This collection of celebrity anecdotes – sometimes funny, sometimes scandalous – makes personal finance approachable and easily understandable. There’s a lesson for everyone, whether you make $25,000 or $250,000.
— ANDY SERWER, Editor-in-Chief, Yahoo Finance, and former Managing Editor, Fortune Magazine
Whether you’re a new grad just embarking on your financial life or a not-so-new one who simply never got your act together, Bobbi Rebell has amassed a list of to-dos that can get you on the right track without being overwhelming. Plus, it’s a fun read.
— JEAN CHATZKY, Financial Editor, NBC Today, and Host, HerMoney (podcast)
Sure it is fun to play all day, but I think Peter Pan never wanted to grow up for another very good reason: there are no credit cards, mortgages, health insurance, or student loans in Neverland. In the real world, however, everyone struggles with these and other financial challenges. How to Be a Financial Grownup is the perfect personal finance storybook – with engaging money tales from real, successful people along with actionable advice. Follow their words of wisdom if you want a happy ending, folks!
— LAUREN YOUNG, Money Editor, Thomson Reuters, and former Personal Business Editor, BusinessWeek, and Senior Writer, SmartMoney Magazine
As a society, we’re used to seeking health and lifestyle advice from celebrities. How to Be a Financial Grownup applies that approach to financial health – a critical but often overlooked component of overall wellness. The result is a collection of engaging, practically applicable lessons about money from a variety of worthy teachers.
— ELLIOT WEISSBLUTH, Founder and CEO, HighTower
To be a success, you need to know the difference between an idea and a gameplan. A lot of people have ideas, but not many have a real plan to bring them to life. Bobbi’s book is full of successful people who’ve had a real gameplan. It’s full of valuable advice to help make you a success – whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your game to the next level.
— KENNY DICHTER, Founder and CEO, Wheels Up
Published by Maven House Press, 4 Snead Ct., Palmyra, VA 22963 610.883.7988, www.mavenhousepress.com, [email protected]
Special discounts on bulk quantities of Maven House Press books are available to corporations, professional associations, and other organizations. For details contact the publisher.
Copyright 2016 by Bobbi Rebell. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without either the prior permission of the publisher or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923; 978.750.8400; fax 978.646.8600; or on the web at www.copyright.com.
While this publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered, it is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. — From the Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations
Cover photo by Claudio Marinesco. Makeup/hair style by Tonia Ciccone.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016932955
ePUB ISBN: 978-1-938548-67-3
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For Neil
CONTENTS
List of Financial Role Models
Foreword by Tony Robbins
Preface: Story Time
1. Be A Financial Grownup
2. A Debt Primer
3. Careers Are for Making Money
4. How to Spend Money
5. Investing Starts Now
6. Family Matters
7. Consider Your Real Estate Options
8. Mixing Friends and Finances
9. Wealth and Wellness
10. Educate Yourself, Then Others
Conclusion: Your Own Grownup Moment
Acknowledgements
Index
About the Author
LIST OF FINANCIAL ROLE MODELS
Chapter 1: Be A Financial Grownup
Chapter 2: A Debt Primer
• Yummie Tummie’s Heather Thomson
• HighTower’s Elliot Weissbluth
Chapter 3: Careers Are for Making Money
• Fashion Designer Cynthia Rowley
• DonorsChoose.org’s Charles Best
• Betterment’s Jon Stein
• Douglas Elliman’s Dottie Herman
• Macy’s Terry Lundgren
Chapter 4: How to Spend Money
• DailyWorth’s Amanda Steinberg
• Wealthfront’s Adam Nash
• Author Jill Kargman
Chapter 5: Investing Starts Now
• MassMutual’s Roger Crandall
• Reuters’ Stephen Adler
• Morningstar’s Joe Mansueto
Chapter 6: Family Matters
• Ellevate’s Sallie Krawcheck
• Big City Moms’ Risa Goldberg and Leslie Venokur
• LexION Capital’s Elle Kaplan
Chapter 7: Consider Your Real Estate Options
• Zillow’s Spencer Rascoff
• Reuters’ Bobbi Rebell
• PwC’s Bob Moritz
• Fortune’s