Why am I passionate about this?

I began a mission in 1991 to help individuals and families recover from the unfairness of the financial system. I believe that understanding personal finance and having good credit is essential to living a successful life in the United States; however, most people don’t understand (because they have never been taught) even the basics. I formed a non-profit serving three states that helped tens of thousands of families and individuals get back in control of their finances, wrote a weekly column on credit and debt for Bankrate.com for 20 years, and wrote or co-wrote ten books on credit, scoring, and debt management.


I wrote

Credit Repair Kit For Dummies

By Steve Bucci, Melyssa Barrett, Rod Griffin

Book cover of Credit Repair Kit For Dummies

What is my book about?

My book is a comprehensive guide to understanding, using, and recovering from credit and debt issues. It draws from real-life…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Money Mammoth: Harness The Power of Financial Psychology to Evolve Your Money Mindset, Avoid Extinction, and Crush Your Financial Goals

Steve Bucci Why did I love this book?

Brad was one of the first psychologists to recognize that how we think about money is critical to financial success. My book gives you the tools; Brad’s gives you the mindset for success.

I was surprised to find that so many of my friends and family are wired for one aspect of living but not for financial success. Being a great ball player or surgeon does not mean you will be a great saver or financial planner.

This book will open your eyes to the mental pitfalls that keep so many from success. My book will show you what you need to do; this book will clear away clutter you never knew existed to give you confidence that you are on the right track.  

By Brad Klontz, Edward Horwitz, Ted Klontz

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Money Mammoth as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A look at the psychological barriers to financial success and how to create a better financial future

When it comes to our relationship with money, we are in the Stone Age. Despite the relentless barrage of information and warnings from financial experts, the average American is in terrible financial shape. It turns out that human beings are just not wired to do the right things around money-such as saving and not overspending. That's why financial success is so difficult to attain. When it comes to our financial instincts, we are no more evolved than our ancestors who hunted the Woolly…


Book cover of Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms

Steve Bucci Why did I love this book?

Just the fact that this is the tenth edition tells me that this is a financial classic. Once your credit is solid and you know how to save, you’ll want to make your money grow. Understanding investment terms will demystify financial planners' and brokers' jargon so you won't be disadvantaged.

I like the fact that this book fits in my pocket and doesn’t weigh 50 pounds! I never have to ask, “What are you talking about?” when I meet an investment professional. It’s an easy-to-use resource.

By John Downes, Jordan Elliot Goodman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

More than 5,000 terms related to stocks, bonds, mutual funds, banking, tax laws, and transactions in the various financial markets are presented alphabetically with descriptions. The new ninth edition has been updated to take account of new financial regulations and recent dramatic swings in equities, credit, and other financial developments. Readers will also find a list of financial abbreviations and acronyms, as well as illustrative diagrams and charts. Here’s a valuable, thorough dictionary for business students, financial professionals, or private investors.


Book cover of Post-Capitalist Society

Steve Bucci Why did I love this book?

I met Peter at a conference years ago and will never forget the experience. His vision of the future was unique and compelling.

I found the book, his thinking completely out of the box, and his insight into major forces changing our world without peers. Peter ties money, politics, social change, and trends together, offering a peek into the challenges and direction of the future.

By Peter F. Drucker,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Post-Capitalist Society as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Provides insight into the changes that are affecting politics, business and society itself. Business managers need to be aware of these changes in order to benefit from the opportunities that the future has to offer.


Book cover of Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach

Steve Bucci Why did I love this book?

I love this book because it predicts the future accurately. Having great credit and a fat retirement account is great, but understanding the timeline running in the background is key to enjoying it. 

If I ever need a reason to save or to spend, this book will give me a life timeline reference to keep me aware that my life’s clock is ticking. Once I understood what the future would likely look like, I was able to develop a personal scientific rationale for spending before I was too old to enjoy it.

By Barbara Newman, Philip Newman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Development Through Life as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Human development is fascinating. This text uses a life-stage approach to present development across the life span, drawing on the psychosocial theory of Erik Erikson to provide a conceptual framework. The authors address physical, intellectual, social, and emotional growth in 11 life stages, from the prenatal period through elderhood, focusing on the idea that development results from the interdependence of individuals and their environments at every stage, and placing special emphasis on how optimal development may be fostered throughout life. They also provide many cases that show you how research and theories can be applied to contemporary issues, the diversity…


Explore my book 😀

Credit Repair Kit For Dummies

By Steve Bucci, Melyssa Barrett, Rod Griffin

Book cover of Credit Repair Kit For Dummies

What is my book about?

My book is a comprehensive guide to understanding, using, and recovering from credit and debt issues. It draws from real-life experiences, such as beginning to use credit, tips for handling credit in a divorce, how to manage debt successfully, setting up goals, understanding credit reports, how credit scoring works, knowing when bankruptcy is in your best interest, understanding and dealing with systemic prejudices in lending, and how to restore your credit quickly.

Three experts in credit building, reporting/scoring, and credit/debt management have combined their experiences to bring you a comprehensive guide to every aspect of using credit. This guide will help you get the credit you deserve and have the most successful financial life possible.

Book cover of Money Mammoth: Harness The Power of Financial Psychology to Evolve Your Money Mindset, Avoid Extinction, and Crush Your Financial Goals
Book cover of Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms
Book cover of Post-Capitalist Society

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Book cover of Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

Lyle Greenfield Author Of Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

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Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been fascinated by group dynamics, large and small. Why things functioned well, why they didn’t. It’s possible my ability to empathize and use humor as a consensus-builder is the reason I was elected president of a homeowners association, a music production association, and even an agricultural group. Books were not particularly involved in this fascination! But in recent years, experiencing the breakdown of civility and trust in our political and cultural discourse, I’ve taken a more analytical view of the dynamics. These books, in their very different ways, have taught me lessons about life, understanding those with different beliefs, and finding ways to connect and move forward. 

Lyle's book list on restoring your belief in human possibility

What is my book about?

We’ve all experienced the overwhelming level of political and social divisiveness in our country. This invisible “virus” of negativity is, in part, the result of the name-calling and heated rhetoric that has become commonplace among commentators and elected leaders alike. 

My book provides a clear perspective on the historical and modern-day causes of our nation's divisive state. It then proposes easy-to-understand solutions—an action plan for our elected leaders and citizens as well. Rather than a scholarly treatment of a complex topic, the book challenges us to take the obvious steps required of those living in a free democracy. And it…

Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

By Lyle Greenfield,

What is this book about?

Lyle Greenfield's "Uniting the States of America―A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation" is a work of nonfiction and opinion. Incorporating the lessons of history and the ideas and wisdom of many, it is intended as both an educational resource and a call-to-action for citizens concerned about the politically and culturally divided state of our Union. A situation that has raised alarm for the very future of our democracy.

First, the book clearly identifies the causes of what has become a national crisis of belief in and love for our country. How the divisiveness and hostility rampant in our political…


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