From Publishers Weekly Sumner and her husband both have M.B.A.s and years of experience in the banking world. Why， then， were their own family finances once in a state of chaos? Sumner relates that her family had no savings or back-up plan when her husband unexpectedly lost his job， plunging them into uncertainty and debt. They slowly climbed out of the mire through a little sacrifice and a lot of planning. Sumner cheers on her female readers by asserting that they， too， can take charge of their financial futures. She begins by offering a "money attitudes quiz" to sort readers into four basic types of money managers， then tackles the usual personal finance subjects: checking and savings accounts， setting financial goals， buying adequate insurance， and drafting a will. She then addresses budgeting， banking， loans and mortgages， saving， investing， tithing (one of the book's only nods to religion)， building a credit history， and staying out of debt. It is perhaps a sign of the financial times that she includes an entire sobering chapter on identity theft. Sumner assumes no knowledge about even the most basic financial skills， like balancing a checkbook， making this book appropriate for the beginner but less useful for the family with at least some ducks in a row. The advice is simple and familiar: spend less than you earn， and pay yourself first. She offers a chapter on how to teach kids basic money principles and a helpful glossary of everyday financial terms. Copyright © Reed Business Information， a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Book Description Gone are the days when women left all money matters to the man of the family. Still， family finances continue to mystify many moms. Dollars &#38 ; Sense is a practical， easy-to-understand guide that describes four money management styles that will help moms discuss and handle finances more effectively. Author Cynthia Sumner discusses a wide range of moms' financial concerns， from the big issues like how to save money， set goals， and teach kids responsible money habits to the knit-picky mechanics of managing bank accounts and establishing credit. No matter what their financial situation， moms everywhere will find these specific suggestions and practical tips invaluable as they learn how to regain or improve their family finances.