Book Review: "The Index Card"

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What's my rating for "The Index Card"?

I gave the book a 3.5 out of 5 Rockstar rating.

In 2013, Harold Pollack suggested that all we need to know about personal finance can fit on an index card. When reader Alex M. asked to see it, the statement went from metaphor to reality.

The result took the personal finance world by storm and the vitality of that single post is still felt today.

The 2016 book by the same name, Harold Pollack and co-author Helaine Olen provide the meat behind the nine points captured on the original index card and tweak the recommendations.

Here are the updated points:

  1. Strive to save 10% to 20% of your income
  2. Pay your credit card balances every month (and pay down other debt)
  3. Max out retirement and other tax-advantaged savings
  4. Never buy or sell individual stocks
  5. Buy inexpensive, well-diversified indexed mutual funds and ETFs
  6. Make your financial advisor commit to the fiduciary standard
  7. Buy a home when you’re financially ready *NEW*
  8. Insurance—make sure you’re protected *NEW*
  9. Do what you can to support the social safety net

To find out more about the book and my thoughts about it, read my full review here.

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