Let me paint a picture for you -- you're in college and you're broke. You've had a summer job here and there, but you still have the same savings account you opened with your piggybank money when you were 10 -- the one your parents filter money into each month for rent and "living expenses." You expect to graduate and have your financial problems to sort themselves out. You couldn't be more naïve.

My mom likes to tell me that I have champagne taste with a beer pocketbook. She couldn't be more right. One night I was watching PBS during one of those telethons, and financial adviser Suze Orman was giving a lecture about her new book: The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke(YF&B). At first, I thought she was condescending, but she really had some great advice for kids handling their money before, and after, they get their first job. The telethon wanted me to pledge $120 to receive a copy of the book -- I checked it out from the library (Suze would be proud).

YF&B is a how-to guide on handling money for young people, and it's great. Orman is much more down to earth than the snide title implies, and she is not like your parents, who chastise you for using a credit card or not saving enough every month. She actually tells you to use your card (within reason). Want to know how to pay next month's rent? Look it up. Want to know it you can afford the Xbox 360? Look it up. Want to know when to save for retirement? Look it up.

Seriously Young, Fabulous and Broke -- look it up.

--Reviewed by Brad Groznik