Let’s Get Blunt About Your Financial Affairs: Book Review and Giveaway
Most people don’t like paying taxes, and reading about taxes has to be up there on the list with having your teeth drilled. Not so for the readers of Mark Goodfield’s blog, The Blunt Bean Counter.
Mark shares his expertise on tax and financial matters in a clear, often humorous, and – yes – blunt way. That is what has made his blog popular for the past five years.
Let’s Get Blunt About Your Financial Affairs is a compilation of many of the best posts from the blog.
Mark has been a Chartered Professional Accountant for over 25 years. His knowledge of the Income Tax Act, combined with practical insight from dealing with his many clients, allows him to simplify a complex topic so his readers can understand and apply the concepts to their own situations.
Mark’s humour comes through in his chapter headings.
e.g. Inheritances, Wills and Estates – Love, Money and Greed.
One Big Happy Family – Until We Discuss the Will.
Peruse through the contents – organized by topic – and you’ll find there’s something for everyone.
Chapters on income tax include:
- How long do I have to keep my income tax records?
- Tax –Loss selling
- Income tax implications of purchasing a rental property
People who are boomer-age or older will welcome the advice on estate planning such as:
- Transferring the family cottage.
- Probate fee planning – Income Tax, Estate and Legal issues to consider
- Family Assets – Dividing, Sharing & Taxing
For business owners and potential entrepreneurs there’s a whole section devoted to personal, technical, and tax advice.
Final Thoughts
If you have ever found yourself mindlessly wandering through the labyrinth of pages in the CRA website, you’ll appreciate Mark Goodfield’s extensive tax knowledge and financial advice written in an clear, easy to read and humorous style that’s applicable to many common, real-life situations. This makes a really good reference book.
I give it two thumbs up!
Time for a giveaway!
You can purchase a copy of Let’s Get Blunt About Your Financial Affairs on Amazon.
Mark has also generously sponsored three copies of his book to give away to our readers, so just leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win. The contest will close on Friday September 18th at 5:00pm MST, and we’ll announce the winners in the next edition of Weekend Reading.
Good luck!
I NEED a copy of this book. There…Is that blunt enough?
Big fan of his blog (and B&E obviously)! Hope I win 😀
I read your blog all the time. Thanks for the link to the Blunt Bean Counter.
I would love a copy! Thanks for the review 🙂
I can not wait to read this book. 🙂
I love both your blog and Mark’s blog. I’ve been a long term fan and would love a copy of that book.
I love reading this blog. Hope to win the book.
Thanks for the great reading suggestions and financial tips. Keep up the really good work.
Looks like a good read, would love to win a copy! Keep up the recommendations b&e!
Looks like a great book to read!
This looks like a great book!
Keep up the good work, B n E. Boomers love giveaways
I am currently estate planning and would love a copy of this book.
RE: e.g. Inheritances, Wills and Estates – Love, Money and Greed.
One Big Happy Family – Until We Discuss the Will.
I am living this now. Would be interesting to read this chapter
Amazing how the number of comments sky rockets when there’s a give away! I’ve learnt a lot from Mark’s and your blog.
Really appreciate the links you give us, Blunt sounds like a must HAVE (as opposed to WANT!)
This sounds like a really good read! That makes me sound boring right?
I think I need this book, good review, thanks.
The book sounds like it’s worth the read.
Thanks once again for the opportunity for a free give-away, from a loyal reader.
Sounds like a great book that makes tax issues easier to understand. Very valuable! While many of us may not comment often, we are loyal readers.
Love it when authors can make meaning and create interest in what some would consider a dry topic. Would love to win a copy!
I’m looking forward to reading this book (whether I win or not). I have a hard time keeping focused when I read about tax laws so this sounds like the right book for me.
I’ve been reading his blog for quite some time now. Love it!
I’d love to have a copy. Always open to new tax information particularly where it applies to the Boomer generation.
Something I need to read
Looks like a good new Canadian finance book. If be interested in reading it.
This book would help One Big Happy Family.
This sounds like a must-read for me and my family. We’re keen on personal finance education and would love to score a copy of this book!
Looks like an interesting book, especially the part about income tax.
Yes, I need tax advice!!
I find the bean counter’s blogs very informative, and his vacation photos allow me to travel vicariously through him. Please enter my name in the draw!
Tax AND humour? I must read this! 🙂 Thanks for another great giveaway!
Great post and a good read!
Always looking for good personal finance resources.
Could really use a copy. If only the BBC could tell us which political party would steal the least amount of money from our pockets and not frivolously waste this election.
This will also be mandatory reading for all of the now adult kids.
I’m sitting in the south of France for the rest of the month so would like to read this when I get back.
i want one 🙂
I could really use his book. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
Great giveaway! Thanks for the chance!
Sounds like a great book!
Ah yes – what to do with the cottage. I too need this book.
Now that book has definately piqued my interest! Also thanks for referring another useful blog,going to check it out right now.
Oh please, I really need this right now.
Sounds like a great resource for my library. Thank you, Lynn
I think this book sounds worth a read. Certainly an area of interest and need.
I’m also a CPA – but to put it “bluntly”, Ineed this advice as much as anyone!
Would love to win a copy of the book. Thanks for all the great info that you post.
Sounds like an interesting read
I definitely need this book – PLEASE!!
Thanks for the opportunity. Seems like a fun read.
This book sounds like a good read!
Would sure love a copy. I’m a big fan of your (B&E) website/blogs, and read/refer to all topics, especially retirement advice.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and advice.
Thanks for the chance to get one copy of this interesting book !
Thanks for the suggestion and link to Mark’s blog. =)
I would love to win a copy of this book!
Sounds like an interesting read on a “boring” subject! Would love to win a copy.
would greatly appreciate another reference book!
Always looking forward to read your blog.
Mario
I read your balanced blog every time it comes out. We are poor and entering into our “golden years” which are likely to be our “tin-plated Kraft Dinner with Alpo Years” after a lifetime of financial roller coasters, marital upsets and raising seven kids between us. Our financial situation is tenuous at best. This book might help.
Adding humour to bland financial affairs is a welcomed twist.
Taxes!!! and how to navigate the “sometimes” confusing concepts, definitely something to learn more about. Good review.
Would love to read this book of particular interest is the estate planning information. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
Marie,
Thx for your kind words and the support you and Robb have provided over the years.
Sounds like a great resource! Thanks
This book looks like an interesting read and would be a welcome addition to my library.
Taxes need all the humour one can inject, I will rise to the challenge!
I hope I win!!!!
sounds like an interesting book….and would love a free one…!
I am the “go to person” for taxes in my family. This book would a great reference.,,,
love his blog!
Mark’s blog rocks! I’d love to read the tax info in his book.
Blunt, humour and informative? I’d love to read it! Thanks.
One of my favourite financial blogs!
I will read this book. Thanks
I love to read a book about financial matters that is interesting, reader friendly and practical. Please may I have one of these books ? Thanks !
I would love to have a copy . I teach personal and corporate income tax and am always looking for new books to recomend.
I need all the help I can get, being a baby boomer living on a disability pension is a scary position. I would really appreciate a book that can assist me in a clear and understandable way.
Always looking for financial wisdom….
Work smarter, NOT harder! Love learning tips & bits.
Would love to win this book. Always looking for good information 🙂
If the book is anything like his blog, it will be very interesting. I’m in to have a chance at winning!
Looks like a useful blog … feel like a winner already,
Always pleased to learn how to reduce my taxes.
A book on reducing taxes … count me interested!
We need to learn more about estate planning…as we continue our learning journey!
Nothing clever or witty except I need good tax advice
Thanks
Sounds like a good book!
Someone certainly needs to get blunt about my financial affairs and I guess I am the best (only) choice around. Need some help from this book.
Would like yo read about sharing inheritances:)
Good review of the book. It is certainly an eye-opener for a lot of people!
This books would be useful. Thanks for the chance.
Sounds like this book will be very useful. Would like to win it
Yes please, count me in for the give-away..
Me please
Please count me in…I am looking for good info on how to plan my withdrawals to minimize taxes…
Taxes simplified…that sounds like the book for me!
Mark is the only accountant I know who can make accounting, taxes, wills and inheritances sound like they are interesting and even fun subjects.
Keep up the good work Mark you are encouraging more people to investigate or at least think about these subjects.
It can’t hurt to enter. I love your blog! Or to suck up!
Sounds like a book I would really enjoy reading. Please enter my name in the contest.
Time for a good read!
Sounds like an interesting book !
Older boomer sure could use this book
Mark; you have a new follower. If I don’t win a copy I’ll definitely purchase one.
Another great reading suggestion from B&E. A bit of levity makes tough topics like taxes easier to work with.
Pick me plz 🙂
I would love to get in the draw for the book.
This is an awesome blog, and I am sure the book is the same.
Thanks.
Me too!
I would really like to win a copy of this book. *fingers crossed*
Many thanks for all the financial help and great reading suggestions.
Anything to get my wife to read about death and taxes I ‘m game for. Does first name have an edge? Count me in!
I’m always looking for a new read! Would love a copy.
Sounds interesting for a boring topic.
Would love to win a copy, but glad to be introduced to the blog too! Thanks 🙂
Sounds very interesting!
I am currently responsible for doing the taxes for my mother, mother-in-law, son, husband and myself. This covers most age groups. I could really use the help. Winning the book would be a big bonus.
I need this now!
Look forward to reading this book – sounds very useful. Donna
Surely a MUST read and I need it more than most! Ha
Sounds like a good reference book for a complicated subject.
taxes taxes taxes! Death and Taxes, can’t get away from either 🙂
Would love a copy of this book! Thanks for the chance!
Need it badly!
Any idea where else this book can be purchased in Toronto? Sold out on amazon or not available.
Hi Margot, I’ve sent an email to Mark asking him to respond here and let readers know where else they can get a copy of the book.
Hi Margot
Only Amazon U.S. is fulfilling inventory, the link is here.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1505226708
It seems that Cda Amazon is only for re-sellers, don’t ask, very frustrating.
You can get a Cdn kindle version here
http://www.amazon.ca/Lets-Blunt-About-Financial-Affairs-ebook/dp/B0156VKRDC/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441925558&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=lets+get+blunt+about+your+financial+affairs+kindle+version
thx for asking