
Title : The Joy of Not Working: A Book for the Retired, Unemployed, and Overworked
Author : Ernie J. Zelinski
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : This book should be required reading for everyone over 15!
Everyone should read this book as soon as possible -- not just the retired, the unemployed, and those otherwise without work. Even though this book confirms my beliefs of making the most of life and leisure, Ernie still manages to make me think some more. I have recommended this book to many of my family, friends, and former (since I have quit the corporate life too!) colleagues. Ernie makes it clear that there is more to life than a job, TV, and materialistic dreams. I'm buying 5 copies to give to family and friends!
Ron Verstappen

Title : Get a Life: You Don't Need a Million to Retire Well
Author : Ralph Warner
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : A common sense approach to planning for retirement.
This book should be required reading for people in their 30's and 40's. It emphasizes keeping active, having a wide variety of interests, and developing friends of all ages. It's a good antidote to all those financial planners who try to make you feel guilty about not having "X" millions of dollars invested so they can make commissions off your money. A good gift for middle age yuppies.

Title : Rich Dad's Retire Young, Retire Rich: How to Get Rich Quickly and Stay Rich Forever! (Rich Dad)
Author : Robert T. Kiyosaki
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : The best "Rich Dad" yet!
I would recommend every book in Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad" series to anyone, but this book is the best yet! Kiyosaki's writing style has settled down, and he has organised his thoughts into a clear, logical book, that, at long last, carries clear guidance on many of the topics that he has addressed in previous books.
"More of the same"? well, yes, there is some repetition there, but since no author can expect every reader to read all his books in sequence there will always be a need to re-state the main principles. In any case, I don't see repetition of this kind as being anything but beneficial, as ultimately it helps to reinforce the message in my own mind.
This book talks a great deal about leverage; all kinds of leverage; ways to improve your ability to create personal wealth. This book will help you to realise that your dreams ARE achievable and help you to organise your mind to achieve those dreams.

Title : Get a Life: You Don't Need a Million to Retire Well
Author : Ralph E. Warner
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Excellent Contrarian Viewpoint
This book should be required reading for anyone who thinks about retirement, from those just starting out in their 20's and 30's to those nearing retirement. The book is a refreshing, contrarian view to the conventional wisdom of "save tons of money for retirement", "you'll need 70-100% of your current income in retirement", etc., etc., etc. The traditional retirement literature is focused almost exclusively on money, with which Warner takes exception.
Warner's focus is on the whole person - he makes a very compelling argument that money is a FACTOR in a good retirement, but that it is also important to cultivate health, outside interests, friendships and family. He believes these latter factors have a FAR greater influence on a successful retirement than money. He bases this viewpoint on research among those enjoying active, successful retirements.
Warner is not a Pollyanna, saying not to even think about retirement savings (as some critics seem to suggest). The book contains some common sense ideas on savings and admits that having SOME money may help. Warner's point, however, is that money alone isn't going to make you have a successful retirement if you neglected your family, friends, outside interests, spirituality and health in order to get the money.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who ever thinks about retirement. You may not agree with the proposition, but the book will really help expand your view of the elements of a good retirement and may help you plan a more enjoyable life.

Title : Bankroll Your Future: How to Get Most from Uncle Sam for Your Retirement Years - Social Security, Medicare and Much More
Author : Ellen Hoffman
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Great Bargain!
Ellen Hoffman's new book is loaded with useful information -- all of it accessible and easy to understand. And for those of us who might be filing our taxes er...late, the appendix is terrific!
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Title : Standard Poor's 401 (K Planning Guide)
Author : Alan J. Miller
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : A nice overview of how to handle your 401k plan
This book does a great job of handling the task of explaining 401k investment options, asset allocations, and 401k distributions. The sample asset allocations for different styles of investors are great examples. Unfortunately the book does not cover Roth IRAs as the book was published before Roths came out. Otherwise a great book.

Title : Brilliant Deductions
Author : Wade B. Cook
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Just one idea saved us thousands this year alone!
Although I found Mr. Cook's writing style a little hard to follow (he jumps from one idea to the next), this book is well worth a read just to harvest out any ideas that might work for your own situation. His suggestions about incorporating and income-splitting saved my familty at least $4,000 in income taxes this year alone. But, everyone's situation is different and readers need to do their own homework before blindly acting. Take Cook's ideas as just "brainstorming" sessions and then think for yourself. This reader certainly enjoys Wade Cook's "brainstorming" sessions.