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The Missing Semester: Your financial choices have consequences. Will you choose wisely?

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The 2013 EIFLE Book of the Year!

Visit http://www.themissingsemester.com to read more testimonials from academic and financial professionals.

Choices we make every day have financial consequences--in some cases, BIG financial consequences. Understanding these critical decisions requires understanding their long-term effects. The Missing Semester provides a short course on the essentials for making wise financial decisions and gaining financial freedom.

Although designed with the recent college graduate in mind, The Missing Semester is relevant to a much wider audience. Those who bypassed college, or who are already in the working world, may better relate to some of the topics discussed. For those still in college or high school, this is a chance to get a head-start on peers and an independent life.

The Missing Semester is based on the principle of ownership--ownership of your financial future. It begins with the premise that your financial future is your responsibility, and that you cannot plan for or expect help. The book shows how to build a strong financial foundation, prepare for the unexpected, and confront challenges.

67 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2012

18 people are currently reading
224 people want to read

About the author

Matt Kabala

2 books

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5 stars
17 (20%)
4 stars
29 (34%)
3 stars
25 (29%)
2 stars
10 (11%)
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4 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Meredith.
122 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2020
A quick and helpful read. The Missing Semester had some information I already knew and also lots that I didn't. I think that some recommendations were a little outdated (it was written in 2012), but overall, very sound advice.

This book got me thinking about how much liquid savings I should have, how much is acceptable to spend on housing, practical advice for taking out a car loan, the basics of investing, and most of all, how to be frugal through all of this.

In fact, my one qualm with this book is that it maybe promotes frugality a little too much. As a person who already spends extremely cautiously, sometimes too cautiously, I found myself wishing for more advice on how to strike a balanced between responsibility and spending rather than taking drastic measures.

But I recognize this book's intended audience is recent grads with lots of debt. I'm blessed and thankful that this isn't my situation, and so I can forgive this book for promoting drastic action!
3 reviews
March 19, 2023
This was by far, the most conversation fin lot book I have read. I recommend this for anyone that feels overwhelmed by how to invest, budget, etc. The chapters are short and sweet but dense with wisdom.

My only criticism is that I wish the sources were more substantial. I hope they write an update for the post COVID landscape!
Profile Image for Reggie Franklin.
2 reviews
July 22, 2018
A good read to get started with financial knowledge

A very easy read with very good financial advice. It can easily be finished in a day. It’s especially good for high school or college students
Profile Image for Amalek.
17 reviews6 followers
July 16, 2019
Good read

I would have loved more information but nonetheless it was a good read. I would recommend reading when your desperate for financial information.
Profile Image for Emily Pryor.
210 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2021
Very similar to Dave Ramsey IMO but prefer Dave’s FPU classes/program bc it’s more in depth.
200 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2017
Good book covering many of the basics. Very simple good for younger people
Profile Image for Hailee.
9 reviews
March 27, 2013
Great book to reinforce the importance of being financially literate and introduce how to be smart when making financial decisions.
A very quick read that every high school student should be required to read.
Profile Image for Kim.
259 reviews3 followers
December 8, 2013
Very good information presented in easy to understand language for the target audience. Every high school student should read this and keep it for reference.
7 reviews
December 6, 2019
Easy to understand, great to read

I really enjoyed the book and it points out many of the habits that leave people in a cycle of debt and never making any wealth.

Profile Image for Carnegie Mellon University Alumni Association.
62 reviews47 followers
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June 28, 2017
Eugene Natali, Jr. (TPR 2007), Co-Author

From the co-author:
2013 EIFLE (Excellence in Financial Literacy Education) Book of the Year - Adult, General Awarded by: the Institute For Financial Literacy. About the Award: The EIFLE Awards were established in 2007 and have since become one of the most prestigious and sought after awards in the industry. Each year, the Institute for Financial Literacy presents EIFLE Awards to individuals and organizations that have shown exceptional innovation,dedication and commitment to the field of financial literacy education. About the Book: Designed with the recent high school or college graduate in mind, The Missing Semester provides a short course on the essentials for making wise financial decisions and gaining financial freedom.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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