Get a Financial Life

Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties

Beth Kobliner

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9781476782386
• eBook ISBN:
  9781476782393
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Personal Finance

The New York Times bestselling money guide, providing time-tested financial advice on topics like saving, managing debt, investing for the future, and selecting insurance, is now revised and updated with all that Gen Z and millennials need to know now.

With over half a million copies sold, this classic has helped generations of young adults through booms and busts, recessions, and even a pandemic, by delivering consistent money advice in down-to-earth, no-drama language—while keeping pace with an evolving financial landscape.

Gen Z and millennials are experiencing an unprecedented affordability crisis: rents are higher than they’ve been in years, and the concept of buying a home seems like a pipe dream; they are carrying more debt than previous generations; and they are confronting a tough and unpredictable job market. Even with a secure job and a 401(k), the uncertainty of the economy, surging home prices, and the volatility of the market would make anyone anxious about their money decisions, let alone young people who are only just beginning their financial journeys.

In this totally revised and updated edition, Kobliner teaches readers how to pay down debt, get a good return on savings, and plan for the future. Straight from the latest research, she shows how to choose the right bank, avoid excessive fees, and rein in spending. Kobliner also offers unbiased advice on the latest trends in personal finance—from neobanks and social media influencers to online fraud and cryptocurrency. And she answers frequently asked money questions such as: When is it smart to rent rather than buy (and vice versa)? How can I improve my credit score? When is the right time to invest in the stock market—and how? How do I save money on taxes?

Get a Financial Life has already helped over half a million readers get a handle on their finances and build smart money habits, no matter how much—or how little—they have. No wonder it has remained the go-to personal finance resource for young adults for more than thirty years.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Crib Notes: A Cheat Sheet for Time-Pressed Readers Who Need Help Now
• Chapter 2: Taking Stock of Your Financial Life: Figuring Out Where You Are and Where You Want to Go
• Chapter 3: Dealing with Debt: Finding the Cheapest Loans and Getting Yourself Out of Hock
• Chapter 4: Basic Banking: How to Keep Your Costs Low and Your Money Safe
• Chapter 5: All You Really Need to Know About Investing: The Fundamentals of Funds
• Chapter 6: Living the Good Life in 2075: Think It’s Crazy to Start Saving Now for Retirement? It’s Crazy Not To
• Chapter 7: Oh, Give Me a Home: Advice Whether You Rent or Buy
• Chapter 8: Insurance: What You Need and What You Don’t: Finding the Right Policies and Skipping Coverage You Can Do Without
• Chapter 9: How to Make Your Life Less Taxing: Put More Money in Your Pocket and Less in Uncle Sam’s
• Chapter 10: Making the Most of Military Benefits: Know What You Deserve If You Serve
• Further Reading
• Special Acknowledgments
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author
• Index
• Copyright