I'm in Debt, Over 40, with No Retirement Savings. HELP!

This article was posted on November 1, 2003.

This fast and easy read hits all the high points on how to get you financial life in order. Author John White presents an engaging narrative of how he switched careers and improved his employment prospects, thoroughly and patiently shopped for major purchases like a home and an automobile, and kept a lid on day-to-day expenses.

I'm in Debt, Over 40, with
No Retirement Savings. HELP!

by John L. White

Retire Early rating:

White's story about his career change from utility company lineman to computer programmer should be of interest to everyone coping with the disappearance of well-paying, blue-collar jobs in America. He notes that his new high-tech career in programming is also subject to outsourcing work to low-wage countries like India. Staying ahead of global change is a struggle for anyone depending on a paycheck.

I particularly liked the description of how he shops for a used car (savvy shoppers never buy new) and pays special attention to the owner's sense of cleanliness and orderliness. He also mentions a late conversion to the merits of using coupons -- though he credits his wife for knowing that this was a good strategy all along.

This is a great book for those just starting to think about improving their finances by implementing a few easy to understand strategies. Folks searching for more detailed or sophisticated financial planning direction need to look elsewhere.