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misssusan's review
3.0
this is a decent book if you're young, very new to the world of personal finance, and of a religious persuasion that has no objection to the concept of interest
i meet about one and a half of those conditions and picked it up because i am easily amused and the title caught my eye
if you would like the cliff notes version of this book here it is:
1. don't go into debt
2. no seriously, don't go into debt. you can pick up a mortgage when you purchase a house but even then don't go around trying to purchase the most expensive house on the block
3. max out your 401k and then invest only in stock market index funds (this is where the interest bit comes in)
4. bro, listen. don't go into debt. don't do it for a degree, don't do it for a car, don't do it for clothes, if you can't pay in cash then don't even look at it
5. a lot of jokes about lenny dykstra
3 stars
i meet about one and a half of those conditions and picked it up because i am easily amused and the title caught my eye
if you would like the cliff notes version of this book here it is:
1. don't go into debt
2. no seriously, don't go into debt. you can pick up a mortgage when you purchase a house but even then don't go around trying to purchase the most expensive house on the block
3. max out your 401k and then invest only in stock market index funds (this is where the interest bit comes in)
4. bro, listen. don't go into debt. don't do it for a degree, don't do it for a car, don't do it for clothes, if you can't pay in cash then don't even look at it
5. a lot of jokes about lenny dykstra
3 stars
katylang's review
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed it! If you're looking to clean up your finances this year, I recommend this book for straightforward, no-nonsense advice that's actually enjoyable to read (the guy inserts humor throughout). It is targeted at urban, childless, professional, college-educated 20-somethings - if that describes you, you'll get a lot of out of it. I was doing a lot of his suggestions already, but I appreciated the reinforcement and the helpful little tips and tricks throughout.
jereshkigal's review
3.0
This has a good amount of basic financial information, especially for those whose are young and just starting out in the world. There's also a fair bit of snarkiness in it. The author actually tells the reader to "shut up" two times in one of the chapters. I didn't know readers and authors had discussions in a printed media format, but alright. Although I disagree with a couple of points the author makes, this book is decent for a foundational knowledge of personal finance.
noveladdiction's review
4.0
I actually thought this was a very well done book. Probably the first nonfiction book about changing your life and finances that I was able to finish in one sitting, and even enjoyed. The author has an excellent voice, and I even chuckled a time or two. Definitely worth looking into if you're in your 20s and want to get your finances on track. Putting this on my wish-list so I can own it and refer back to it whenever necessary.
kil3yp's review
3.0
This book has me torn.
I grabbed it to read mostly because a) financial advice is never a bad thing (as long as you can recognize the good from the bad) and b) because someone who looks as smarmy on the cover than has the audacity to title his book as such has to at least be good for a laugh.
And it was - but mostly because Zac writes how I talk (with a large amount of sarcasm, disdain and assumption that others are stupid). But there lies the problem - this book was written for stupid people, but not in a language they can understand. I learned pretty much zero from this book - I have no debt, have a sizable sum in both my savings and chequings, and do not make car payments. My goals for my financial future involve either buying a house or pursuing a masters degree - the house I'll mortgage, but the degree would be paid in cash. I have friends I want to recommend the book to - but would they get it? Or would they think Zac was serious when he states that calling creditors to renegotiate interests rates should not be undertaken while sober?
It's great for complete morons in the money arena. But as long as they understand written sarcasm and disdain when they see it. And that they understand Zac isn't making fun of them (well, maybe a little), but simply trying to help them see the better path. If you pay your credit card bills each month, have enough savings to float your you broke your leg and couldn't work for a couple months - you probably don't need this book.
However, if you graduated with an English degree, but don't want to teach, and have decided to go back to school because that means you don't have to start paying off your student loans, but somehow still manage to get bottle service with your Amex while working part time at McDonalds...read it. It will hopefully be a gateway into more useful financial books.
I grabbed it to read mostly because a) financial advice is never a bad thing (as long as you can recognize the good from the bad) and b) because someone who looks as smarmy on the cover than has the audacity to title his book as such has to at least be good for a laugh.
And it was - but mostly because Zac writes how I talk (with a large amount of sarcasm, disdain and assumption that others are stupid). But there lies the problem - this book was written for stupid people, but not in a language they can understand. I learned pretty much zero from this book - I have no debt, have a sizable sum in both my savings and chequings, and do not make car payments. My goals for my financial future involve either buying a house or pursuing a masters degree - the house I'll mortgage, but the degree would be paid in cash. I have friends I want to recommend the book to - but would they get it? Or would they think Zac was serious when he states that calling creditors to renegotiate interests rates should not be undertaken while sober?
It's great for complete morons in the money arena. But as long as they understand written sarcasm and disdain when they see it. And that they understand Zac isn't making fun of them (well, maybe a little), but simply trying to help them see the better path. If you pay your credit card bills each month, have enough savings to float your you broke your leg and couldn't work for a couple months - you probably don't need this book.
However, if you graduated with an English degree, but don't want to teach, and have decided to go back to school because that means you don't have to start paying off your student loans, but somehow still manage to get bottle service with your Amex while working part time at McDonalds...read it. It will hopefully be a gateway into more useful financial books.
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