Product Description

An invaluable resource for individuals of all ages and all life stages- from a rising star in the personal finance industry and her network of financial planners.

Increasingly, more people are taking an active role in managing their personal financial affairs. This is especially true for so-called middle Americans-those who have no other option than to work for a living. Financial guru Sheryl Garrett has devoted her career to helping these individuals. Garrett is unique in that she works with clients on an hourly, as-needed basis.

For the first time ever, she and her colleagues have compiled answers to the most common financial questions asked by the majority of consumers as they pass through various stages of life. Just Give Me the Answer$: Expert Advisors Address Your Most Pressing Financial Questions provides quick but solid solutions to a variety of concerns, including:

*How can I become debt-free?
*Is it wise to accelerate my mortgage payments?
*Am taking advantage of all the tax savings opportunities available?
*How can I balance my desire to fund my child’s college education with the need to save for retirement?
*Which mutual fund strategy is best?
*Where can I get help to make sense of my Medicare benefits?

The book’s easy-to-access format includes real-life stories and examples, blank worksheets, and scores of resources for additional information. Consumers may read from front to back or pick and choose the most relevant topics.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #765174 in Books
• Published on: 2004-06-01
• Released on: 2004-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

About the Author
Sheryl Garrett is a Certified Financial Planner who prefers to work with a diverse clientele from all walks of life, not just with the affluent. To that end, she founded a nationwide network of fee-only hourly financial planners that successfully serves America’s middle market. Throughout her 17-year career, she has held various leadership roles with the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, and has been a popular speaker at industry events. She frequently is quoted in major business publications and has been the subject of several investment publication cover stories. Most recently, she was named one of the top 25 most influential people in the financial planning industry by Investment Advisor magazine.

Customer Reviews

Great Reference for the Do-It-Yourselfer!
This book is a great place for the do-it-yourself investor to look when validating what you are planning to do in your financial world. Worth its weight in gold.

Very very basic information
If you have had to take out a mortgage to buy a house, have ever purchased life insurance or have a retirement account, this book will seem extremely basic. There aren't really any tools, worksheets or practical plans here. The book is simply a series of "Tips" -- very brief articles from different financial planners. It's a readable format, but there's not much meat.

For example, the section on "Software for Staying Organized" includes mention of only 3 software products, two of which are Microsoft Money and Intuit Quicken. The author starts her comments saying "The basic/standard versions are entry-level products designed for people new to personal finance software" (My experience with the basic versions of those programs is that they include quite powerful analysis and budgeting tools).

If you're just starting out or really need a primer, this is a readable book and comes well recommended. But if you are reasonably literate in working with lenders and insurance companies, you'll find this too simple.

Easy to read general financial advice
Great general purpose financial advice book, well organized and structured so as to allow the reader to learn as much or as little as desired.