Personal Finance in Plain English: Definitions. Examples. Uses.

by Michele Cagan CPA

208 pages, Hardcover

Published March 25, 2025

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michele Cagan is a popular personal finance author. Her books include Budgeting 101, Debt 101, Retirement 101, Investing 101, Taxes 101, and other ‘101’ personal finance titles. The in-depth content that she provides in these books helps readers improve their financial literacy and competency in these areas.

Her latest book, ‘Personal Finance in Plain English,’ is well suited for those who are new to personal finance or wish to broaden their personal finance knowledge. The book is a glossary of 350 personal finance terms, divided among 17 chapters. Each chapter covers a personal finance category (e.g., savings, credit cards, insurance, stocks and bonds, retirement planning, taxes, estate planning, etc.) and includes a chapter overview. Terms are alphabetized within each chapter, and each term has three subsections: what it is, how it works, and how it is used. The book’s contents are easy to comprehend and adequately cover personal finance as a whole—from effectively managing current finances today to sufficiently planning for tomorrow.

Financial security is a necessary means to living a happy and fulfilled life. Having it allows us to devote more time to activities that are dear to us rather than spending it struggling to make ends meet. ‘Personal Finance in Plain English’ is a good book to get you started on your journey to financial security. The knowledge you gain from it will help you effectively manage your finances and build wealth.

[My special thanks to Adams Media (Simon & Schuster) and NetGalley for an advance reading copy of this book.]

[Leslie Yong · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Personal finance- in plain English” by Michele Cagan
is part of "The Personal Finance 101 Boxed Set", which provides comprehensive guides to personal finance, budgeting, and taxes.

*"Personal Finance in Plain English"* offers:
- Clear definitions and explanations of personal finance terms
- Coverage of topics like banking, taxes, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, stocks, cryptocurrency, and retirement planning
- Straightforward explanations of 350 personal finance terms

This book provides valuable insights and practical advice for managing personal finances. However, the contents are more applicable to the local American economy.

[Maria Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great resource, in basic English, easy to understand definitions and sentences for use. Best for young people of any age to get an understanding of financial terms and practices BEFORE making decisions and getting into commitments. Knowledge is power and ACCESS to knowledge in order to make good, informed decisions is the best practice for everyone! Great little book!