How to Ruin Your Financial Life

An anti-self help book which true to its title comprises chapter upon chapter of Really Bad Advice. The unrelenting facetious tone became harder and harder to endure as the book progressed. I felt it would have benefitted greatly from a respite, perhaps in the form of interspersed or even alternate chapters detailing what actually happens to people who do these extremely inadvisable things. Anything to give the brain a rest from all that nudging and winking. That being said, it's all true: doing any of this stuff will ruin your financial life, and the rest of your life along with it.

This narrow tome is good reading for anyone who has gotten into financial trouble and out again, or who wants to make good choices about their finances before messing up, or to simply stop doing the same old ruinous financial behavior and thinking. Sarcastic, as usual, Mr. Stein's voice (Buehler, Buehler) comes through the pages and adds enough humor to keep me from gasping from horror. I recognized myself in several of the what-not-to-do chapters, friends and family in others. Happily, I learned the hard way not to continue down the same path - and I hope this little book will help others to not even go there.