Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Retirement comes with its own set of challenges. It also opens the doors to new opportunities. In The Little Black Book of Retirement Wisdom, Mike Kowis offers readers famous sayings, quotes, wisecracks, spiritual adages, and more to help you discover the tools to navigate retirement and find happiness and fulfillment in freedom. Kowis presents some insightful words of wisdom borrowed from a diverse range of people, including notable historical personalities, authors, politicians, comedians, athletes, celebrities, and entrepreneurs, all sharing their knowledge and wisdom gained through years of experience in their respective fields. Aside from the many facets of knowledge, you'll acquire about retirement, this book will gently guide you toward finding purpose and help you build a nest egg, know when to retire, and indulge in your passions and interests.

Discover the joys of freedom and make retirement the best time of your life with The Little Black Book of Retirement Wisdom. After reading this book, one of the things that stays with you is that you'll gain an overall idea of when to retire and whether or not it is the correct decision for you. I think this book is a must-read not only for retirees but also for people who would like to prepare for their retirement years in advance. I found the quotes used by Mike Kowis educational, motivational, and quite entertaining. This is one of those books you want to read to relax and find inspiration to pursue your interests. Some of these quotes will remain etched in your memory long after you've finished reading. And others you'll want to revisit over and over again. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

Aging can be challenging for most. It comes with not only gray hair but also bodily changes, health concerns, and other types of challenges. In Keenagers: Telling a New Story about Aging by Corinne Auman, you are asked to consider the gifts that aging offers. Keenagers' and teenagers' lives are parallel yet lived at different phases. Both possess a passion for life and living but are still trying to understand and work out the kinks for the next level. Regardless of how you see aging, it can represent a new and exciting opportunity, especially with the proper support. Move away from how you usually look at aging and consider how offering more structure, information, and services on medical, caregiving, finances, retirement, and family planning can present a healthier longevity. In the book, various individuals tell their stories about living their best life well beyond their 60s, from starting a new career and building a business to creating a livelihood around a hobby they’ve always had a passion for.

I agree with Corinne Auman referring to the purpose of creating Keenagers: Telling a New Story about Aging. Being over 60 does not represent being washed up and older people can still serve a purpose. The aging community is not a liability but an asset. People are living longer, healthier, and vibrant lives. They have wisdom and are setting trends. The younger generations are trying to catch on to their style by coloring their hair gray, white, or silver which shows that gray hair is not only stylish but is the latest trend. Let’s shift away from the stereotypes of judging, illegal firing, forcing out of jobs, or the continued biases that the aging community is experiencing and instead become their ambassadors and advocate for a better quality of life. You will never look at the aging community the same way once you read this book. Instead, you will discover and experience a different and inspiring outlook of those who are living a highly elevated life.

Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

Time does not stop for anyone, and a retired firefighter and his entrepreneur wife were well-aware of this. They traded the comforts of their home in Canada for a tiny home on wheels, ready for an adventure of a lifetime. The road was full of bumps and not everything was smooth sailing but they were determined to spend the time they have the way they wanted to. Living the life you dream of after retiring does not mean you forget the problems you have or avoid the ones coming your way, but that did not stop Jo and Michael Dibblee. Join them in the book While I Can: Finding Purpose and Legacy in a Distant Land by Jo Dibblee as they go on a drive to Baja California Sur, Mexico daring to live their life to the fullest.

While I Can by Jo Dibblee was an inspirational tale of Jo and Michael’s adventures as they try to make the most of their time in life. Jo had felt the stirrings in her soul to go out and enjoy life more for quite some time and a visit to the doctor had turned that feeling into an urgent pull. Michael and Jo’s journey was engrossing, and their enthusiasm was infectious! As I joined them in their adventure, I learned many things, like how to treat a Portuguese Man-Of-War Sting and where the Best Kiteboarding Places in the Baja California Peninsula are. Pictures also accompanied the story and made it easier to visualize the fantastic places Jo and Michael went to, adding a touch of joy and anticipation to the tale. This book brought into perspective a person’s limited time.

In today’s world, people are so caught up in work and other stress factors that they often postpone their lives or forget to live them the way they want to. I admire Jo and Michael’s positive outlook in life. Despite the uncertainties and scares life has handed them, they never forget to appreciate the time they have been given. They have accomplished a lot and I was proud of them for it but I also felt a sense of longing to do the same. While I Can has opened my eyes and taught me that life is mine to live. I found this book to be a meaningful read that simply and succinctly delivers its message to all readers to treasure our time, be humble, and treasure the relationships we have built along the way. This was such a heartwarming, bright tale that was unafraid to share the ups and downs of life and along the way it taught me many valuable lessons I will never forget.

Reviewed by Michael Froilan for Readers' Favorite

Wealth Your Way: A Simple Path To Financial Freedom is precisely what the book's title entails. Living up to its name, this is a tremendously informative book that covers a lot of ground about mapping out the appropriate and lucrative steps to achieving financial independence. As a retired certified public accountant, author Cosmo P. DeStefano presents his expertise and offers valuable gems of advice from the first to the last page. He knowledgeably discusses a significant amount of topics regarding finance and breaks them down in an easy-to-understand manner. Notwithstanding the fact that DeStefano writes for a broad audience, he considerately mentions he aims to help the reader "how to think about personal finance matters rather than what to think." Because similar to success being arguably subjective, so is financial independence. It's not a one-size-fits-all.

Wealth Your Way is one of the best books I've come across regarding the "boring business stuff." Cosmo P. DeStefano doesn't beat you over the head with complicated accounting jargon. His writing style is straight to the point and down-to-earth, proving the age-old truth that simplicity does go a long way. He simplifies terms like "asset allocation," which made me appreciate the book even more because who enjoys reading where you have to pause every other sentence to Google what certain words mean? DeStefano also went to great lengths on the subject of investing. I love that he doesn't advocate "beating the market" but recommends making the right decisions and not being clouded by biased judgment. What I valued the most is that he highlights the cardinal factor in accumulating wealth: Self-Awareness. Because at the end of the day, you're responsible. And after all, as DeStefano proficiently points out, financial independence is personal. There's a chapter about inheritance, and a noteworthy line sticks out: "No matter what else you leave to your children, give them the two gifts that will bear fruit for generations: your unconditional love and the gift of wisdom." Wealth Your Way is definitely a gift that I believe everyone will treasure for a long time to come!

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

Retirement Wreckers by John J Sastry is a financial guide to having a stress-free retired life. Sastry discusses the crucial financial plans you must make before retiring. First, he explains how pension plans work, their risks, and why they are becoming less popular. He then dives into employer-sponsored plans, social security, and the benefits of having a proper health care plan. It also covers the mental, physical, and social aspects of transitioning into retirement, your approximate longevity, and how it all factors into your project. He also talks about using common sense to devise a good plan, making investments, nursing care, preparing budgets, making decisions with your spouse, and many more retirement-related topics.

It is never too early to start preparing for your future. Retirement Wreckers is a must-read because it is a blueprint for setting retirement plans and goals. Retirement is a major financial and social shift in life. Therefore, it is essential to prepare for it adequately. John J Sastry gives retirement advice based on personal and professional experience. To raise his points, he uses case studies, researched data with actual figures and percentages, and famous incidents like the Titanic. It is well-written, with bold titles, numbered lists, chapter summaries, and website links. Planning for your future will require research and implementing plans to suit your retirement goals. Therefore, I highly recommend it to anyone starting their retirement planning, as this is the perfect reference guide.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

The Armchair Real Estate Millionaire by Michael Dominguez is a self-help educational investment strategy guide for those who are doing little to enrich themselves both personally and professionally. Dominguez's subtitle is as clipped and succinct as the rest of the book: If You're Sitting There Anyway, You Might As Well Build Your Wealth. True, indeed. Written by an expert in the area of real estate investment and with an impressive portfolio to back up the effectiveness of the model in his own life, Dominguez breaks down the strategy over fourteen chapters. He covers areas such as legal insider trading and renovations, the ins and outs of renting properties an investor owns, and building on that wealth once a strategist makes it there.

I've always assumed that it takes a big, bold individual to land on solid footing in the real estate market. Most of this was due to only viewing the market as a means of selling, without fully understanding the nature of the beast from an investment point of view. Michael Dominguez clears this up in The Armchair Real Estate Millionaire and takes away the smoke and mirrors to reveal how straightforward investing in property can be. The most enlightening chapter for me was eleven, A Part-Time Job That Will Make You A Millionaire. Owning and renting real estate might not be the same as a timecard punching job, but it is still a job. You still have to do the work, and I think this is what separates Dominguez from other authors who promise that you do not have to catch the stars because they will just fall into your lap. Instead, Dominguez is blunt about the fact that you actually have to be proactive, hitch the darn wagon, and keep on driving it. The writing is flawless and engaging, the format is simple, and the facts are all there. The result is a practical blueprint for would-be investors that makes the task feel a bit less daunting.

Reviewed by Joe Wisinski for Readers' Favorite

Don't Retire...Graduate! Building a Path to Financial Freedom and Retirement at Any Age is a financial information and planning book. Author Eric Brotman is the CEO of a financial advising company and has many years of experience in the field. He divided his book into “years in college”—freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. Each of those years is further broken down into semesters. This format ensures that the book is well organized, that each section builds on previous ones, and that the material is easily understandable. Brotman’s book covers investments, estate planning, insurance, money management, and much more. Each section ends with summary exercise questions, along with their answers. The author says we should rethink the concept of retirement. He suggests that people keep active in fields they enjoy, rather than only engage in leisure activities.

If you only read one book about your personal finances, make sure it’s this one. To say this book is “terrific” vastly understates its value. I’ve read many financial planning books in my lifetime; this one is arguably the best. Unlike some financial planning books, the author’s advice is actually sound! Not only do I overwhelming agree with the advice, but I’ve also already practiced it in my own life and can tell you that it works. I retired early, live in a low-income-tax state, and “work” at activities I enjoy, not because I need the money, but because I love what I do with my time. I only share my own story to let you know that Eric Brotman’s advice is not only wise, but it’s also realistic. Modern-day finances are too complicated for everyone to agree on every point, and I can’t say I concur with Eric Brotman 100 percent of the time. No matter. Everyone who wants to handle their financial affairs well needs to read Don't Retire...Graduate! Building a Path to Financial Freedom and Retirement at Any Age and take its advice.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

From Savvy Saver to Smart Spender by Daniel W. McDonald is a non-fiction self-help finance book to guide readers on “How to Pick a Tax-Wise Retirement Withdrawal Strategy.” In layman's terms, it is the exact opposite of every retirement finance book you've ever read. It teaches you how to actually spend retirement money while everyone else seems to forget that there is life after savings, and that life requires withdrawals from the funds readers who are in or approaching their retirement years have worked hard to amass. McDonald covers all things retirement finance-related once retirement has begun, including why a withdrawal strategy is crucial, and the variety of ways where following a good strategy can save a reader from hefty and unnecessary tax liabilities.

I have to admit that I hadn't ever really considered that when my husband and I retire, there might be a need for the comprehensive advice Daniel W. McDonald gives in From Savvy Saver to Smart Spender. I cannot be alone in thinking that one would just take what they need and that would be that. The reality is that the nest egg will not be as comfortable if it isn't managed strategically even in retirement. McDonald does well in addressing where a reader is in their age bracket and, depending on their situation, what they need to start doing right this moment. The writing itself is straightforward and clean, with McDonald taking a mostly conversational tone. Most readers will appreciate this because even though we are being given homework, it is dressed up as a friend advising us over a cup of coffee. It flows organically and comes across with a voice that encourages an override of what we think we know. The only downside to this book is that we soon learn that we know very little. Thankfully, McDonald is here to save us and our savings from the best position possible. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Financial Freedom with Real Estate: Start Making Money Today Because Everyone Else Is by Michael Steven is a guide on real estate investment for newbies. Who doesn’t like financial freedom? In this day and age, everyone is looking for a second source of income that will help them maintain a comfortable lifestyle. We all want to increase our income and do it comfortably. Investing in real estate is a great way to do that. With this book, the author promises readers an understanding of how they can turn their salary into rental income, how to invest in real estate, how to make money, how to invest even when they don’t have money, how to increase investment, and lot more. This simple and easy guide is here to take you on a journey to financial freedom.

I am still surprised how easy this is to read. Financial Freedom with Real Estate is filled with positivity and good advice. Michael Steven puts current circumstances into focus and gives readers enough information to give them hope. He is correct in saying that we don’t make enough money to put some away for our retirement. The author uses simple words that are easy to understand yet they have a very mighty impact. This book is not just filled with speculation and ideas. The author lays the foundation of the information for the reader, gives them the knowledge they need to invest in real estate, how to make a good investment, and how to avoid negative cash flow. From guiding readers on what property to invest in, funding, renting out, and maintaining it, the author covers it all. This is a helpful guide that contains everything you need to make good decisions about your financial future.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Brad Goldfarb’s “You’re Kidding, Right?” is definitely not another book on how to make money investing in stocks and bonds. In fact, he never attempts to give advice on how to make money by investing; rather, it’s the opposite. He tells you what you do not want to hear, and the truth may be a bitter pill to swallow, but it helps you get better. Goldfarb’s book is about knowing what pitfalls to avoid and how not to let your emotions override your judgment when it comes to investment decisions. He does not make recommendations on what stocks to pick and which financial brokerage firm to tap. Through a layman’s explanation, the book sheds light on the methods of analysis and how to better work with your financial advisor. The best part of this book is that it is written in short, anecdotal pieces that contain nuggets of truths about the market and investing.

This book strikes me with deep, personal enlightenment when it comes to investing. As a retail trader and investor, I've had my share of blown accounts. When uncontrolled emotions step in, you sink deeper into the loser’s pit. I like the way he discusses behavioral finance, for it is an integral aspect that most traders and investors overlook. Goldfarb carefully explains why you make the wrong decisions when you choose to be emotional rather than rational in the process. At the end of the book, he does give tips on how to enjoy your money after all your hard work. And why not? After all, accumulating wealth in your golden years is a feat that not everyone can achieve, so you might as well be familiar with how to hatch your golden eggs. “You’re Kidding, Right?” is a highly recommended book that will boost your financial and investment literacy.