Become Your Own Financial Advisor: The Real Secrets to Becoming Financially Independent

by Warren Ingram

YOUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO FINANCIAL PEACE OF MIND! Money plays a role in nearly every aspect of our lives, and yet very few of us know how to save, where to invest and how to avoid money troubles. This highly accessible book is aimed at anyone who wants to improve their financial situation, from the financial novice who needs clear basic guidelines on how to deal with money to those who are more financially savvy but want to supplement their knowledge.

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Business, Personal Finance, Economics, Self Help

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2013

Reviews

[Seale Rapolai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, this is not a book on how to get rich, it's a book about how to be competent at managing your own finances. It covers everything that you need to know, do and avoid. It covers everything from managing debt, saving and investing, insurance and preparing for difficult times. Simply put it is a book on how to be financially free.

There wasn't much I didn't like about the books, it's boring, in a good way. In that it tells you nothing special, just what it promised, how to be your own financial advisor.

[Nthabiseng Malehlohonolo Motsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to Warren Ingram by my brother, I started listening to him on 702 and then subscribed to his podcast. It was through his podcast - 'Honest Money' where I truly started to respect money and work on having a healthier relationship with it.

It can be daunting to read books by experts because not many of them are able to explain concepts or share knowledge in a way that is both understandable and implementable by the average person.Warren, in my opinion, does not have this problem.

In this book, he is clear and does not use big words or unnecessary financial jargon. I walk away understanding that it's important to start having a healthy relationship with money as early as possible.

He offers steps to follow which can assist in attaining financial freedom. He is also honest about the discipline, sacrifices and consistent knowledge seeking one has to commit to in order to achieve goals.

Covering a range of topics, including budgeting, debt management, retirement, entrepreneurship, investments; this book is for all of us. I particularly appreciate that you can read chapters as and when the information becomes necessary for your financial aspirations. So, if all you want to understand right now is the importance of and how you can budget, this book has a chapter just for that. If at a later stage you want to understand investments, theres a chapter for that too. It's a book you'll revert to throughout your journey to financial freedom.

In a nutshell he says:
1. Set goals
2. Budget
3. Be free of bad debt
4. Build your emergency fund
5. Spend less than you earn &save at least 15% of your annual income
6.Build income generating assets.

He explains the above rules and methods one should follow and I truly believe it's doable at least I'm willing to try.

[Charlie Minglez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Financial literacy 101.
A book that helps one to understand more about budgeting, savings and investments in more detail. Valuable information that puts one in a better position of managing their finances and learn how to make your money work for you.
It's always a good way of learning on any subject from the professionals or industry experts.
If you are struggling with your finances, budgeting or looking to know more about investments and how they work then this is one of the books to read.
Thanks to Warren Ingram, I have more knowledge that will assist me on my way to reaching financial freedom.

[MacBobby Chibuzor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those "the earlier you read it, the better" kind of books.
Although, the book is meant for south Africans, anyone can read and digest the trove of financial knowledge that is this book.

You'd pay a lot for the knowledge in this book elsewhere, so reading it now will dispell most of your intended financial mistakes.

I like that I could relate to most lessons in the book at a personal level; and I made loads of annotations which j shared with my network.

Again, it's a good first book in your journey to financial education and money management. It will help you decide what to look into next as you build your wealth.

Happy reading.

[Tony Lumbwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide to financial freedom in a South African context. It covers the basics of investment and also points out a number of facts that are usually ignored,especially by the youth when entering the workplace when it comes to savings. I like that it's an easy read and will get one to actually look for more information on investments and what most of the jargon mean. This should be recommended to students when they're about to enter the workplace. Really good read!

[Ipeleng Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exceptional I didn’t read the midlife adult chapters and the retirement chapter (because it’s not relevant for me as I’m still young but I’ll read them later in life) but I read everything else and kind of skimmed insurance because it’s an uncomfortable topic for me. But this book provided me with clear instructions to set up actionable goals and delivers exactly on what it promised to teach you. This information is priceless. I shall become financial free!

[Pillz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won't make you rich but will improve your current financial position

A very good book that talks about everything money related and it does not sell dreams. It is realistic about our world situations and gives the best advise as to how you can grow you money above inflation an don't waste your money wrecklessly

[Sven Uhlig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book 15 years earlier. I loved the frank and candid, yet expert tone of the book. It's an easy read even if you are not very fin savvy. The basics remain timeless: spend less than you earn. I enjoyed it and have already made some adjustments in my financial thinking. Thanks Mr Ingram!

[Allan Gibbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical guideline to demystifying the investment world

Some of the content is outdated now but I really enjoyed how honest this book was.
So helpful having a wide range of retirement funding and investments explained so clearly.
Thank you

[Rirhandzu Rissenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book to unpack basic things about finances and what to focus on and ultimately retire well or have your finances taken care of even after you have passed on. I really enjoyed the lessons and advices in the book, will definitely go back to it for some tips.

[chandre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book truly changed how I think about my finances. I highly recommend this book.

[Hlengiwe Zondi]

Insightful but nothing new similar to other financial independence books

[Jessica Cockburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read: informative and empowering!

[Thapelo Motlogeloa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book to provide Finance basics. I recommend it to everyone!

[Nhlanhla Radebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best personal finance books I've read, and I've read a couple. It talks about various topics that forms part of personal finance such as budgeting, debt management, investments, retirement, insurance and tax, in a simplified and easy to understand way. It is a very good book and I put it the same league as The Automatic Millionare by David Bach. So proud that it is written by a South African author

[Murray Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good refresher on the basics

For those of us who didn't get much detail on how to plan finances or handle investments, this is a helpful 101 book. It doesn't pretend to provide much detail on market forces or economics, but does provide a rough guide for people in different life stages, in a fair and objective manner.

[Helge Reikerås · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book removes the smokescreen that surrounds personal finance, and we find that it's all in fact not that hard. It challanges some of the commonly held beliefs around property investments and personal risk, and provides pragmatic advice for various situations, for example the entrepreneur or recent graduates. Definitely worth the read.

[Paidamoyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful concepts and principles to adhere to especially for young people who have just started working and want to achieve financial freedom in their 30's. Also gained an insight into different investment options in relation to the risk associated and their performance against inflation.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for someone like me - in their 20s and somewhat financially illiterate. I am a diligent saver but didn't know what to do with my money. This book has demystified investing and given me direction. I have recommended it to other family members as well.

[Given Ramadzanga]

Interesting book, will never look at money the same way again

[Muhammad Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great practical advice!

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think everyone should read this book before getting into retirement annuities, property investment or making debt. In fact, give this to all 18-20 year olds. So glad I read this.

[David Klatzkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion the best financial advice book for laymen. A must for everyone

[Andile Ayanda]

A very inspirational book in terms of organising and planning your finances. I have invested for 5 years in an endowment product and I found the investment to be awfull paying advance fees to the financial advisor and the growth of the investment was just average, I wish I could have done more research before committing to this product. The book has taught me basic stuff and hopefully, I will this knowledge to make an informed decision when it comes to investing.

[Gomolemo Motlhanke]

good book

[Michael]

Excellent book.