Girlfriends' Guide to Money
341317
Nice book with lots of helpful information (e.g., charts, tables, lists, etc).  The target audience seems to be women in their 20's and as I'm in my 30's I still found it helpful.  It's a good beginner book.
Aside from financial stuff, it's motivating and somewhat inspirational -- but not obnoxiously so.
A great gift for a any youngish woman (or guy) who has just graduated, gotten a first professional job, or needs a little push to get financially organized.
586447
This book is great for people who want to manage their money & control their spending. It has useful tips & offers great advice. It is definitely a must read!
898534
This book is a real eye-opener even for those of us who thought we knew something about the financial system in this country. Rickey Gard Diamond explains how we women get screwed by the system and also shows us that when women are in charge of economic policy, they work for the well being of all rather than the 1%.
I was lucky enough to be part of the first girlfriends group to discuss this book in its earlier stages and I encourage everyone to run out and get the book then gather your girlfriends for some challenging, insightful conversation using this book as a guide. Thanks, Rickey!!
3401447
I have read through the book and those 50 tips are great. While reading, I also think what I'm familiar with or good at which can generate and earn money. I like that it has both pictures and detail.
1564318
I follow Budget Savvy Diva on Facebook Daily.  Now I had the priveledge of reading her book.  If you are a person who wants to make the most of your paycheck by saving on daily needs, this is the book for you.  I have learned so much and am thankful for all the tips... Prices go up but our paychecks don't.  This book will give you tips on relieving the pressure on your checkbook.  I am thankful for Budget Savvy Diva
4043515
What a great guide! It really feels like you have Rachel speaking some much needed money sense right next to you. So far the guide has helped me write down a budget within 10 mins of me reading and I have been avoiding budgets since  '07. Great Job!
2817786
I haven't read yet, but this book came highly recommended. Can't wait to help my girl learn more about money.
3074329
This book is an easy and fun read. It is very basic and would be a great book for a young adult either starting out on their own or someone starting over due to a lay off or divorce. The authors voice comes through in the text as she walks her readers through how to handle their personal financial life. The book is a guide to do what leads to success and how to avoid the temporary insanity that leads people to buy things they can not afford.
 In a nut shell readers will learn to clean up their personal finances and get organized. Have a money buddy to talk to and who will keep you on track with your goals and values. How to navigate risk successfully. Give yourself rules to follow in your finances. Use cash in making purchases as much as possible so you see the reality of the hard earned cash you are spending. Look within for values and interests you had as a kid to learn where your passions lie, this may be a spring boards for a career you may love. Automate as much of your personal finances as you can, automatic deposit, automatic bill pay, automatic deposits into savings and 401Ks, simplify your life. Track your spending, you will be amazed at the patterns you will see, it will give you ideas on where to save and where to stop spending so much. Create visual reminders of your goals. Use your top three creative skills to maybe make some extra cash on the side.
 Nice book, meant for the young adult or person in need of help in their personal finances. I also highly recommend author Dave Ramsey's books if you are in search of solutions in your personal financial life or really need some serious help out of debt or spending.
1404697
Manisha Thakor and Sharon Kedar's book is a great, simple way to get your hands dirty with your personal financial philosophy and then use your newfound knowledge to open up a mature, intelligent discussion about finances with your partner. There are short workbook sections that help you brainstorm and include great examples from other women and the authors themselves. The first section of the book is great- it helps you figure out your own personal financial philosophies and understand how and why you feel the way you do about money; very interesting. This leads to a section on talking all things money "with your honey." The section on investing hows and whys is really fantastic and almost worth the cost of the book itself, more so for people that don't have a lot, if any, experience making long-term investments. I can't recommend this book highly enough for couples.

This book is DEFINITELY for everyone, young, old, male, female, so I guess I was a little disappointed when it was aimed at "all women." The disappointment comes mostly from the fact that I got a lot out of this book and found it incredibly helpful and a great investment (no pun intended, though maybe a little bit), and I am a late 20s working career-minded man in a great long-term relationship, looking to make our relationship even stronger. I guess it felt a little unbalanced, especially in the first half of the book, which is heavy on cautionary tales (all from women). My point is that Thakor and Kedar have written an excellent guide to bring you into the world of personal finance management and I hate to see it so biased to one side (they do acknowledge this fact, and mention in that first section that they chose to embrace it).

Most importantly, regardless of who you are and what type of relationship you are in, it's important and helpful that this book exists. Don't hesitate to drop it in your cart, as its well worth the price of admission.
4659682
Openshaw writes this book for women, but the advice is right on the money and can be used by everyone.  An excellent feature of the book is the list of internet links at the end of each chapter.  These references easily allow the reader to find additional information of any specific topic. For example, her brief discussion of options opens the door to using those investment tools to produce additional income.  This is a topic often overlooked in books of this type.  To learn how to use options, I also recommend THE SHORT BOOK ON OPTIONS.
4903281
Good book for advice on savings.  Especially for individuals new to online shopping.
882016
Funny, light reading. She is probably right on the mark of social climbing with ego driven socialites. I suppose you could try it if you wanted to. A lot of psychology used to infiltrate the wealthy.
4833885
The money making tips are nothing new here; however, it's not bad to keep handy, in case of another market meltdown.  Even if you happen to be "rich" at the present time, that could change in a hurry.

The best bet is to not stray far from the path of the suggestions contained inside this book's 232 pages!
2920817
Mr. Syrop provides very practical advise on many different ways that people can save money. Some advice is on how to deal with service provider expenses, like cell phone and cable TV companies, lifestyle expenses, like dining out, entertainment, and other advice is on things you can do at home to cut your own household expenses. It's like an encyclopedia of money-saving tips and actions people can do right away. I tried some of the advice on dealing with the cable TV company and sure enough they offered a nice discount on my monthly rate. The book is quite useful and needed for everyday people living in this economy, still reeling from the economic recession.
4734874
For those who are willing to excavate their emotional issues with money, this is a great guide.  It is written by a life coach who was associated with Hay House as event director for 12 years.  Now she is a Master Integrative Coach working with clients and in groups.  Hay House published this book.

I particularly found valuable the inventory of 39 financial patterns we may be engaging in.  It helps you consider what opposite helpful pattern you may wish to adopt.  For example, some of the patterns for me were:  I tend to give away my products or services or I don't charge enough and if anything happened to my spouse I don't know exactly if I'd be okay financially.  I don't know everything about our finances.  I maintain some credit card debt.  Once you see unhelpful patterns, you can begin taking steps to counteract them.

You also inventory your beliefs about money which are erroneous, and come up with an alternative fact.  Some beliefs might be: I don't make enough money to save anything.  I will always struggle.  I have no skills.  Wealthy people got their money dishonestly.  People with money are greedy.  If I make a lot of money, I'll finally be happy and at peace.

Other helpful topics you examine are your excuses: I can't go to Paris because I don't have enough money.  Author Nancy Levin suggests that you write down your #1 desire and examine what's in the way.  If it's to go to Paris - which was mine years ago - you examine the worst case scenarios as to why you can't or shouldn't go and see how to manage them.  I loaned a quarter to a guy at Starbucks and got a trip to Paris out of it.  Once I went I realized I could have gone way before.  I just didn't think I could.

Underlying commitments also may prevent you from doing what you want to do financially.  What are your hidden commitments?  Levin gives the example of someone who wants to start their own business.  But if they grew up in a family who always struggled financially, they may be committed to stay small and avoid risk.  She suggests you take one new action that will help you move towards your desire or new conscious commitment such as starting a business.

A chapter I really appreciated was on taking back your financial power.  Who controls checking accounts, savings accounts, investments, retirement accounts, trusts, property, businesses and estate matters in your household?  Do you have access to the account statements without asking permission?  If you have to ask permission, Levin has ideas on how to change that.

A chapter on making one powerful financial decision was helpful.  What would that be for you?  For me, it might be having a financial retirement plan written down.  Or meeting with a financial adviser.

Loved the last two chapters on uncovering your desires - financial and otherwise.  Examples regarding desires Levin's clients have had range from having a home office, being debt free, have an emergency fund of 6 months living expenses, to travelling to Italy for a month.  Desires you can't buy might be being at your healthiest weight or having balance in life and work.  You write down 25-50, then take the top 5 most doable and start taking action or eliminating obstacles to them.

Levin also has ideas on dreaming the impossible dream and giving back.  This book will definitely jump start you towards improving your financial life.  You should begin to feel worthy enough by the end of it, if you do the many exercises, to grow your net worth.  And you will have ideas on practical steps you can take to grow your net worth.
1042324
At the beginning of 2008 Natalie McNeal decides to finally do something against her 20,000 $ debt. Sure spending money is fun but she decides that it's time to start a new, frugal lifestyle that will allow her to save money. In the following 12 months she perfects living as a Frugalista and with the help of her Frugalista blog and it's readers she manages to change her life and take better care of herself, her finances and her professional life.

When I started reading "The Frugalista Files" I didn't know anaything about Natalie McNeal or her blog. Right from the first pages on I liked the author's writing style and that the book was written in short daily journals. That way the book was easy to read and the author's humour made it also very entertaining.
I was happy that McNeal decided against writing a how-to book with lists of things that you should do or shouldn't do. Everyone's life and situation is different so strict lists with recommendations often don't work. Through telling her own story and sharing her own tips the author motivated me to start saving some money. I'm not in debt but still saving money is never wrong. I especially liked that she started into her "new" live with a no-spend month. Buying no extra things for one whole months sounds like a good way to get an overview about your spending and to start with a new, smarter life style. I don't know if I could not buy books spontanously for one month but I might give it a try.
I liked the author's little tips and that she was self-critical. And I loved that she realized that only she was responsible for her situation and that she also had the power to change it.
If you are looking for an entertaining book that might help to get you motivated to start saving money then "The Frugalista Files" is the book for you.

cover
I like the colours and the cover fits to the book.

final appraisal
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Frugalista Files" and think that the author's story can help others to start saving money.
The Frugalista Files is not a detailed how-to book but a motivating story with little and realistic tips by an author who managed to get out of debt herself.
3383850
Everyone knows I am a frugal hack. If it can be done cheaper, I want to know how to do it myself. So obviously, you know I'd enjoy reading Cut You Grocery Bill In Half.

This book was full of tips and suggestions to find strategic ways to cut costs in your home. No matter what your family size, or how you shop, there were savvy ideas and information for every income.

From ways to store food, to cheaper shopping without coupons, to food storage and meal planning, the Economides showed how it worked for them, and how it can work for you.

I really found this book to be helpful. Although most of it was common sense, I can see lots of tips that can help novice frugals find their place and cut their costs. Alot of it....ok, most of it, I already knew, but it is nice to have a helpful guide to turn to for quick ideas. And the meals for pennies recipes at the end was a nice bonus.

This is a good book for families who want to save their hard earned money, but don't know where to start. Even if you only apply a little of the advice, Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half will help you save $$$. And those few dollars will add up!

(This book was provided for me to review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.)