IT PAYS TO TALK: How to Have the Essential Conversations with Your Family About Money and Investing

Schwab-Pomerantz, a registered stockbroker, has teamed up with her dad to share their insights on money, investing and the conversations that need to accompany these. Their focus is on the importance of conducting different life-stage conversations (e.g., how to financially approach being single, getting married, raising children, helping parents), and this well-rounded primer provides one-stop shopping for the many phases of financial understanding and planning. It delivers comprehensive investment particulars with the necessary charts, graphs and illustrative anecdotes. Schwab-Pomerantz often uses her own life as an example, and while she has far more experience with money and investing than the average person, she wears the same personal hats—parent, child, spouse—as readers. To her concise and thorough explanations of family financial planning, father Chuck adds his two cents, e.g., "money is always an issue, even when it doesn't seem like it." Most families, whether balancing a checkbook or investing for retirement, would likely agree. This educational volume provides a useful framework that a family can refer to when approaching those often difficult but necessary conversations about finances. (Dec. 31)

Forecast:Although Carrie is more present in these pages, Charles's name will help sales. The success of his You're Fifty, Now What? (2002) and 1998's Charles Schwab's Guide to Financial Independence: Simple Solutions for Busy People proved he could draw varied readers. A national TV satellite tour, national radio campaign, author tour and print ad campaign should attract buyers of all ages.