You're no idiot, of course. You know how to plan a budget, calculate your savings, and even do a straightforward 1040 tax return. But when it comes to taking full control of your finances, your confusion starts compounding. Don't lose interest yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Money, Second Edition gives you the most up-tp-date information you need to make sense of today's confusing monetary environment. You'll learn everything you need to know to make a sensible financial plan and make your money work for you. In this completely revised and updated edition of the best-selling Complete Idiot's Guide, you
The version I read was published in 2007, but I don't think it was revised at all. Almost all of the stats were from 1994. I didn't agree with everything, but there is a lot of good, even if outdated, information. I really appreciate the breakdown of shopping for bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Best part of the book was it's low page count, 368, compared to low filler content. This is meat & bones no sides. I felt like it was 2.5 stars but the information is a good foundation so I'll lean towards 3 stars.
I love Idiot's Guide books. They give great overviews of virtually any subject, making them easy to understand and giving references to learn in more depth if we so desire.
My biggest issue with this book is that, as 4th edition (and apparently most current incarnation?), it's still over ten years out of date. Copyright on this is 2005, and I'm reading at the end of 2016. Still, it was full of great info, and I really feel like I learned a lot about personal finances. While the rates and everything probably aren't current today, the basics are still sound and definitions are clear and helpful.
I skimmed a few chapters that didn't pertain to me or seemed like they were too outdated to invest myself in. Overall, though, I think this book was a great help, and I've started working on some financial goals thanks to the knowledge I gained here. I would recommend it for people who, like me, know nothing about finances. If you're more familiar with these concepts already, you'll probably want a more current resource. I hope they update this soon.
Had several typographical errors, which at some points could confuse a reader unfamiliar with a given topic. Additionally, the advice seemed good for someone struggling with finances and debt, but the suggested strategies were not always the best plans for ensuring the best overall financial future. [return]Those weaknesses aside, there was a good section on insurance, a category of financial planning missing in several other books on the topic.