Real Life 101:

Real Life 101: A guide to stuff that actually matters
Avdul, Derek & Avdul, Steve. 2003.
Real Life 101: A guide to stuff that actually matters.
Hollywood: Galt Industries LLC.
158 pages, softcover.
$15.95
ISBN 9780974728704.

Format: book
Rating: 4.5/5.0 stars

Summary
Broken down into four manageable components: Home, Car, Health and Finance – Real Life 101 walks readers through the obstacle course of life beyond school, decision making that becomes necessary for survival, and guidance that could help make life more comfortable instead of just livable.

In Home, readers journey through the process of creating a budget and finding an apartment that fits within that budget range, from moving yourself to hiring out, to furnishing to all the little things one needs that can bleed a bank account dry much too quickly.

In Car, readers first determine what they can afford before they go shopping. Considerations are given for leasing vs. buying, and then the joys of car ownership, which includes insurance and maintenance.

In Health, readers are guided through the health insurance process to understand what it all means, all the basics the different types of insurance, as well as how to select a primary care physician.

In Finance, readers get an intense look at managing their money, how to compare banks, how to manage credit cards, do their own taxes, and staying organized with all of their records.

Critical Evaluation
The information in this little guide is very practical, and relatively easy to understand – though the format isn’t exactly teen-friendly. There is far too much text, and very few spotlight circles with critical information in each. Alone, it can prove very helpful for those willing to read it – and it is a quick read. Companioned with the workbook, which provides templates, guidelines and fill-in-the-blank forms, these real-world tools can be invaluable for any reader (especially teens about the embark on the world) to make pretty basic, and some might say obvious, but critical decisions that they may not have been prepared to make. With this guide, they can at least make more educated decisions, as they are pretty major in Real Life!

If they were going to update this guide, considering that housing costs about 30% of one’s payroll, I’d suggest they include more suggestions for affordable housing such as roommates, efficiency apartments, rooms to let, and employment opportunities that includes housing.

I also found it interesting (okay, odd!) that food was listed as other items you’ll need after utilities and insurance, and they have taxes only equating to 25% of gross income. My Real Life is that food comes before utilities and insurance – and taxes are almost 45%, between federal, state, social security and Medicare.

Reader’s Annotation
Want an invaluable resource that provides support for you to make some of life’s decision with a little more confidence and it’s challenges a little easier? If yes, this is the guide for you.

Information About the Authors
Derek Avdul made many mistakes in his entry to Real Life before getting a handle on the details and beginning his career in finance. Giving up the corporate life, he turned to writing and has produced several screenplays and a new book. He likes playing tennis and skiing and lives in Hollywood (Avdul & Avdul, 2003).

Steve Avdul holds an MBA in finance from the Wharton School and spent his career in the field of private equity. Not learning from his older brother’s mistakes, Steve made a few of his own Real Life gaffs. Walking away from his career on Wall Street, he traveled extensively across the US and around the world. He is currently writing a book on his travels over the past 15 years visiting 70 countries on 6 continents – and another on his trek across the US on a bicycle. Currently, he lives in Hollywood – ready for his next adventure (Avdul & Avdul, 2003).

Genre
Non-fiction: Post-secondary planning

Curriculum Ties:
This is a great tool that supports our Touch the Future class; it would better server a wider audience if it were used as part of the advisory program so that students had access beginning junior year as many prepare for all of their post-secondary options.

Booktalking Ideas
(1) share examples of student A who used the guide to make the ‘perfect’ car purchase compared to student B who impulse purchased a car (my nephew) then couldn’t afford both the payment and insurance and was forced to sell the car before making the third payment

(2) have graduates speak to the enticing credit card offers arriving in their dorm mail, then have someone who suffered huge credit card debt explain how easily they got into a bind and how hard it was to get out

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 9 and up / YA

Challenge Issues
N/A

Awards
N/A

Why Title Included & Selection Tools
Though small in dimensions, this guide is huge on practical ideas that our high school doesn’t cover for critical life skills information. Young adults need this kind of information, and the sooner the better so that they can start budgeting, open checking and savings accounts with the safety net of family support, as well as having open discussions about insurance and taxes and credit cards. While not all families are role models, young adults first emulate their parents until they have other sources to better guide them; this guide can be one of those sources.