What do you think?
Rate this book
On Your Own: A Widow's Guide to Emotional and Financial Well-Being
This is the sixth edition of this extraordinarily sensitive and thoughtful bestselling classic written by women for women addressing what is frequently the most stressful and emotionally challenging experience any married woman is forced to address. It provides the reader with both an understanding of what she is experiencing in the present and a road map to go from where she is to ultimately achieving emotional and financial wellbeing. In this latest edition they have upgraded what needed to be updated to keep the material current while maintaining its compassion for what the reader is experiencing.
The authors provide the reader with essential information in a very readable manner. They have created the stories of four hypothetical women of different ages and circumstances that illustrate a variety of situations that most widows are likely to encounter. It is written in a way that allows the widow to go at her own pace. She can read a given chapter of the book or the book in its entirety. It provides both practical tools and financial knowledge for the widow to move forward and emerge stronger.
This book covers concepts as well as provides specific information. It is the contention of the authors, widows themselves, that emotional and financial healing is linked. In addition to the emotional roller coaster most widows experience following the death of their spouse whether totally unexpected or the result of a protracted illness is the fear of how will I survive financially. Financial insecurity increases anxiety and the widow's often overwhelming feeling of being alone without the resources to maintain her existing lifestyle or meet her financial responsibilities. Feeling out of control and alone is often terrifying and compounds the grieving process.
While this book is written for widows, many widows have shared with the authors that after reading the book and processing the information it contained, they shared the book with their daughters, friends or relatives because they believed that the information it contained would also be valuable to them. Information contributes to preparedness. Knowledge is always invaluable when dealing with any issue.
The authors believe that this book will help any widow find the path that is right for her. Over and over again, they have been told how this book was like a life raft for them enabling them to understand financial matters better than ever before and not feel so alone while dealing with the magnitude of loss.
The authors provide the reader with essential information in a very readable manner. They have created the stories of four hypothetical women of different ages and circumstances that illustrate a variety of situations that most widows are likely to encounter. It is written in a way that allows the widow to go at her own pace. She can read a given chapter of the book or the book in its entirety. It provides both practical tools and financial knowledge for the widow to move forward and emerge stronger.
This book covers concepts as well as provides specific information. It is the contention of the authors, widows themselves, that emotional and financial healing is linked. In addition to the emotional roller coaster most widows experience following the death of their spouse whether totally unexpected or the result of a protracted illness is the fear of how will I survive financially. Financial insecurity increases anxiety and the widow's often overwhelming feeling of being alone without the resources to maintain her existing lifestyle or meet her financial responsibilities. Feeling out of control and alone is often terrifying and compounds the grieving process.
While this book is written for widows, many widows have shared with the authors that after reading the book and processing the information it contained, they shared the book with their daughters, friends or relatives because they believed that the information it contained would also be valuable to them. Information contributes to preparedness. Knowledge is always invaluable when dealing with any issue.
The authors believe that this book will help any widow find the path that is right for her. Over and over again, they have been told how this book was like a life raft for them enabling them to understand financial matters better than ever before and not feel so alone while dealing with the magnitude of loss.
- GenresFinance
Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1993
2 people are currently reading
1310 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Armstrong
4 books5 followersAlexandra Armstrong is a native Washingtonian whose father died when she was 8 and her mother was 48. Due to a lack of money her mother went to work for the first time and they struggled to make ends meet. Alex graduated from Newton College of the Sacred Heart on a scholarship. Her first job was as a secretary in the research department of Ferris & Company, a brokerage firm in Washington. As Alex advanced in her career she found herself working more and more with single women, particularly widows. In the process, Alex earned her certified financial planner designation (the first in Washington DC) and started working with her own clients. Two of her early clients were George and Mary Donahue. When Mary was suddenly widowed she turned to Alex for help. Over the years they worked together and became personal friends.
Alex read books which dealt with the financial side of widowhood or the emotional side but not the two together. She asked Mary, a psychologist, to work with her on this unique book which dealt with both parts of the recovery.
The first edition came out in 1993. Mary and Alex went on a nine city book tour, appeared on Good Morning America and sold 25,000 copies of "On Your Own". As tax laws and investment opportunities changed, they issued three other revised and updated editions of the book This new fifth edition reflects the market upheaval and tax changes of 2008--2009 as well as technological changes.
This edition is available in print as well as electronically. We think is our best effort to date and hope it will help any woman, not just widows, gain control of her future.
Alex read books which dealt with the financial side of widowhood or the emotional side but not the two together. She asked Mary, a psychologist, to work with her on this unique book which dealt with both parts of the recovery.
The first edition came out in 1993. Mary and Alex went on a nine city book tour, appeared on Good Morning America and sold 25,000 copies of "On Your Own". As tax laws and investment opportunities changed, they issued three other revised and updated editions of the book This new fifth edition reflects the market upheaval and tax changes of 2008--2009 as well as technological changes.
This edition is available in print as well as electronically. We think is our best effort to date and hope it will help any woman, not just widows, gain control of her future.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 5, 2024
On Your Own: A Widow's Guide to Emotional and Financial Well-Being by Alexandra Armstrong, CFP, and Mary R. Donahue, Ph.D., is an invaluable resource for widows facing emotional and financial challenges. Armstrong, a certified financial planner, and Donahue, a clinical psychologist, combine their expertise to provide practical advice and compassionate support.
The book covers immediate steps for financial stability and emotional well-being after losing a spouse. Armstrong simplifies complex financial topics, making them accessible for those unfamiliar with managing finances. Donahue offers heartfelt guidance on coping with grief and loneliness, including practical exercises for emotional healing.
The authors' balanced approach, intertwining financial advice with emotional support, empowers widows to rebuild their lives. Real-life stories from other widows create a sense of community and understanding.
The book covers immediate steps for financial stability and emotional well-being after losing a spouse. Armstrong simplifies complex financial topics, making them accessible for those unfamiliar with managing finances. Donahue offers heartfelt guidance on coping with grief and loneliness, including practical exercises for emotional healing.
The authors' balanced approach, intertwining financial advice with emotional support, empowers widows to rebuild their lives. Real-life stories from other widows create a sense of community and understanding.
Displaying 1 of 1 review