| It is always tough around the holidays to find presents | | | | RVs, has a divider card that details what sort of |
| for your family that are reasonably priced, innovative, | | | | papers should go in that file and how long to keep the |
| thoughtful and useful. For many parents and | | | | papers. The quick finder index helps you find where |
| grandparents, it's hard to know the best way to help | | | | you've filed your records. The organizer with a |
| raise the money consciousness of your children. Here | | | | portable filing box and hanging folders would be the |
| are a few great gifts for those new to managing | | | | perfect present for someone just starting out or who |
| money and organizing financial records. The first four | | | | can't decide where things should go. The Kit is only |
| suggestions are aimed at young adults. Of course, you | | | | $24.95 and is available by calling 800-695-3453 or |
| can always buy them for yourself. The last is | | | | online at |
| specifically for young children. It is never too early or | | | | Why kids are rarely taught to manage their money |
| late to learn how to manage your money. Happy | | | | has always been a mystery to me. Here's a book that |
| holidays! | | | | fills that void and should be given to every graduating |
| If you want to help a friend, relative or spouse increase | | | | high school or college senior. "The Budget Kit: The |
| their financial knowledge, then membership in American | | | | Common Cents Money Management Workbook" by |
| Association of Individual Investors (AAII) may be the | | | | Judy Lawrence, (Kaplan Business; 3rd Edition) will help |
| perfect present. The AAII is a nonprofit organization | | | | anyone learn how to monitor their money. It is a simple, |
| that provides its subscribers with basic information | | | | no nonsense guide to tracking your cash with |
| about investing, financial planning and retirement. It is a | | | | straightforward and easy to use worksheets. The |
| totally independent organization and doesn't accept | | | | book helps with the day-to-day dirty job of cash |
| any advertising. Membership includes a subscription to | | | | management. There is nothing more empowering than |
| its magazine, website access, tax guide, mutual fund | | | | taking control of your money, and this kit helps anyone |
| guide, S&P Stock Reports and membership in its | | | | develop a system to do just that. The list price is only |
| local chapter. Its articles are in-depth and written by | | | | $18.95 and can be found at most online stores at a |
| informed independent experts. This is also the perfect | | | | discount. |
| gift for the financial neophyte or the college senior. | | | | If you know someone that has never followed |
| Basic Membership is only $29 a year. Their website is | | | | business news and doesn't know where to start, here |
| Organizing financial paperwork can be a nightmare. | | | | is a great present. "Keys to Understanding the Financial |
| That is why "The Financial Planning Organizer Kit" is a | | | | News", by Nicholas G. Apostolou and D. Lawrence |
| great present. I wish someone had given this to me | | | | Crumbley, (Barron's Educational Series; 3rd edition), is |
| when I was starting out. The kit includes 22 file divider | | | | not a text book but a concise and easy to read guide |
| cards, a quick finder index and a 48 page handbook. | | | | that explains the implications of financial news from |
| The handbook helps you organize your vital personal | | | | simple economic data to stock mergers. This book will |
| information about bank accounts, health care providers, | | | | help the reader tackle any business publication such as |
| emergency contacts, credit cards and more. The | | | | the Wall Street Journal, Investors Business Daily or |
| divider cards help you establish a hanging folder | | | | Barron's. It is only $7.95 and would make a great |
| system for your major documents in an organized | | | | stocking stuffer. This publication can be purchased |
| fashion. Each major filing category such as Bank | | | | online and at some bookstores. |
| Accounts, Investments, Insurance: Autos, Boats & | | | | |