Talking Dollars and Making Sense: A Wealth Building Guide for African-Americans

While the basics of building financial security--budgeting, setting goals, using credit prudently, carefully selecting investments--are the same for everyone, African Americans have their own attitudes toward money. These views, according to the author, are at least partially to blame for the financial inequities that African Americans can face. Stephens urges readers to break away from such preconceptions as assuming that the stock market is only for white people or that ""looking rich means being rich."" In a straightforward style, Stephens says that all African Americans can take charge of their finances, provided they make conscious efforts to incorporate sound financial habits into their everyday life. She walks readers through the basics of personal finance: setting goals, working with budgets, getting loans, buying insurance, planning for retirement, etc. The advice is solid and easy to understand. She includes practical information such as where to find low-cost credit cards, the difference in monthly payments on a variable-rate vs. a fixed-rate mortgage and how to cut insurance premium costs. Interspersed throughout the book are profiles of African Americans as well as sidebars on black-owned companies. This historic and biographical material enhances what is already a first-rate personal finance guide. One minor criticism: African Arts is included in the ""Investing to Build Wealth for a Lifetime"" chapter, even though Stephens warns readers that buying these collectibles should be seen as a hobby rather than as an investment. (Nov.)