In the newly revised second edition to Clever Girl Finance, celebrated personal finance educator Bola Sokunbi delivers an update to the insightful and entertaining installment of her widely read handbook to personal finance for women everywhere. The author walks you through the basics of building a strong and prosperous financial future, showing you how to craft a resilient budget, improve your credit score, pay down debt, invest and build long term wealth.
With this book, you'll: - Identify your personal money values, goals, and beliefs to help guide your actions. - Explore mindset shifts and developing good financial habits including overcoming limiting beliefs about money and cultivating healthy financial habits. - Learn strategies to effectively manage and eliminate debt, such as creating a debt repayment plan, negotiating lower interest rates, and prioritizing high-interest debt. - Gain insights into different saving strategies, including emergency funds, retirement savings, and other long-term financial goals. - Learn about different investment options, risk management, and how to start investing even with a small amount of money. - And much more
Perfect for women looking for practical advice, actionable steps, and real-life examples they can apply to their own financial journey, Clever Girl Finance is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to achieve financial independence and success!
Table of Contents
About the Author xi
Also by Bola Sokunbi xiii
Acknowledgments xv
Welcome to the Expanded and Updated Edition of This Book! xvii
You Are in the Right Place xix
How to Use This Book xxi
Introduction xxiii
My Story xxxi
Part I The Start 1
Your What and Your Why 3
Chapter 1 Your Mindset 11
Let Go of Your Money Mistakes 13
Becoming Emotionally Balanced for a Positive Money Mindset 18
Meet Dr. Chavonne Perotte 23
Dream Big: Affirm Yourself to Being Wealthy 27
Shift Your Circle of Influence 32
Meet Latoya Scott 37
Chapter 2 Get Organized 41
Get Your Records In Order 43
Track Your Spending 50
Identify Your Bad Money Habits 55
Meet Christina Mychas 61
Know Your Net Worth 67
Meet Brittney Suttle 70
Define Your Values 73
Set Your Goals 75
Meet Molly Stillman 78
Part II The Plan 81
Chapter 3 Budgeting 83
Budgeting 101: The Basics 85
Setting Up Your Budget Using Categories 87
Budgeting Styles 90
Don’t Ignore Your Money Leaks 96
Common Budgeting Challenges and How to Get Out of Your Own Way 100
Rewarding Yourself 102
Meet Esther Bangura 106
Budgeting on an Inconsistent Income 111
Budgeting on a Low Income 113
Budgeting as a Couple 115
The Save Yourself Fund: Your Emergency Savings 121
Sinking Funds to Stay on Track 124
My Story: How I Saved over $100,000 in Three Years 126
Chapter 4 Debt and Loans 131
Let’s Talk About Debt Because It Sucks 133
Paying Off Your Debt 139
Student Loans: Facts and Basics 145
Meet Melisa Boutin 146
Where to Start with Your Student Loans 148
Ideas to Pay Off Your Debt Fast 155
Meet Naseema McElroy 160
Cashback and Rewards Credit Cards 162
Meet Monica Louie 164
Chapter 5 Investing 171
Investing 101 173
Meet Adeola Omole 182
Investing for Retirement 185
How to Start Investing 192
Meet Mabel Nunez 197
Part III The Necessary 203
Chapter 6 Credit 205
Credit 101 207
Credit Scores 209
Busting Credit Myths 218
Compromised Information 221
Meet Rosemary A.B. 223
Chapter 7 Protecting Yourself 229
Creating a Backup Plan with the Right Insurance 231
Recession- Proofing Your Finances 239
Meet Ashlee Sang 247
Chapter 8 Making More Money 251
Negotiating to Win 253
Meet Steph May 259
Side Hustles 266
Meet Lucille Roache 271
Chapter 9 Your Self- Care 277
Nuturing Your Self- Care Alongside Your Financial Wellness Because Yes 279
Chapter 10 Key Financial Actions 285
Steps to Keep Your Financial Plans Intact 286
In Closing 291
Appendix 293
Index 297
