You don't have to give up pizza or forego driving to make the smart money moves Lewis recommends. As enjoyable as eating pizza, Lewis offers well-seasoned advice. She starts with in-depth analysis of your financial affairs, and shows you how to create a realistic personal financial plan. Like the thrill of driving a shiny, new car, she puts you in the driver's seat to navigate a better future. Lewis outlines the key issues related to finding the appropriate financial advisor, and shares the results of a survey of actual investors, identifying what they most want explained in the investment planning process.

Lewis helps investors take these action steps:

* Create a mission statement, goals and objectives
* Develop a monthly investment strategy
* Design one-year, five-year, and lifetime investment strategies
* Stay on track and motivated

Allyson Lewis' book is a definite must read for anyone wanting to get ahead financially. If you want your money to work for you, rather than you working for it, this is the book for you. Her book contains easy to read charts and graphs, compelling and motivating real-life stories, and handy worksheets. A financial book that is a great read? Definitely!!! I don't just like this book, I LOVE it!!!

Allyson Lewis' gives sound investment advise in terms that the least to the most sophisticated investor can relate. Planning is the key! Creating your financial plan can begin at any age. She uses real-life antedotes from her clients and peers that conveys that anyone can reach their financial goals by writing them down, and developing a strategy and a well-thought out plan to reach them. A must buy for those who are experiencing major changes in their life: newlyweds, college grads, pre-retirement, grandparents. etc.

I have to admit this book was pretty lame. A lot of common sense, pretty charts and diagrams, but overall pretty shallow. Seems to be a poor compilation of material better covered elsewhere. Get's kinda preachy over a WRITTEN financial plan. I don't necessarily agree. Seems to answer most people's financial problems by saying, "Cut your expenses to the bone, deprive yourself and your family for a brief 25 years, save your money, get an 8% annual return and you'll be financially set someday. And if you're not saving enough, just cut more out of your budget!" Naive. Far better treatment of the material in "Richest Man in Babylon". Also, Mary Hunt's "Debt Proof Living" gives real practical "how-to's" as opposed to this drivel. On the flip side, there is a little merit to this book if you can discover some of the better nuggets of wisdom amidst the fluff. Pass.

Allyson writes a very practical book about financial planning that is very educational and helpful. I've recommended this book to engaged couples, college graduates, and my collegues. It is a great resource for understanding your personal finances. As Allyson says: "Your finances are your responsiblity." The more you know the better you are in planning for the future.

I have recommended Allyson Lewis's book to several of my collegues and have encourage them to share or purchase a copy of it for their kids in Graduate School, College, as well as High School. This book is a roadmap for a successful financial future.

Allyson Lewis clearly demonstrates general and complex financial planning strategies via story telling. A most effective way to deliver her message- This is a text on how to build wealth and see the true value in the hard earned dollars we all take home each pay period.

I was about to play catch-up with "The Jones Family" when I read your thoughtful words and know in 5 years time I'll have an extra $75k in my investment portfolio! Thanks for the sound advice- it could not have come at a better time.