Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole

by Tiffany Aliche

Tiffany Aliche was a successful pre-school teacher with a healthy nest egg when a recession and advice from a shady advisor put her out of a job and into a huge financial hole. As she began to chart the path to her own financial rescue, the outline of her ten-step formula for attaining both financial security and peace of mind began to take shape. These principles have now helped more than one million women worldwide save and pay off millions in debt, and begin planning for a richer life.

Revealing this practical ten-step process for the first time in its entirety, Get Good with Money introduces the powerful concept of building wealth through financial wholeness a realistic, achievable, and energizing alternative to get-rich-quick and over-complicated money management systems. With helpful checklists, worksheets, a tool kit of resources, and advanced advice from experts who Tiffany herself relies on (her "Budgetnista Boosters"), Get Good with Money gets crystal clear on the short-term actions that lead to long-term goals, including:

- A simple technique to determine your baseline or "noodle budget," examine and systemize your expenses, and lay out a plan that allows you to say yes to your dreams.
- An assessment tool that helps you understand whether you have a "don't make enough" problem or a "spend too much" issue--as well as ways to fix both.
- Best practices for saving for a rainy day (aka job loss), a big-ticket item (a house, a trip, a car), and money that can be invested for your future.
- Detailed advice and action steps for taking charge of your credit score, maximizing bill-paying automation, savings and investing, and calculating your life, disability, and property insurance needs.
- Ways to protect your beneficiaries' future, and ensure that your financial wishes will stand the test of time.

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Self Help, Money, Personal Finance, Business, Audiobook

368 pages, Hardcover

Published March 30, 2021

About the author

Tiffany the Budgetnista Aliche is America's favorite personal finance educator! She is also author of New York Times bestselling book, Get Good with Money.

Reviews

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book 10 + stars if I could!

This is the best financial book I have ever read. This book is so thorough and organized. It is divided into percentages that equal up to being “100% financially whole.” Each of the sections goes into great detail about important topics such as “how to pay off your student loans,” “how to build up your net worth,” and “how to start investing effectively.” As a 21-year-old, reading this book has helped me feel like I am setting up my future right. I now have a useful framework for making smart choices with my money. Tiffany Aliche is hilarious and the book feels like conversing with an older sister who is helping me learn from her past mistakes while teaching me some valuable money lessons along the way. Her advice is simple to understand, yet so powerful. There are also worksheets in the back of the book that you can easily fill out to strengthen your financial literacy and understanding. My favorite concepts from the book were how to create a Noodle Budget (game-changer!), seeing your credit score as your Grade Point Average (GPA), a simple calculation to determine how to retire early, and practicing mindful budgeting and spending habits. Thank you Tiffany Aliche!

And thank you NetGallery and Rodale.Inc for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best financial book I’ve ever read. So many financial books and experts make financial literacy feel like this thing that “other” people have. Or that it’s only for wealthy people. If it’s written for us lowly poor or lower middle class folks, it’s condescending and makes you feel like your financial trouble is your own damn fault for, I dunno, buying too many lattes or something.
This book is not all that garbage. Her tone is understanding and friendly. She gives hard financial truths, in language regular people can understand, without patronizing or scolding. I really believe this book is for everyone at every financial stage or income bracket! I wish I had this book when I was 20, and I’ll be returning to it in a couple years when we’re ready for our next financial steps.

[Kyra Leseberg (Roots & Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I won’t say there’s anything new (to me) in this book, Aliche does a great job of outlining responsible, tried and true advice in ten steps with some helpful tips on money management as well as to-do lists that break down what can feel like overwhelming tasks and make them achievable. She focuses on separating short-term and long-term goals and implementing practices into your life to put you on a path to what she calls “financial wholeness”.
I don’t often read financial books these days but I decided to pick this up mainly for the chapter on investing as I’ve been interested in investing outside of my retirement plan and possibly opening a custodial account for my minor child, but ended up reading the entire book because it’s relatable and is written in a conversational and accessible style that will appeal to anyone putting together a financial plan for their lives.

For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

After interviewing a bunch of financial planners I found myself feeling like I didn't have enough background about personal finance to make a good decision....so I started reading. This is my third personal finance book of the summer because I wanted to get a variety of perspectives on the foundation. This one was good in that it provided a broad overview and seemed to have a good appreciation for the fact that people come from all different financial backgrounds. Perhaps that's because Aliche herself has been pretty darn wealthy and pretty darn broke at different parts of her life. This was the only personal finance book I've read so far that had a paragraph about what to do if you can't pay all your bills this month. Even though that's not my current situation, it was refreshing to read a book that was at least aware that not everyone has significant sums of money available to invest.

That being said, this book didn't really seem to know who its target audience was and I'm not sure it succeeded in being all things to all people. There were a lot of really basic things (how credit cards work, the difference between health insurance premiums and deductibles, etc) and then there would be more advanced chapters about investing for wealth and setting up a trust. It was just sort of odd and I found myself tuning out during the parts that were super basic...which made it harder to tune back into the parts that seemed more useful.

I still think it's a solid book just probably a lot more useful for someone a little earlier in their financial journey. Recommended for folks who are starting their careers, getting back on their feet, or who often find themselves saying, "I wish I had had an adult in my life who could have explained the basics of financial systems to me." If that's you, Tiffany Aliche is that adult. I might actually start adding this to my graduation gift basket for high school and college grads.

[Monica Kim | Musings of Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m tough one to please when it comes to nonfictions, but this is one of the best personal finance books I’ve ever read. She covers wide range of topics in an accessible and easy to grasp & understand way. This isn’t for the 1% nor bit advanced investors, but for the general population, especially if you’re in 20’s - 30’s. Or even later in life, and just confused or need help. Also, give this book to teens & college kids! Highly recommend it!

[Jen Juenke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a hot cup of tea, throw down some cozy pillows, because reading this book will get REAL very quickly. This book is for those struggling with finances. If you don't have your poop in a group in regards to budgeting, saving, and spending.....RUN AND GET THIS BOOK!
I loved how the author made it very simple, provided examples and it was like learning from an old friend.
I liked all of the analogies she does, the squirrel, the Noodle budget, etc. It really reinforces the point she is trying to make.
My absolute favorite part of the book is when she says....quit making your money just an acquaintance. You should KNOW everything about your money like how you know your best friend.
That point really struck home for me. DANG! I really DO need to know everything about my money!

Two BIG thumbs up for this book.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent financial overview

I’ve read a lot of personal finance books and this is one of the best! Tiffany gives a thorough lesson on everything from budgeting to raising your credit score to investing to finding a tax preparer to creating a will and everything in between.

A lot of financial books focus heavily on one area or rely too much on the author’s unique financial experience. This book covers almost everything and is clearly very well RESEARCHED. She even brings in other experts to explain what she can’t.

Her chapter on Estates and living wills and trusts and all that made me very uncomfortable in a good way because now I feel I need to get my life together in case of my untimely demise.

Some of the things in the book don’t apply to me but that’s okay. I 1000% recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about personal finance. If you only read one personal finance book, let it be this one!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give it six stars I would! Excellent and timely advice for anyone interested in rebuilding or starting the building process for financial success. I highly, highly recommend.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this might be my favorite book I've read on finance/money so far! It felt really accessible even when talking about complex topics, and I could just tell that Tiffany knows her stuff. The 10 steps are such a great break-down, and this is full of really actionable, practical advice. Even when certain aspects didn't apply, it was super helpful to know what to keep in mind for the future. A lot of the earlier steps I've already got well in hand, but I appreciated her approach, and the later step info was really useful. Absolutely a book I'd recommend to anybody!

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's face it, there are many financial self-help books out there. They mostly say the same thing, and if you've already read one, why should you read another?
Because common sense bears repeating. You can hear the same advice multiple times, but it won't click until someone states things in a way which resonates. If you're the post-Suze Orman demographic or can't relate to her, Get Good With Money (GGWM) may be just the financial guide you need.

I was familiar with Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche's offerings from her Facebook Ads, but did not feel motivated to click through. Her book, however, has made me a fan. In it, she clears a realistic, workable path to financial wholeness, interspersed with hilarious anecdotes from childhood through financial meltdown and recovery.

Through a ten-step program (which nicely reminds you how far you've progressed in the book) that takes you from the familiar budget-building to less-thought of steps for people below 30 or 40 - like long-term disability insurance and how much policy coverage you really need without industry propaganda. She provides scripts you can use when contacting companies (Ramit Sethi did also does this in "I Will Teach You to Be Rich") to lower your credit card interest rates, interview potential financial planners)and a great deal of free info on the book's companion website.

Is some of this information basic? Yes. Has much of it - especially the parts on budgeting, minimizing outgoings, and debt reduction - been told a thousand times? Yes, but how many of us actually heed good counsel the first time we hear it? It needs to be told again and again. For example, long-term care insurance seems like something you'd never need, but I have a cousin my age (we're both Gen X'ers) who thankfully had it 15 years ago when she became disabled due to MS. Many people don't know about this until they need it - and then where are you?

While the nitty gritty presented is not new, the community aspect to achieving financial wholeness may be new to some. Tiffany presents the value of building a financial team devoted to your success - people who truly want you to be well, be happy, and prosper. From financial planners to lawyers if you are running a business and friends and family members who have good financial habits and are stable and grounded, you don't have to do it alone.

I especially liked the way several topics were discussed:

- Addressing FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) as an achievable aim as opposed to a Holy Grail. This is a topic often presented as impossible, but people of all backgrounds can and do achieve it and she presents it factually and logically.
- Showing the value of insurance coverage in protecting what you have, and how to do this as economically as possible
- Having ready-made scripts you can use when negotiating a raise at work, and stating that for most people, earning more at your day job was the best way to increase you financial security.
- The value of investing even when you don't have much to invest or have a lot of debt to settle. It's a vote of confidence in yourself and your future self.
- If you feel called to start a business, know the difference between *having* a business (i.e actually making money) vs. *looking like* a business (no revenue but lots of focus on branding, websites, office space, etc.). This is where many would-be entrepreneurs fall flat.

GGWM is also the tale of a first-generation American living alongside her parents' immigrant experience - just like me! I definitely related to the frankness with which her parents discussed finances, as opposed to the "don't ask, don't tell" attitudes of my multi-generational American friends. The story she tells of her father's laying down the law about where that week's ice cream money went is damn funny! She also mentioned the cultural considerations that figure into financial planning , especially for those of us who regularly help out family members and may support them in old age. This philosophy also applies to tithers or those of us who align our investing with our values - a good financial advisor should be supportive and understanding of your ideals.

Overall, this book's engaging tone and fast pace made it enjoyable, and I plan to re-read and go through the exercises in depth. What makes GGWM memorable is Tiffany's honesty and vulnerability in sharing her mistakes. You *can* come back from ruin and build a stable future for yourself.

4.5/5*

Thanks to Rodale Publishing and NetGalley for a free copy of this book!

[Chintushig Tumenbayar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Санхүүгийн мэдлэг мэдээлэл хэзээ ч илүүдэхгүй. Шинэ сонирхолтой арга барилууд нь дансаа хэрхэн хянах, захиран зарцуулах дээр өвөрмөц өнцөгтэй санагдлаа.

[Allison Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️ This was a really great book explaining 10 components of being what the author calls “financially whole”. I learned a ton and I want to buy the physical book to go back and take notes. Highly recommend!

[Kelsey Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiffany gives practical steps and explanations to better understand the world of finance with enough unbiased information to ensure the reader can make their own opinions. She breaks down the language fiance bros have complicated and exaggerated to better explain concepts and terms in language anyone can understand. She gives real world, nonjudgemental steps to ensure financial literacy, gain skills, and easy access to powerful. I will recommend and buy this book for all the tiny humans in my life to better ensure financial independence, knowledge and access. This book also provided me with a script so I can get over my fear of fiance and foster meaningful, vulnerable and open conversations about money. I so grateful for Tiffany and the education she has blessed me and the world with.

[Johanny Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is this book not in high schools? That’s right it was just published last year (2021). This is the kind of book I wish to have read when I was in high school without a clue about what a bank account is; re-read in my twenties to have made a plan in my thirties to execute that plan thereafter. But it’s never too late.
I listened to it and learned so much. So I’m going to buy the physical version so I can scribble and make notes and download the Budgenista’s products so that I can become financially whole. Woot woot! Cheer me on dream catchers!

[Lily Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone who’s been meaning to get their financial life together but feels overwhelmed and not sure where to start. It’s funny, easy to read, and not full of limbo-jumbo or shaming tactics. A great teaching and learning tool for people at all stages of earning, saving, and living.

[SarahJessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her, love her message, her focus on Black and town women, and her love her writing style. Excellent 101 financial book I would happily gift to anyone.

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who hasn't really set up any true budgeting and just kind of has a rough idea of their money but always got lucky - this book was a great intro to the finer points of managing money.

I really enjoy the way it is set up into percentages of becoming financially whole. Tiffany finds a way to make money seem approachable even when you're in a tough spot. Since she has been on both sides of the money spectrum, deciding which bills won't be paid to flourishing in business, she has a great grasp on what needs to be prioritized and at what time. Plus, she brings in other money experts to talk on subjects that are experts in their field, such as an estate lawyer for the estate planning section.

I would highly recommend this for anyone else who needs to increase their knowledge on money handling and wants to start building up their assets.

[Christina Gooden · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I realize just how much help I need in my finances. This book walked me step by step on understanding 10 different topics with definitions and examples on how to achieve financial goals to secure my future and prepare for unknowns life might have me face. Tiffany’s humor is the real highlight of the book in the way she explains complex and difficult topics with ease. A must read for people starting their financial journey.

[Tamyka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great book with really good information. I read the audiobook and she referenced texts I didn’t have access to so that’s why the book is not a 5.

[Raechel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book not just on finance, but other "grown up" things you need to take care of. Great narrator, this is one of the few finance books I've read that I'd consider buying a physical copy.

[Tenise Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I like how the author weaved her own personal financial story, in to the fabric of this book, and brought you further in on the topic of finances. You were able to get a glimpse of her financial mistakes and see how she was able to apply some of her own principles within the book that helped to bring her to where she is today. I’m taking away a lot of information and to do’s for myself personally, and professionally. There were certain parts of her book that I have not seen in other financial books, such as a whole chapter, dedicated to legacy building and building your financial team. That was certainly an added bonus of reading this book. Despite where you are at in your financial Journey, this book and the lively narration of the author will be a benefit to you.

[Annika Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great personal finance book with approachable actionable steps!

[Shirley Torrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very informative and important money management read

[Tomy Wilkerson]

Granted I'm not her target market/demographic (lots of "sis", "you go, girl" language), still an incredibly comprehensive and accessible look at finances for someone who's largely incompetent and hasn't thought a lot about money. In that way, it feels like an introduction to adulthood. You're still responsible to learn the things you were never taught. After a certain point, the book can be overwhelming but that's because you're not quite at that step. But that's the point. It's something that journeys with you as you journey with it.

[Madam Book Worm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best financial book I have read. Originally, I rented this book from the library but I later went out to buy a copy. This book is Beginner friendly.

[Sidney Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Points deducted for advocating for hustle culture, but this book is clear and actionable while also being non condescending and even comforting at first. I would love to see this adapted into a curriculum for high school seniors / emerging adults. It’s a crime this stuff isn’t more widely known.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite quotes:

"Call it what you want--seasons, shifts, swings, a roller coaster--the economy is cyclical. Period. And it's not something you can control, and its fluctuations don't happen because you did anything wrong. But what you can do wrong is not prepare for the financial winter that's coming for all of us eventually. What's right for you and your future ... is to start saving like a super savvy squirrel" (65).

"Putting money away for a date in the future ... is the long game and it's sometimes not so easy to be disciplined for something so intangible. The way I make this easier for myself is by imagining the version of me that I'm saving for. I gave her a name so I can talk to her and about her. By giving my older self a persona, she becomes a person I remember to look after with the financial choices I make today. My older self's name is Wanda. Wanda is sassy, a little nosy, and likes to sit on the front porch. ...I lean into Wanda when I'm making decisions now around saving for my future and my future self. I think, Is this good for Wanda? Because Tiffany can work longer hours, Tiffany can stay up late or wake up early. Tiffany can open another business" (172).

"Work and pay your bills, enjoy some of your money and save for emergencies, but never forget that you're working toward ownership ... aka assets. And that when done right, you can eventually live off the assets you've worked for" (285).

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiffany Aliche's book has a little bit of everything for people who are new to managing their finances and assets. Even if you, like myself, are very comfortable with managing your bank accounts and credit cards, she also introduces more advanced topics like investing, insurance, and wills/estate management.

I also love that she used to be a school teacher before she transitioned into this full-time job of financial education. She breaks down each chapter, as I would in my own classroom, to individual topics and gives you specific tasks to complete at the end of each one. I originally read this as a library loan but I'm definitely going to financially support and buy her book in the near future. That way I can go back, mark up the book, and hold myself accountable to my progress.

FYI: Since Aliche's support base is primarily women, she specifically writes for an audience that identifies as such. The advice that she shares is invaluable, so I feel like everyone should read her book, regardless of gender identity.

[Caryl E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get Good with Money was a beautifully written guide to personal finance equipped with all the resources, validation, and support you may need to unlearn, learn, or reinforce habits around financial wholeness. I couldn't have asked for more to build my knowledge of money, debt, and growth. It will be a guide that I revisit (often!) and recommend to others, especially 20-somethings like myself just trying to figure life out.

Most of the topics discussed were not new concepts to me. However, this guide allowed me to ask and reflect on Tiffany's initial question of what financial wholeness looks like to me and how I can be intentional in my actions to be that person. With clear cut steps to addressing things like budgeting, paying debts, and investing, I feel prepared to create a multi-layered approach to being the person I want to be and preparing myself for the life I want my future self (my Wanda, still figuring out a name for my old lady) to enjoy. It was also beneficial to have the appendix with all the resources she discussed. I have already changed my finances by doing the activities and accessing her tools online.

5/5 stars are not enough to rate the value I know this book will have on my life, but it will do.