Smart Couples Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner [Hardcover]

BUT.

This book's primary goal is to get couples talking together about their money. It got my husband, who for all his life has steadfastly ignored finances, to actually understand and care about RRSPs, disability insurance, emergency funds, and saving for our dreams. It encouraged him to take a part in our financial future, and to set goals and look for ways to achieve them. For this reason, the book has proved invaluable. There are other, more in-depth books out there that provide a plethora of specific information, but for the couple just starting out, this book is where to start. It's easy to read, easy to do (the steps are so small and simple you feel guilty for NOT doing them), and brings partners together to discuss a topic that normally divides them. Make no mistake, you will eventually move on from this book into deeper and grittier territory. But it's not a bad place to start. It's an excellent motivator!

My only complaint about the book is that it seems to be aimed at couples in their thirties or later who already have a moderate income. As a couple in our early to mid twenties and as (debt-free) students, we are already quite frugal, both in income and cash spent. This makes some parts of the book are harder to relate to than they would be otherwise. We would be extremely grateful if someone could recommend to us a book aimed more specifically at our demographic.

But if you already are USING YOUR HEAD on where your money goes, but STILL find yourself living from paycheck to paycheck (like my family, and I suspect many others), then this book will only frustrate you. If we did everything Bach says we "MUST" do, I'd have about $200 left for paying the bills each month. Yeah, thanks for the advice, Mr Bach. I'm afraid water and electricity and mortgage comes before maxing out my 401K AND setting aside a cushion of 3-months worth of cash AND buying disability insurance AND then some long-term care coverage AND "sweeping at least 3 percent of my take-home pay into my 'dream basket.' (And, yes, the list goes on.) Wish I could. Maybe someday.