Women & Money

Financial guru Orman's latest book exhorts women to control their own financial destinies; she tells women to "give TO yourself as much as you give OF yourself." Though women earn half of household income, 90% are insecure or uninformed financially. Narrator Susan Denaker enters fully into Orman's spirit as she provokes (why don't people mention money when talking about happiness?), challenges (if you say you'd do anything for your family, why don't you have life insurance?), and warns (take responsibility for your financial destiny or else!). Part inspiration (hear Orman's rags-to-riches tale), part prescription (a monthly plan helps get your finances in order), this book is always provocative and often eye-opening for its intended audience. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine


Knowledge and thoughtfulness underlie this five-step lesson from the veteran financial author: Get your banking and spending under control, get your credit cards and credit rating in shape, invest for retirement, organize your financial records, and protect yourself and your belongings with insurance. Orman's advice is immensely practical because she uses concrete images like paper money, bank statements, and file boxes, instead of abstractions and convoluted strategies. Less urgent and emotionally wired than on her TV show, Orman sounds authoritative and reassuring. Buying the audio allows admission to her Web site, which has resources to help listeners complete the plan. This is an activist approach that doesn't overlook the internal reasons that some women overspend or stay blind to their long-term financial security. T.W. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine