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Making Cents
Like so many of us, Waceke learned some of her most valuable lessons through mistakes she made and the failures she survived. Making Cents is based on these lessons coupled with stories from other real people's experiences, failures, lessons learned, and their eventual success with personal finances.
- GenresBusiness
128 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
12 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 11, 2022
I liked this book!
Making Cents is the perfect book for anyone seeking to begin their journey into financial literacy and investment. I've heard a lot of people say that the information in the book is very basic, but I've come to realize often times what we think is common information is not necessarily common.
I wish I had read this book two or three years ago, it would have been a goldmine for me. Nevertheless, I still learned a number of things from it.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone wondering how to start investing or put their money to good use. I would also recommend taking up the centonomy classes offered by Waceke Nduati.
Making Cents is the perfect book for anyone seeking to begin their journey into financial literacy and investment. I've heard a lot of people say that the information in the book is very basic, but I've come to realize often times what we think is common information is not necessarily common.
I wish I had read this book two or three years ago, it would have been a goldmine for me. Nevertheless, I still learned a number of things from it.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone wondering how to start investing or put their money to good use. I would also recommend taking up the centonomy classes offered by Waceke Nduati.
October 28, 2023
Stories and lessons about making sound financial decisions and setting myself up for the future.It unlocked a lot in me but tough decisions have to be made. Everyone looking into starting their financial freedom journey should read this book. it's also in the kenyan context, and absolutely relatable.
It was interesting to understand the tenets of Dave Ramsey in context of my situation- having read Dave Ramsey's book"Total Money Makeover" barely a month prior to getting this. I can confidently say that these two books were an amazing guide into working towards financial freedom.
It was interesting to understand the tenets of Dave Ramsey in context of my situation- having read Dave Ramsey's book"Total Money Makeover" barely a month prior to getting this. I can confidently say that these two books were an amazing guide into working towards financial freedom.
June 18, 2020
Good book on personal finance. A quick read with important lessons for anyone wanting to start their journey to financial freedom
November 3, 2020
If I was to rate this book based on what I read I give it 4 ⭐ because I felt it had much more to offer. Well its a bit unfair I'm comparing all I've read from the blog with the book, she possibly couldn't fit all the in one volume eh. Honestly though, I don't rate such books up until I apply what I learnt from them. Only through experience can I know if it works or not. And it doesn't it also doesn't mean the theory is wrong. It could be I who is doing something wrong somewhere. See my dilemma.
All in all, this is a slight book but the content is worth it and powerful. Thank you for sharing your insights, mistakes and successes along with stories by people who applied what you taught them and they came on top. Really pushed me to take myself more seriously.
In a nutshell (final part of the book)...
💸She advises that one should save to invest and not merely saving because inflation... 😭Also instead of taking debt for cars, holidays even Christmas save in advance for them instead of adding on more consumer debt aka bad debt.
💸The only way out of debt is setting up a debt repayment system, pay the freaking debts and stop taking on more consumer debt. Change the habit.
💸Give (the final chapter) because giving begets more, though that is not the sole reason for giving. Give because there is more where it came from, give to empower, give as a way to show the mind there is abundance... But 👇
"Give to empower not to create a dependence. "
She has wetted my palate & I'm thirsty for more, trying & doing more, wanting more.
If the book doesn't suffice and you want more of the personal finance education log onto their website/blog (free uplifting info). Want even more you could always enrol for their course(s) . Usually 12 weeks, 1 lesson per week. It's on my wish list.
*And no, I've not been paid to advertise for them. Their knowledge has had that profound effect on my personal financial health.
All in all, this is a slight book but the content is worth it and powerful. Thank you for sharing your insights, mistakes and successes along with stories by people who applied what you taught them and they came on top. Really pushed me to take myself more seriously.
In a nutshell (final part of the book)...
💸She advises that one should save to invest and not merely saving because inflation... 😭Also instead of taking debt for cars, holidays even Christmas save in advance for them instead of adding on more consumer debt aka bad debt.
💸The only way out of debt is setting up a debt repayment system, pay the freaking debts and stop taking on more consumer debt. Change the habit.
💸Give (the final chapter) because giving begets more, though that is not the sole reason for giving. Give because there is more where it came from, give to empower, give as a way to show the mind there is abundance... But 👇
"Give to empower not to create a dependence. "
She has wetted my palate & I'm thirsty for more, trying & doing more, wanting more.
If the book doesn't suffice and you want more of the personal finance education log onto their website/blog (free uplifting info). Want even more you could always enrol for their course(s) . Usually 12 weeks, 1 lesson per week. It's on my wish list.
*And no, I've not been paid to advertise for them. Their knowledge has had that profound effect on my personal financial health.
May 31, 2020
It's a lovely book which generally gives a financial perspective in the authors country. However the book is a bit shallow. It gives an outline without delving into the details of the success stories of the authors and of the success stories in the book. I wish it would have delved deeper.
November 6, 2020
Perhaps intended for new people getting into financial investment or looking at better financial management. The book barely added any new information for me, if anything it's more focused on mindset shift and a bit motivational to make changes but not for additional information.
January 16, 2022
It’s such an easy and short read for anyone who wants to start reading personal finance books. For someone who’s read a couple of these books there’s nothing new here. Same old story. She’s picked sentences out of other personal finance books. I expected more.
April 1, 2020
The books opens you mind to think beyond what meets the eye. Highly recommended to anyone whoo wants financial freedom or that extra income.
October 29, 2021
Great book on personal financial management.
November 8, 2024
From the founder of Centonomy, a program which kickstarted my journey towards financial freedom several years ago, this book is a simplified, Kenyanized, quick read on the basics of personal finance.
Some takeaways:
Money is not your life. Money is a tool that can help you build the life you dream of, but money is not that life. If money is your ultimate goal, you will never have enough and you will never be satisfied. You have to discover your purpose in life, what you value the most, and then let money help you get there. Alone, money cannot be your destination.
You can approach money from a point of lack and scarcity (scarcity mentality) or you can approach money from a point of abundance and a willingness to try (abundance mentality).
More money never solves problems if the core habits have not changed. The rule of thumb whenever you are making a purchase should be to ask yourself, what is my motivation?
Many people are speeding down the highway of poverty in a luxury vehicle. The story of John and Nyambura is an eye-opener. Nyambura has learnt the value of time and what time can create. John's time is valued for him by a salary. Begs the question, what would happen if you lost your current source of income?
Nothing really matters until you make that critical decision that something has got to be different in your life. That you are important enough to take yourself seriously. There are two types of people. Those who take action and those who will not.
We must start showing up for ourselves before money has a chance of showing up. Our problem is that we have decided that mediocrity is acceptable and we can cheat our way out of this mediocrity through a one-off deal that will appear at some point in the future or when somebody dies and leaves us a fortune or we get a tender.
Some takeaways:
Money is not your life. Money is a tool that can help you build the life you dream of, but money is not that life. If money is your ultimate goal, you will never have enough and you will never be satisfied. You have to discover your purpose in life, what you value the most, and then let money help you get there. Alone, money cannot be your destination.
You can approach money from a point of lack and scarcity (scarcity mentality) or you can approach money from a point of abundance and a willingness to try (abundance mentality).
More money never solves problems if the core habits have not changed. The rule of thumb whenever you are making a purchase should be to ask yourself, what is my motivation?
Many people are speeding down the highway of poverty in a luxury vehicle. The story of John and Nyambura is an eye-opener. Nyambura has learnt the value of time and what time can create. John's time is valued for him by a salary. Begs the question, what would happen if you lost your current source of income?
Nothing really matters until you make that critical decision that something has got to be different in your life. That you are important enough to take yourself seriously. There are two types of people. Those who take action and those who will not.
We must start showing up for ourselves before money has a chance of showing up. Our problem is that we have decided that mediocrity is acceptable and we can cheat our way out of this mediocrity through a one-off deal that will appear at some point in the future or when somebody dies and leaves us a fortune or we get a tender.
March 24, 2025
The author shares her experience with managing her finances i.e the challenges she had with managing them, what she did to deal with the challenges and how she has passed on those lessons to others. She also features some of the people who have applied these lessons.
It is an easy, straightforward read with reflective exercises on personal finance e.g. tracking expenses, budgeting and my favourite, ‘facing the (wo)man in the mirror’. I loved that she stresses that all the reading and learning about personal finance will mean nothing if you don’t apply it.
It is an easy, straightforward read with reflective exercises on personal finance e.g. tracking expenses, budgeting and my favourite, ‘facing the (wo)man in the mirror’. I loved that she stresses that all the reading and learning about personal finance will mean nothing if you don’t apply it.
August 19, 2025
For any beginner in financial literacy, this is the book. Very simply written with supporting stories that match our daily lives. I have read many finance books and as much as most of her concepts were not so new to me, it still made me take actions towards my financial literacy especially in budgeting hence my 5 stars rating.
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April 15, 2023Normally, I wouldn't read the likes of 'akina' self-help books. The first time I saw this book, I knew I'd read it. Now we go out there and listen to 50 cents play from our pockets into our ears. The podcast...lol!
December 7, 2022
So insightful. Very practical. Absolutely loved it! Excited to put it into practice. Already started budgeting
August 15, 2023
Literally opened my eyes..
April 19, 2024
A read on our finances and how to navigate them to avoid bankruptcy or low finances. With real life examples to help understand the basics of money.
January 26, 2025
Amazing read inspirés one to take action ...... financial lessons we all need because it's only taught in school of life and not our school système which is sad.
January 17, 2023
This could be a great resource for people with limited knowledge on or absolute beginners in the world of personal finance.
April 26, 2021
A very practical self-help book that will change everything you have always known about your finances. I highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews