The Financial Diet

The Financial Diet:  A Total Beginner’s Guide to Getting Good with Money by Chelsea Fagan         Paperback Book: 208 pages                        

I enjoyed this read.   It is a very easy, quick read and the style it is written in makes it fun and pleasant to get through.    I did not find it to be a real beginner’s guide as such.    There are things covered here the reader needs to have a working knowledge of so not exactly completely at step 1 but, certainly, a likeable explanation of most things covered in the book.    I suspect the reader would learn more by visiting the blog spot referred to in the book.   Having said that, the writing style is amusing and keeps you reading throughout.    I have to disagree with the recipes in the book.   O.K. maybe you can make them and freeze them for more than one extra meal, but, come on, folks, these ingredients are not items someone living check to check and trying to get on their feet monetarily would have at hand in their kitchen cabinet nor should they.   So, the recipes, though her grandmother’s and mother’s that sound really tasty just require over the top expensive and not too often used spices, cheeses, etc.   Not a good way to save a buck.    I like how she promotes everyone trying to save should have a job and at least one side hustle to pay off their bills and to start saving for emergencies, and possible job loss.    So her future You tips are very good and thorough.   She cusses throughout which is funny to read and makes the book very paletteable as if chatting with a friend or friends (the professionals she brings in to give mentoring tips to the reader),  you know the ones that you get a kick out of because their speech is so colorful and expressive.    She gives lots of great info on setting up a budget, but, I found myself a little lost when she goes into relationships, although, yes if you are going to cohabitate or marry – you do need to think out all of the issues you need to discuss –ie. how to break down the bills – you pay, I pay, whoever makes more pays and truly get through the conversation about each person’s debt load.   Investing she recommends but if the reader is starting out from a major in debt place it will surely take a while to get to the juncture she discusses.    Do not skip the introduction – there is so much worthy information there.   Step-by-step information on how to get good with money in a year.    And do NOT pass up here DYFDs!   They are simple common sense tips that we all ignore somewhere along the way and that is how folks get into debt.   Read them and make them your mantras.   They are truly words and concepts to live by that will save you so much grief in your financial future.    She brings a lot of experts in to share good information from those who know of what they speak.   Budget, check yourself and be accountable to yourself,  do not put more on your credit accounts than you can pay in a month.    She even goes into the tools you will need to do your own home repairs  to keep costs down on the simple stuff rather than having to pay outrageous fees to a pro when you can do it yourself for the cost of parts.   And her rule of four – always have at least 4 things other than work that simply put make you happy.    Allow yourself the off extra latte.  Tickets to a show,  admission to something fun or the one thing you thought you couldn’t live without but being mindful of your budget you did sleep on it as you promised yourself and you woke up still wanting it.   Indulge, but only that, not fifteen other things you see and think you might want while waiting in line to pay for your can’t live without item.     A fun read with good advice if overly gourmet recipes.