Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back
Young people have a serious PR problem, argues U.S. News & World Report finance columnist Palmer. According to the media, the youngest slacker generation is wallowing in credit card debt, rolling in unnecessary luxury goods, and living in their parents' basements--or are they? The truth, it turns out, is quite a bit cheerier. Only one in three college students has a credit card, and the average amount owed is only . But these young whippersnappers coming of age in a recession could still use some solid advice, and Palmer is here to help. She gives a comprehensive overview of the basics of financial literacy, including defining financial goals, weighing a traditional job vs. entrepreneurship, saving for retirement, voluntary simplicity, the effect that marriage and children can have on your finances, and how to prioritize charitable giving even on a tight budget. Though her advice is solid and her message of embracing sustainability and thriftiness sound, the tone is dry and the content familiar--it's been done better, by others, and Millennials searching for inspired money advice would be better off looking elsewhere. (Nov.) (c)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.