Save Wisely, Spend Happily

by Sharon L. Lechter

As a CPA, you know that understanding personal finances can seem like an overwhelming task to your clients. Yet it doesn’t have to be―especially if they have the guidance of a trusted advisor. Published in honor of the AICPA’s 125th Anniversary and edited by best-selling financial author and CPA Sharon Lechter, this collection of CPAs’ advice gives your clients the information and tools they need to make managing their money less intimidating and helps them thrive at any stage of life. Developed as a complement to the AICPA’s successful 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy program, this practical guide makes a great gift for your clients or prospective clients and reminds them that you are their best resource for navigating the tricky money issues that can arise throughout all of life’s phases. The book discusses how Filled with detailed information, money saving strategies, and expert advice, each chapter is reinforced with personal stories―many from the contributors’ own life experiences―that bring home the book’s lessons. These tales of financial setbacks, recoveries, and eventual successes demonstrate that with persistent planning, and a little guidance, it is truly possible to save wisely and spend happily.

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Sharon Lechter is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, international speaker, licensed CPA, Chartered Global Management Accountant and, most importantly a mother and grandmother. A life-long education advocate, she is the founder and CEO of Pay Your Family First, a financial education organization. Regarded as a global expert on financial literacy, Sharon has served as a national spokeswoman and Presidential Adviser on the topic. In 2016 Sharon was appointed by Junior Achievement as a JA University of Success Founding Chancellor and in 2017 as Arizona Chairman for the 2020 Women on Boards initiative. In 2019 Sharon was appointed by Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee to the Arizona Financial Literacy Task Force.

Sharon has been a pioneer in developing new technologies, programs and products to bring education into people’s lives in ways that are innovative, challenging and fun, and remains committed to education – particularly financial literacy and entrepreneurship. In 1989, she joined forces with the inventor of the first electronic 'talking book' and helped him expand the electronic book industry to a multi-million dollar international market. Since 1992, she has dedicated her professional life and directed her entrepreneurial efforts in the creation and distribution of financial and entrepreneurial education books, games and other experiential learning products.

In 1997 Sharon co-authored the international bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad, and has released 14 other books in the Rich Dad series. Over 10 years as co-Founder and CEO, she led the Rich Dad Company and brand into an international powerhouse. In 2008, she was asked by the Napoleon Hill Foundation to help re-energize the powerful teachings of Napoleon Hill just as the international economy was faltering. Sharon has released three bestselling books in cooperation with the Foundation, including Think and Grow Rich-Three Feet from Gold, Outwitting the Devil and her latest project, Think and Grow Rich for Women, released in June of 2014. She is also featured in the 2017 movie Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy and has released the book Save Wisely, Spend Happily in cooperation with the American Institute of CPAs.

Pay Your Family First’s financial literacy board game ThriveTime for Teens, an innovative, experiential and fun life and money reality game, has received coveted awards including a Mom’s Choice GOLD Award, Creative Child Magazine’s 2010 Game of The Year, Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Product and a five-star rating from WTS Toy Reviews. Sharon is the co-author of Your Financial Mastery, a financial education college curriculum and recipient of the 2015 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education “Book of the Year” award presented by the Financial Literacy Institute.

Sharon is recognized globally as an expert on the topics of financial education and entrepreneurship. In 2008 she was appointed to the first President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. The Council served both President Bush and President Obama advising them on the need for financial literacy education. In 2009 Sharon was appointed to the National CPA Financial Literacy Commission as a national spokesperson on the topic of financial literacy and was reappointed in 2014.

In 2012, Sharon suffered a devastating loss when her son unexpectedly passed away. While Sharon continued to work, something changed. She put herself on autopilot and stopped working to her fullest, stopped striving to be her best, stopped pursuing the excellence she knew she was capable of. It was in this realization that led Sharon to her next project, the Play Big Movement- a call to action, online course, and forthcoming book about rising above whatever is stopping you from thinking and acting as to your greatest potential. With the Play Big Movement, Sharon is back and teaching the world how to take control of their time and money, live their legacy and create maximum impact.

A committed philanthropist, Sha

Reviews

[David R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty decent "how to" guide to personal finance, written from the perspective of CPAs. Most of this is pertinent to young people but there is attention to retirement and end of life. I think Clark Howard's series of texts are generally stronger but this is a solid alternative to those.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for people who aren't very smart or serious...but the CPA profession can do much better than this.