Women with Money: The Judgement-Free Guide to Creating the Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful Life You Want with the Money You Have

by Jean Chatzky

Get paid what you're worth, build secure relationships, and make your money last with this valuable guide from a Today show financial editor and bestselling author.

Ask successful women what they want from their money and they'll tell you: independence, security, choices, a better world, and--oh yes--way less stress, not just for themselves but for their kids, partners, parents, and friends. Through a series of HerMoney Happy Hour discussions (when money is the topic, wine helps) and one-on-one conversations, Jean Chatzky gets women to open up about the one topic we still never talk about. Then she flips the script and charts a pathway to this joyful, purpose-filled life that today's women not only want but also, finally, have the resources to afford.

Through Chatzky's candid three-part plan--formed through detailed reporting with the world's top economists, psychiatrists, behaviorists, financial planners, and attorneys, as well as her own two decades of experience in the field--readers will learn to:

1. Explore their relationships with money,
2. Take control of their money, and
3. Use their money to create the life they want.



Women With Money shows readers how to wrap their hands around tactical solutions to get paid what they deserve, become inspired to start businesses, invest for tomorrow, make their money last, and then use that money to foster secure relationships, raise independent and confident children, send those kids to college, care for their aging parents, leave a legacy, and--best of all--bring them joy!

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

288 pages, Hardcover

Published March 26, 2019

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the central problem with this book is that it tries to achieve too much. It looks at a lot of topics including understanding how your emotions drive your money decisions, becoming an entrepreneur, how to raise kids who are financially savvy, and how to deal with the financial implications of aging parents. That's a lot of ground to cover! It also assumes a certain level of wealth; there's a whole section devoted to different scenarios for when you'd buy a second home, for example. The result is that most people reading the book will only benefit from parts of it. It also means that most of the topics are talked about in a fairly basic way.

The most interesting section for me was the chapter, Caring for Your Older Parents. With the reality that people are living longer and the fact that so many people live hundreds or thousands of miles away from their parents, the challenges of first advising your parents and then later managing your parents' finances is something that more and more of us will need to grapple with. In particular, her list of questions to cover with your parents before you start to see any declines in function is super helpful, as is the rule "by the time adult kids are 40 or their parents are 70, they need to have at least starting talking about these things."

This one is worth reading as a first primer on finances and/or if you want to start preparing for dealing with older parents.

[thebakedbook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorough coverage of middle to wealthy class women. I feel like it really didn't delve into the millennial POV, which is so different from a boomer experience (what pension??)

It kind of made me appreciate how slick and sneaky my generation is vs the boomers. There was some good insight on how to think about caring for aging parents etc. I felt like a lot didn't really apply to an estranged single gal, but it was decent enough.

[Maggie Longenecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every woman should read this book! It gives some great money saving tips, and helps you think about long-term and short-term financial goals. I liked how it acknowledged there are certain expenses that you should be allowed to do and plan for, such as getting your nails done or getting your hair done. While these are not necessities, they help boost confidence and are a form of self care. Or trips, you deserve to take trips and take time off while you are young and have the ability/flexibility to do so, as our money does not go with us to the grave.

It also interviewed women in different seasons of their lives, including starting their career, ending their career, with or without children, divorced or married, etc. Anyone can learn from this book! The only thing that dragged on was towards the end where they were talking about second homes and long-term care plans for old people. This got a little out of budget lolol. One can dream of a second home, but to get one of those, I have to get in the market on a first home which is looking quite difficult these days...

[Lynn Cahoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great outline of all the stages of money.

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive guide to money, why we do what we do, how to do what you want to do, and when to do what you need to do.

It went beyond the scope of what I need right now, but my goal was to understand my retirement account and it definitely did that. I also now know how to set a budget and inheritance for my (nonexistent) kids. I really liked the chapter on relationships and money. This is another finance book that tackles the awkwardness of speaking about money and encourages you to do so in a matter of fact way. It’s not fun, but it must be done. The biggest mistake in communication is assuming it has already happened, as shown by the vastly different statistics of parents vs children who say they have had retirement planning talks.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chatzky does a general overview of nearly everything involving money and how it relates to women including emotions, salary and raise negotiations, budgeting, investing, relationships, home ownership, teaching children, and caring for parents. But, because she is trying to accomplish so much in a slim volume none of it is covered in very much depth and therefore other sources are better, but for someone who isn't likely to read multiple volumes on personal finance this would be better than nothing. Because I have read more extensively on this subject there was not much to learn. I did appreciate this authors opinion on home ownership and the value in paying of a mortgage early.

[Liz B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takeaways:
*My husband and I are pretty much on the same page in how we think about/ deal with money, which is really fortunate.
*I need to talk to my parents more clearly about their estate/ end of life plans.
*I used her advice and set up a checking account/ debit card to deal with allowance for my then eleven-year-old. It has made things MUCH easier, and is really helping him to learn how to manage money.

Worth the price just for those 3 takeaways.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked both the format of this book and the author's style. I listen to the HerMoney podcast and found out about the book through that forum. It's a good extension of the podcast though some of the content is inevitably repeated. Still, well worth the relatively quick read.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wouldn’t consider it a guide but more of topics to consider in regards to money.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for a work book club. There is some good, practical information in it.

[Kama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t relate to the author or some of her examples on a personal level. There was a lot of good information in this book, but I don’t agree with all of it.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% worth your time

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

This seems to be more of a generic guide to money, including exploring your feelings about money. I was expecting advice on more concrete actions, so this wasn't for me.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anecdotes about a bunch of women who are complete idiots about money. Women who are shopaholics. Women who hide purchases from partners. Women who never bother to educate themselves about finance. Women who let men handle all the finances. Women who bitch about money when they don't work and live off the money their husband makes. Women who don't negotiate for raises and benefits. Women who try to keep up with the Joneses and buy everything because others buy it. Women who get overly emotional about money for no reason. Women who lack common sense of any kind and have no brain cells. It's amazing people like this exist on the planet.

[K2 ----- · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been looking for a good book to recommend to young women for a while.
While this book seems rather urban it is full of explainers and basic hints for women who want to understand the landscape and pitfalls. Chatzky has a podcast and has written many books but this one is designed to empower women with information that will take them through the various challenges in life including saving for retirement, teaching children about money, talking with parents about their finances, end of life desires, and more.
There is alot here and you can certainly hunt and peck and read the parts that have the most interest to you. I chose to read it as presented and I have recommended it to many others.
At times it seemed designed for urban wealthy women there is much to digest beyond this, she talks about the power women have with their earnings, giving to charity, and managing the care of parents as they age.
Excellent book, deserves more attention than it has gotten thus far. Can't wait until it comes in softcover, I will buy at least ten for younger friends who need this type of down to earth guide.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book would have been an awesome resource 15 years ago and the younger women in my office would probably learn a lot but I don’t think this is the right resource for mid career readers. Some good reminders but overall not a lot of new info.

Adore the podcast and really just think I was too old for this book at 40.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically don’t write reviews, but I thought other readers might find this helpful. I was pleasantly surprised by this book! This book is geared towards women who want to understand the role that money plays in different parts of life (particularly how it affects women differently from men) and how we can use that knowledge to our advantage. (IMPORTANT: This isn’t a book about the details of how to set up a 401K or how to pick your mutual funds. Or the detailed descriptions of financial decisions, growth strategies, etc. It’s more conceptual and lets you know the options and influencing factors without going too in depth.) It is about your how and why you spend/save the way you do, what to consider when earning/investing/saving as a woman, disadvantages you might face as a woman in XYZ situations (e.g. financial encouragement/support system, house flipping culture, etc.), how to financially prepare for children and family loss, the ability to give back to the world, etc.

If you’re looking for a how-to book or an intermediate financial advice book, this isn’t it. This covers many topics at a high level and assumes you already have a decent income to work with. It’s a little “fluffy” and too anecdotal for me at times, but I learned a lot. I didn’t realize how much the female experience factors into how we should think of and deal with money. Super interesting IMO.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jean Chatzky came to my work for a panel series on Women and Money, my office gifted every attendant a copy of this book. As a personal finance nut, and Jean fan, I stayed after to have her sign it. Then, it was several months before I made time to actually read the book! I'm so glad I did, though, because while I've read a LOT of personal finance books, this one tackled it from the perspective of women and with a slightly more nuanced view. I enjoyed the chapters about your own money story, and special focus on caring for older parents - which primarily falls to women in this society. I loved the stories of other women in each chapter, too. If you're looking for an easy, feel-good way to learn more about money, then I recommend this book to you!

[Mindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really basic money book with nothing new for people that enjoy reading financial books. Would be good for somebody just starting their financial journey, but then I would highly suggest some others that are more specific.

[Brice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This girl was factually correct but She has a Tennessee to twist fax into an us versus them argument. Multiple times she keep saying “us women” “us women” “us women”. I was fine with it because, as a man, I don’t know how American women were raised. But towards the 75% mark she was talking about Real Estate and she was saying that the men from “the bigger pockets podcast” are kind of like Neanderthals. Especially if you’re more hands-on with Real Estate.

Instead of Making a book that bridges the men and women divide this book goes out of his way to make it about “us women” And grossly exaggerate what “us women” can do Much better than “them men”. I would give us a higher score if she went out of her way to actually advise women to work with men without using the us versus them mantra.

There was one point of the book where she was going on a long rant about how selfish and money oriented a job is and she went out of her way to say that “them men” are the ones that act like this and “us women” are more empathetic and emotional, in a positive way. It is very odd to me since my wife is a professional And she shows more of the traits of “them men” Than the so-called “us women”. In fact many of the girls that I hang out with don’t really fit in her neatly Box up “us women”. The more that she keeps digging this hole the more I just want to put down the book. And whenever she was calling me Neanderthals, in a dumb, bad way, I just had to put down the book. There might be an amazing bridging ending to this book that I have not read yet. But you can tell that she is advertising to an Oprah centric women’s group that has no interested in listening to men and only listening to their own echo chambers.

However as a guy who loves to read about money and finance books, The facts in this book was very accurate and may be good for somebody who is starting to get out of the financial space. If you get over her mannerisms this book is pretty good. And as a wife who is a doctor, It pains me how women get treated worse than men but this book is not the answer to income inequality. However, if you do believe in income inequality and you want to listen to to someone complain for sake of complaining, then this book might actually scratch that itch. Why do you have to be mindful but this is just a guilty pleasure and she is leaning into A group of women who may be already bitter towards men. And there are other great books out there that doesn’t have the us versus them mantra. So I would highly recommend seeking out those books.

[Erin Latham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Women With Money was such an insightful and empowering read. I love learning about why we are the way we are, and Jean Chatzky does a fantastic job breaking down how our childhoods, families, and early experiences shape our current relationship with money. Her explanations felt personal, relatable, and, honestly eye-opening.

Even though I don’t have children myself, I really appreciated the section on kids and financial literacy. It not only helped me understand how to teach children about money, but it also highlighted the areas where I wasn’t taught and why certain habits stuck with me into adulthood.

Another aspect I valued was the emphasis on planning for later in life. Getting things documented, organized, and intentional. It made me think more deeply about my own long-term financial picture and the steps women can take to set themselves up for independence and security.

I truly believe every woman should read this book. There’s something in it for all of us. Whether you’re just starting to understand your financial story or you’re ready to take the next step in wealth building. Women With Money offers knowledge, clarity, and confidence, and I’m grateful I picked it up.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great at being what it is, which is a book directed at women with money looking to manage and grow their wealth. It is not so much for women in poverty or non wealthy women (most of us). There is little about pulling yourself up from a bad situation- she does not advertise the book to be that kind of resource, but it is nice to know going in that this is tough if you're poor. Her examples are often large sums of money or high earning jobs, and that can start to smart a bit as you work through the book.

Her advice is all excellent and sound, especially regarding emotions, communication, aging parents, etc. She's realistic about the changing money landscape, e.g. it used to be enough to simply save your money, but now you absolutely must invest if you want to have enough to comfortably retire. Savings accounts rarely have interest rates high enough to outpace inflation.

I do recommend the book, but again, be aware that it feels very much directed at women who are already somewhat in money.

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it made me think about how I look at money. My relationship with it since I was young, what I still hear from my parents about money. It's a good guide and has great suggestions. Maybe the examples Chatzky shows won't resonate with everyone but she can't possibly cover everyones money story. Like another reader, I do agree that it tries to cover too much ground between your history with money, to investing to how to teach your kids about money etc. So I can't relate to all of it, but I appreciate it. Overall, it did make me think about my finances because unfortunately I am a millennial who has had a very hard time finding solid work out of college. Now as a 30 year old I am starting to fall into place but I don't have any financial education. I am married and have a 2 yo. and my fear of anything financial stems a lot from my past. I need all of the advice I could get!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to grow your financial literacy - learn about money, finances and you don’t know where to start, I can not recommend this book enough! No matter your gender. I learned more from this book (free from the library) than an expensive financial class or advisor session I could have paid $$$$ for.

It was refreshing to read a financial book that actually tells you what you CAN do, in a very empowering tone.

She mostly focuses on the emotional connection and services money is. It’s not black or white, and she did a great job encapsulating the complexities of women’s relationship with money and finance.

Some helpful themes:

What I want my money to do for me?

Use money to align most closely to your values.

.. and other tips such as: empowering children for financial education and healthy money relationships; later in life financial planning; and how to find a well-matched financial advisor.

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly basic overviews of money management throughout life for women. I think that, for what it is, Chatzky crams quite a bit of information in here.

The book starts off in the first section with prompts that are meant to help you understand your emotional relationship with money. I thought this was interesting, and was ready to continue with more prompts throughout the book, but that one section is the only part with specific writing prompts.

I think the section about caring for aging parents was really practical and interesting. Definitely something I will come back to.

Overall, I like Chatzky's writing and thought this was a good read. There were a few sections that I will probably come back to and reference. I think a lot of this information is presented in her podcast, HerMoney, though, and I'm not sure I got more out of it by reading it in book form.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good kick in the pants, stop procrastinating guide to start saving and prepare for the future.

Chatzky doesn't give specific advice about investing, what kind of stocks to buy or funds to invest in. She does give a rather comprehensive list of sources for these questions and for advisers in the back of the book.

She doesn't guarantee the reader will become a millionaire or makes any promises. Most of this is simple, practical advice. The sections on managing money with others, children and parents, is useful.

The only downside is she seems to assume the reader will have access to money, property or other sources of wealth even insurance and sadly this isn't true for everyone. As a beginner's guide to handling money this is a good start but it does have its limitations.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyment level: 4🌟
Writing Quality: 4🌟
Audiobook Narration: 4.5🌟

I've been a regular listener of Jean Chatzky's Her Money podcast for nearly a year now and so was looking forward to reading this book. It's similar to her podcast in terms of tone and content. The topics she discusses in the book are ones many of us find confusing, complex and emotionally overwhelming, but Chatzy explains how one can best handle said topics in a calm and easy to understand way. I'm an anxious person in general but nothing stresses me out more than money, so I'm always happy to find a smart and clear resource like this. This book, and the Her Money podcast, is a great for anyone looking for guidance on how to better manage their money, so that they can feel more secure with their life as a whole.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to sort of hate books/perspectives that stressed the differences between men and women, but the older I get, the more I've come to accept that we approach life differently. This book takes into account the common female role of caretaker (of children, of spouses, of parents) and how that impacts our financial lives. This book covers everything from real estate to retirement savings and caring for aging parents, and I appreciated the straightforward information that assumes both maturity and intelligence of its reader. It makes a nice dovetail read with 'The Soul of Money' (Lynne Twist), in identifying the role of how we were raised in our own relationships with money.

[Crista Colvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book because I am a huge fan of Jean Chatzky. The writing was not impeccable, which surprised me, and there were a few too many stereotypical shopping references. The book also might have attempted to cover too many topics, which resulted in just scratching the surface of each one. That said, many women will enjoy this read and learn quite a bit. I see this book as a modern-day starting point, and look forward to a more focused follow-up. Her podcast is gold, so go have a listen.

[Chandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the first part of this book digging into my money story and emotional relationship with money very helpful. Also, the part about things to think about with your aging parents and leaving a legacy. The nuts and bolts of investing is very basic so that’s good if you’re not familiar. If you already have done work on your financial life, this may not be the book for you, but definitely good if you don’t know where to start. It was also nice to read a book that dealt with the female perspective. (I’m single, no kids, mid-40s, self-employed)