Money

I've used this book for years and estimate that it has easily saved me over $10,000 in terms of bank fees, lower insurance premiums, closing costs and making the most of my benefits at work. Because the book is a bit old, it's important to read it with that context in mind.

I own the 1996 version of this book. I bought it because I was trying to understand how to invest for my retirement. Mainly, how to get into the mutual fund market. Mr. Eisenberg does a great job with explaining, not only about investing in the stock market, but every aspect of what to do with your money. This book, along with Investing for Dummies, made everything so clear for my main purchase purpose. Whenever I need to figure out some other aspect of my finances this book really helps. I consider it my encyclopaedia of finances.

This is an excellent book. Sure, every woman should read it, but it is a great fundamental financial planning resource for men, too. If you are looking for a way to get started, start here. You will learn the basics of investments, insurance, estate planning, etc. And the book gradually progresses to more complex concepts.

EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO READ ANDEXPERIENCE WHAT EVEN THE MOST SOPHISTICATED WOMEN IGNORED...THEIR FINANCIAL HEALTH. 9 OUT OF 10 WOMEN WILL AT ONE TIME BE ALONE IN THEIR LIVES...6 OF 8 WOMEN WHOSE HUSBAND DIES NOW WILL SUFFER SEVERE FINANCIAL DISTRESS...THIS IS YOUR WAKE UP CALL...IT HAPPENED TO ME---AND THIS BOOK IS FILLED WITH HORROR STORIES OF WHAT OTHER WOMEN JUST LIKE YOU HAVE IGNORED FOR SO LONG. I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY IT

Very Well Done. Right to the point and specific. It got me right up to speed and on board.

This is a great up-to-date book about campaign finances in Illinois. Illinois is considered the "wild west" of campaign finance since we have fewer rules than almost any other state; basically anyone can give any amount of money to anyone else. This book covers the details, backed up by lots of research. Learn about the big players, like our four legislative leaders and the big interests who contribute the most. There are analyses of a few recent high-profile scandals like the licenses-for-bribes scandal. Also included are the author's realistic recommendations for campaign finance reform. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about Illinois campaign financing, or anyone interested in how politics works in Illinois. I found it easy to read and somewhat entertaining, and there are plenty of political contribution details in there if you want. The only thing I could think to add to it would be a more detailed guide to looking up this information yourself on the state's websites.

As a UK-based observer of the asset management scene (my book "The City: Inside The Great Expectation Machine is due out in November: details on Amazon.co.uk) I found this comprehensive analysis of the development and current state of the US pension fund industry both extremely clear and interesting to read. It explained many things to me that are barely understood on this side of the Atlantic and, I suspect, insufficiently well understood even in the USA by professionals who are not pensions specialists let alone the American investing public. For example, the precise origins and intentions of the 401(k) plan, the way in which ERISA and its refinements changed the investment management industry, and the profound influence of defined benefit pension funds on venture capital activity and foreign equity investment. Anyone who is interested in what makes stock markets tick should be interested in what this book has to say about pension funds, the people who manage them and the impact that they have.

In The Money Flood, Michael Clowes, Editorial Director of Pensions & Investments, presents an instructive and entertaining overview of the pension fund industry and its effects on financial markets. The book begins with the National Labor Relations Board's 1948 holding that contract negotiations between employers and employees had to consider pensions-a watershed decision, Clowes argues, because it encouraged the growth of pensions funds and thus fostered their largely beneficial effects on markets and the economy. In the 50 years since, pension assets grew from $14.3 billion to almost $9 trillion, and the business itself matured from a small-club dominated by a few large corporations, bank trust departments, and insurance companies invested mostly in bonds to a diversified industry encompassing money managers, consultants, and mutual funds with investments in equity, real estate, commodities, start-up ventures, and overseas markets.

Clowes' chronological approach to this story is held together by several major themes. Primary, of course, is the fact that the growth in pension funds raised a vast flow of capital and unleashed it into America's markets. However, the effects of this new capital might not, Clowes suggests, have been as salutary, had not this flow of money encouraged the development of the investment technology and the investment professionals to manage it.

The "professionalization" of pension fund management had at least two beneficial effects. First, it allowed for the spread of pension money beyond bonds into more growth-building investments, including equity and venture capital. Second, it allowed for the spread of capital beyond the corporations that actually sponsored the pension funds. Clowes makes the interesting point that this has not been the case in Japan or Germany, say, where pools of pension money (smaller to begin with) have been generally confined to the sponsoring company and its affiliates, hence have not generated the wealth, for pension beneficiaries or the overall economy, that America's system has.

The book highlights the major turning points and participants in the development of the industry. These include the work of Harry Markowitz, Bill Sharpe, Fischer Black and others in financial technology; the efforts of Meyer Melnikoff at Prudential and Anders Voorhees at U.S. Steel to expand pension investing to stock; George Russell, Jr. and the development of the pension consulting business; Harrison Smith and the early moves to international pension investing at Morgan Guaranty; David Bronner's experiments with social investing at the Alabama Retirement System; and John Bogle and the growth of mutual funds.

A leading role throughout is played by the U.S. government. Sometimes it comes out as hero, as with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, which Clowes sees as enhancing the good effects of pension investing by replacing the old "prudent man" standard with a "prudent expert" standard more suitable for pension professionals. In recent years, however, the government has played the villain, by passing legislation that has stifled defined benefit plans. Clowes makes a convincing argument that their replacements-401(k)s and other defined contribution plans-will not be able to offer similar benefits in the way of retirement security and incentives to overall economic growth.

The Money Flood is a well-deserved pat on the back for those pension plan sponsors, consultants, investment advisors, and academics that have, over the past 50 years, created a financial revolution that benefited all Americans. It is "must" reading for all who seek to understand the development and workings of the pension fund industry.

Bruce I. Jacobs, Principal, Jacobs Levy Equity Management.

I was amazed to find this book pointed out beliefs accepted so early in life that I wasn't even aware they were beliefs. It was enlightening and freeing. What I expected to be a quick read turned out to be an absorbing, and fun filled exploration of myself.

A clearly presented book, complete with compelling stories and profound insights. Shows us how it is possible to create abundance through thought. Presents the spiritual way to manifest prosperity. A refreshing addition to all the money books. Finally one by a level-headed female. Teri-E Belf, Success Coac

Mr. Ennico has created a wonderful tool for the average entreprenuer. Each page has useful information that reflects the experience and intelligence of the author. I will be referring back to this book as my business continues to grow.

An author with business wisdom and experience that I want. Answers to my questions on every page. Simply the best book I have ever read on being an entrepreneur.

Larry Winget, has a style all of his own. This shines through in this book. It is so very simple to read, yet every chapter has at least one brilliant idea, that can be used instantly. This is not a Think and Grow Rich book, this is a book that is full of thought provoking practical ideas.

I always like books from people who walk their talk. Larry was rich, then broke, then rich again. Who better to learn from than an achiever?

The book is split into 19 short chapters. It covers every aspect of wealth, and how to create abundance in your life. It is a book that is focused and to the point. There are no esoteric theories, just straight forward obsevered advice.

I would also recomend, Bob Proctor's Book Born Rich, Wallace D Wattles book The Science Of Getting Rich and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

This book should be on everbody's bookshelf. Simple and easy to read advice, from somebody who has made it.

"Money Stuff" by Larry Winget really works! Easy to read, thought-provoking and full of great ideas about prosperity! 'Ya gotta' read this one! Larry James, Author of "LoveNotes for Lovers" & "How to Really Love the One You're With."

Let me put it this way: I own three copies of the book and keep looking for it in used bookstores. I've read nearly all of Condon's books but this is my favorite - the concept is funny, the characters are funny, the dialogue is funny and it all works. Track it down.

The gods--all of them!--have formed the third congress for the evaluation of sin because they don't understand the flap about money. Why is everyone so interested in it? WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT??? To answer this, they "take" two people and watch them interact. At first it's just supposed to be the two interacting with each other, but pretty soon the gods get into the picture, too. Zeus, acting the part of a horny municipal court judge, dodges Hera's wrath while chasing all the supernatural skirts he can. N'Zuriel ("Little Yaweh") keeps hitting the pause button situated on the side of his throne to stop action so that they can catch up on and analyze (incorrectly) what they're seeing, then restarts the action when they're satisfied. Know how sometime you lose track of what you're doing? That's when N'Zuriel hits the button. Want more? Find the book. Prepare for belly pain from excess hilarity.

This book tells you the honest and SIMPLE truths about money and how to make it grow. Anyone regardless of age, income, etc. can follow this advice if you really know what you want. This is not just a book about money (though mostly it is), it is also about making the best out of life. It is an easy, enjoyable read... and one of the best investments you can make! As a single, 30-something mom who is just starting to think about retirement (funds) I am now designing a financial plan for myself and my son's future. Thanks Jim Jorgensen... for ever word!

This was one of the best books and easiest to understand on how to save and invest money. It was written in language that was easy to comprehend. Anyone who wants to learn how to save for retirement should read this book

This is an excellent guide to the basics of money and financing.

The book focuses on London as a financial center and the British finanacial system in general, making frequent comparisons to New York and global practices. However, as it describes financial basics I think the that it would be useful to people almost anywhere interested in understanding such basics as: interest rates, banking, shares, insurance, foreign exchange, etc.

I was most impressed by Coggan's clear explanations helped by historical descriptions, e.g. goldsmiths and silversmiths became the earliest bankers when they stored gold and silver in their safes for nervous citizens. Then, when they noticed that of all the gold and silver stored in their vaults only a small amount was required for withdrawal, and this amount was roughly matched by new deposits, the idea of lending the idle gold and silver was born. The earliest smiths were from Italy and did their business from wooden benches in the market places. The Italian for bench is "banco" and was corrupted into the English word "bank".... Suddenly at the hands of Coggan banking seems like a very human enterprise and becomes easy to understand.

Coggan's knowledge is obviously thorough and his explanations are excellent. I highly recommend this book. Comments to LearningResearch@Cox.net

I bought this book about 5 years ago when I first got a job in the UK Financial Industry. It covers all the basics and you can start with little or no previous knowledge (I did!). To illustrate his point he includes examples of Indices, Exchange Rates, Unit Trust prices etc. from the Financial Times newspaper. It is easy to understand too. Can't recommend it highly enough.