Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny Mass Market Paperback – January 5, 2010

MUST HAVE BOOK AT ANY AGE I learned so much! The importance of saving & the right way to spend money that my parents never taught me. The things my husband & I did wrong throughout the years. What I am going to start doing correctly at age 67 to improve my financial situation. The Suze Orman book for young people to send to my son, so he & his wife can manage student loans, and learn to establish good credit. The importance of proper credit card use & actually reading your statements, and knowing what you APR (interest rate) is on your cards. Things you do with credit cards that affect your credit. I am convinced that it is never too late to learn to be smart about your money, no matter how much or how little you have. It is also so very stupid not to change your money habits of spending & saving. Thanks for the wake up call & plan of action Suze!

Suze Orman's book "Women & Money" aims not only at being informative, but inspirational. And that inspiration is supposed not only to reflect on the financial part of one's life, but on everything; the subtitle "Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny" gives you an idea of what the author has in mind.It was, you guessed it, another free e-book from the Amazon Kindle shop, but that should not fool anyone into thinking it is worthless - quite the contrary. I believe that a lot of people will find Miss Orman's advice very, very useful, myself included (although I must take away one of the two "verys", since a lot of the information does not apply outside the US, which is of course not the author's fault; she had clearly directed her book at women in the US, and so it is "my fault" that I have read a book only partly meant for me)."Women & Money" starts off by examining why women often find it so difficult to have a healthy relationship with money - their money -, or simply are not interested in financial matters at all.The book then goes on to explain what can and should be done to remedy the situation, and at the same time as money and how one deals with it becomes a natural part of one's life, that person's life gains power.This does NOT mean that women (or men) should be steely-eyed cold-blooded characters whose only interest is money, money, and more money. In fact, quite the opposite. The author teaches her readers how taking control of one's own financial affairs means one can better reflect qualities such as courage, generosity, harmony, balance, wisdom, cleanliness (yes, that is part of dealing with one's own financial matters, too), and even beauty.Sounds a bit unlikely? Well, it is not; all points in this book are presented in a logical way that is easy to understand.While I skipped the chapters that are dealing with US-specific topics such as FICO scores, IRAs and 401(k) plans, I liked the way the whole book is set up in the shape of a 5-month-action plan to set the financial part of one's life straight. Miss Orman does at no point promise eternal wealth by some obscure scheme, but she gives clear directions towards financial security. There are check lists at the end of each chapter, and in the introduction of each chapter she talks about what this particular chapter will help you with. Also, there are many references to the author's website, where one can find useful calculating tools, more check lists, detailed tips on how to keep daily spending in check, and so on.Yes, there is quite a lot of pep talk, but it is well put and probably necessary.It inspired me to tackle a few issues, too - for instance, already earlier this year, I wanted to speak to my boss about a raise (I have completed my first year with the company in May), and after reading "Women & Money", I have a much clearer idea of what I am going to say, and am more determined to really have this conversation. And soon!

In my opinion, Suze Orman has done a great service for women by telling them they have a responsibility to themselves to care about their financial well-being. No one has done this as effectively as Suze and I applaud her effort. Somehow, the women's movement dropped the ball after it urged women to burn their bras, put their kids in daycare and climb the corporate ladder. Although I do not agree with every recommendation made, this book, like all her previous books goes beyond the practical to the psychology of money and how it affects women.Readers will gain confidence while learning that money decisions they blindly leave to others is their responsibility, and as Suze suggests will begin to take an active interest in preserving and growing their wealth. She wants women to love themselves as much as they love others. She hopes they will pay themselves in a way that shows they value their work. She urges them to have boundaries around money and limit what others can extract from them. She has a nurturing voice and a compassionate writing tone that engages women while simultaneously holding them accountable. There is an urgency to her message.I see Ms. Orman as a social engineer who by sharing this collection of tools and teaching the language of wealth educates and empowers a group undervalued in this society. To permanently help those who have been outsiders to the financial world, Suze shares information using the buzz words of the industry. She is a pioneer, giving women the ability to negotiate and self-protect wealth they did not know they had a right to. This is clearly a woman on a mission who has done a wonderful job communicating to her readers.

A smart girlfriend sent me this book as a gift. Took me months to finally read it - but I sure am glad I did. While I was fairly familiar with a lot of Suze's advice and well on the way to her plan's steps - she offers some key advice to consider: 1) living trusts can help ease the transition if you pass away, significantly reducing paperwork and fees for your heirs; 2) Roth IRA rules will change in 2010 - so it is a good idea to fund a standard IRA now (even though for me its not tax deductible due to my tax bracket) - because standard IRAs become convertible to the Roth IRA in 2010, only paying tax on the money earned since investing! Roths are the best way to grow retirement money tax free. I loved her advice too about funding the company match 401K, then the Roth (if you qualify) and then the rest of your 401K opportunity. I've told plenty of friends to go out and buy the book - and a few have come back to thank me! I'll probably be giving it out as Christmas gifts this year even though her special offer has passed (maybe she'll get them to renew it!) When I have friends with small nest eggs talking about buying expensive cars...time to give them the wake up call!

This gave me great information to start my life over after a divorce.

Good book, gave some new insights into how we should make money decisions and respecting our finances. If you're looking for get rich slow this book is great. If this is the right Suze Orman book it also gave some invaluable information on things like being the executor of a will.Bear in mind she is an American author but where she was able, she also added references relating to English organisations and processes.Changed my mindset and handling of finances for the better.

Slow read with lots of sarcasm

I gave it 4 stars, because her insights are very helpful, but it is geared to the American economy . Still very useful

This book contains good valid points about handling money. However, it is not so suitable for Indian readers as it mostly highlights about the insurance policies, retirement benefits, and bank savings benefits in alignment with the US system. Hence, we fail to relate in most of the cases about what the author is trying to convey.

very good book. I loved the approach. avery practical way of thinking and dealing. not really the common language of women which is filled with emotions and confusion.for this price you will get a good read which will help you understand and better your relationship to money