The Difference

January 26, 2009
Chatzky (Make Money, Not Excuses
) identifies the attitudes, financial and nonfinancial behaviors, personalities and goals that separate the haves from the have-nots. The author categorizes the new economic strata into four groups (the wealthy, the financially comfortable, the paycheck-to-paychecks and the further-in-debtors) and waxes ecstatic on the virtues and natural gifts of the rich: their many friends, uncanny intuition and philanthropy. Her adoration may cloy and many of her claims are impossible to prove (wealthy people are more resilient in their personal lives), but her practical advice is sound and well worth taking. With exercises, tests and challenges, she invites readers to become financially fluent, stressing the power of saving and investing appropriately and aggressively. Fluffier sections address the importance of finding one’s passion and overcoming obstacles, while throughout the book she highlights “habits that help” and “habits that hurt.” This book will appeal to Chatzky fans and will earn her an even larger following.