Securing Your Financial Future: Complete Personal Finance for Beginners

by Christopher Grant Smith

When it comes to personal finance, the rules may have changed, but the time-tested principles of sound personal financial management haven't. Those starting out on their paths to financial security just need to learn them better and apply them earlier than ever before - ideally, right from the start. Previous generations have had some help in achieving financial security that young people can't count on generous employer pensions, steady housing price increases, and a well-funded Social Security program, to name a few. In short, the old "muddle through" approach won't cut it anymore - not even close. A steady income is still a must, but parlaying this into long-term financial security is now an entirely different proposition than ever before. The institutions of the past can no longer be relied upon to handle the process; each person now needs to manage the long-term financial planning and decision making on their own. Fortunately, though, anyone just starting out can still achieve a very strong financial future from almost any income level - but only by doing the right things to make it happen. Those things aren't particularly hard to understand or to do, but it is important to do them right, to do them consistently, and to do them in the right order. Most importantly, if you get an early start, the risks are minimal and the payoff is substantial. But each year that passes, the risks go up and the payoff goes down. If you have just started out in your financial life, or if you are just about to, and you want a complete and practical education in the fundamentals of personal finance for a secure future, then this book is for you. Chris Smith guides readers through the basics of saving, investing, and financial planning in language that is clear, accessible, and lively, making difficult concepts understandable to the novice, and enjoyable to those who already have some understanding. He shows readers how to apply this knowledge, and to avoid the most common pitfalls, to insure the best possible outcome for long-term financial security.

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Personal Finance

340 pages, Paperback

First published April 16, 2012

About the author

Christopher Grant Smith is the president of AGI Training (www.agitraining.com) and the author and editor of more than twenty books on creative technology and software from Adobe, Microsoft, and Apple applications in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Orlando, and on-line. He is the creator of the Digital Classroom book series published by AGI and Wiley: www.digitalclassroombooks.com.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Mark Zodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is designed for those just starting out and beginning their investment lives, and specifically does not cover the other parts of your investing life. It is good for those starting out though there are blind spots and some advice that I think is off base plus it is starting to get a bit outdated. For a book whose basic premise is to count every penny, his advice to pay a financial planner seems out of keeping with the thrust of the book. As part of this don't spend money where you don't have to, the author's asserts that "you don't need a will if you have no dependents or if your net worth is less than $100,000." What happens to your money and possessions after your death is very dependent upon your state of residence, and that advice doesn't provide for a way for you to determine who gets what upon your passing. Despite those and few other concerns, overall this is a good book to help you go from spender to saver and take control of your financial life.

[Brita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive and easy-to-understand introduction to personal finance.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I’d read this much, much sooner.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd rate this a 5 for folks who have little to no financial sense, but it was a little conservative for my taste--never buy a new car, never borrow for anything but a house (couldn't tell if school loans were another exception), never splurge on anything-travel, etc.-until retirement. I'm more frugal than almost anyone I know, but it was still a bit much. But if you need that lecture, great. Once you understand his basic philosophy, you can adapt the advice for your own use.

The advice on investment was very helpful in coordination with a couple other sources. I have a much better idea how to allocate my retirement savings.

[Michael Vandevoorde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris did not demystify all the financial jargon I was hoping for, but he did offer me an excellent overview of what my financial plan needs to consist of. I feel very motivated to secure my financial future.

The book is perhaps the most unique sort of textbook I have ever read. It was actually quite easy and even enjoyable to read, as it is written like a father talking to his son trying to be funny (and sometimes succeeding).

My favorite line is in the last paragraph. I've never had an author thank me for reading his/her book: "It has been my pleasure serving as your author and time-travel guide."

No, Chris. The pleasure is all mine! :)

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid informational source for anyone beginning or rebuilding their financial foundation. The biggest negative is the exposition. This reads like mini lectures and should be taken in small chunks otherwise I doubt most financial beginners will finish it.

[Kerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good read for beginners not knowing where to start.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly helpful

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great great great book for young people who don't know much about finances.