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You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-rich: Ditch debt, stop living from payday to payday, and manage black tax to #liveyourbestlife

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If you are a millennial who is trying to figure out how money works, this book is for you. With simple, relatable and sometimes amusing stories about how to manage money on a day-to-day basis, you will learn how to change your mindset about money, get out of debt and stay debt-free, invest your money and, ultimately, live your best life. You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich will help you, the young professional, to think differently about money, while covering pertinent topics like black tax, savings, budgeting, emergency funds and financial scams, as well as estate and retirement planning (and why you should care right now!). It is the best class you never attended … in a book!

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2019

33 people are currently reading
237 people want to read

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Mapalo Makhu

1 book7 followers

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5 stars
37 (46%)
4 stars
29 (36%)
3 stars
10 (12%)
2 stars
3 (3%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Beauty Boois.
Author 2 books25 followers
February 7, 2021
I never thought that I would ever read and enjoy a finance book, like, ever! You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich was definitely a game changer for me, especially as I’m on the journey to getting my personal finances in order! The book is easily accessible to people who know nothing about finance (like me) and Mapalo Makhu writing style is easy to understand, no unnecessary jargon - it’s like being taught about finance by a really cool big sister!
Profile Image for Caryn Welby-Solomon.
68 reviews
December 27, 2019
As someone who has been struggling a lot financially, this book felt like a godsend. With helpful tips on understanding your relationship with money, managing your money and simple ways of understanding investments etc, it is a great buy. It also helps that it speaks specifically to the black South African market, especially women. I will carry this book around like a bible!
Profile Image for Lerato Tikwayo .
15 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2020
An exceptional take on financial management. Enjoyed everything about this book!
Profile Image for Ancillar.
669 reviews59 followers
March 7, 2020
It's such a great book! A gem for everyone willing to save a $$ or two
Profile Image for Pretty_x_bookish.
270 reviews498 followers
September 9, 2020
Great book!

The author writes about complex money matters in a down to earth and really relatable way. I walked away from this book feeling like I learned a lot.
Profile Image for Maniki_021.
157 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2024
This book has given me so many valuable insights, packed with information yet so concise. I plan to keep it for years and reread it as many times as I can. I've taken so many notes, and I'm confident to say I am starting over. I've made many mistakes and errors due to insufficient knowledge, especially when it comes to money. I used to say I'll start saving when I have enough money, but this book has taught me not to wait and to start where I can.

Without going much into details ;

•Getting everything exactly right. Choose what works for you and do that. If you can only save 5%, then save 5%. Action beats inaction. Don’t be paralysed by all the available options. Choose one and build from there. Just START
Profile Image for Phindile.
3 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2020
What a great book on managing one's finances.
This book is well written, simple to understand with key take aways from each chapter. I specifically liked that she brought in experts where necessary to provide insights. I also appreciated that she did not shy away from the pschology of money as well as black tax. This is an incredible book to get one geared up on their financial journey.

I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because there is a book with the same title published a few months before this one. I don't know the reason behind this, but it did not look great to me as a consumer. The publisher and author need to be cognisant of this for future publications.
Profile Image for Mbali Tyolo.
14 reviews8 followers
December 26, 2020
Completey enjoyed this book, and it's one of the books I will be rereading multiple times. So informative and relevant. I loved reading it, and picking up all the lessons along the way. I'm adopting the book into my personal finance toolbox.

If you want to pick up basic and important information about things to be mindful of in your personal finance journey, this book is for you. It is an encouraging read too.
Profile Image for Busisiwe Klaas.
10 reviews
December 18, 2021
Loved this book, i keep going back to it every couple of months. So many pearls of wisdom with regards to finances and i love how the author managed to talk about black tax but in a more solution based manner.
Im definitely applying the method of giving your family a "salary" or a fixed amount and have them allocate that to their needs instead of giving dribs and drabs multiple times in a month. This is more effective and alleviates a lot of pressure on me
442 reviews37 followers
November 22, 2023
Firstly, the cover is so funky and captivating! As soon as I got this book I was ready to dive in. This book is filled with golden nuggets to encourage you to become financial savvy. Brilliant book I would recommend to anyone, especially those who are about to enter the working world and about to receive their first pay. As an older reader, I had so much ah-ha moments. Very educational, and relevant!

I won this book at a financial acumen session I joined at work.
Profile Image for Charity C.
118 reviews39 followers
December 18, 2023
I read this book because my group recommended it. I believe it's very helpful, and she put everything in layman's terms for you; however, I was unaware that it's written for those in South Africa. While some concepts can be applied to life in the US, it's still very different. For that reason alone, I probably wouldn't recommend this to my friends in the States.
Profile Image for Imma.
2 reviews4 followers
September 3, 2025
I cannot praise this book enough but basically it saved my finances. I've read a lot of finance books mostly from an American perspective, so to get one with a South African context,was refreshing. The book is written in simple language no technical terms, so anyone without a financial background would be able to understand it.
Profile Image for Nozipho  Nyathi.
3 reviews
February 12, 2021
This is an inspiring, easy to read, thought-provoking book which is very much welcomed. The book is both lively and filled with practical guided solutions. After reading it I felt greatly motivated to start my journey to financial freedom.
Profile Image for Dorcus Sithole _ Chronicles .
11 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2022
Readings on Financial Literacy can be daunting.
This book is a breeze, it is relatable, and easy to maneuver, the first of many financial books that am going to feast on.

♥︎ I Applaud myself on affirmations.
♥︎ Became a sponge and absorbed all the pearls of wisdom. #Lovedit
Profile Image for Regine.
122 reviews
January 14, 2025
Isn't this a great name! 

It says it is targeted at Millenniums but, I think there is a lot of good advice from a South African perspective for all ages.

Wills, SARS, investments, saving, Stockvels, it's all covered.
Profile Image for Bellise.
15 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2025
I am so sad that I never read this book earlier. It such a relief to find a finance book focused on the South African climate. I say, push for it to be in schools as early as grade 10!

Kudos and thank you to the author
2 reviews
September 23, 2025
Finances, typically a daunting topic, is broken down into smaller and more understandable parts. The importance of taking control of something that literally determines the outcome of your life is highly emphasized.
Profile Image for Ntombezinhle Nzama.
181 reviews43 followers
July 14, 2020
I have been reading a number of financial books recently, and I just loved how simple Mapalo explains all these concepts. This was such a pleasure to read and I learnt so much!
Profile Image for Siân Ferguson.
29 reviews7 followers
December 19, 2020
This was very helpful! Super useful financial advice that is relevant to a South African context. I'll definitely recommend this to others.
Profile Image for Takalani Muloiwa-Klenam.
6 reviews
April 15, 2022
The book was a very simple and practical read. I really loved that she made it relateable for the South African reader.
Profile Image for Rachel Hurasha.
73 reviews
October 10, 2024
This book is packed with information that will help you in your financial freedom journey. It’s based on South African laws and regulations though. Keep that in mind.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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