Financial Self-Defense: How to Win the Fight for Financial Freedom

by Charles J. Givens

The author teaches his readers how to stop getting taken and start making money, with more than two hundred defense and attack strategies

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Business, Personal Finance

488 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1990

Reviews

[Melissa Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

The aging and a bit smelly pages of my copy of Financial Self-Defense by Charles J. Givens are covered in underlined and circled text. Mr. Givens has been gone for a quarter of a century, having died in 1998, but the lessons I learned have lasted a lifetime. Whether buying cars, insurance, appliance protection plans, planning for the future, understanding credit and using credit cards or investing money, Financial Self-Defense is a handy resource to keep on the bookshelf.

Why would I recommend a financial book for my multiple sclerosis blog’s Book of the Month? And an old book at that – published in 1995. The answer is simple, chronically ill patients often face financial challenges. Knowing what insurances are best to buy and which are not is the tip of the Givens’ financial advice iceberg.

In 2011, I left my promising career for medical disability and moved to permanent retirement in 2016. The lessons I learned from Charles J. Givens helped me to make wiser decisions with my money over the years, which made it possible for me and my husband to retire at 49 and 50 years old. Are we rich? No, but we aren’t eating macaroni and cheese every night. I read Financial Self-Defense during my first year of teaching; it was perfect timing as I began my earning years.

[Bill Donhiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is now quite dated. I read it when it first came out and decided to reread it prior to passing it along. The basic concepts are solid and it is a good reminder of what someone should be doing. There are probably newer financial books that cover the material better

[Olivia Taloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another must read. Great tips on how to save. I learned how to save on my home loan and car insurance by reading this book.

[Joshua Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though dated, its a good book to learn about managing personal finances, particularly major expenses.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

You do have to save and this is the most important part of Givens' book.