I believe there is a work book you can purchase to go along with this (I read the Kindle edition) but I kept a notebook by my side while reading and ended up taking three full pages of notes. Since finishing the book, I have made new financial goals for myself when it comes to savings accounts, my retirement account, 401 (k) and more. I have gotten my husband involved in the conversations and we already moved his 401 (k) that wasn’t growing into a better location. I have started paying myself first, and our savings account already reflects that. If you are someone who has struggled with money and you don’t feel confident how to save, how to plan, and how to make your money work for you, I highly suggest this book. I just purchased another title from him, The Automatic Millionaire, and I’m looking forward to learning even more about money and smart financial planning. Smart Women Finish Rich was worth the price and more, and I left the book feeling smarter and confident, with practices I could actually put into play myself.
...more

4

Aug 10, 2019

I found a lot of this book informative, but there was a BIG section in the middle with specific info about how to invest your money and I found that boring and irrelevant (maybe because I’m not in a life phase where I’m super involved in my investing?). A lot of the book is also targeting women who are already in a place of privilege, so there were parts I think aren’t relatable to the masses. Not necessarily a book I’d recommend reading cover to cover, but one that’s probably worth referencing I found a lot of this book informative, but there was a BIG section in the middle with specific info about how to invest your money and I found that boring and irrelevant (maybe because I’m not in a life phase where I’m super involved in my investing?). A lot of the book is also targeting women who are already in a place of privilege, so there were parts I think aren’t relatable to the masses. Not necessarily a book I’d recommend reading cover to cover, but one that’s probably worth referencing depending on what stage you’re in re: finances. ...more

5

Sep 09, 2019

I was gifted this book and honestly was not excited about reading it. Having never read a book about finances, I was hesitant that I would enjoy or get much from this. But I was blown away!!! The author is masterful at creating great stories through his own experience and sharing super helpful and easy to understand tips about your future and finances. I got so much great advice that I’ve actually started to use already! 10/10 would recommend to anyone learning how to deal with money.

4

Oct 05, 2018

This is an amazing book and resource for anyone who has decided to improve their financial knowledge and situation but doesn’t know how. This book focuses more on the “how” of investing and financial cleanup, not so much the “why you should.” To me, that is where it differs from books by authors such as Dave Ramsey and Chris Hogan. It goes into much more detail and effectively uses illustrations and analogies. My favorite parts were where the author uses the cost of a latte over time to prove This is an amazing book and resource for anyone who has decided to improve their financial knowledge and situation but doesn’t know how. This book focuses more on the “how” of investing and financial cleanup, not so much the “why you should.” To me, that is where it differs from books by authors such as Dave Ramsey and Chris Hogan. It goes into much more detail and effectively uses illustrations and analogies. My favorite parts were where the author uses the cost of a latte over time to prove how much you miss out on accumulating wealth by not investing this small amount. The charts showing the benefit of compounding interest was shocking to see. Also, for parents, the last chapter that focuses on teaching financial literacy to your children is a gem. I will be incorporating many of its lessons with my own children. This was easily a four star read for me and I highly recommend for anyone looking to improve their financial literacy and jumpstart investing decisions without being overwhelmed and intimidated. ...more

0

Oct 05, 2018

A Money magazine article (September 2018) about Bola Sokunbi stated that she found this book particularly influential. She is quoting as saying, "I read that book to shreds."

The article explains that Sokundi now runs Clever Girl Finance, a financial education site for women.

3

Sep 22, 2018

I thought this was a basic book which I already knew a lot of the information (or I'm already practicing it). I did find the section about teens an money interesting. Overall the book also felt very dated.

5

Jan 18, 2014

One of the best financial books out there--plus, it's aimed specifically toward women. David Bach's tone is friendly and it never feels like the writing is "speaking down" to you... no complicated financial jargon, just straightforward honesty. Simple truths like how being rich doesn't happen if you make more money--at any income level, it's about how much of that money you keep. Plus, for those who say they can't save because they live paycheck-to-paycheck, he shares the "Latté Factor"... the One of the best financial books out there--plus, it's aimed specifically toward women. David Bach's tone is friendly and it never feels like the writing is "speaking down" to you... no complicated financial jargon, just straightforward honesty. Simple truths like how being rich doesn't happen if you make more money--at any income level, it's about how much of that money you keep. Plus, for those who say they can't save because they live paycheck-to-paycheck, he shares the "Latté Factor"... the basic realization that those $3-$5/day for coffee and snacks adds up to $90-$150/mo that could go into savings or your retirement account! He helps you connect your personal values and goals (which are two different things) to how that impacts the way you should treat your money. After you figure that out, he teaches you the necessary skills for getting organized, managing your finances, and building a secure financial future. You will get what you put into it. Do the assignments that he presents in the book and follow through... success comes to those who create a plan and follow it!! Great for any age and for any person looking to finally be in control of their money and the security of their future. ...more

5

Feb 04, 2018

I just finished reading this book as I often work with single female clients. I heartily approve this primer for intelligent women that want sage, non-sensationalist, guidance from a practicing financial advisor. Remember that the most famous "experts" that leap to mind are not practicing professionals but celebrities who have surrendered their licenses. Why read this book? The author structures the knowledge around his philosophy of determining one's values first, match them with goals and then I just finished reading this book as I often work with single female clients. I heartily approve this primer for intelligent women that want sage, non-sensationalist, guidance from a practicing financial advisor. Remember that the most famous "experts" that leap to mind are not practicing professionals but celebrities who have surrendered their licenses. Why read this book? The author structures the knowledge around his philosophy of determining one's values first, match them with goals and then selecting he best, time-tested practices to support them.
The author, sagely, recommends that anyone interested in doing this work should consult with a professional and furthermore, how to select a professional. With that in mind, the nine steps he lays out mimic the process an experienced financial professional would take with clients over a period of years, beginning with organizing what financial products then charting a course towards a long and productive financial life. He begins with the most common and essential items needed by women and the appropriate age at which to acquire them. He also does an excellent job at succinctly describing the features and benefits of each product and action.

I hope you read this book!

...more

5

Dec 09, 2008

I read this almost 8 years ago and it changed my life for the better. While waiting for other books I decided to pick it up again and see if I'd have more to learn. I did! This book reads like a dummy's guide in a way...so on the 2nd read the format felt a bit like I read too many of these finance books and this was just another one in the pile. BUT! It also opened my eyes to new values I had (pre-baby vs post-family) and new dreams I wanted to accomplish (8 years ago: pay off loans and farm in I read this almost 8 years ago and it changed my life for the better. While waiting for other books I decided to pick it up again and see if I'd have more to learn. I did! This book reads like a dummy's guide in a way...so on the 2nd read the format felt a bit like I read too many of these finance books and this was just another one in the pile. BUT! It also opened my eyes to new values I had (pre-baby vs post-family) and new dreams I wanted to accomplish (8 years ago: pay off loans and farm in hawaii, check and check...now: save for luca's future, our next home, and a year long trip around the world--all in the works!!!). It made me go through all my files and reach out to form a new plan with my financial advisor. It made DH and I look at our joint account and determine that we should probably add a little more to it. And we discovered his values and what that could mean to our future. So while the book just reads like any other, once again it continues to help me save for the things I really want in life. Not shoes or clothes (thank you Buy Nothing for never needing to buy those again), but instead travel and the freedom not to worry when emergencies inevitably hit. ...more