ChickSpeak

ChickSpeak’s Must Read Book for July

On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Personal Finance by Manisha Thankor and Sharon Kedar

Ever notice the girl who walks with such poise—dressed head to toe in designer shades, jeans, pumps and a gorgeous (how is she not broke after that purchase) Michael Kors bag? Well, in the guidebook, On My Own Two Feet, authors Manisha Thakor and Sharon Kedar remind us of the stark reality behind this image. “Despite [this] outward appearances of affluence, a shocking number of people are literally a stone’s throw away from financial disaster.” 50% of single women ages 21 to 34 report that “at this time in their lives money is for spending not saving,” so it’s no surprise that the modern girl is in desperate need of this guidebook.

“Make no mistake, credit card debt can be as addictive and debilitating as getting hooked on drugs.” Yes, these are the words directly extracted from the text. Written conversationally and in blunt prose, you feel as if the authors are coaching you to achieve your personal financial goals. They provide resources within the chapters for you to “stand on your own two feet.” Take, for example, their chapter dedicated to revealing the strings attached to credit cards. After an idiot-proof breakdown of credit card 101, they urge you to log on to www.bankrate.com to calculate your true credit card price.

Their genuine interest in providing you with the right resources is expressed in other concepts such as saving, basic money management, investing and even the finances involved with relationships. Throughout the entire book we are engaged with the authors as they remind us of their 3 main objectives:

1. How to make your credit cards benefit you instead of the credit card companies

2. How much of your income to save—not just for retirement, but also for near-term needs such as an emergency fund and key big-ticket items like a car and a home

3. How to invest your savings so your money grows and lasts as long as you do.

Thakor and Kedar leave the dry, textbook- like lingo out of this finance book; this guide to personal money success is uplifting, fun and empowering. After reading this, Manisha and Sharon will make you (the modern girl) realize that being financially savvy isn’t magic and doesn’t take an MBA. You will have the knowledge to create a secure financial future for yourself. In the words of the great authors: “It’s time to go forth and create the financial life you’ve always dreamed of!”

Authors Manisha Thakor and Sharon Kedar are no strangers to money. With extensive experience in the financial services industry, their careers have lead them to work as financial analysts, portfolio managers, and client servicing/marketing executives for the ‘top dogs’ of the investment management firms. Thakor and Kedar have earned their MBA degrees from Harvard Business School and are Chartered Financial Analyst charterholders.