Archive for the ‘Required Reading’ Category

Despite the new consumer protection legislation that goes into effect in just a few short weeks (i.e. the CARD Act) it’s still incumbent upon people who use plastic to know what they are getting themselves into. In other words, they need to know the skinny on credit cards, which just so happens to be the title of today’s RR book.

The Skinny on Credit Cards, How to Master the Credit Card Game is an easy-to-read and guide on using plastic wisely.  And by easy I mean stick-figure easy (literally.) You can preview a few pages on their website and check out what I mean.

This tome by Jim Randel (he has a series of them) helps teach you how to:

• Escape from credit card debt
• Improve your credit score
• Lower your interest rate (APR)
• Identify credit company tricks
• Select the right credit card
• Protect yourself against fraud
• Teach your kids about debt
• Avoid paying fees

Unlike books that give stupid advice like “don’t use credit cards” this one recognizes that credit cards are an indispensable if not unavoidable part of modern life can you can use Visa to your advantage.

So grab a copy of a simple book and don’t let the card companies play you for a simpleton.

You’re already probably already wondering why the heck there’s an article here about getting into debt.

I understand. That’s not the kind of advice that this particular audience needs. Debtbeat readers are masters of the MasterCard, virtuosos of the Visa and lions of the lines of credit. So what gives?

I’ll tell you. For the latest in the Required Reading series I’ve chosen the book How To Get Into Debt from the folks at Knock Knock.

As part of their “Self-Hurt” series (get it?) it uses a contrary point of view to shed light on what gets us all in trouble with debt. It’s a hilarious read with great illustrations and fun financial factoids interspersed throughout the book.

And at a little over five bucks it’s a great way to get entertained while reflecting on bad habits that lead to debt slavery.

It’s packed with sage advice like “when it comes to credit cards, the more the merrier” and “savings: don’t do it.”

It’s easy to make this the anti-debt Bible.  Just take your direction from George Constanza who knew “if every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.”

I was surprised at how rich and well-written this is. It’s close to 200 pages and I could just tell that the authors were having trouble keeping it together when they put these outlandish thoughts on paper.

Sometimes we’re all far too serious when it comes to dealing with the problem of debt and it’s a good idea to take a break every once in a while to have a laugh at our own expense. Even if you’ve dug yourself into a hole, at least you’ve gotten some exercise!

So grab a copy, have a laugh and pass it along to a friend or family member who needs a good laugh and some good advice (delivered in a Bizarro World way.)

With just a few shopping days until Christmas and much of the population holed up due to one of the worst December snowstorms on record, there are a lot of folks looking for last-minute gifts online.

The folks at Amazon.com have always come through for me with a huge selection and fast shipping and I’ll be sending out a tome or two this year for friends who’ve been hit hard by the economic downturn and whose finances look worse than the side streets in my neighborhood.

Need a couple of ideas, too? Here is a list of books I’ve selected for you to gift (or get a jumpstart on your New Year’s resolutions.) Many of these have been featured in our Required Reading posts this year, others are new finds. Enjoy.

The Debtbeat Holiday Reading Gift Guide –

• The Budget Kit: The Common Cents Money Management Workbook
• How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously: *(Based on the Proven Principles and Techniques of Debtors Anonymous)
• Kiplinger’s Money Smart Women: Everything You Need to Know to Acheive a Lifetime of Financial Security (Kiplinger’s Personal Finance)
• The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Personal Finance, Fourth Edition
• Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money-That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!
  *FYI, This will be released on January 10th.
• Overcoming Overspending: A Winning Plan for Spenders and Their Partners
• Managing Debt For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance))
• Spent: Break the Buying Obsession and Discover Your True Worth
• Currency of Hope
• Debt-Proof Living: The Complete Guide to Living Financially Free (Debt-Proof Living (Paperback))

Got any other great money books that you know about? Share your ideas in the comments.