Right on the Money!: Taking Control of Your Personal Finances

Farrell, host of the PBS radio show Sound Money and a contributing editor to Business Week, offers a nonthreatening, easily digestible approach to personal finance that is solid if not unique. Writing in a breezy style, Farrell draws on the problems of real-life families, including his own, to introduce the basics of paying for college, buying a car, budgeting, etc. Contrary to similar guides, Farrell focuses on managing money for family needs over the long haul, and includes only a brief overview of the ""hot"" topic of investing. He addresses such key concerns as whether parents should have college accounts in their children's names, what to avoid when buying a used car and how far in advance to budget. Farrell's advice is sensible, low-key and comforting. For example, in the chapter on budgeting, he advises, ""Don't try to do too much in any one sitting. Set up a regular once-a-week meeting where both of you come together for a defined period of time to work over the budget. Afterward, do something together you both enjoy. Reward yourself--and remind each other why you got together in the first place."" In all, Farrell delivers a good primer, especially for people who would prefer to do anything but consider the consequences of their spending. (June)