A review by shereadstales
Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany Aliche

5.0

Thanks to NetGalley and Rodale Inc. for the digital galley of this book.

When I saw on Tiffany Aliche, aka the Budgetnista’s Instagram that she’d written a book, I immediately wanted to devour it. So, I was super stoked to find it on NetGalley. Needless to say, less than three days after receiving a review copy, I’m done, and I loved it. No shocker there.

A preschool teacher who maybe saved a little too much, Tiffany Aliche had a good nest egg until the 2008 recession when she lost her job, and was conned out of her money, subsequently losing her condo and ending up in a lot of debt. Further back than she started, Aliche just wanted to get her financial life back into some kind of order. As she got organized and started paying back debt as well as building some wealth, she found that her teacher skills came in handy and she could help others on their own financial paths. She started Budgetnista and offered financial help. In this book, she offers clear, concise steps to help you get started reaching your own financial goals.

It’s broken up into 10 parts, or percentages of being “Financially Whole.” I really enjoyed the structure of the book. I like that she breaks down different scenarios based on your goals and situation. She offers possible solutions and trusts the reader enough to decide what’s best for them. Sure the basics are in here like tracking spending, budgeting, entry-level investing, etc, but unlike other guides I’ve seen that tell you get rid of all your debt before you start saving, Aliche realizes there is more than one way to do things to reach your goals, and comfort levels may vary depending on circumstances.

There is a LOT of information in this book. Not only does Aliche share her own journey, but she has guest contributors, experts in their fields to help navigate some of the more complicated but necessary financial steps. I love both her and their explanations and breakdowns of technical terms that you might actually need to be a CPA to fully understand. The book feels super approachable and doable, and that’s the most important part about any how to money guide. You have to feel like you can actually do it.

Plus, there are TONS of extra resources on her site, all kept up to date. Whether you’re looking for an accountability partner or someone to help plan your estate, Aliche’s guides will point you down a solid path. If you don’t already, I suggest you check out her website and follow her on Instagram for the latest info, and don’t forget to pick up a copy of this book from your fav indie bookstore or request a purchase at your local library. It’s coming at you in March!