Personal financial planning is something that I have to read up on as an individual, and also as a small business owner.  To that end, I just finished the book “In the Black” by Aaron W. Smith.  As a magician based in Richmond, Virginia, I can conjure up a bit of magic with currency.  However, Mr. Smith’s magic with money will last while my entertaining illusions will fade.  This writer does a great job of discussing personal financial planning.  He not only outlines sound principles of personal finance, he also helps his readers or listeners (an audio book is available) to dig down and find the emotions that are driving some of their financial behaviors.  His lessons are punctuated with great stories from his personal experience in helping the young and the old find their way out of some tricky financial situations.

Mr. Smith targets his message to the African-American church going community but the lessons he shares apply to all races and religious backgrounds.  The lessons he teaches about managing money and planning for retirement are spiritually uplifting and yet not preachy.  In reading “In the Black“ I never get the sense that he’s trying to drum up business for his financial planning firm that is based in Richmond, Virginia.  Even so I’m confident that he’ll make himself available to assist those needing the depth of wisdom that he and his staff can provide at http://www.awsmithfinancial.com/

I would highly recommend you pick up a copy of this easy reading book on personal financial planning via the link below or contact him at his web site to learn how to maximize what you already have and how to make it grow.  Once you’ve read or listed to it, please come back here and post a comment to let us know what you think of it.