Money

When Dee Lee first told me whe was writing a book about money for women, I admit I was skeptical. I know that Dee is among the best at financial education. I also know, from reading her other books, that she is an excellent writer. My skepticism was not her ability, but the topic. I was not sure, given the large number of books on money and financial planning, that there was anything new to be said. I was wrong.

I picked up a copy of this book planning only to skim through it. I found myself reading it. Of course, I had to ask myself why? The answer is in the title "women". This book talks to us as women. It's not just about money: it's about our fears. As women, we have many emotions about money that often keep us from looking hard and carefully at our finances. This book deals with the obstacles we place in the way of our financial freedom and then proceeds to tell us how to overcome these obstacles. Dee Lee deals with why we often do not address such a fundamental topic as our money. She then offers solutions. This is a woman's perspective on money -and having worked with clients for many years as a financial planner, we do have a different perspective then men. This difference is recognized and dealt with in the book. I highly recommend this book for all women. You may think you do not have to be concerned ever with handling your finances. This is a common response of women. Yet, as page five says "Ninety percent of women become wholly responsible for their finances at some point in their lifetime". This is you. This book is for you.

Believe it or not, my bank advisor suggested this book - after my umpteenth phone call asking her advice about various financial problems I was having. And now this book has become my new bible of advice ! I could not believe how much I learned in such a short time - and how easy the book made it seem. There was something in just about every chapter that applied to me, my life, my finances,my future - you name it. Highly, highly recommended. If, like me, you thought Dow Jones was the designer who made those great wool slacks ( that's Jones NY !) it's time to buy this book - it's the best money you're going to spend all year.

When I sat down with this book, I thought that I would read the first couple of pages for the night. However, this book hit so many personal aspects of my life that I was into four chapters before I put the book down.

Not only does it illustrate what women are faced with in this day and age, but it shows that each one of us are different and yet, we are all trying to accomplish one goal. This book is making me come to terms with money management issues that I have been ignoring for some time. But, it also lets me know that I am not alone.

I like the step by step approach that the author has taken to help us look at ourselves and to help us set realistic goals for ourselves.

This book is a must for all women, whether you are trying to make it on your own or you are trying to get out of the shadows of your spouse. You are not alone. Read it and enjoy some truly remarkable ideas for a better tomorrow.

When I first bought this book, I expected yet another book on maximizing your wealth, to the exclusion of any other consideration. But I was intrigued by the book's claims that it was written specifically for women, so I bought it.

This book understands that many of my goals and values are qualitative and are not specifically tied to my net asset value. But it also realizes that income and wealth can directly affect my ability to do the things I do find important, whether it is allowing me to contribute to my favorite charity, taking that much needed trip to Paris every other year or making sure I have the flexibility a few years from now to choose a different career.

I liked the practical step by step approach, the fact that it addressed all aspects of wealth management from judicious use of debt to saving and investing to understanding your spending to maximizing your employment income and opportunities. As someone no longer in her twenties, I also appreciated that for once their was a book with a practical guide to getting started that was geared toward starting at any age.

Much like the periodic reviews it advocates, I am going to put this book on my calendar and return to it once a year to make sure my life goals and my financial goals are still aligned.

I highly recommend this for women of any age who want to gain a healthy perspective on money and wealth.

The book contains practically everything needed to ensure anti-money laundering compliance for banks, securities firms and other financial institutions, as well as extensive coverage of money laundering crimes and forfeitures. There is also plenty of interesting background material on money laundering techniques and terrorist financing. Recomended as a "must-have" core holding for every in-house corporate and white-collar crime library.

I would recomend Federal Money Laundering Regulation as a well-written guide to understanding and complying with U.S. laws and regulations covering money laundering and terrorist financing.

As noted in the preface, the book is a comprehensive and practical resource not only for banks and savings and loans, and their legal counsel, but also for the many other businesses that are now governed by anti-money laundering regulations, such as casinos, investment companies, securities broker-dealers, insurance companies, check cashers, travel agencies, and businesses involved with vehicle sales, real estate closings, or precious metals.

Federal Money Laundering Regulation contains 27 chapters:

1. Introduction to money laundering
2. How money is laundered
3. U.S. money laundering laws
4. Law enforcement and regulatory agencies
5. Recordkeeping requirements
6. Reporting requirements--general
7. Suspicious activity report
8. Currency transaction report
9. Currency and monetary instrument report
10. Reporting of foreign bank and financial accounts
11. Report of cash received in trade or business
12. Registration of money services businesses
13. Anti-money laundering programs for financial institutions
14. Customer identification programs
15. Due diligence for correspondent accounts and private banking
16. Information sharing among financial institutions and law enforcement
17. Money laundering crimes--general
18. Domestic money laundering transactions
19. International money laundering offenses
20. Undercover "sting" operations
21. Monetary transactions in unlawfully derived property
22. Conspiracy to commit money laundering
23. Asset forfeiture--general
24. Civil asset forfeiture
25. Criminal asset forfeiture
26. State money laundering laws
27. Worldwide efforts against money laundering

There are also dozens of sample forms, checklists, and other compliance aids.

An excellent book well worth considering.

While most economists are still puzzled by the most recent foreign exchange and banking crises - such as the ones that took place last year in Argentina and Uruguay - and some of them (like Stiglitz) are proposing reckless and innefective solutions, such as abolishing the IMF and most of the existing international agencies, Jean Tirole presents a more pensive and fruitful explanation of why these crises occur, and sheds new light towards a much more effective solution. His approach is based on a new field of agency theory called Corporate Finance, which deals with the set of institutions that make it credible for the suppliers of funds to recover their investments in an specific firm.

Tirole applies the basic principles of the prudential regulation of banks, that he worked before in collaboration with Mathias Dewatripont (MIT Press, 1994, ISBN: 0262041464), and which contains much of what we have learned through the twentieth century about financial crises. According to this approach, both the international financial and monetary systems would work much better if we had international risk classifying agencies on the one hand, providing information to investors about the liquidity and solvency of debtor countries, and a lender of last resort on the other. The trouble with the IMF is that it tries to perform both functions.

However, what makes external borrowing more complicated than a typical financial arrangement is the presence of a third player, that is the borrower's government which has both the incentives and the means to affect the foreing investor's return by manipulating the exchange rate or the capital mobility. Because the investors' return is affected by the behaviour of two agents, the borrower himself and its government, Tirole calls this a dual agency problem.

Tirole proposes an institutional reform in which the IMF should redefine its original mission, by concentrating in the role of facilitating the country's favourable access to foreign borrowing. This role underlies the (controversial) task of pre-qualification and conditionality. The IMF should also redefine its internal structure if it wants to perform well this new role. Its Board of Governors is too big and too heterogeneous to allow rapid and efficient decisions.

In summary, this book presents and original and groundbreaking approach to financial crises which, as we expected from the beginning, arises more questions than answers. However, we know that the only way to find the appropriate solution to a problem is by formulating the right questions, and this is exactly what Tirole does. I am convinced that if the international agencies follow this approach they will soon find the right way to prevent or to lessen international financial crises, in the same way as central banks and financial regulatory agencies did with domestic banking crises during the last century.

Tirole has written an invaluable book that sheds light to a complex and extremley actual topic. By showing once again his seriousness as an economist (as opposed to others; i.e. Stiglitz), he goes back to first principles to understand the source of problems in international contracts. The application of modern corporate finance to international finance is extraordinary.
Even the first chapters should be obligatory reading to any student of international macro (even in the first macro course). The first one gives a concise history of modern currency crisis -the so called first twenty-first century crisis- while the second one masterfully summarizes the economists views on the subject.
Good economics, great topic, amazing timing.

Financial Custody: You, Your Money, And Divorce by Certified Divorce Planner Joan Coullahan and Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Financial Consultant Sue van der Linden is an absolute "must-read" for anyone undergoing or about to undertake a divorce. Chapters cover the basics of legal procedures, the importance of getting organized, child support and alimony, negotiation and settlement, and much, much more. Written by experienced professionals in clear, accessible language accessible to the non-specialist general reader, Financial Custody is crucial, recommended reading for anyone who doesn't want to end their divorce flat broke.

As Joan and Sue point out, divorce is seen a primarily a legal process. In my opinion, that is because the attorneys have the strongest union which services divorcing couples. But as Certified Financial Planners, these dedicated professionals have shared a new perspective on how to approach the emotionally and financially difficult transition of dissolving a marriage. This book is not a "do it yourself" divorce kit, but instead helps couples be good consumers of divorce advice from a variety of professionals and prepares them for the decisions ahead. These concepts are covered in the first half of the book. The second half discusses practical financial planning advice that newly divorced individuals will need to consider, especially if their new "ex" was the financial manager in the marriage. As a financial counselor, I have always helped my clients look for solutions that will preserve their marriages, if at all possible, because divorce is never cheap. But when it is inevitable, this book will save them thousands of dollars as they reduce their dependence on expensive legal proceedings and make good financial choices that attorneys may never advise....

Who would have thought that "Financial Strategies for Today's Widow" would be a book I'd enjoy reading? I'd picked up a copy for a friend, and - curious - began to page through it... Eminently readable, the book surprised me with its great stories, and excellent advice.

All true, the stories in the book are poignant, eye-opening and presented in such a way that I truly didn't feel as though I was reading a self-help book. And yet all the lessons were clear. I'd imagine that everyone could benefit from reading "Financial Strategies for Today's Widow," but that the women for whom the book is written will especially appreciate it. The key thing is - not only is it important for women to have this information available to them - it has to be readable. And this book is, quite literally, hard to put down. A quality rarely found in arid self-help books these days.

I'd originally intended to give this book to a friend who *is* a widow, but I kept reading - till I'd gone cover to cover. There's so much information in here that I'm keeping it for myself even though I don't fit the title's market. But I do promise to pick up a pristine copy for my friend.

The second hardest day of my life came less than a month ago, when one of the best friends I've ever had --or ever will-- died suddenly at age 34. But the hardest came two days later, when I arrived at his wake and attempted to offer condolences to his widow, a lovely woman whose eyes were now far too aged for a woman of her years.

"What do I do now?" she asked, though I know now she was probably not addressing me. "What can I do now?"

I had no answer to give her. At the time, I believed that perhaps no one did.

But that was before I discovered David Latko's new book, FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR TODAY'S WIDOW. It's a book that should be given to every woman, regardless of age or situation, who faces the lose of her spouse.

Latko provides an effective (and better: a workable) life-plan for the modern widow, layout out an easy-to-understand framework on which to build ongoing financial security. But almost as importantly, he does so through the true stories told by women who have experienced the same devastating loss that the intended reader is facing. Seldom have I been so moved by the words of any book-- but never have I been so touched by a book from the financial or self-help genres.

Of particular note was the chapter that told the story of the Mortons. Husband Bill comes to visit Latko shortly after being informed of his impending death. The way the Mortons work through the end-stage planning --both financial and that of personal leave-taking-- is something every married couple should experience.

This is no dry, dogmatic "how-to" advice book. Latko is obviously a skilled storyteller as well as a financial expert who knows his business. And just as obviously, he is a man who cares.

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR TODAY'S WIDOW is the perfect book to give every widow, and every woman-- be it wife, mother or friend. I've just sent my copy to my deceased friend's widow, and I'm ordering another copy today.

--AT, San Francisco

Well, it all starts out when this old dude is marrying this chick and his kids aren't so thrilled. Now, the dude is getting threatning letters and someone his trying to kill his fiance. The chick gets hit on the head with candlestick holders, hit with bottles, and poisoned. Nancy soon finds out that it wasn't any of the children and it was someone else in the house. That someone is------> Well, you're just gonna have to read the book and figure it out.

Elderly Mr. Pierce has fallen for his nurse,Nila Kirkedottir, and is to wed her.Who is trying to kill Nila?Who is sabotaging Nancy?Will Nancy figure out the puzzle before it's to late? Read to find out!

Aaron, my love, my best friend in the world! I can't forgive myself the fact that I didn't purchase your fabulous book earlier! It's an absolute life saver. Continue being just as wicked and charming as you always have been. It's a privilege to be able to read your work and say: "I know the author." To all of you frustrated executives and burnt out college students: this is the perfect book for YOU! Buy it, read it, laugh your butts off, then go back and read it again.

LOL! This book is totally hilarious, I love it and I truly am having a blast reading it :) I look forward to more from the same author in the future!

For those interested in decision theory, the author does a sterling job of tracing the impacts that different approaches to decision-making, by different parties, has on the development of a complex and unique mixed use project:

"But like it or not, the power to make these final decisions rested with the various public bodies overseeing the compliance with the city's regulations" (p.106) "It was that an architectural decision had been made by a political body that appeared to care little about archictecture..." (p.105) "Still undecided, however, was the shape of the atrium. This delay was having troubling consequences for the entire construction schedule because the city refused to issue a demolition permit until it saw the final design drawings..." "The developers knew they were unhappy with the atrium but they did not know why" (p.154) "They bungled it because they wouldn't do anything without having three decisions" (p.184) "The debate over the colour of glass dragged on for months" (p.202) "Mancini said he would take the matter under advisement. He was not ready to make a decision on the spot" (p.209) "While Johnson applauded group decisions intellectually, he felt strongly that there was not always a 'right' decision for every dilemma" (p.229")

The book clearly articulates the dialogue between the different decision-making parties and makes for an interesting case study.

My students - this was, for years, the best-liked textbook in Berkeley real estate courses - saw this well-written history of an actual commercial development as a sure-fire hit movie. We selected the cast - not too difficult: incompetent and corrupt contractors, sublimely ignorant city officials, totally dense bankers, a brilliant artist who got ripped off, shady lawyers, venal professors - well, they lost forty million dollars or so. Reporter Frantz covered the (subsiding) ground with hearty humor but without serious libel. The reader is supposed to do the numbers.

This book is a must have for everyone interested in getting their financial houses in order. Both of these women spoke at a networking brunch I attended in San Francisco on Mar.6'04. I bought the book (yes, it is signed by both of them) and started reading it on my way home. This book is full of tips on clearing your debt, ways to supplement your income, how to save your money, steps to help you understand your spending habits, information to help you understand investing and your investment options, planning for retirement...I could go on. I've been sharing information with friends everyday, so I'm going to just get them their own books!

Is retirement looming in your future with a big question mark? Do you still need to do more financial planning for this event? Are you on the verge of bankruptcy? Do you need to learn more about investing? Do you want to create more wealth? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then you should read GIRL, MAKE YOUR MONEY GROW! This is a true sister-to-sister conversation about using what you already have to build your nest egg--you. Glinda Bridgforth and Gail Perry-Mason tell us that we are our biggest assets and then they show us how to harness our talents and skills to be more productive financially. They state, "Be willing to invest in yourself, and graciously receive and enjoy boundless dividends for life."

Bridgforth and Perry-Mason should be applauded for their efforts to educate and arm African-American women with the tools necessary to attain more income. The plan they've outlined and presented is straightforward, logical and concise. They have even provided testimonials from those who have tried their plan and they themselves have included their own personal stories for inspiration. This book is awesome. All women should know the secrets within the pages of this novel. It takes the mystery out of investing. For those of you struggling with your finances or those that simply want to increase your net worth, read this book; it will change your outlook on how to increase your income and motivate you to begin now.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers