The Green Magazine Guide to Personal Finance: A No-B.S. Book for Your Twenties and Thirties

By Ken Kurson

Book Overview

Straight-up, jargon-free advice on personal finance for those made nauseous by the phrase "personal finance."

What the hell's a stock? A bond? A mutual fund? And why do I need to know?
Is it better to start investing, or pay off that lingering credit card balance?
Should I borrow money to buy a bungalow? A Jaguar? A jalopy? How?
What's so great about compound interest anyway?
Is the price of this book tax-deductible?

The Green Magazine Guide to Personal Finance answers these questions and provides savvy, sensible money advice for anyone who doesn't want to wade through lots of b.s. Ken Kurson, editor of the critically acclaimed Green magazine, demystifies all types of personal financial matters--investing, retirement planning, credit card debt, student loans, first-time home buying, insurance, taxes--as well as providing valuable information on learning to live within your means, dealing with deadbeat roommates or spendthrift boyfriends, and putting on a cheap wedding. Ken Kurson's engaging yet always pragmatic money-speak is enlivened with real-life examples, pie charts, comics, and dead-on humor. His advice doesn't always sound like Dad's, but it's every bit as solid. The Green Magazine Guide is the only book that speaks to all those who are cynical, intimidated, or simply flummoxed about money matters.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385487592
• ISBN13: 9780385487597
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Main Street Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A real gift to those of us a bit spooked by money

I received this book as a gift from my girlfriend, who keeps trying to persuade me to save money for retirement, invest in a 401k, blah, blah, blah. I can't help it - I have a mental block about money, it just intimidates me. Well, it did until I got this book. It's written in normal english and it explains everything, not just the concepts, but WHY my life will improve if I understand this stuff. My only regret is not having the book about five years ago. Have already read it twice, and am already dispensing advice to my friends now, and even a little to my girlfriend. Really good job by the author.

An excellent intro to understanding personal finance terms.

If you really want to get started taking charge of your own financial situation, this book is a must-have. I've highlighted sections of mine and can go back and refer to it because everything is in plain English- but the author doesn't talk down to you. I'm going to give this to all of my younger family and friends as a college graduation present. The analysis of different types of investments, insurance plans, terminology, and etc. is excellent and now I have enough confidence in my own knowledge to move to the next step of actual money management.

A totally fun money book for people scared of money

Practically my whole life, I've felt the need to know more about personal finance, but I was too afraid of all the jargon the guys in suits on TV would spew every time I tried to learn. This book's different. Somehow, the author writes like people really talk and think, and I learned more valuable stuff about what to do with the few bucks I have spilling over every month in the first couple chapters than I did trying to follow all the TV shows. A definite keeper for young people who don't like to be B.Sed.

money made simple and fun

these are the things that dad and your best friends have probably said to you but it didn't make sense at the time or you just didn't care... i have used the book to skim for advice on the things that i am currently interested in.... definitely a great resource for anyone having to begin to take financial matters into your own hands....

A smart and unique--often hilarious--guide to finance.

Green Magazine Guide is an essential purchase for anyone, regardless of age, who wants to understand the often-beguiling world of finance. Kurson is smart, well-informed, and is often very funny; all of which should be required qualities for any commentator, but are rarely evident. He cuts through the typical money-talk jargon to deliver refreshingly direct advice on investments, mortgage, insurance, and taxes. Like the journalists and rock guitarists he admires, Kurson is sharp in both his attacks and words of praise. And how many other financial writers give props to comic-book creator Harvey Pekar? I'll be reading the Green Magazine Guide long after I've cashed in my 401K.