If you read my blog regularly, you know that one of my goals at the beginning of the year was money management and personal finance. I wanted to become more responsible with my money basically and learn more about personal finance. The Smart Money Woman is a book by Arese Ugwu on this exact topic. And whilst it is aimed at Nigerian and African women as per the context of the story, the tips, tricks and lessons can be used by anyone regardless of where you're from. It's a book under Arese's Smart Money Africa platform that according to their website, aims at improving financial literacy in Africa and creating a generation of financially savvy Africans.
If you read my blog regularly, you know that one of my goals at the beginning of the year was money management and personal finance. I wanted to become more responsible with my money basically and learn more about personal finance. The Smart Money Woman is a book by Arese Ugwu on this exact topic. And whilst it is aimed at Nigerian and African women as per the context of the story, the tips, tricks and lessons can be used by anyone regardless of where you're from. It's a book under Arese's Smart Money Africa platform that according to their website, aims at improving financial literacy in Africa and creating a generation of financially savvy Africans.
This book created a buzz when it was released last year and after reading it, I wholly believe that the hype is justified. The book was a hit with women everywhere and there were book tours across Nigeria, Ghana and the UK. There was actually a book reading/signing thing here in Manchester as well (which I didn't attend, in case you were wondering). I was finally able to get my hands on the book on Thursday and I read it immediately. So today, I'll be sharing my review on the book.
Year of Publication: 2016
With her best friends Tami (the flighty fashion designer), Lara (the tough oil and gas executive), Adesuwa (the conservative lawyer), and Ladun (the fabulous housewife), Zuri grows a little, learns a lot and navigates her way to making better financial decisions and building wealth.
This book tackles, debt, spending, the consumerist culture of the African middle class, the fear and misconceptions surrounding money and the lack of it, love, friendships, cultural and societal pressures and the roles they play in success. With each chapter comes a Smart Money Lesson, there to help you work your way up the financial ladder.
Year of Publication: 2016
Author: Arese Ugwu
Rating: 5/5
Summary (from Good Reads)
Meet Zuri. She’s living a fabulous life. Great car, gorgeous apartment, well paid job.
Meet Zuri. Broken down car, an apartment she cant afford, a job she’s about to lose.
What’s a broke girl to do?
Meet Zuri. Broken down car, an apartment she cant afford, a job she’s about to lose.
What’s a broke girl to do?
With her best friends Tami (the flighty fashion designer), Lara (the tough oil and gas executive), Adesuwa (the conservative lawyer), and Ladun (the fabulous housewife), Zuri grows a little, learns a lot and navigates her way to making better financial decisions and building wealth.
This book tackles, debt, spending, the consumerist culture of the African middle class, the fear and misconceptions surrounding money and the lack of it, love, friendships, cultural and societal pressures and the roles they play in success. With each chapter comes a Smart Money Lesson, there to help you work your way up the financial ladder.
Review
I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading and realised that the book is actually a novel. I thought the format was your regular non-fiction sort of self-help book which I still had no problem with. I was quite pleased when I started reading and I saw it was actually a novel. At the end of each chapter, there's a lesson to be learned on personal finance and money management, she highlights these lessons and also gives you exercises to do if you're not quite sure how to go about implementing the things she just spoke about.
The story is about Zuri, a young millennial with a really good job who becomes broke because of her abysmal spending habits and lack of financial planning. It also touches on her friends and the various money issues that they have. The story is very light-hearted, enjoyable and makes for an easy read. It's even got a little bit of romance in it which I love.
This is what I like about the book, it's a fun read but you're gaining so much knowledge at the same time. The book touches on saving, investment, wills, networking, managing debts, goal setting, improving your skill set and a host of other important things. If it was a regular book, it might have gotten boring fast but the fact that all these things are incorporated into a story prevents it from being so. I genuinely had no issues with the book . I would also recommend that you keep a notebook/journal with you while you read it as there's a lot of information and I'm sure you don't want to forget anything. Well, that's what I did anyways.
Conclusion
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I finished it on the same day that I started it. To be fair, it's got about 270 pages or so , definitely not that hard to finish in one day. I learned a lot from it and now I know more about money management. Yay to things that help you achieve your goals haha. So guys, I recommend this book to all of you. It's definitely worth the read. And this is not sponsored in any way o. Having said that, if Arese wants to sponsor me , I'm down for it haha. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! xx
This book created a buzz when it was released last year and after reading it, I wholly believe that the hype is justified. The book was a hit with women everywhere and there were book tours across Nigeria, Ghana and the UK. There was actually a book reading/signing thing here in Manchester as well (which I didn't attend, in case you were wondering). I was finally able to get my hands on the book on Thursday and I read it immediately. So today, I'll be sharing my review on the book.
Year of Publication: 2016
With her best friends Tami (the flighty fashion designer), Lara (the tough oil and gas executive), Adesuwa (the conservative lawyer), and Ladun (the fabulous housewife), Zuri grows a little, learns a lot and navigates her way to making better financial decisions and building wealth.
This book tackles, debt, spending, the consumerist culture of the African middle class, the fear and misconceptions surrounding money and the lack of it, love, friendships, cultural and societal pressures and the roles they play in success. With each chapter comes a Smart Money Lesson, there to help you work your way up the financial ladder.
Year of Publication: 2016
Author: Arese Ugwu
Rating: 5/5
Summary (from Good Reads)
Meet Zuri. She’s living a fabulous life. Great car, gorgeous apartment, well paid job.
Meet Zuri. Broken down car, an apartment she cant afford, a job she’s about to lose.
What’s a broke girl to do?
Meet Zuri. Broken down car, an apartment she cant afford, a job she’s about to lose.
What’s a broke girl to do?
With her best friends Tami (the flighty fashion designer), Lara (the tough oil and gas executive), Adesuwa (the conservative lawyer), and Ladun (the fabulous housewife), Zuri grows a little, learns a lot and navigates her way to making better financial decisions and building wealth.
This book tackles, debt, spending, the consumerist culture of the African middle class, the fear and misconceptions surrounding money and the lack of it, love, friendships, cultural and societal pressures and the roles they play in success. With each chapter comes a Smart Money Lesson, there to help you work your way up the financial ladder.
Review
I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading and realised that the book is actually a novel. I thought the format was your regular non-fiction sort of self-help book which I still had no problem with. I was quite pleased when I started reading and I saw it was actually a novel. At the end of each chapter, there's a lesson to be learned on personal finance and money management, she highlights these lessons and also gives you exercises to do if you're not quite sure how to go about implementing the things she just spoke about.
The story is about Zuri, a young millennial with a really good job who becomes broke because of her abysmal spending habits and lack of financial planning. It also touches on her friends and the various money issues that they have. The story is very light-hearted, enjoyable and makes for an easy read. It's even got a little bit of romance in it which I love.
This is what I like about the book, it's a fun read but you're gaining so much knowledge at the same time. The book touches on saving, investment, wills, networking, managing debts, goal setting, improving your skill set and a host of other important things. If it was a regular book, it might have gotten boring fast but the fact that all these things are incorporated into a story prevents it from being so. I genuinely had no issues with the book . I would also recommend that you keep a notebook/journal with you while you read it as there's a lot of information and I'm sure you don't want to forget anything. Well, that's what I did anyways.
Conclusion
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I finished it on the same day that I started it. To be fair, it's got about 270 pages or so , definitely not that hard to finish in one day. I learned a lot from it and now I know more about money management. Yay to things that help you achieve your goals haha. So guys, I recommend this book to all of you. It's definitely worth the read. And this is not sponsored in any way o. Having said that, if Arese wants to sponsor me , I'm down for it haha. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! xx
My friend gave it to me as a birthday present earlier in the year and I loved it. So many great tips and a very interesting story.
ReplyDeletewww.runwayribbons.com
It's the complete package haha, thanks for stopping by Nengi! <3
DeleteI'm definitely going to read it as soon as possible ! Great review, as always 💜
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for you to read it so we can talk about it! xx
DeleteEverybody is talking about the book, need to get it. Great review.
ReplyDeleteBernie, xx
The Style Fanatic
It really is a great book, thanks Benita! XX
DeleteI never heard about this book but it looks interesting! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletehttp://violettedaily.com
Thanks for reading Violette :)
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book worth a read. From it's title, I wouldn't have guessed it's a novel format. Nice share.
ReplyDeleteFunmi xo
www.funmialabi.co.uk
I know right? It doesn't seem like a novel when you read the title, makes for such a pleasant surprise when you open it though. Thanks for stopping by Funmi! xx
DeleteSounds interesting!! I think we all need to read this! x
ReplyDeleteYiota
PinkDaisyLoves
I agree, it's such a great book! xx
DeleteNever heard of this book but I will check it out! Thanks for sharing! Have a great start to the week!
ReplyDeletexo Yvonne
www.aproposh.com
Thanks for reading Yvonne, have a great week too! :)
DeleteI've been hearing about this book for a while now. My friend even asked if I had read it. Seeing it on your blog now, I think I'll try to check it out. I'm glad it's a novel, I don't mind a non-fiction, but I feel fiction is easier for me to focus and read faster.
ReplyDelete♥️
Yup, those were my thoughts exactly. The book being in fiction form definitely makes the reading more enjoyable. Thanks for stopping by Favour <3
DeleteFinancial literacy is so important and I love seeing young people get on top of it. This book is everything and your review totally sums it up. Glad I got a copy when I had the chance.
ReplyDeleteAww thanks for reading Ufuoma! :)
DeleteI definitely need this book in my life! Money management is one of those things I've never truly mastered - great to hear this is easy to finish as well. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Christina
Looks by Lau
This book will definitely help you master some aspects of it, hope you check it out. Thanks for reading Christina! xx
DeleteThanks for the book recommendation, I always on the hunt for good books.
ReplyDeleteVanessa x | www.springlilies.com
No worries, hope you enjoy it :)
DeleteThis sounds like such an amazing read! I really like self help/non fiction books but tbh they can sometimes be tough to get through, but I like the idea of combining it with a fiction narrative!
ReplyDeleteSinéad xo Fabuleuse Du Jour
Yup, combining it with fiction definitely makes it much more enjoyable. Thanks for stopping by Sinead! xx
DeleteThis sounds like such a great read! One for a cosy night in x
ReplyDeleteIt's a great book, thanks for reading Parie! xx
DeleteThis sounds like a cool story, I like that each chapter has a lesson or a teaching moment it makes it a little different. Thanks for sharing xx
ReplyDeleteALittleKiran | Bloglovin
Yup, it's quite different. I really like the concept! Thanks Kiran! xx
DeleteOk every one talk about book i think we need to get it.... :)
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you totally should :)
DeleteBabe, I have read that book and trust me it was worth the buy. I am a guy oh! no doubt but I read the book... Personally I would rate it 6/5 and the only issue I saw with the book was that she was selling her market and the WIMBIZ programme too much sha... But all in all its a great book.
ReplyDeleteGoshhhhh I feel so bad that I forgot to include this in my review, the obvious ads were a bit annoying I'll admit. Thanks Anthony :)
DeleteHeard this is a really a good book. Adding it to my list.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll enjoy it! :)
DeleteThis amazing book integrates an interesting story line with tips on how to improve your finances in life. I found it quite amazing as it is not just a bunch of lessons like most books in finances are but it actually brings in the 'real world' with all of its challenges in the Nigerian setting. You cannot regret buying it!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, it does bring in the real world and there are so many great lessons to be learned from it. Glad you agree! :)
Deletegreat review, it sounds very interesting, I will give it a try,
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing,
Sonia
www.soniaaicha.com
Hope you enjoy it, thanks Sonia! :)
DeleteLooks certainly like a must read
ReplyDelete