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The Financial Compass: How to Navigate Money with Confidence
“I did everything ‘right’ in school, yet I still feel lost with real-life money decisions.”
Soon after entering adulthood, many discover they’re expected to make major financial decisions they were never actually taught. Questions about housing, cars, insurance, debt, and investing suddenly carry real consequences—yet few people have ever been shown how these decisions actually work.
The Financial Compass changes that.
This isn't a book about complex equations or boring spreadsheets. It is a practical roadmap that breaks down the financial decisions adults face and explains them in a clear, straightforward way that is easy to understand and apply. Instead of learning through costly mistakes, you’ll gain the clarity to evaluate your options and make smart decisions with confidence.
Stop feeling lost. Avoid the mistakes you'll regret for years. Make financial decisions you can stand behind.
HERE’S WHAT READERS ARE
“A conversation with a family member.” – “Gary Freund's down-to-earth writing style will help all readers be more confident with their financial decisions. Reading this book feels like a conversation with a family member.”
“The roadmap I wish I had 50 years ago!” – “My first thought when reading the beginning chapters was, 'I sure wish I had this book 50 years ago!'"
“The perfect gift for graduates.” – “It’s the perfect ‘Welcome to Adulthood’ gift for every graduate in your life.”
“Finally, a book that makes sense.” – “Finally, a book that breaks down financial decisions in a way that actually makes sense. Thoughtful, direct, and incredibly practical.”
“The gold standard for young adults.” – “This is the financial roadmap young people have been waiting for. Gary cuts through the noise and delivers exactly what you need to take total control of your financial destiny.”
Soon after entering adulthood, many discover they’re expected to make major financial decisions they were never actually taught. Questions about housing, cars, insurance, debt, and investing suddenly carry real consequences—yet few people have ever been shown how these decisions actually work.
The Financial Compass changes that.
This isn't a book about complex equations or boring spreadsheets. It is a practical roadmap that breaks down the financial decisions adults face and explains them in a clear, straightforward way that is easy to understand and apply. Instead of learning through costly mistakes, you’ll gain the clarity to evaluate your options and make smart decisions with confidence.
Stop feeling lost. Avoid the mistakes you'll regret for years. Make financial decisions you can stand behind.
HERE’S WHAT READERS ARE
“A conversation with a family member.” – “Gary Freund's down-to-earth writing style will help all readers be more confident with their financial decisions. Reading this book feels like a conversation with a family member.”
“The roadmap I wish I had 50 years ago!” – “My first thought when reading the beginning chapters was, 'I sure wish I had this book 50 years ago!'"
“The perfect gift for graduates.” – “It’s the perfect ‘Welcome to Adulthood’ gift for every graduate in your life.”
“Finally, a book that makes sense.” – “Finally, a book that breaks down financial decisions in a way that actually makes sense. Thoughtful, direct, and incredibly practical.”
“The gold standard for young adults.” – “This is the financial roadmap young people have been waiting for. Gary cuts through the noise and delivers exactly what you need to take total control of your financial destiny.”
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 30, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! Gary takes complicated and seemingly daunting financial concepts and distills them into digestible “actions” that can easily be applied in one’s life. I recommend this book to readers of all ages, but especially young people who want to better understand and take control of their financial futures.
September 9, 2024
As a former high school teacher with over 30 years of experience, Gary Freund has distilled a lifetime of financial wisdom into a book that is nothing short of transformative.
My husband and I were so impressed after reading it, we are strongly encouraging our 17 year old daughter to dive into it over winter break, and revisit it during college before graduation. We plan to pay her to read it, provided she starts investing her part-time job earnings now!
From the first page to the last, The Financial Compass grabs your attention with its crystal clear, practical and actionable advice delivered in an absorbable way that is both engaging and enlightening. It’s a rare book that makes financial concepts simple and irresistibly compelling. You will find yourself breezing through pages, realizing you have digested 50 pages before you know it.
What truly sets this book apart is its ability to make you wish for a time machine to go back in time, to start investing with modest amounts of money - $25, $50, or $100 a week. The author, Gary Freund’s insights are so simple you will visualize yourself achieving financial freedom when you apply his principles.
In our view, The Financial Compass should be required reading for Millennials and Gen Z. High school and college seniors alike will find its powerful teachings invaluable and life changing. Follow his advice, and the lessons learned will pay dividends throughout the rest of your lives and you will be well on your way to FINANCIAL FREEDOM, retiring as a multi-millionaire.
I rate this book $3 million dollars and 5 stars. (you will see why we say $3M + dollars by Page 25 😊)
Don’t miss out on this life-changing read. It’s an investment in your future self that you won’t regret.
My husband and I were so impressed after reading it, we are strongly encouraging our 17 year old daughter to dive into it over winter break, and revisit it during college before graduation. We plan to pay her to read it, provided she starts investing her part-time job earnings now!
From the first page to the last, The Financial Compass grabs your attention with its crystal clear, practical and actionable advice delivered in an absorbable way that is both engaging and enlightening. It’s a rare book that makes financial concepts simple and irresistibly compelling. You will find yourself breezing through pages, realizing you have digested 50 pages before you know it.
What truly sets this book apart is its ability to make you wish for a time machine to go back in time, to start investing with modest amounts of money - $25, $50, or $100 a week. The author, Gary Freund’s insights are so simple you will visualize yourself achieving financial freedom when you apply his principles.
In our view, The Financial Compass should be required reading for Millennials and Gen Z. High school and college seniors alike will find its powerful teachings invaluable and life changing. Follow his advice, and the lessons learned will pay dividends throughout the rest of your lives and you will be well on your way to FINANCIAL FREEDOM, retiring as a multi-millionaire.
I rate this book $3 million dollars and 5 stars. (you will see why we say $3M + dollars by Page 25 😊)
Don’t miss out on this life-changing read. It’s an investment in your future self that you won’t regret.
September 4, 2024
Now I Get It! Gary Freund's Financial Compass is a game-changer for all ages - even financially savvy people. The book is written in an incredibly relatable manner, with engaging, realistic stories and helpful visuals that make complex concepts crystal clear.
With all the financial changes happening in the world, I feel better informed to engage in conversations about what occurs in the financial sector and how it affects my everyday life. Even though I’m retired, I’ve found plenty of actionable steps within its pages to maximize my financial future. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to refine their economic strategies and a must-have for my children and family. A great graduation gift! Had I had access to a book this well-written and engaging during my high school and college business classes, it would have made a difference in retaining concepts and applying them to achieve my life’s goals.
For anyone seeking a comprehensive yet approachable guide to financial wisdom, The Financial Compass is an investment in your future that you won't regret.
With all the financial changes happening in the world, I feel better informed to engage in conversations about what occurs in the financial sector and how it affects my everyday life. Even though I’m retired, I’ve found plenty of actionable steps within its pages to maximize my financial future. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to refine their economic strategies and a must-have for my children and family. A great graduation gift! Had I had access to a book this well-written and engaging during my high school and college business classes, it would have made a difference in retaining concepts and applying them to achieve my life’s goals.
For anyone seeking a comprehensive yet approachable guide to financial wisdom, The Financial Compass is an investment in your future that you won't regret.
September 11, 2024
OUTSTANDING! This is such a practical and easy to read book. It is filled with excellent real-life examples and charts that allow the reader to understand and visually see the concepts presented. While the target group for the book is 18-35 year olds, there really is something in this book for people of all ages. My first thought when reading the beginning chapters of the book was, I sure wish I had this book 50 years ago!
I hope "The Financial Compass" makes it into the hands of EVERY PERSON who is getting started on life's adult journey. It's not hard to quickly see that Gary Freund was an educator. He does such a phenomenal job of explaining so many complex concepts that people face immediately upon getting their first paying job. This is ABSOLUTELY a MUST READ...and RE-READ...book for young adults. It is the most practical guide to navigating the decisions that adults make that I have ever seen. I highly recommend this book!
I hope "The Financial Compass" makes it into the hands of EVERY PERSON who is getting started on life's adult journey. It's not hard to quickly see that Gary Freund was an educator. He does such a phenomenal job of explaining so many complex concepts that people face immediately upon getting their first paying job. This is ABSOLUTELY a MUST READ...and RE-READ...book for young adults. It is the most practical guide to navigating the decisions that adults make that I have ever seen. I highly recommend this book!
September 5, 2024
Valuable insight for any age!
As a longtime fan of Dave Ramsey and the “Seven Baby Steps” I was expecting to hear more of the same from this book.
Instead, I got a deep dive with 40 actionable items that I wished I had known when I first started earning my own money.
This book is targeted for those just starting out, but as someone who is less than a decade from retirement, Freund has opened my eyes to new things that I must start doing NOW!
As a longtime fan of Dave Ramsey and the “Seven Baby Steps” I was expecting to hear more of the same from this book.
Instead, I got a deep dive with 40 actionable items that I wished I had known when I first started earning my own money.
This book is targeted for those just starting out, but as someone who is less than a decade from retirement, Freund has opened my eyes to new things that I must start doing NOW!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews