Making Bread

Although American women are becoming increasingly independent, choosing to earn their own ""bread"" rather than depend on a husband's income, many women are still in the dark about how to manage their finances. According to Harlow, the editor of the magazine Making Bread, ""women live longer, earn less, and save half as much as men do for their retirement."" But with this informative guide, women can learn how to take charge of their own financial affairs and secure their futures. The book, written in the casual, witty style of a chick-lit novel, offers sound advice on all financial matters, from selecting the best insurance plan to finding the best thrift shops. Organized by life stages, it is equally informative for the teenager trying to save babysitting money as for the divorcee who's working out a retirement plan and, ultimately, the advice for each is the same: saving money is ""the best gift you can give yourself."" The personal accounts and interviews in which ""real women"" share their stories are somewhat tedious and distracting, but on the whole, this volume is a useful resource for readers looking to invest in their future happiness and independence.