"Financial Books Offer Helpful Advice on Money Decisions"

I don’t know about you, but the phrase, “financial planning”, conjures in me the feelings of guilt and remorse. Most all of us can think back on the golden opportunities lost, unwise purchases made, and savings squandered. The book publishing world has capitalized on this sense of universal financial guilt by publishing scads of self-help books on managing money, family budgeting, family finance, etc.

Many of these books offer great advice on how to purchase wisely, conquer credit debit, reduce home mortgages, and save for the education of children. We all need help in these matters, even if it’s just advice that re-enforces practices we are already following. I take home a couple of these books every few months just to learn if there is something new that will help me keep more of my hard-earned cash.

One of the things I learned recently from reading one of the Library’s new books is that as retirement age nears, you should begin saving some money in a non-tax-deferred account so that on retirement day, you don’t have to immediately begin cashing out your 401K’s or other pension plans. The market might be bearish then. So, you want some cash available to hold you over for a few months until the market looks better.

Regarding a cash savings, it’s surprising that many of us cannot save ahead for those “rainy days”. Generally, the shower starts when the car’s transmission grinds to a halt. The next thing that happens is the hot-water heater fizzles. When you can’t imagine that the situation can get any worst, the microwave quits working. Why is it that crises really do seem to occur in threes?

Some of the Library’s new books on personal finance include: “Fastread Personal Finance”. In this 110-page book, the author covers about every topic from why it is important to keep your checkbook balanced to managing credit cards.

“50 simple things you can do to improve your personal finances” by Ilyce Glink offers advice on how to spend less, save more and make the most of what you already have.

“Everyone’s money book on financial planning” by Jordan Goodman includes forms to use to give yourself a financial check up to determine your net worth. The author then shows you how to analyze your cash flow, and finally, how to create a budget. The final chapter describes smart-money strategies for people in there 20s and 30s, 40s and 50s, etc.

“Ernst & Young’s personal financial planning guide” is now in its third edition. This guide is one of the most comprehensive sources for helping the reader take charge of his finances and plan for a secure financial future. It gives tips on how to size up your situation, determine your needs, and design a plan to meet your lifetime financial goals.

“Couples & Cash, how to handle money with your honey” by Dayana Yochim is a “Motley Fool’s Guide” which broaches such topics as “Who’s in charge?”, “Balancing independence and partnership”, and “Setting priorities: now, later, and just in case”. Personally, after reading this book, I don’t know how my marriage ever lasted as my wife and I most surely struggled against and/or circumvented practically every rule espoused. If this book had been available 30 years earlier, we might have enjoyed more marital bliss.

“Make your paycheck last, how to create a budget you can live with” by Jason R. Rich is a great resource for students, recent graduates, newlyweds, young professionals, the recently divorced, the recently retired, and anyone else seeking to take charge of his/her finances and manage them successfully.

As you can see from the above listing of books on personal finance, there are a great number of books to help you put your finances in order. The first step in doing that is a visit to the 332.024 section of the stacks on the first floor of the east wing of the Library. The books listed above will be on the shelf, awaiting your arrival.

Recent donations to the Columbus Library Foundation include those in memory of Jane Ann Liss from Mr. and Mrs. Richard Luebbe, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mead, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Trautwein. Luella Smith, the mother of Dwayne Smith was recognized by a memorial from Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Fleischer. And, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Luebbe and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Fremarek, and Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Krumland presented memorials in honor of Donald Beckenhauer.