Personal Finance for Busy People

This is a nicely laid out book which provides basic information on a wide variety of personal finance topics in an easy to use and understand format. Among the many topics is information on how to get more out of your current income, advice on insurance and annuities, and the benefits and pitfalls of investing in real estate, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and treasury issues. A nice feature is the inclusion in every chapter of a section called "Fast Forward." This is in reality a quick reference summary of major points of the chapter. Busy people sometimes don't have time to read the whole thing.Another intersting feature is the use of easy to recognize icons to call the reader's attention to areas in which there might be a question or special information. Sprinkled throughout are icons of a pensive scientist with "Expert Advice." Here there tips on such things as using credit for meeting emergencies, using 401k's and IRA's to accumulate savings, and where to find yields on government securities. Caution signs warn about possible repercussions of taking a specific course of action. Important definitions are signaled with an icon of amuscle man. Finally, and icon of two musical notes calls attention to "margin notes" on various items of interest.This book succeeds very well in its intended purpose. It serves as a quick introduction to many important areas of personal finance without bogging down in complicated theories and charts, gives some very helpful basic advice, and serves as a handy reference book for further study.