The book “Living Well in a Down Economy” is part of the For Dummies series. I have read several of the books in the For Dummies series and usually they are fairly good. However, I did not care for this book.
The book covers topics such as: dealing with unemployment, budgeting, saving for the future, debt, how to decrease bills, and how to spend less on every day needs. For the most part the advice in this book was right on point, but no new information.
However, there is false information regarding student loans. The writer stated student loans can be discharged in bankruptcy. Student loans are unlike any other type of debt a person can have, and the rules for paying it back are different. The majority of student loans are backed by the government and do not incur interest while the student is in school. These loans cannot, under any circumstances, be discharged in bankruptcy.
The student may be able to have the loans written off or forgiven under certain conditions, for example: teaching school in a disadvantaged neighborhood, working with the peace corps, or developing a life-long disability.
I found the book to be disappointing and give it a D-
