Get a Financial Life - by Beth Kobliner (Paperback)

About the Book

First published in 1996, this book helped define the financial consciousness of a generation. The entire book has now been updated with late-breaking information to address dramatic financial developments such as Roth IRAs, student loan deductibility, and the rising impact of the Internet.

Book Synopsis

The New York Times bestselling money guide for people in their twenties and thirties--it's all-new, and just in time! This completely revised and updated 5th edition will help Gen Z and millennials get a financial life.

If you're in your twenties or thirties, you probably think you'll never live as well as your parents. And who can blame you?

Rents are higher than they've been in years, and the concept of buying a home of your own seems like a pipe dream. You're carrying more student debt than any previous generation, while confronting an extremely tough job market in incredibly uncertain times. It's not surprising that many of you have turned to credit cards--or your parents--to help you get by. Even if you are fortunate enough to have a job and a 401(k), the uncertainty of the economy, surging prices, and the volatility of the market make you worry if you're investing in the right way.

For three decades and counting, Beth Kobliner's bestseller Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties has been the leading financial guide for young people. Whether you're trying to climb the corporate ladder or doing your own thing, whether you're single or partnered up, whether you're financially inclined or fiscally challenged, this book offers advice that has stood the test of time--as well as fresh information to make smart decisions today.

In this new edition, Kobliner teaches you how to pay down debt, get a good return on your savings, and plan for your future. Straight from the latest research, learn how to choose the right bank, avoid excessive fees, and rein in spending. You'll get unbiased advice on the latest trends in personal finance--from neobanks and finfluencers to online fraud and cryptocurrency. And you'll get answers to important questions: When is it smart to rent rather than buy (and vice versa)? How can I really improve my credit score? When is the right time to invest in the stock market--and how? How do I save money on my taxes?

Get a Financial Life has already helped half a million people get a handle on their money, no matter how much or little they have. No wonder it's remained the young money bible for more than thirty years.

Review Quotes

"Beth Kobliner is telling you it's time to smell the latte. In "Get a Financial Life," Kobliner serves a rich, smooth brew of common sense on everything from paying off your student loan to saving for (gasp) your own kid's future. The advice is thoughtful, precise, and up-to-date. But the simple, step-by-step explanations make getting a financial life easier than steaming the perfect froth on a cappuccino." -- Saul Hansell, "The New York Times"

"Stop worrying and start reading Beth Kobliner's "Get a Financial Life," the best book to help you understand your money in the toughest financial market since the Great Depression." -- Jim Cramer, CNBC's "Mad Money"

""Get A Financial Life" gives you the essential information you need to get your finances in order as you're starting your career. The rest is up to you. Educate yourself, get motivated, and get your finances in shape now by reading this book." -- Sharon Epperson, CNBC Personal Finance Correspondent and author of "The Big Payoff "

"A daring book....A life's worth of smart financial advice." -- "Newsweek"

"A highly readable and substantial guide to the grown-up worlds of money and business." -- "The New York Times"

"Beth Kobliner's book provides a much-needed and sensible guide." -- Paul A. Volcker, Former Chairman, Federal Reserve Board

"Kobliner's done it again! "Get a Financial Life" gives clear and straightforward advice on how to manage your money-even in a financial meltdown. A must-read for 20-and 30-somethings who want to be fiscally smart and financially secure." -- Soledad O'Brien, CNN

"One of the best guides to help young people get a handle on money matters." -- Burton G. Malkiel, Chemical Bank Chairman's Professor of Economics, Princeton University; author, "A Random Walk Down Wall Street"

"Smart, thorough-a tremendously useful guide to all the essentials of sound personal finance." -- Eric Gelman, "Fortune"

"With numerous insights, this fine book demonstrates that, through discipline and enterprise, anyone can win their financial independence." -- Tom Gardner, co-founder of The Motley Fool

"A daring book...A life's worth of smart financial advice."-- "Newsweek"

"If the financial crisis seems frightening to a grizzled Wall Street vet like me, I can only imagine the panic of people in their twenties and thirties. Kobliner's got it all, from what Wall Street's meltdown means to you to how to keep your savings safe. Stop panicking and start reading this book!"-- Jim Cramer, CNBC's "Mad Money"

"Shaw said youth is wasted on the young. I suspect the Kobliner financial wisdoms will work out well at all our ages."-- Saul A. Samuelson, Professor Emeritus, Mit; Nobel Laureate In Economics

"Newsweek"A daring book....A life's worth of smart financial advice.

Burton G. MalkielChemical Bank Chairman's Professor of Economics, Princeton University; author, "A Random Walk Down Wall Street"One of the best guides to help young people get a handle on money matters.

Dean ShepherdAnchor, CNBCLaying a solid financial foundation is one of the most important and rewarding tasks facing young people today. In "Get a Financial Life," Beth Kobliner has created a great guide that will make the job much easier and a lot more fun.

Deborah Stead"The New York Times"A highly readable and substantial guide to the grown-up worlds of money and business. Backed up by bibliographies, source lists, and useful phone numbers, this book could be tucked into one of those ubiquitous backpacks to guide novices through the thickets of apartment rentals, mortgage applications, taxes and more. Its strength is in explaining both the principles and the practicalities involved in each chunk of the landscape.

Linda Stern"Newsweek"A daring book aimed at Generation Xers unafraid of a blunt author who will tell them what to do fast....A life's worth of smart financial advice.

Paul A. SamuelsonInstitute Professor Emeritus, MIT; Nobel Laureate in EconomicsShaw said youth is wasted on the young. I suspect the Kobliner financial wisdoms will work out well at all our ages.

Paul A. SamuelsonProfessor of Economics Emeritus, MIT; Nobel Laureate in EconomicsShaw said youth is wasted on the young. I suspect the Kobliner financial wisdoms will work out well at all our ages.

Paul A. VolckerFormer Chairman, Federal Reserve BoardWith all those new choices, personal financial decision making is getting more and more complicated, even for the computer generation. Beth Kobliner's book provides a much-needed and sensible guide.

Saul HansellBusiness Reporter," The New York Times""Get a Financial Life" is an expert yet reassuringly simple guide to mastering your money, for people trying to keep afloat in the wake of the baby boomers.

Stuart Varney"CNN Business News"I have six children who will soon need "a financial life." This is the kind of basic, readable book they should have.

Burton G. Malkiel

Chemical Bank Chairman's Professor of Economics, Princeton University; author, "A Random Walk Down Wall Street"

One of the best guides to help young people get a handle on money matters.

Dean Shepherd

Anchor, CNBC

Laying a solid financial foundation is one of the most important and rewarding tasks facing young people today. In "Get a Financial Life," Beth Kobliner has created a great guide that will make the job much easier and a lot more fun.

Paul A. Samuelson

Institute Professor Emeritus, MIT; Nobel Laureate in Economics

Shaw said youth is wasted on the young. I suspect the Kobliner financial wisdoms will work out well at all our ages.

Paul A. Volcker

Former Chairman, Federal Reserve Board

With all those new choices, personal financial decision making is getting more and more complicated, even for the computer generation. Beth Kobliner's book provides a much-needed and sensible guide.

Stuart Varney

"CNN Business News"

"Newsweek"

A daring book....A life's worth of smart financial advice.

Deborah Stead

"The New York Times"

A highly readable and substantial guide to the grown-up worlds of money and business. Backed up by bibliographies, source lists, and useful phone numbers, this book could be tucked into one of those ubiquitous backpacks to guide novices through the thickets of apartment rentals, mortgage applications, taxes and more. Its strength is in explaining both the principles and the practicalities involved in each chunk of the landscape.

Linda Stern

"Newsweek"

A daring book aimed at Generation Xers unafraid of a blunt author who will tell them what to do fast....A life's worth of smart financial advice.

Paul A. Samuelson

Professor of Economics Emeritus, MIT; Nobel Laureate in Economics

Shaw said youth is wasted on the young. I suspect the Kobliner financial wisdoms will work out well at all our ages.

Saul Hansell

Business Reporter," The New York Times"

"Get a Financial Life" is an expert yet reassuringly simple guide to mastering your money, for people trying to keep afloat in the wake of the baby boomers.

About the Author

Beth Kobliner is a personal finance commentator and journalist, and the author of the New York Times bestseller Get a Financial Life as well as a book for parents, Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You're Not). Beth is the founder of Get a Financial Life NYC, a financial literacy program working to integrate money lessons into the New York City public school curriculum, and was selected by President Obama to serve on the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans. A former staff writer at Money magazine, Beth has contributed to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Today, PBS NewsHour, Sesame Street, and NPR. For more, see BethKobliner.com and her Instagram @BKobliner.