Ernst & Young's Personal Financial Planning Guide

As is common with financial planners, this one, written by staff at one of the Big Six accounting firms, covers such things as determining net worth, setting up and following a budget, accumulating assets (most importantly by developing the savings habit), and stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and cash equivalents. It explains investment risk and return; home buying and selling; the various types of insurance (life, home, health, car, and disability); the financial consequences of marriage, prenuptial agreements, and divorce; paying for college; and estate planning. The work is unique in a couple of areas: it covers starting a business especially thoroughly and bases planning on a "life event" perspective?gearing the planning to the goal. Unfortunately, in common with other financial planners, it virtually ignores singles. Up to date, comprehensive, easy to use, and reasonably priced, this merits purchase for general collections.?Alex Wenner, Indiana Univ. Libs., Bloomington