You've probably heard of David Bach. He's the bestselling author of "The Automatic Millionaire" and the "Finish Rich" series. He appears regularly on Oprah, offering personal financial advice and helping viewers get their finances on track.

I picked up a copy of Bach's "Start Late, Finish Rich" book a couple years back. After a layoff, followed by long-term unemployment and serious liquidation of retirement assets, I was concerned that our home finance situation was hopeless, and that we'd never have enough to retire comfortably, since we'd be "starting late", or more accurately, "starting over".

Bach's book was at times soothing, comforting, encouraging and inspiring. At other times, the information wasn't really anything new. However, Bach presents the information in a unique way that makes his books different--and is likely what makes them so successful. He uses real-life examples to illustrate principles, which allows readers to feel it really is possible to follow Bach's advice. Even better, he breaks illustrations down into manageable chunks (say, how to save $10 a day versus having to save $300 a month). Then, he whoops it up for the reader by multiplying daily savings out over 20 or 30 years, giving total accumulation amounts in the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. All assumptions are based on returns of 10%, which he claims is possible over the long-term with a wise investment strategy.

The only content I could have done without (but others may be find helpful) was the frequent testimonials and stories from successful readers and clients of Bach. While you can find some great tips and ideas, I think most readers end up simply comparing themselves to these folks who have seen the light and made a way, and it was rather discouraging to me to read about so many people who are doing so much better than me at the present time. I'm not normally insecure so I think it's something that most people, especially those with self-esteem issues to begin with, would rather not see on every page.

The book starts off with a wonderful chapter about putting one's past where it belongs: in the past. Can't change what you've done or what's happened to you. All you can do is look ahead and take control of where you're going. So far, so good!

From there, the book is divided into four major sections: "spend less", "save more", "make more", "give more and live more". You can probably guess what the "spend less" and "save more" sections entail. Bach offers some really clever ways to analyze where your finances are now, figure out ways to save more, maximize those savings, automate the savings, and then watch the money grow.

I found the "make more" section to be marginally helpful. The information is a bit dated (making money with eBay is one of the options), and most Americans (for better or worse) won't take up direct selling, buy franchises or dabble in real estate. Having tried real estate and experienced nothing but losses I can say with certainty that it sure isn't as easy as it sounds in the books. Still, as an online entrepreneur, I can also state with certainty that having multiple streams of income, especially passive income, is amazingly helpful in finishing rich if you're starting late.

Do you give regularly to a charity? I know it's a special mission for us here at BellaOnline, something our founder feels strongly about. I agree based on personal experience that Bach's recommendation to give regularly will not only attract more money into your life, but will also separate you from being attached to your money in an unhealthy way. If you can let go of your cash to help others, you won't be ruled by it. "Start Late, Finish Rich" gives some great ideas on how you can "give more" and really change the world for the better.

The final section of the book, "live rich", was fantastic. First, Bach surprises the reader by mentioning that perhaps retirement isn't the end goal. After all, what are we really saving and planning for? To just sit around and do nothing? What if you want to work beyond age 65? Bach changes the entire paradigm of retirement, which is encouraging in itself. I don't want to be a spoiler and reveal the rest of the chapter, but I will share one quote that hit me between the eyes and is really worth the price of the book alone:

"The fact is, you don't have to have a fully funded 401(k) account to have joy. What really matters it that you have a consistent joy in your ife now, that you have some fun now--that you forget the idea that you're supposed to wait until you retire to have those things."

What an amazing truth. It really puts home finance into perspective. "Home" comes before "finance". If you can't have joy in your everyday life, you won't have joy when the money comes. Money doesn't generate it; our attitude does.

Bach ends the book with 11 things we should take the time to teach our children, so they won't have to repeat our money mistakes. He makes a valid point that home finance should be taught in all schools, so our kids can start saving early and only have to set aside a little; so they aren't mired in credit card debt by the time they leave college; so they become productive citizens and not dependent on the government or their employers for financial security. But, since schools don't teach basic principles of home finance, it's up to parents or family or friends to get kids on the right track. Use Bach's 11 points and you can't go wrong.

All in all, the "Start Late, Finish Rich" book is worth having on your home finance bookshelf. Splurge a little and buy the accompanying workbook, so you can take notes and formulate a personal plan.

But most of all, don't just read it. Do it.