Credit cards can be either a great tool or something to doom one to a life of debt. “The Skinny on Credit Cards: How to Master the Credit Card Game” is an introductory guide to the wise usage of credit cards. With tips on everything from avoiding debt, to crafting a good credit score, to preventing fraud to teaching one’s children about responsible credit card use, “The Skinny on Credit Cards” is a top pick for any who are about to pick up this double-edged sword.
QUICK SUMMARY: This quirky, mildly humorous, quick-reading book provides a wealth of information for anyone willing to spend an hour reading it. Taken to heart, the information and tips could save you or someone you love a lot of money and heartache. Highly recommended!
*** What I LIKED:
- The book succeeds in helping ANYONE understand credit cards
- In spite of the low-tech stick figures it employs, the book succeeds in creating a storyline that keeps the reader reading
- It humorously delivers its important messages
- It can be read in about an hour, yet the information and wisdom it imparts can guide a person for a lifetime
- It explains the “Rule of 72″ and the FICO credit score
- It’s up-to-date with the recent federal law changes that were passed in 2009
- It defines words like “median” and “algorithm”, so it doesn’t talk over the reader’s ability to understand
- It takes a neutral stance on the debate whether people should EVER use credit by presenting a variety of viewpoints from well-known gurus like Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman and Liz Pulliam Weston.
- It has a good “Further Reading” section at the end of the book
- It concisely names “15 Important Points” about credit cards at the end of the book
*** What Could Be Better:
- The book sometimes cites its sources for the statistics it shares, but often times, it doesn’t. I like to know the source of any statistic.
- It lacks an Action Plan at the end of the book that tells the reader the next steps to take (especially if the reader is in credit card debt)
- No index. Even this book would benefit from an index.
- Stick figures are, quite simply, unimaginative and boring to look at!
I plan on requiring my 14yo son to read this book, so we can talk about credit cards now, in his formative years, so he is well-equipped to use and understand how credit cards work and the danger of misusing them.
Highly recommended!
Full Disclosure: As an Amazon Top Reviewer, I received a free copy of this book title. However, my reviews are always my honest reflection of a product, and the publisher made no effort to influence my review.
Rating: 5 / 5
I took Jim’s book and immediately had both of my kids read it. Some of the “traps” he covers hit home with both of them. I think it’s a must read for everyone, and especially for parents to help them prepare their college age kids for the potential costs of “easy” credit.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Skinny On Credit Cards is perfect for someone like me who is not a big reader but I am interested in reducing and eventually eliminating my credit card debt. I like that is very much to the point and I could read through it in a matter of several hours. I found this book to be extremely helpful and it taught me a lot about common credit card practices. I think most anyone can learn a thing or two by reading this book and most likely it will make you change the way you use your credit cards for the better. The only topic that I would have like to seen more on was negotiating with your credit card companies for lower interest rates. Maybe some more tips on how to approach the subject with your credit card company would be helpful. However I still think this is an excellent book and I would definitely suggest it to anyone who carries a credit card debt and also for young adults who are just starting out with their first credit cards. If I had read this book 15 years ago then I think I would have a bit less credit card debt as a result.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Skinny on Credit Cards is a quick lesson in how so many people get into trouble with their credit cards. But it goes beyond than that. It gives you very good suggestions for getting credit card debt under control. It also gives some very useful suggestions on the sensible use of credit cards.
This is a very timely book. Personal debt has literally exploded over the past few years and it is now estimated that the average household credit card debt is around $10,000. We as a nation have been sucked into the use/misuse of credit card debt. Studies have shown that when we use a credit card as opposed to paying cash, we tend to spend more.
“Credit cards are so darn easy to use. They have what one commentator called an anesthesia-like effect because they numb you to what is really happening when you use them: You are borrowing money.”
One area of growing concern is the targeting of college students by credit card companies. So this book would be great as a gift for college students.
You will learn all the terms used by the credit card companies. You will also see the transaction from their side. How they want to hook you for life. How making the minimum payments will keep you forever on the credit card debt treadmill.
This is a great little book for truly understanding credit cards and how they start off so innocently but then can come to control your life.
If you are going to use credit cards, you really need to read this book. It is a quick read. The story is simple and direct. The lessons are profound.
As with all Skinny On books, at the end of the book there is a summary of the important lessons in the book. Here the author gives you the 15 most important points to understand about credit cards. These are very valuable lessons that everyone who uses a credit card should fully understand.
Unless you are fairly savvy about finances, you will learn some valuable lessons from this Skinny little book.
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Credit cards can be either a great tool or something to doom one to a life of debt. “The Skinny on Credit Cards: How to Master the Credit Card Game” is an introductory guide to the wise usage of credit cards. With tips on everything from avoiding debt, to crafting a good credit score, to preventing fraud to teaching one’s children about responsible credit card use, “The Skinny on Credit Cards” is a top pick for any who are about to pick up this double-edged sword.
Rating: 5 / 5
QUICK SUMMARY: This quirky, mildly humorous, quick-reading book provides a wealth of information for anyone willing to spend an hour reading it. Taken to heart, the information and tips could save you or someone you love a lot of money and heartache. Highly recommended!
*** What I LIKED:
- The book succeeds in helping ANYONE understand credit cards
- In spite of the low-tech stick figures it employs, the book succeeds in creating a storyline that keeps the reader reading
- It humorously delivers its important messages
- It can be read in about an hour, yet the information and wisdom it imparts can guide a person for a lifetime
- It explains the “Rule of 72″ and the FICO credit score
- It’s up-to-date with the recent federal law changes that were passed in 2009
- It defines words like “median” and “algorithm”, so it doesn’t talk over the reader’s ability to understand
- It takes a neutral stance on the debate whether people should EVER use credit by presenting a variety of viewpoints from well-known gurus like Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman and Liz Pulliam Weston.
- It has a good “Further Reading” section at the end of the book
- It concisely names “15 Important Points” about credit cards at the end of the book
*** What Could Be Better:
- The book sometimes cites its sources for the statistics it shares, but often times, it doesn’t. I like to know the source of any statistic.
- It lacks an Action Plan at the end of the book that tells the reader the next steps to take (especially if the reader is in credit card debt)
- No index. Even this book would benefit from an index.
- Stick figures are, quite simply, unimaginative and boring to look at!
I plan on requiring my 14yo son to read this book, so we can talk about credit cards now, in his formative years, so he is well-equipped to use and understand how credit cards work and the danger of misusing them.
Highly recommended!
Full Disclosure: As an Amazon Top Reviewer, I received a free copy of this book title. However, my reviews are always my honest reflection of a product, and the publisher made no effort to influence my review.
Rating: 5 / 5
I took Jim’s book and immediately had both of my kids read it. Some of the “traps” he covers hit home with both of them. I think it’s a must read for everyone, and especially for parents to help them prepare their college age kids for the potential costs of “easy” credit.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Skinny On Credit Cards is perfect for someone like me who is not a big reader but I am interested in reducing and eventually eliminating my credit card debt. I like that is very much to the point and I could read through it in a matter of several hours. I found this book to be extremely helpful and it taught me a lot about common credit card practices. I think most anyone can learn a thing or two by reading this book and most likely it will make you change the way you use your credit cards for the better. The only topic that I would have like to seen more on was negotiating with your credit card companies for lower interest rates. Maybe some more tips on how to approach the subject with your credit card company would be helpful. However I still think this is an excellent book and I would definitely suggest it to anyone who carries a credit card debt and also for young adults who are just starting out with their first credit cards. If I had read this book 15 years ago then I think I would have a bit less credit card debt as a result.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Skinny on Credit Cards is a quick lesson in how so many people get into trouble with their credit cards. But it goes beyond than that. It gives you very good suggestions for getting credit card debt under control. It also gives some very useful suggestions on the sensible use of credit cards.
This is a very timely book. Personal debt has literally exploded over the past few years and it is now estimated that the average household credit card debt is around $10,000. We as a nation have been sucked into the use/misuse of credit card debt. Studies have shown that when we use a credit card as opposed to paying cash, we tend to spend more.
“Credit cards are so darn easy to use. They have what one commentator called an anesthesia-like effect because they numb you to what is really happening when you use them: You are borrowing money.”
One area of growing concern is the targeting of college students by credit card companies. So this book would be great as a gift for college students.
You will learn all the terms used by the credit card companies. You will also see the transaction from their side. How they want to hook you for life. How making the minimum payments will keep you forever on the credit card debt treadmill.
This is a great little book for truly understanding credit cards and how they start off so innocently but then can come to control your life.
If you are going to use credit cards, you really need to read this book. It is a quick read. The story is simple and direct. The lessons are profound.
As with all Skinny On books, at the end of the book there is a summary of the important lessons in the book. Here the author gives you the 15 most important points to understand about credit cards. These are very valuable lessons that everyone who uses a credit card should fully understand.
Unless you are fairly savvy about finances, you will learn some valuable lessons from this Skinny little book.
Rating: 5 / 5