Automatic Millionaire

I have read many personal finance books. I guess I am looking for some miracle idea to solve financial problems so it becomes less of a worry. I recently read and reviewed Dave Ramsey's latest book, Total Money Makeover. David Bach's book, Automatic Millionaire, really doesn't bring anything new to the table.

In fact, he claims to have gotten his idea from a couple he was providing financial counseling to when he was just starting in the finance business. I have no idea why this couple went to him in the first place (I believe he made the whole thing up anyway). This couple wanted to retire early. They had no debt, own real estate free and clear, and had substantial retirement savings. They got this way by following the same old, tried and true personal finance maxims.

1. Spend less money than you make.
2. No debt, pay it off as quick as possible.
3. Pay in cash for purchases. Save up for big ticket items.
4. Create a savings plan to pay yourself first (eventually move this savings to high interest accounts and investments).
5. Have an emergency stash of money that is accessible and will take care of expenses for 3-6 months.
6. Donate to charity.

That's it in a nutshell. Bach's twist on the above ideas is to set-up automatic payroll deductions or withdrawals so you don't have to think about it.

Well, his plan probably works. But if he truly learned this trick from that couple he counseled, he should pay them a royalty. He is making a mint off of this idea.

The Elder Gods

The Elder Gods written by David and Leigh Eddings starts off with two sets of Gods. One set sleeps while the other works. The story starts with the creation of the world and upon completion, the two groups switch. As mankind and the world develops, the gods take little interest and pursue their own selfish interests. In one part of the world there exists a hidden evil that grows stronger over time.

As the evil force (sorry, can't remember their names) begins to strengthen, the gods develop a plan. They reincarnate the sleeping gods into human children which they raise for their own purposes. Their hope is these human/god children will be able to fight the evil.

At least this is my understanding of the story. I only got about 5 chapters into the book.

The book was juvenile. I don't mean that the book was written for a juvenile audience. The book clearly belongs on the adult fiction shelf. The problem was the dialogue. Not one adult character spoke like an adult. The dialogue went like:

"So, um, here's a child to raise."

"Yeah, ok. Whatever..."

"We have to fight the bad guys."

"Yeah, we probably should."

I know I am being extreme in my example, but I found the dialogue annoying. On top of that, some of the characters, particularly the gods, were immature and stupid.

Maybe that was the point. I don't know.

The book went back to the library. Maybe other books by David Eddings are better, but I don't know when I will try him again.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Doublas Wiggin, is charming juvenile fiction story. I read this book to check it off of my "must read classics." The story involved Rebecca who is sent to live with her aunts. She has a propensity to talk, get into all kinds of trouble, and be otherwise dramatic. The story follows her until some time after her graduation from high school and how the then grown-up Rebecca deals with life.

I read this book after reading Anne of Green Gables and Daddy Long Legs. There are elements in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm that I assumed had been lifted from those stories. The truth is Rebecca precedes both of those books.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is an enjoyable story, but I really do like Anne of Green Gables and Daddy Long Legs better. It is not as well written IMO, but perhaps that is ok.

Book Rating: 3 stars

House On The Strand

House On the Strand is a typical Daphne du Maurier, author of Rebecca. The main character, Dick Young, is invited to stay at friend and physicist Magnus Lane's home in Cornwall. In exchange, Lane convinces Dick to participate in an experiment involving a drug that can transport one to the distant past. Dick soon is able to enter the landscape of the past, at least mentally. His body remains in the present. This causes all kinds of problems as he interacts with the past and his body continues to interact with the present. Problems ensue as Dick's wife and step sons observe increasingly bizarre behavior and his declining health. The drug creates a strong addiction and pull to the past that Dick cannot deny.

The story is a bit strange and perhaps a product of the time it was written, 1960's. The idea that a drug can transport one to the past is a bit of a stretch, yet the effects of drug use are clearly evident. As with other du Maurier stories the mystery is left unexplained. Did he really travel to the past? The reader is left to decide on their own.

The story is a bit slow to develop. Stick with it and you might enjoy it. In any event, I wouldn't mark it as a must read even though many label this book as one of du Maurier's more notable novels.

Book Rating: 3 Stars

The Black Rose

The Black Rose by Tananrive Due is the fictional account of Madame C. J. Walker, an African American woman and entrepreneur. The story follows Sarah Breedlove as she rises from poverty, raises a daughter alone, and develops hair care products for black women. She is also credited with the invention of a pressing comb or straightening iron, though that fact is in dispute.

This book was originally researched by Alex Haley, who left the project unfinished. Tananrive Due used his notes to compose this book. It is well written and worth the time to read about this woman. The book is fiction, though, so be sure to follow up with additional reading at the official Madam C. J. Walker website.

The book doesn't have a lot of objectionable content, but it does portray adult situations and some violence.

Book rating: 4 stars

Outwitting History

Aaron Lansky has a passion for the Yiddish language. His passion developed in his college years when he enrolled in a Yiddish language class. To him, it opened up a whole new look at his own culture. At the same time he saw that the language and culture were fast disappearing and unless someone took action quickly, it would disappear. Thus begins Lansky's adventure in saving Yiddish books from near extinction.

I listened to Outwitting History on audio. This is probably the best way to read it. The reader did a superb job reading Yiddish and characterizing the dialogue. I wouldn't have known how to pronounce much of the Yiddish words and skipped over many sections. Instead you get the full experience, imagining oneself sitting along Lanksy and his collectors in a beat-up rental truck.

Imagine dumpster diving, doing pitches in Jewish senior centers, and schlepping books out to a street corner only to have no truck to load them into. There are many hilarious and touching stories throughout the book.

Book Rating: 5 stars