1 SENTENCE SUMMARY: This book provides readers with an accessible and effective guide to financial success and security, helping them to make smart decisions and take control of their own financial wellbeing.
“Knowledge and wisdom are not the same. Knowledge is facts, and wisdom is the application of those facts to life.”
Quick Info

Category: Personal Finance
Publish Date: 2017-03-07
# Pages: 256
ISBN: 0143130528
Where to Get It:
Buy on Amazon
Listen on Audible
Read more on Blinkist
Table of Contents
Overview
The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated, written by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack, is a revolutionary approach to personal finance.
Through their straightforward and relatable advice, Olen and Pollack provide simple and effective guidelines that can help anyone take control of their financial life.
They put forth the concept of an index card, which contains the ten key principles of personal finance, and discuss the importance of budgeting, saving, investing, and more.
By taking a holistic approach to their advice, they emphasize the importance of proper planning and financial literacy in order to achieve long-term financial success.
4 Key Lessons from The Index Card by Helaine Olen
1. Live Within Your Means
In The Index Card, Olen provides practical advice for living within your means.
By following the principles she discusses, such as tracking expenses, creating an emergency fund, and developing a budget, readers will be able to make better financial decisions and avoid unnecessary debt.
This will help readers to better manage their finances and lead to greater financial security.
2. Invest Wisely
Olen provides advice on how to invest in order to maximize returns.
She discusses the importance of diversifying investments, creating an investment plan, and taking advantage of tax-advantaged accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s.
By following this advice, readers will be able to make more informed decisions, grow their wealth, and minimize their risk.
3. Protect Yourself
Olen provides advice on how to protect yourself from financial fraud, identity theft, and other financial risks.
She discusses the importance of monitoring your credit report, setting up fraud alerts, and avoiding online scams.
By following these tips, readers will be able to protect themselves and their finances.
4. Plan for the Future
Olen provides advice on how to plan for the future.
She discusses the importance of setting financial goals, creating a retirement plan, and investing for the long-term.
By following this advice, readers will be able to plan for their future and make sure they are able to achieve their goals.
Who Should Read It
This book is ideal for anyone looking to improve their financial situation and gain control of their finances.
It is particularly useful for individuals who want to learn about personal finance but are not sure where to start.
It would also be beneficial for people who have already started their journey to financial success but need more guidance and reassurance.
Where to Get It
If you love the smell and the feel of a physical book, you can just click on the button below:
If you like to listen to audiobooks while doing the daily chores or when commuting to work, you can Try Audible Premium Plus and Listen to this Book for Free.
If you’re not sure yet, I recommend you to read a more in depth summary on Blinkist. You’ll also get a 7 day free trial and more than 5.000 other books to browse through.
About Helaine Olen
Helaine Olen is an award-winning journalist and author of several books, including The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated.
The Index Card is based on her research into the science of personal finance and her own experiences as a financial journalist.
Olen has written for publications such as the New York Times, Huffington Post, and Slate.
She is a frequent speaker and commentator on issues of personal finance and has appeared on TV and radio programs, including CBS This Morning and NPR’s All Things Considered.
Error 403 The request cannot be completed because you have exceeded your quota. : quotaExceeded
or Try Audible Premium Plus and Listen to this Book for Free
Other Personal Finance Books you may Like:
- Best Personal Finance Books
- The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
- The Little Book That Beats The Market by Joel Greenblatt
- The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco
- The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley
Over to You
If you already read The Index Card by Helaine Olen, please take a moment to rate it and maybe write your feedback in the comments. You’ll help other readers make the best choice.
Thanks a lot,
Simon

Welcome to DailyBitsOfWisdom.com, my passion project inspired by my own battle with depression. Here, I share resources on journaling, positive affirmations, self-help insights, and book summaries, creating a nurturing space where we can connect, learn, and grow together on our journey to self-discovery and personal growth.