Personal Finance for Dummies

By: Eric Tyson

Narrated by: Brett Barry

Length: 3 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Do you need help managing your financial priorities? Relax! This friendly guide, now updated to include changes in the tax code, gives you just the information you need to take control of you finances.

Personal Finance for Dummies will inform both the financially troubled and those just starting out in the money making world how to manage money, deal with debt, and achieve financial stability. Personal Finance for Dummies, Fifth Edition, takes on the financial challenges of an increasingly technological world while continuing to provide the type of financial advice that has helped more than one million individuals to manage their personal finances so that they can achieve their lifestyle and financial goals.

This edition will provide coverage of the new bankruptcy law; issues of identity theft; managing the growing costs of cell phones, beepers, Blackberries, satellite TV, and other widespread technologies; taming banking charges for use of ATMs and other services; looking into the realities of credit card rewards; surviving layoffs and evaluating early retirement deals; and more.

©2006 Eric Tyson (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic Reviews

"Among my favorite financial guides." (The Wall Street Journal)

"Smart advice....Rewards your candor with advice and comfort." (Newsweek)

"Tyson doesn't tell you what to do or consider doing without explaining the hows and whys, and the booby traps to avoid, in plain English." (Chicago Tribune)

The book is ok, but not great in my opinion...

This book was "OK", but not "great" in my opinion... I was looking for more info on investing and what percentage of income should typically go to what categories, etc. This was more of a kick in the pants about not using "bad" forms of credit (what Tyson considers "bad" credit is anything used for consumer goods." and saving for the future. I listened to the Abridged version. I am not sure what all is covered in the Unabridged one, but this one seemed to be missing some important details. For me, the most important thing is that it really should be updated with more accurate details for today's financial world. Since this was written in 2006, it includes NOTHING about the housing bubble and how that might be affecting people's finances (and how to help with that or what to consider in regards to that), the 2009 Credit Card Act put in place by President Obama, the PPACA/ACA implemented in 2010, the huge recession we have been in for 8 years now, the many way that the way FICO Scores are calculated have changed between 2006 and 2015, and much much more! How much and what types of insurance is needed is glazed over... no details what so ever... just, "See a professional." Also, he seemed to recommend going into bankruptcy as a way to get out of debt and even indicated that the creditors deserved to be stuck with the unpaid balances since they are so profitable. Also, he had many points on why 401Ks are good:No Taxes on amounts contributed due to pre-tax contributions, Company match = free money, etc. but glazed over the benefits of a Roth IRA: No tax on GROWTH of the money!! I consider my self fairly new at learning about personal finance and feel this was one of the most important things I ever learned about retirement plans! Additionally, he recommends closing all but one of your credit cards, which will make your credit score drop drastically, opening and closing credit cards quickly, which will drop your credit score, and provides many other recommendations that will make your credit score drop. Granted, you should use credit on as few things as possible and only in ways that will help increase your net worth, but when you need credit you need a good credit score to get a good interest rate! This book did have some good advice, but in my opinion, don't use this as the "Bible of Personal Finance." It is best to get as much info from as many sources as possible and make your best informed decision for your personal situation! Happy reading!

when is it going to bring up the subject of money?

The author does not ever get around to writting about money. This book is a waist of time and credits. If you are interested in the nuts and bolts of money read "the richest man in babylon" it is great!

Not a good book

Not enough information to help me with my finance or give me directions on how to start nor how to build my financial situation

Good info but very basic

I wanted something more advanced but good read for beginners in my opinion. Would recommend to someone younger and inexperienced.

An update is due.

Love Eric Tysons books. Need an updated version edition when available. I'm monitoring the store to see when one becomes available.

Teaches stuff I really needed to know. at 18

Teaches stuff I should've known at 18. Easy to understand and put into practice now

Good start for beginners.

This book does a very nice job of covering all of the basics that you'll need to know to steer you in the right direction for your personal finances.

Boring but informative

This is a good book if you want to improve your skills with money. This book is no recommended if you wanna read for fun.

Give to every HS or college grad!

This is basics for everyone, and a great starting place and springboard. I think every HS or college grad should be given a copy. I wish I had known this information back then, and had started sooner in personal finance literacy.

Knowledgeable, great starting point.

It's good, if you have no idea about finances or anything for that matter you should read this book. I personally anyone coming out of high school will for sure learn something from this book.