Real Money Answers for Every Woman: How to Win the Money Game With or Without a Man – A Guide to Transform Habits, Build Wealth, and Achieve Financial Freedom

by Patrice C. Washington

Now widely available, the popular, award-winning, self-published guide to help women get out of debt, rebuild their credit, and fulfill their financial dreams. Patrice Washington rationalized her excessive spending. “I work hard, I deserve this.” “I bought it on sale.” But at twenty-two, the recent college graduate was $18,000 in debt and sinking fast. It was time to take control. Patrice educated herself about finance, adopted a new attitude toward money, and most importantly, adjusted her spending habits. By twenty-five she was debt free—and used the wisdom she gained to start her own successful real estate and mortgage brokerage—and by twenty-nine started her own financial counseling business. Patrice’s former bad spending habits aren’t unique, and women find themselves in financial hot water for a host of reasons. Women earn less than men and have to stretch those hard-earned dollars further. They contribute more to caregiving and aging parents, live longer, and many—including most African American women—are choosing to stay single. Real Money Answers for Every Woman teaches you how to take responsibility for your financial future, whether you’re just starting out or need a fresh start. In a handy Q & A format, it offers relatable and easy to understand and implement advice on everything from managing credit cards, home ownership, and student loans to affordable childcare and even negotiating for a higher salary. Following Patrice’s practical advice, you’ll learn to form “wealthy” habits, establish an “opportunity fund,” stop collecting STUFF that causes debt, and discover the freedom that comes from feeling financially secure.

Genres: Personal Finance, Finance, Money, Nonfiction, Self Help

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2016

Reviews

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book. I learned a lot. I loved how she broke things down by steps. Not everything in this book is for every reader, but some things will be good to know for the future, like if you don’t have children but plan to have some later, or if you don’t have a man, but plan to get married later in life.

[Letrise Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer:The author gave me a copy of book to review. I am apart of her book launch team.

I must say this is a great book full of resources and knowledge that you can use in your own life. I love the driven theme for me is change your mindset you will change your life! Patrice does a wonderful job giving her own testimony as example for you see that you can make changes in you life over your money, finances, and debt so that you can pursue your dreams.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, the good stuff...

Washington covers a lot of things in the book and she has a direct, honest approach that I really appreciate. For example, there's a point where she poses a question that she has heard from clients:"My parents didn't teach me anything about money. Now what?" Her response to that question is, "Welcome to the club. Accept it and move on." No beating around the bush and no sugarcoating. I like that.

There is also some good (or at least interesting) financial advice. For example, she explains a simple organizational system that someone can use to keep all of their financial documents in order. (She also explains what financial documents you should have and how long you should keep them.) I find that many celebrity financial experts give general advice, like "keep track of your financial documents," without really saying how. Patrice Washington did well to give actionable steps.

The question and answer style of the book is nice good because it feels light and friendly. (Though it does mess with organization and lead to repetition in multiple questions.) A common pitfall for books on finance is dry and condescending text. Washington did well to avoid that.

The other big thing that I like about Washington's approach is that she focuses on your mentality. She spends a great deal of the book on fixing your habits and your mindset around money. (She calls this your "money mindset.") There are reflections and exercises throughout to help you better understand the way you view money in your life. According to her, learning sound financial habits is more important than making a lot of money. I completely agree. Not many financial books focus on that thought, so it's refreshing that she did.

The less good stuff...

Quite simply, I think Washington could and should have done better with this book. I was particularly disappointed with the way she presented some of the more nitty-gritty financial information.

A good example is when she talks about savings accounts. She defines what a savings account is and says, "There's usually a limit to how many withdrawals you can make in any given month from your savings account." That is a misleading statement. The truth is that there's a federal rule, called Regulation D, that limits the number of monthly withdrawals you can make (from a savings account) to six per month. This federal rule is very clear and isn't new, so it was definitely in effect when she wrote this book. Vague and open-ended writing like just showed me that Washington isn't as much of a "financial expert" as I expected her to be. That also leads to my next criticism of the book.

Washington does gives concrete financial advice but I would describe Real Money Answers for Every Woman as more of a motivational book. It's very clear to me that Washington's strength is as a motivational speaker. There's nothing wrong with that but given the way that she touts herself as "America's Money Maven," I expected more from her.

On a final note, Washington is clearly a religious person. She gives quotes the bible and references God and her church multiple times. I'm not saying this is good or bad. I just felt that it was significant enough to mention in my review because it was a common theme throughout the book.

Would I recommend this book?
Probably. I think that the advice and motivational tone of Real Money Answers for Every Woman could definitely help people who struggle with their finances. I would also recommend this book equally to men and women. To be honest, it wasn't that tailored to women. Washington says things like "us" when referring to women sometimes, but her advice is largely gender neutral.

[Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself shaking my head yes to nearly everything listed in the synopsis. I have accumulated a lot of debt as a mom of 3 and recent college graduate. It's enough to make my throat tighten as I add up all the debt from college and the debt from hospital bills. I also had the mindset where I thought I needed immediate gratification. If I saw something in a store and I wanted it, it would be in my shopping cart within seconds. Store credit cards were my best friend, except when it came time to try to pay them all off. "Real Money Answers for Every Woman: How to Win the Money Game With or Without a Man" was a book that I came across at exactly the right second. I needed a money making and money saving strategy to overcome my debt. I needed a new mindset so that I could go shopping for items I needed, not items I simply wanted. I really appreciate Patrice Washington's book, because she addressed many issues that I needed to work on and improve at. As a result of reading her book, I'm slowly making improvements in my spending and I'm confident that if I stick to my new strategy, I will be crawling out of debt slowly but surely.

#goodreads #giveaways

[Gina G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is loaded with wealth for you to put into application.
If you want to increase (and apply) your knowledge, in order to make better decisions, and grow positively, read this book.
Great info. Great job Patrice.

[Regina McBride]

Good practical information for anyone who would like to make better financial choices

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not including this in my book count for this year, because I just skimmed and read the parts I found interesting. Seems like a solid book and an easy read - I like her subsection titles - but there's only a couple of pages in here that talk about real estate, which is why I picked it up in the first place.

[Andrea Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice on an array of money topics. Most I knew already but those that I didn't are highlighted for use later. I would recommend this to any middle or high school student who may not know a lot about finances.

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Short version - started to read in a search for advice on money management. I managed to get about two chapters in before calling it. I'm all for people and their faiths, but that's not what I picked this book up for. I was seeking financial advice, not faith.

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didnt learn anything really new here but she gave me a different way of looking at Financial.

Gave it a more positive spend on things.

Most of the time she came off as preachy but over all it was an ok book.

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a little let down by the end by several of the questions/prompts answered. I think it over-promises on the volume of information you'll learn (or in my case, won't), and there are a few smattered (and ill-or-non-contextualized) Bible verses.

[Zani]

A man with out money

[Prisca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read. Quick , easily explained financial tips .

[Venessia · Rating 3 out of 5]

For this to be a book about winning the money game with or without a man, the Author only had a small section dedicated to women without men trying to get their finances in order. The rest of the book to me was geared towards couples and families. I think the Author provided a few gems but it was mostly common sense info sprinkled with the Author endorsing herself and the people she knows (she mentioned Steve Harvey more times than I can count).

[Bridgette Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read!

[Yureli ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

She makes very valid points, but I do not like her approach... at least not for me. If you are looking for ideas on how to mange your finances this is a good place to get some info.. I prefer a more disciplined/structured approach to personal finance.I definitely don't agree with the "opportunity fund" they way she uses it.... but like I said she obviously knows what she is talking about, her system is just not for me.

[Kim-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, has some great insights on how to build financial wealth and break out of some of the perspective we have relating to how money should be handled. Very good read and great resources suggested throughout to help build financial freedom. Highly recommended

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I most appreciated that Patrice recommended reading many different finance books and to take what means the most to you and create your own system. I didn't agree with everything, but the book did include a few more tools as I move towards moving through Dave Ramsey's "baby steps."

[Mona Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a financial book to keep on my bookshelf. It answers questions you may have that you thought about but are not confident enough to ask. It is very educational. Thanks to Patriece Washington for writing this book for ladies.

[Isha Triguero · Rating 4 out of 5]

every woman should know the ins and outs about money this book is a really good start

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Super uncomfortable suggestions, patronizing, way too many biblical quotes for a financial planning book.

[Rosanne Reid]

Excellent money tips...this is a guide every woman needs to have.