By: Mike Cashion, MFF Director of Operations
Book: Financially Forward: How To Use Today’s Digital Tools To Earn More, Save Better, And Spend Smarter
Author: Alexa Von Tobel, CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
RANDOM FIND
This book recently caught my eye while I was browsing in my local bookstore. I love the random books that I come across while wandering the aisles. On this particular day, I stumbled upon the book, Financially Forward, by Alexa Von Tobel. It was on sale and seemed very interesting. It felt like it was a financially focused book, but for the modern age. There are plenty of financial focused books out there that share similar information but were never updated for our modern world. Anyways, I was excited to dive in and start turning those pages!
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
As a man, it was nice to pick up a financial book that was written by a woman from the world of money. Oftentimes I end up picking up finance books written by men. There is not anything wrong with this, but it was nice to have a different perspective. Alexa is a mom, wife, entrepreneur, CFP, views technology as an enabler and tool and is incredibly busy. I appreciate that we have some similarities, including that we are both relatively young, view technology as an enabler and tool and are busy. Some differences include that I am a single male with no children and do not have a history of working in finance and etc. I was able to share some viewpoints, take new ones and understand better ways that I could automate systems, use new tools and see different mindsets to better my planning as I continue to look financially forward.
RECIPE = HISTORY + MODERN DAY + LOOKING AHEAD
Some of the aspects that Alexa touches on throughout the book relate to the world that we live in today. Everyone is incredibly busy and should keep things simple, leverage tools, consolidate accounts, and automate savings and payments while keeping an eye on your money goals. As someone who is considered a digital native, I am all about using tools, automating the process and keeping everything super simple.
What is great about this book is that it doesn’t discard the tried and true things that have worked in the past. Alexa takes them and reframes them for present day and tries to provide numerous options that will make things of the past easier and more efficient.
SIMPLE
The book is simple, and the definitions, stories and explanations make sense for the current day. The jargon is limited. When it makes sense to use a financial term that is confusing, it is clearly explained to the reader with a common example. As you read, Alexa is sprinkling in software, apps, tools and processes that work well. She gives an array of options and is not necessarily biased toward one or the other. At the end of the book, there is a list of the many different apps she suggests throughout the book and what they are typically good for.
TECHNOLOGY
I love how she explained the transition to the “Digital Wallet,” which has accelerated dramatically since the start of the pandemic. Who would have known when this book was published that something would come along and accelerate the process in such a HUGE way! Alexa took the topic of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, simplified it and explained it clearly for those that are completely confused by the technology. It is continuing to evolve and become more prominent to the average person. With that said, it was great that she allocated a chapter specifically to expand upon it.
THIS IS FOR YOU
Regardless of your age, socioeconomic status, or knowledge of finance or technology, this is an awesome book to paw through. There is something for everyone with great tools, tips, tricks and knowledge of where the hockey puck is going. I encourage you to pick up a copy and let us know what you think.
Get the book – Support your local bookstore or if you are a Kindle person, you can find the book here: Financially Forward: How to Use Today’s Digital Tools to Earn More, Save Better, and Spend Smarter
Also – Alexa wrote another book before Financially Forward. I have yet to pick up a copy but you can find that here: Financially Fearless: The LearnVest Program for Taking Control of Your Money.
GET STARTED TODAY
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