easy how to Directory

16 Responses

Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.

1. Beaston says

   One of the reasons that I chose this book was because I am (sadly) bereft of too much practical knowledge surrounding finances and investment. “Easy Money” is a simple no nonsense guide to creating discipline surrounding money.

   Amazing what a few small life adjustments can make and the how quickly the levels of stress surrounding money go down.

   A great guide for anyone unseasoned in the ways of the mighty dollar.

   November 20, 2009, 4:16 am
2. Albeck says

   I was not familiar with Liz Pulliam Weston before reading this book. I don’t know a lot about finances, but who doesn’t want to simplify their finances and get what they want out of life so I gave this book a try. I think this is a well-written and easy to understand book. Others have made detailed commentaries on her advice. I’m not that much of an expert. I get input from various sources and will accept the advice that makes sense to my common-sense approach to financial matter. So, I recommend it for people looking for a little financial advice.

   November 20, 2009, 10:09 am
3. Ives says

   In these hard economic times, this book could not be more relevant. “Easy Money” aims to help readers simplify their finances, in order to be able to better focus on the things that matter to them.

   I have read Liz Pulliam’s columns on [...] before, and her advice is always practical and straightforward. It’s also aimed at everyday people with everyday financial concerns, as opposed to multi-millionnaires with expansive stock portfolios or multiple properties. Easy Money deals with issues that most of us can relate to: paying down debt, automating bills, buying a house, etc.

   The book is more of a reference guide than it is a straight-through read. The reader can easily just peruse the sections that apply to them, while skipping sections that don’t (for example, I have no need for sections about buying a house right now). It’s a handy tool for all of us trying to navigate 21st century adulthood.

   November 20, 2009, 4:08 pm
4. Diehl says

   Easy Money is not a light read, but rather a book to seek guidance from throughout your adult life. There are eleven sections in under 200 pages. Most people will find answers to organizing their finances and planning for their future. The first section on Setting up your Financial Life is basic common sense stuff that I have been doing already for many years.

   I filed bankruptcy in 2004 and was able to obtain a car loan in March of 2008. I did obtain my FICO scores from all agencies and got an approved loan rate before heading to the auto dealerships. I was curious about leasing cars having read pros and cons to this.

   Easy Money author Liz Pullman Weston suggests not going that route in leasing cars. She also suggests not getting a car loan that is longer than four years. She also stresses that a car is a “need” not a “want”.

   I have always been a renter and was a bit disappointed that the briefly glossed over renters insurance with barely a paragraph. I have all my insurance policies with Allstate so if I go shopping for another quote for my auto insurance I will lose the discount I have on my Renters insurance and there are specific clauses about pets and home businesses and other children that need clarification for the lay person.

   I am a single parent with two special needs kids. I was glad that Liz mentioned special needs trusts for our families and how families need to find the right qualified professional for this trust. She frequently recommends Nolo Press Guides and has an extensive list at the end for further reading. The index has key words in bold and italics making it easier to browse through to find related issues relevant to current needs.

   There is a section on Saving and Planning for College. My son is 13 and this is something I am learning about. I liked how Liz gives an overview on College Savings Plans. Luckily California does have them, but I need more guidance due to SSI. This is a section I will be perusing later on as my son enters high school in two more years.

   At the end of each section is a helpful checklist. I like the goals section for life. Since I turn 50 in two more years one goal I have considered is purchasing a home. Liz guides the reader on what to do one year prior to this decision, six-months and so on. This is a section of Easy Money I have highlighted and plan to follow as the current year ends.

   Easy Money was a nice read to see what I can do currently for my financial situation and help guide my future plans. I recommend this book to be used on a regular basis.

   November 20, 2009, 10:23 pm
5. Jimenez says

   I first became acquainted with Liz Pulliam Weston when I started reading her weekly column at MSN Money. She’s a personal finance columnist, and an author of several books, including the wonderful Your Credit Score. In this book, she takes her wealth of financial knowledge, and presents the reader with a great, step-by-step set of instructions on taking control of your finances. The book begins with Setting Up Your Financial Life, and talks to you about just about everything the common man and woman needs to know about money.

   I must say, I have found this to be a great resource. I have read through it several times all ready, and I keep it right by my bed, so that I can always reach down and look something up. The book is very readable, which is nice for someone like me, and I like the way that the author takes no-nonsense approach to her writing. This isn’t a self-help, motivational book, it’s a how-to book for your personal finances – a great one.

   So, as you can tell, I really like this book. I think that everyone should read this book, which will really help you to take control of your finances.

   November 21, 2009, 4:12 am
6. McKenna says

   If you think this book would be a good inspiring source for your Halloween costume or for your kids’ school show, think again.
   The ideas in this book are good but it has several big problems. First, there are no color pictures. Each entity has a hand drawn illustration for the alternation and a two inches high, whole person figure, very bad quality, black and white picture to show the final result. Since most of the costumes here need at lest two pieces of original clothing of different color and style to combine with, only if you saw a lot of board way show and hopefully remember exactly how the major characters’ costumes looked like, you probably will be easily confused by those illustrations. Second, a lot of material she used here is originally costume itself (or quite fancy old-style dress to say the least) but not ordinary cast-off clothing you might think you could find in nowadays closet.

   November 21, 2009, 10:22 am
7. Albright says

   I had my doubts at first when the author said she could assemble a costume with just glue,some seam ripping and little to no sewing. Then I saw the costumes. Wow! I just wish the pics were IN COLOR(hint,hint) so I could fully appreciate them. Now were’s my glue gun?;-)

   November 21, 2009, 3:40 pm
8. Ervin says

   Even though we had never before made a costume in our lives the book allowed both me and my wife to win a local costume contest. The clear and consise directions saved my life when I had to finish my costume the weekend my wife was out of town. And thanks to Ms Rogers we not only impressed our friends, we’re $50 richer!

   November 21, 2009, 10:09 pm
9. Duran says

   I thought this book was wonderfully written so even somone like me does not sew well, I can still create a costume to die for. I am always making costumes for something, but this book has really opened my eyes to new innovative ways to create something alot nicer than I would ordinarily make. Thank You Barb for the book, it helped me alot and I am sure I am not the only one.

   November 22, 2009, 4:26 am
10. Derek says

    If you need to make a costume for an event or for a theatrical performance and you don’t have the time, skill or interest in sewing from a pattern, then this book is for you. It is packed with clever ideas that transform old clothing into great costumes. The woman is a genius! On the down side, it is not geared to kids costumes, so you might be disappointed if that is what you are looking for. Also, be warned that some of the costumes shown for a particular show are not period or character correct in some cases (Jud in Oklahoma for example). If you are costuming a show, you should do your own research. Overall, though, this is a great book that I refer to often.

    November 22, 2009, 10:26 am
11. Ireland says

    This book is a primo resource book written in laymen’s terms. It is equally informative for those very familiar with what food pyramids and healthy eating are all about, as well for those who may be a novice to the subject. The book is organized in such a way to make quick and easy reference something you want to do to refresh your memory once you’ve read through it and gotten the gist of the goals. Keep it nearby your favorite chair or on your cook book shelf and use it when you make up your grocery list. “De-mystify” is an over used word but really describes this book. Best of all, it’s backed by the American Diabetes Association and thus, one of the most reliable for this subject. I bought my first copy nearly a hear ago as a newly diagnosed Type II diabetic and have bought other copies for friends, recommended it to others, and refer to it very often, still. I feel it was very instrumental in helping me to obtain my hard won goal of great sugar and weight control (sugar formerly 235, since I’ve been following the book it’s mid-80’s and I lost 44 pounds in about 4-5 months). I am a walking advertisement for why you should buy – but most importantly – USE this book.

    November 22, 2009, 3:53 pm
12. Gore says

    There’s an old vaudeville joke: “Patient: Doctor, doctor! It hurts whenever I do THIS. Doctor: Well, don’t DO THAT!”

    When we eat carbs, our blood sugar goes up. The solution, according to the ADA, is to eat lots of carbs, then take drugs to bring our BS down. No wonder; the ADA is financed mainly by drug companies. Pecuniam sequi!

    The simple, logical approach is NOT to eat things that raise our carbohydrates, as Dr. Bernstein has demonstrated. However, such simple logic doesn’t boost drug companies’ profits, nor can one claim it on one’s insurance.

    November 22, 2009, 9:48 pm
13. Eichelberger says

    There is nothing special in this book for Diabetes. It just suggests moderation dietary intake following of famous soon to be changed food pyramid with emphasis on eating heavy starch. Where soon after my brother eats potato his blood sugar level goes through the sky. There are nice suggested meal plans but and data about foods. I was expecting more stringer diet I can take it but I am concerned like “eat fat loose fat diet “.

    November 23, 2009, 3:55 am
14. Tarin says

    Oh what is a person to do. One the one, hand we are offered diets high in protein that cause weight loss but taken to an extreme (devoid of carbohydrates) can injure the body. On the other hand, we have DIABETES MEAL PLANNING MADE EASY by Hope S. Warshaw that suggests we overdose on carbohydrates. In the end, each of us must decide individually which plan works best.

    I am using the INSULIN RESISTANCE DIET by Hart and Grossman to help me get my life in order, i.e. get my insulin regulated. The “weak” spells and almost fainting from hunger syndrome I used to have when I ate less protein (as advocated by Warshaw) are gone. On the other hand, I am not on the high protein diet advocated by some. I am losing weight and regaining the spring I used to have in my step (it’s easier when you weigh less). When I lay on my side, I have to use a pillow to support my arm since the cutaneous layer around my middle no longer is large enough to serve this purpose.

    Whereas Ms. Warshaw considers carbohydrates the most important food group (placing them at the bottom of her food pyramid with 6+ servings a day), Hart and Grossman place water at their base with 8+ servings a day. Next come vegetables on both pyramids, but Warshaw links vegetables (3-5 servings) and fruits (2-4 servings), whereas Hart and Grossman show only vegetables (unlimited servings but at least 3 per day). At the next level, Warshaw shows milk (2-3 servings) and meat, cheese, fish combined (2-3 servings), compared with Hart and Grossman’s “high protein foods (eight servings a day including 2-5 servings of dairy products). At level 4, in case you’ve been counting, Warshaw shows fats, sweets, and alcohol with NO servings. Level 4 for Hart and Grossman is high carbohydrate foods with the restriction “Eat no more than two servings at any one time. Be sure to eat at least two servings of fruit daily.” Fats and oils are the 5th level for Hart and Grossman with the words “keep to a minimum” and “include some good fats in liquid vegetable form.” There is no fifth dimension for Ms. Warshaw’s diet.

    Hart and Grossman say their approach works for diabetics, as well as pre-diabetics and I have found this to be true for me. I am not about to go back on a high carbohydrate diet for anyone, not even the ADA. Maybe, just maybe, the high carbohydrate approach does not work for all women. A key aspect of Hart and Grossman is not only more protein, but a concept they call “linking” where one never eats a carbohydrate without a protein of greater value. Also, drinking lots of water and limiting carbohydrates to 30 grams per two-hour period is helpful.

    Hart and Grossman cover research extant at the time they wrote their book (2001) and Warshaw’s book reflects the thinking of the ADA extant at the time she published her book (2000). Hart and Grossman have been conducting clinical trials and base their results on their own experiences with clients as well as much scholarly work. The bottom line is if you have diabetes or think you’re in the zone, you’ll have to do some experimenting. What works for one person may not work for another. As for me, I’m going with Hart and Grossman, because it works.

    November 23, 2009, 9:49 am
15. Uno says

    I was looking for a way to help me cook for a diabetic, I went to the library and found this book. After reading it for almost 3 weeks I knew it was exactly what I was looking for and that’s why I purchased it.
    Thank you.

    November 23, 2009, 3:40 pm
16. Talley says

    I just got the book and already I am starting to get the hang of it. I am nowhere near good enough to take it on the road, but this book will give you the tools to feel confedent right from the start.

    November 23, 2009, 9:59 pm

You must be logged in to post a comment.