The Money Class

April 25, 2011
With a clarion call to "stand in your truth," Orman (The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke) re-engineers much of the advice given in her previous works for her latest volume. Chock full of financial advice pertinent to the post-2008 economic landscape, the book addresses every age and stage of life. Organized into nine "classes," with each class/chapter further divided into related lessons, Orman's effort is characteristically upbeat and no-nonsense, offering lessons on family matters, homeownership, saving for college, emergencies, retirement, and more. Orman firmly guides readers when dealing with parenting issues or underwater mortgages. Orman declares herself "vehemently anti-allowance," opting instead for paying children to do household chores, and she explains how to implement such a policy. A class on careers gives honest advice for anyone facing continued unemployment or thinking of taking a lower paying position. And three of her classes focus on financial planning for the future and how readers as young as 20 can begin saving for retirement. After finishing Orman's book, and completing her exercises, readers will have a very clear sense of how they can achieve what she has rechristened the "New American Dream."

April 1, 2011
New economic times demand new economic strategies. In her tenth book, Orman deals some hard and sobering truths to readers, truths she had difficulty embracing. The parameters remain the same. She talks about home, job and career, family, retirement, and spending. Yet the advice often differs dramatically from that of previous books. She begins each section with hard-edged facts; for example, if unemployment hits you, be prepared to accept a job, almost any job, at a lower salary level than before. Do not wait for the best job; take the best option that you have today. Pay off your mortgage before retiring. Delay Social Security benefits at least until the governments full retirement age. And so on. Sidebars lend detailed insight to chapters on topics including life insurance as the ultimate gesture of love, the risks of private college loans, and questions condo buyers need to ask. Its a very straightforward but still optimistic message that Ormans delivering: Live below your means but within your needs. High-Demand Backstory: Ormans new book will be given a publicity blitz of enormous proportions, which could even include billboards.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

Starred review from December 1, 2013

American financial guru Orman (9 Steps to Financial Freedom) gives readers a comprehensive guide to managing their personal finances with recommendations that are straightforward and tailored to America's current economic climate.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.