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Most of us found out from our parents that money doesn't grow on trees, but very few learned much more except by trial and costly error. What if we'd had a book in college that clearly explained how to get, save, and spend money intelligently? Not only would our debt--and our stress--likely be lower, but we'd have developed smart money habits that would serve us well for the rest of our lives. Dollars & Sense for College Students is that book, and no young man or woman should leave home for the first time without it or a trust fund.
Ellen Braitman's experience as an assistant editor for Consumer Reports shows: the book is very well organized, the writing is simple and straightforward, and each section is peppered with tips and examples from real people. With chapters such as "Banking 101," Smart Shopping," and "How Not to Run Out of Money," Braitman lets the savvy reader test out of the school of hard knocks.
Some of the advice in Dollars & Sense is especially helpful for those planning their college funding, so it would best be obtained a year or so prior to high school graduation. Still, it is so useful for making it day by day through life on your own that it would help anyone who wonders where the money went at the end of each month. --Rob Lightner
From Booklist
This practical reference source is not just for college students but for any young person who has broken parental ties and is now living and working independently. Thanks to her job at Consumer Reports and to considerable fact gathering and interviewing, journalist Braitman has produced a jargon-free guide to the world of finance. Included is information on tuition funding, banking, credit cards, shopping, setting up a home, health insurance, even the mechanics of paying bills. The presentation is simple, with several stories about real-life students--whether at the University of Chicago or Duke--who have learned how to manage money well. Additional charts and sidebars provide facts on, for example, the extent of credit card usage among college kids. A final chapter answers questions not specifically addressed in the text, such as "What's the difference between a credit card and a charge card?" Barbara Jacobs
Book Description
Going away to school, everyone gets the same lecture: Only use your credit card in an emergency. Well, a 1:00 A.M. pizza is an emergency, right? And a new snowboard? After a semester or two of "emergencies," not to mention the phone bill, the meal plan, text-books, car repairs, rent, and spring-break airline tickets, you may find yourself in a serious mess.So whether you're just heading off to school, or counting down the days to graduation, Dollars & Sense for College Students will help you develop the smart habits and make the savvy decisions that will keep you out of financial trouble. The advice inside includes:*Choosing a credit card, and the truth about "teaser" rates
*Managing your bank accounts
*Becoming a smart shopper: "Do I have to have it today?"
*Owning a car at school: what to watch for
*Setting a budget
*Finding great deals: travel, computers, phone service, and more!
From the Inside Flap
Going away to school, everyone gets the same lecture: Only use your credit card in an emergency. Well, a 1:00 A.M. pizza is an emergency, right? And a new snowboard? After a semester or two of "emergencies," not to mention the phone bill, the meal plan, text-books, car repairs, rent, and spring-break airline tickets, you may find yourself in a serious mess.
So whether you're just heading off to school, or counting down the days to graduation, Dollars & Sense for College Students will help you develop the smart habits and make the savvy decisions that will keep you out of financial trouble. The advice inside includes:
*Choosing a credit card, and the truth about "teaser" rates
*Managing your bank accounts
*Becoming a smart shopper: "Do I have to have it today?"
*Owning a car at school: what to watch for
*Setting a budget
*Finding great deals: travel, computers, phone service, and more!
About the Author
Ellen Braitman is an assistant editor at Consumer Reports and has also written for SmartMoney magazine. She graduated from Cornell University, where she was editor-in-chief of The Cornell Daily Sun, and now lives in New York City.
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