Product Description

A financial guide aimed squarely at "Generation Debt'-and their anxious parents-from the country's most trusted and dynamic source on money matters

The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke is financial expert Suze Orman's answer to a generation's cry for help. They're called "Generation Debt" and "Generation Broke" by the media-people in their twenties and thirties who graduate from college with a mountain of student loan debt and are stuck with one of the weakest job markets in recent history. The goals of their parents' generation-buy a house, support a family, send kids to college, retire in style-seem absurdly, depressingly out of reach. They live off their credit cards, may or may not have health insurance, and come up so far short at the end of the month that the idea of saving money is a joke. This generation has it tough, without a doubt, but they're also painfully aware of the urgent need to take matters into their own hands.

The Money Book was written to address the specific financial reality that young people face today, and it offers a set of real, not impossible, solutions to the problems at hand and the problems ahead. Concisely, pragmatically, and without a whiff of condescension,

Suze Orman tells her young, fabulous & broke readers precisely what actions to take and why. Throughout these pages, icons direct readers to a special YF&B domain on Suze's website that offers more specialized information, forms, and interactive tools that further customize the information in the book. Her advice at times bucks conventional wisdom (Did she just say use your credit card?) and may even seem counterintuitive (Pay into a retirement fund even though your credit card debt is killing you?), but it's her honesty, understanding, and uncanny ability to anticipate the needs of her readers that have made her the most trusted financial expert of the day.

Over the course of ten chapters that can be consulted methodically, step by step, or on a strictly need-to-know basis, Suze takes readers past broke to a secure place where they'll never have to worry about revisiting broke again. And she begins the journey with a bit of overwhelmingly good news (yes, there really is good news): Young people have the greatest asset of all on their side-time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #75986 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-03
• Released on: 2005-03-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

Amazon.com Review
If you are tired of struggling to make ends meet but don't know a 401(k) from Special K, this book is for you. Aimed specifically at "Generation Broke"--those in their twenties and thirties who are working yet buried in credit card debt and student loans--this user-friendly guide offers a clear introduction to practical investing and money management techniques that can turn even a dismal financial situation around. Bestselling author Suze Orman has a knack for taking the fear out of money matters, and in The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous &: Broke, she shows readers how to set priorities and achieve goals, whether it is to buy a house or save for retirement or pay for a child's education. She also offers inspiration to readers to face their financial problems and get started on a solution. After all, there is good news: young people still have the time to correct problems so that they will never be broke again. Readers who find terms such as diversification and IRA rollover scary--or worse, unimportant--will learn much from this book.

In these pages, Orman clearly and succinctly explains what a FICO score is and why it's so important, offers the lowdown on stocks and mutual funds, provides career advice, and offers lots of tips on dealing with student loan debt, saving money even when times are tight, debt consolidation strategies, and the safest way for newlyweds to merge their finances. She also offers information on credit cards, including why canceling cards is not a good idea, when it makes sense to use them, and the best strategies for paying them off. It may not be the only money book you'll ever need, but it's an excellent place to start. --Shawn Carkonen

All About Suze Orman

The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke is financial expert Suze Orman's answer to a generation's cry for help. An Emmy-award winner, Orman is the author of four consecutive New York Times® bestsellers, The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, The Courage to Be Rich, The Road to Wealth, and The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life. The Money Book was written to address the specific financial reality that young people face today, and it offers a set of real, not impossible, solutions to the problems at hand and the problems ahead.

• Listen to a special message from Suze Orman.
• Visit the Suze Orman Store

Suze Orman: The Bestsellers

The Courage to Be Rich The Road to Wealth The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life

Suze Orman's Financial Guidebook The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom

Money Cards: Words That Lead to Wealth You've Earned it, Don't Lose It The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke, Audio CD

Build Your Own Suze Orman Library
The Essentials

The Laws of Money	The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom	You've Earned It, Don't Lose It
Money Cards: Words That Lead to Wealth	Suze Orman's Financial Guidebook	Suze Orman's Will And Trust Kit

Pep Talks: Suze Orman Audios

The Courage to Be Rich, CD	The Road to Wealth, CD	The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life, CD
The Courage to Be Rich, Cassette	The Road to Wealth, Cassette	The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life, Cassette

Bestselling Suze Orman Books on DVD

The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life, 2003	The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, 2004	The Road to Wealth, 2004
The Suze Orman Collection, 2003	The Courage to Be Rich	The Best of the Suze Orman Collection, 2004

From Publishers Weekly
No narrator, no matter how skilled, could sell the advice of personal finance guru Orman as well as Orman herself, so it's fitting that she gives voice to this audiobook. In a tone that is commanding (but in a motherly way), Orman lays out money management basics for YF&Bers (the young, fabulous and broke), covering everything from maintaining good credit and investing in the future to building a career and buying a first house. This is the lecture every parent should give their adolescent, and with Orman's emphatic delivery, it certainly has a lecture-like feel. There's no danger of nodding off during this audiobook, however. Orman's just-the-facts approach and spirited reading make this a quick, informative listen—a perfect motivator for anyone who has thought about organizing their finances and then opted for the beach instead. Simultaneous release with the Riverhead hardcover (Forecasts, Feb. 14). (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
...written in a non-condescending manner, and Orman modifies some of the suggestions she has made for her older readers. -- New York Post, February 27, 2005

[Orman] shows an atypical level of sympathy for the plight of the so-called "Generation Broke." -- Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 17, 2005

Customer Reviews

Why isn't this required reading in high school?
How many people graduate from high school and even college within knowing the basics of financial literacy - deciphering credit ratings, maintaining and balancing a bank account, getting through college with a minimum of student debt, making the most of that first job and, eventually, buying a home and planning for retirement?
Orman strives to close this "financial illiteracy" gap by providing invaluable info for those just starting out - although I found plenty of information I needed to know as well - and I'm well outside the "young and broke" range she seems to be targeting.
The info is not only cutting edge but many of the websites have NOT appeared in other books. One example of how new the info is: Orman notes the recent changes in credit rules noting that EVERYONE has access to a FREE credit report once a year.
Because she knows younger adults may be intimidated by a ton of financial info, Orman (wisely) delivers her advice in innovative, user-friendly ways. Each page is short, easy to read and yet chock full of info. In short, she doesn't waste words.
Each section is launched with a Lowdown on what will be covered in the chapter and there is a quick summary at the end with checklists to make sure readers know what they shouldn't have missed. A Glossary at the back of the book explains some of the more complex terms. Important website resources and key terms are boldfaced in green, a great asset when looking for important info.
Reading this book could help young people avoid many pitfalls, since Orman covers the basics such as:
* Understanding that all important credit rating and deciphering your FICO score

*Making a small paycheck stretch as far as possible while maximizing opportunites for career advancement.

* A special area on her website where buyers of the book can get UPDATES on info in the book and CONNECT with others on message boards, a great way to get info and share viewpoints (and Suze stops in regularly to answer a few select questions, giving readers an opportunity to have her answer YOUR questions)

* Current websites to get information quickly and fill in gaps. She even notes that readers can now get their FICO score FREE once a year, valuable information that is on the cutting edge of new legislation. This info alone could well be worth the price of the book.

* The rignt and wrong way to handle student debt

* How to start investing and the best funds for ROth IRAs and 401(k) accoutns.

* Buying a car, auto insurance and a home.

I consider this MUST reading for anyoone just starting an independent life and this will definitely be at the top of my gift list for any high school or college graduate. What better gift than to give someone the tools for an independent and financially secure future?

GOOD EVEN FOR US FORTY-SOMETHINGS
I haven't watched Suze on TV for that long but she always seems to make sense and what's more, common sense when it comes to making financial decisions. I guess I am a bit outside of the age range that this is intended for being in my early 40's but I still found a lot of very valuable information inside. Granted the book is squarely aimed at younger people who have just gotten out out college and are maybe a few years or more into their careers and faced with the bills of student loans. The information though is of great value to me as my first child is only 5 years away from going to college and the information about financial assistance was invaluable.

Thus while the information inside my not help me directly, I think it sets up a wonderful plan that we can use to its fullest extent when my son starts college as well as the years after. This is always a very hard time, especially when "kids" get their first lines of credit and often make the same extent of forgetting that at some point the bills have to be paid. I had some $15,000 in credit card debts, small compared to many I know, when I was in my early 30's and now have less than $2,000 which is very manageable. If i had had this book 15 years ago I might not have found myself in such a rough position. And certainly had I had the book I would have taken the advice about retirement plans much earlier than I did. As Suze puts forth, getting that 401K setup as early as you can will make life much easier down the road. Great Book!

I wish it were common sense
I purchased this book because I work for a student loan and financial literacy nonprofit organization. Having reviewed the student loan chapter of the book in its early stages, I was interested in the final product.

Not being so young or so broke (of course, I'm not satisfied with my money, but am better off than many), I still enjoyed and respected this book. It is written appropriately for this audience and addresses a number of hot topics.

Before considering this review, I read several others. Many indicated that Suze's advice is just "common sense". If only this were true. Unfortunately, studies show that the average student graduates from high school lacking basic financial literacy skills. To them, "balancing a checkbook" means using a calculator to ensure your adding and subtracking is correct. Even worse, a small percentage of the population thinks that checks in their checkbook mean they have money to spend!

Knowing this, I highly recommend Suzie's book! In addition to her clear writing and good examples, you have access to even more information on her web site, including excellent and FREE resources.

Here's to good reading and financial savvy!