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An excellent read for anyone just starting out Aug 09, 2008
Everyone wants money, but few understand what to do with it. "Money Sucks!: Money Strategies for Real Life" offers lessons that few people have ever been taught about the importance of planning with one's money. Aiming to give readers the essentials, and deliberately not a ten pound financial textbook, "Money Sucks!" is an excellent read for anyone just starting out and seeking to plan their money usage to avoid future problems.
 All important financial basics Jun 30, 2008
Reviewed by Tina Avon for RebeccasReads (6/08)
I always enjoy reading personal finance books - I often wish I had started reading them at a much younger age. Yet, I also remember thinking how dry and boring most of these appeared to be. However, Money Sucks, Money Strategies for Real Life (2nd Edition), written by Miryam Gordon is exactly the type of book I should have been reading. Although it is not a big book (only 74 pages) it does cover most of the important points that any young adult, just starting off in the financial world (and the real world, for that matter) must know.
This book is quite complete and explains crucial topics such as budgets, paying taxes, how to fill out your first tax forms (this is a great addition), banking, credit cards and debt (this is such a scary, yet often underestimated topic, especially for the up-and-coming generations) as well as savings and even understanding your credit score.
Written in a clear, concise and impartial way, this book can be used as a referral manual for any issues that may come up with respect to your financial wellness. One of the most important topics covered (and in my opinion one of the hardest to understand) is the creating and following of the budget. The author gives us detailed and yet simple ways of drawing up and living within a budget and even manages to make it all sound achievable (okay I can't say enjoyable - because, we are, after all talking about a budget here), but her advice will make it easier to live with.
Along with the valued financial information, there are also some interesting side bits. For example, Gordon details for us the history of paying taxes (The Boston Tea Party), the dos and don'ts of bankruptcy and even how credit card companies make money. While I was reading all of this I was thinking, `it seems I should know all of this! Why don't I?' It is my belief that many adults may be in my situation - thinking I have the basics down, but in reality, am in need of a serious refresher course. As with many things, I think I picked up my knowledge here and there and now need to figure out what is fact and what is fiction when it comes to my finances. This book has helped me do this - it has me questioning the habits that I have developed over the years and it has me looking at the validity of these habits.
The little cartoons at the beginning of each chapter are a nice touch and send the message that reading up on this topic does not have to be dry and serious all the time.
Although I probably would not recommend this book for people looking for high finance information (detailed investments or tax breaks), I would absolutely recommend this to any child who is old enough to start earning (and hopefully) saving money and to any adult who wants to go back to the beginning and put their financial building blocks securely (more securely?) in place.
Money doesn't suck when you know how to handle it, and "Money Sucks" shows you how. Mar 13, 2008
"Money Sucks" is full of straightforward, practical tips for the financially clueless. While many older adults could learn from these financial tips - I didn't know I should be careful about giving my birthdate out to inquiring minds - the book is especially helpful for younger adults. Even 16-year-olds have checking accounts, debit cards, and borrow money from their parents for cars, vacations, and prom dates. Now they can learn why it's smart to balance your checkbook, keep track of receipts and due dates for bills, and to know the perils of runaway credit card use. It helps that the book is written with a splash of humor, some fun drawings, and is easy to read.
Identity theft is a huge problem today, and this book offers advice on how to monitor your credit rating, protect private information from getting into the wrong hands, and resist the lure of no interest/easy payment options for buying high-priced items. And who among us did not have trouble filling out our income tax withholding form at our first job? Even the other employees - and sometimes the managers - didn't know how to advise us on how to fill in the blanks. "Money Sucks" give you a step by step explanation so that you will never again have trouble choosing your options.
It's important to learn all you can before you leave the protection of your parents' home. 50 Ways to Leave Your Mother And I recommend that before you earn your first paycheck you read "Money Sucks" because someday the money you earn - and may lose - will be your own.
Seven copies for seven children! Nov 01, 2007
As the mother of seven children, I am thankful for this book! It is packed with the wisdom that every parent should instill in their child for life-long success - in a convenient, fun package!
Ms. Gordon's book should be a part of every high school's Economics curriculum and every family's library.
Winning, Wise, Witty Jun 26, 2006
This is a fabulous read for those of us who are still bummed out by our calculators. or hate the idea of budgets in general or just need somebody like Gordon to whip us - kindly but firmly - into shape. It's painless and fun at the same time. I glumly laughed at the cartoons and truly appreciate the neat ways she works out the interest payments for us. I recommend Money Sucks heartily, and think it's the perfect gift for graduates, whether from high school, college, or some of the more crocked ladders of life ...
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