What do you think?
Rate this book
Getting Good with Money: Pay Off Your Debt and Find a Life of Freedom—Without Losing Your Mind
Certified financial coach and mom Jessi Fearon leads the way for overwhelmed readers struggling to get a handle on their finances and lays out the doable steps her family underwent to pay off all their debts—even their mortgage!—and pursue their dreams, all on a $47,000-a-year salary.
Jessi Fearon vividly remembers the day she broke down, knowing that her family could not pay the bills with a second baby on the way. Like many Americans, they were overwhelmed by debt and living paycheck to paycheck, wondering if it was possible to ever get ahead, or even catch up. But on that day, something changed, and she and her husband decided to make a drastic lifestyle change that would put them back on the path toward their dreams. Their decision not only allowed her to stay home with their children, but in two years, they were able to pay off their consumer debt and, in six years, they paid off their home mortgage—all on their $47,000-a-year income. And now she shares what she's learned with others who are struggling just like she once did.
Getting Good with Moneyis written for the busy, overwhelmed reader who wants to manage the money she does have while still giving her family a good life, even if she doesn't have a finance degree or a six-figure income. With been-there wisdom and step-by-step help, Jessi shows readers how to
take control of their finances with practical first steps to budgeting and understanding debt;
identify the four different ways people struggle with money and how each one affects the way they manage—or mismanage—their money;
replace the lies they've believed about money with the five Money Truths to overcome barriers and better understand how to make their version of the American Dream a reality; and
discover various money-saving apps, financial tips, and ideas for generating additional income to pay off debt more quickly.
Getting Good with Money will inspire, encourage, and equip readers to achieve the real-life changes they need. More than just a "how to budget" book, this is a comprehensive roadmap to financial freedom from an average family making things work on a middle-class salary.
Jessi Fearon vividly remembers the day she broke down, knowing that her family could not pay the bills with a second baby on the way. Like many Americans, they were overwhelmed by debt and living paycheck to paycheck, wondering if it was possible to ever get ahead, or even catch up. But on that day, something changed, and she and her husband decided to make a drastic lifestyle change that would put them back on the path toward their dreams. Their decision not only allowed her to stay home with their children, but in two years, they were able to pay off their consumer debt and, in six years, they paid off their home mortgage—all on their $47,000-a-year income. And now she shares what she's learned with others who are struggling just like she once did.
Getting Good with Moneyis written for the busy, overwhelmed reader who wants to manage the money she does have while still giving her family a good life, even if she doesn't have a finance degree or a six-figure income. With been-there wisdom and step-by-step help, Jessi shows readers how to
take control of their finances with practical first steps to budgeting and understanding debt;
identify the four different ways people struggle with money and how each one affects the way they manage—or mismanage—their money;
replace the lies they've believed about money with the five Money Truths to overcome barriers and better understand how to make their version of the American Dream a reality; and
discover various money-saving apps, financial tips, and ideas for generating additional income to pay off debt more quickly.
Getting Good with Money will inspire, encourage, and equip readers to achieve the real-life changes they need. More than just a "how to budget" book, this is a comprehensive roadmap to financial freedom from an average family making things work on a middle-class salary.
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 18, 2022
63 people are currently reading
3657 people want to read
About the author
Jessi Fearon
7 books46 followersJessi is the founder of the popular personal finance blog jessifearon.com, where she shares her family's real life on a budget in order to help others learn to manage their money better. Jessi's work has been featured on Buzzfeed, Rockstar Finance, TIME/Motto Magazine, Money Saving Mom, Dave Ramsey, and The Penny Hoarder. Jessi resides in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia with her husband Pat, their three children Conner, Collin, and Charlotte, and a crazy crew of two dogs and a feisty cat. When she's not homeschooling her kids you can find her on the back porch with her head in a book.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 7, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Getting Good with Money is a great self-help guide to helping you get out of debt sooner and live better financially for the future. This book had some great information and advice in it and I think it would make a great book to start off a new year with! I feel this type of guidance should be taught at high school to teenagers to help them start out with a good understanding and footing when they go out into the working world. Definitely a book everyone should have a read of as there will definitely be something to absorb and take away from it with you! I lived how positive this book makes you feel as you read it too and found it easy to understand in terms of lingo too!
Getting Good with Money is a great self-help guide to helping you get out of debt sooner and live better financially for the future. This book had some great information and advice in it and I think it would make a great book to start off a new year with! I feel this type of guidance should be taught at high school to teenagers to help them start out with a good understanding and footing when they go out into the working world. Definitely a book everyone should have a read of as there will definitely be something to absorb and take away from it with you! I lived how positive this book makes you feel as you read it too and found it easy to understand in terms of lingo too!
February 3, 2022
I would love to have had this guide as a teenager, so I'd have been better prepared financially at a young age. Financial literacy is crucial to life success, as financial coach and mom Jessi Fearon explains in GETTING GOOD WITH MONEY.
She shares her journey of living in debt and not being able to pay the bills, and the steps her family used to become debt-free -- even paying off their mortgage in six years.
An important, inspiring guide that should be in every school, public and home library. Highly recommended. Out now.
Thanks to the author, Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.
#gettinggoodwithmoney #netgalley
She shares her journey of living in debt and not being able to pay the bills, and the steps her family used to become debt-free -- even paying off their mortgage in six years.
An important, inspiring guide that should be in every school, public and home library. Highly recommended. Out now.
Thanks to the author, Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.
#gettinggoodwithmoney #netgalley
April 3, 2022
I am sorry i really wanted to like this book it's synopsis sounded promising, the cover drew me in.
However, I don't like in the US so having long chapters about Roth IRAs, country specific apps and every different type of mortgages available in the US was irrelevant to me and not applicable in Australia.
Another huge disappointment was the abundance of bible verses and Christian faith in the book. I have no problem reading books with religion mentioned in them but it should be in the synopsis, this book is basic financial advice given through the lens of the christian belief. The readers should know before getting the book that bible verses will be in every chapter.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
However, I don't like in the US so having long chapters about Roth IRAs, country specific apps and every different type of mortgages available in the US was irrelevant to me and not applicable in Australia.
Another huge disappointment was the abundance of bible verses and Christian faith in the book. I have no problem reading books with religion mentioned in them but it should be in the synopsis, this book is basic financial advice given through the lens of the christian belief. The readers should know before getting the book that bible verses will be in every chapter.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2022
Do you want to get better at using your money? Or do you want to get out of debt? Certified Financial Coach Jessi Fearon's new book, Getting Good with Money, offers a lot of practical advice that is easy to understand and enjoyable to read.
As Getting Good with Money begins, Fearon explains why she decided to get out of debt, make a budget and get better with her family's finances. Throughout the book, she merges the practical advice she offers with the personal stories she shares of how both her and her husband learned and grew through their financial steps and misteps. I appreciate how honest and down-to-earth she is in this book. I also liked that she is encouraging and inspiring and by the end of the book, it is easy to believe that you can also make positive changes in your financial life, no matter what your age.
Getting Good with Money would be especially helpful for a young person just starting out but I am a mid-life woman and I still learned several things through this book. I would recommend it to anyone looking to improve their financial situation if for no other reason then Fearon makes you believe that you can do what you need to do to improve your financial life. At the end of each chapter, there are three or four questions or to ask or "money move" steps she encourages the reader to take. If you follow her advice and take things step by step, positive change can happen.
I received a copy of this book through TLC Book Tours from the author and the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.
As Getting Good with Money begins, Fearon explains why she decided to get out of debt, make a budget and get better with her family's finances. Throughout the book, she merges the practical advice she offers with the personal stories she shares of how both her and her husband learned and grew through their financial steps and misteps. I appreciate how honest and down-to-earth she is in this book. I also liked that she is encouraging and inspiring and by the end of the book, it is easy to believe that you can also make positive changes in your financial life, no matter what your age.
Getting Good with Money would be especially helpful for a young person just starting out but I am a mid-life woman and I still learned several things through this book. I would recommend it to anyone looking to improve their financial situation if for no other reason then Fearon makes you believe that you can do what you need to do to improve your financial life. At the end of each chapter, there are three or four questions or to ask or "money move" steps she encourages the reader to take. If you follow her advice and take things step by step, positive change can happen.
I received a copy of this book through TLC Book Tours from the author and the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.
January 28, 2022
Resolution #102, get better with my spending/savings.
From the wise and super annoying words of my hubby….What you want and what you need are two different things. I’m pretty sure those are the same things.
Getting Good with Money is the perfect new year,new beginning, #goals book.
Author Jessi Fearon didn’t research this information to write a book, she herself fell down the rabbit hole of debit and had to learn how to crawl out. I know what your saying, your heard it all before. I’ve read countless books myself but I really felt like Jessi lays out great suggestions and a plan that anyone can follow. This would also be a great book to give to a college student or a young couple, a way to set them on the right path right from the beginning.
We all want to become financially free, not live paycheck to paycheck, and have an emergency fund for when we need it most. Jessi talks about the online shopping trap, the trips to Target for one thing, the influencers showing us producers we didn’t even know we need but now we have to have. I’m guilty of all of the above.
I finished the book feeling inspired and ready to try. I say try because not all the suggestions in the book are for me, but if I implement even one of her suggestions I know I’ll be better in the long run.
It’s a new year, new chance for financial freedom. Let’s get started!
From the wise and super annoying words of my hubby….What you want and what you need are two different things. I’m pretty sure those are the same things.
Getting Good with Money is the perfect new year,new beginning, #goals book.
Author Jessi Fearon didn’t research this information to write a book, she herself fell down the rabbit hole of debit and had to learn how to crawl out. I know what your saying, your heard it all before. I’ve read countless books myself but I really felt like Jessi lays out great suggestions and a plan that anyone can follow. This would also be a great book to give to a college student or a young couple, a way to set them on the right path right from the beginning.
We all want to become financially free, not live paycheck to paycheck, and have an emergency fund for when we need it most. Jessi talks about the online shopping trap, the trips to Target for one thing, the influencers showing us producers we didn’t even know we need but now we have to have. I’m guilty of all of the above.
I finished the book feeling inspired and ready to try. I say try because not all the suggestions in the book are for me, but if I implement even one of her suggestions I know I’ll be better in the long run.
It’s a new year, new chance for financial freedom. Let’s get started!
June 6, 2022
This book is an easy read with practical examples for execution. I have walked away feeling motivated. I feel like her book is one where once I check off one financial chapter, I can pick it back up and read it again to keep me moving on to the next.
January 13, 2026
Read on Crystal Paine’s recommendation. Very good and actionable.
4 stars and not 5, because the tithe is not optional, if we feel like it. It is so that, rich or poor, we all have a stake in growing the kingdom of God.
4 stars and not 5, because the tithe is not optional, if we feel like it. It is so that, rich or poor, we all have a stake in growing the kingdom of God.
February 18, 2022
It is so refreshing to see a different approach and voice in the finance world!
Read
January 17, 2023DNF
This was an Audible Daily Deal so I thought I would give it a try, but I can't finish this. I don't know why inserting bible verses is necessary in a book about budgeting...and the authors voice is difficult for me to listen to. It sounds like she's reading an essay to a class.
This was an Audible Daily Deal so I thought I would give it a try, but I can't finish this. I don't know why inserting bible verses is necessary in a book about budgeting...and the authors voice is difficult for me to listen to. It sounds like she's reading an essay to a class.
February 2, 2022
If one of your goals this year to get your finances under control, Getting Good with Money by Jessi Fearon is a great quick and motivational read I would highly recommend.
In her book Jessi, a SAHM of three kids, shares her young family's journey to financial freedom, getting out of debt and paying off their home, all on $47,000 household income. Now, a full disclaimer, I am big fan of The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, and I attribute many of our personal finance wins and financial decisions we make on a daily basis to this wake-up-call-type-of-a-book. If you haven't read it yet, start with it. Jessi's book was a fresh breath of air. It showed real family, with the real income, real struggles, and most importantly, real success.
Here is what I loved about Getting Good with Money:
🖊️ The book is not "this is how you should do it" one-size-fits-all type of book
🖊️ The author pretty much says, "this is what worked for us, but you need to decide for yourself what works for you and your family"
🖊️ The book gives practical advice, shows you how to set achievable financial goals and follow through
🖊️ At the end of each chapter there is a summary/tasks to complete
🖊️ It really puts things in a perspective - "if they could do it, so can I"
🖊️ Most important takeaways: be content with what you have, create a budget and stick with it, and live on less than you make.
In her book Jessi, a SAHM of three kids, shares her young family's journey to financial freedom, getting out of debt and paying off their home, all on $47,000 household income. Now, a full disclaimer, I am big fan of The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, and I attribute many of our personal finance wins and financial decisions we make on a daily basis to this wake-up-call-type-of-a-book. If you haven't read it yet, start with it. Jessi's book was a fresh breath of air. It showed real family, with the real income, real struggles, and most importantly, real success.
Here is what I loved about Getting Good with Money:
🖊️ The book is not "this is how you should do it" one-size-fits-all type of book
🖊️ The author pretty much says, "this is what worked for us, but you need to decide for yourself what works for you and your family"
🖊️ The book gives practical advice, shows you how to set achievable financial goals and follow through
🖊️ At the end of each chapter there is a summary/tasks to complete
🖊️ It really puts things in a perspective - "if they could do it, so can I"
🖊️ Most important takeaways: be content with what you have, create a budget and stick with it, and live on less than you make.
February 5, 2022
I am absolutely terrible at budgeting. Why? I don’t have the foggiest. I call it luck. I had a frugal dad and a spender mother but I can attribute it to just lack of knowledge. This book answers questions I didn’t get answered in Dave Ramsey’s or Suze Orwans. This book is written in layman’s terms and gives you the extra you need to really see how to pay off debt. Maybe it’s because I’m older. Kudos to the author for helping others. I’m going to start with next months budget. Wish me luck.
Thanks to Netgalley for a complimentary copy to read… I voluntarily left this review!
Thanks to Netgalley for a complimentary copy to read… I voluntarily left this review!
January 17, 2022
I absolutely loved this one. If you are looking for a book to start your financial journey, maybe get debt free in 2022, or save for the future, this is a great one to use. It's a quick read, easy to refer to, and it isn't condescending (you know what I'm talking about), the author fully understands all fo the things that you would list as budget obstacles, and shows you how to get over them.
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Thomas Nelson Books for a copy for review. A full review will be featured on Stranded in Chaos
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Thomas Nelson Books for a copy for review. A full review will be featured on Stranded in Chaos
February 22, 2022
Getting Good With Money by Jessi Fearon 224 pages 3 hours and 59 minutes read by author
Genre: Nonfiction, Finance, Self-Help
Featuring: Debt, Bad Habits, Low Income, Credit Cards, Cash Spending, Lifestyle Choices, Sacrifices, Emergency Funds, Meal Planning, Home Buying, Money Lies and Money Truths, Bible Verses
Rating as a movie: G
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐¾
Quotes: ”We all have something we can’t imagine having to live without, but sometimes that very thing is financially burying us.”
My thoughts: 26% - So far, this book is The Total Money Makeover without Bible verses or tough love, but including a chapter on grocery shopping and meal planning.
53% - It's mostly a tweaked updated Dave Ramsey plan. She talks about the cost of raising kids and why she thinks you should put a 6-month emergency fund ahead of paying off debt and the pandemic.
So there are actually 3 Bible verses mentioned in this book but no preaching. There are a lot of good things about this book. It is quick and to the point. It is another Davish plan. I have read a lot of those lately, but this one is one of the few that gives Dave some credit after hijacking his plan. Jessica basically shares her financial journey with you. She tells you how she paid off debt, including her house, while living on a single income under $50,000 in Atlanta, Georgia, and raising 3 kids with debt triple her household income. This isn't 100% true, but it's the gist of it. There are some things she suggested that I don't agree with, but she has a this is what I recommend you do what's best for you approach. If you have read Dave Ramsey's books, this is that plan with a few tweaks. Firstly, she claims to have paid off her debt over 6 years, including the house, while living on $47,000 a year. Not to dismiss her accomplishment, but that is misleading. Her husband's income was $47k a year, but she started paying off debt prior to losing her income and while she was at home she had side hustles, she even cashed out her 401k so she didn't do it on that income alone, although she states as such many times throughout the book and then contradicts herself with details. She recommends you save 6 months of expenses before paying off debt, although she herself did not do so, she had $3,000-$5,000 in emergency funds and did not save 6 months of expenses until after she was consumer debt-free and needed a cushion so her husband could start his own business. She also doesn't encourage saving for your kids' college with a 529 or ESA so they won't be "penalized for not choosing higher education" she prefers a high yielding savings account they can spend anyway that's needed in adulthood, but she also recommends you do you. Overall this is a good book, not only because she uses the foundation of an already proven plan but because she touches on details like Amazon, meal planning, medical emergencies, living for vacation, and how children are only as expensive as you allow them to be.
Recommend to others?: Yes. This is a quick read and good advice for those willing to put in the work.
Genre: Nonfiction, Finance, Self-Help
Featuring: Debt, Bad Habits, Low Income, Credit Cards, Cash Spending, Lifestyle Choices, Sacrifices, Emergency Funds, Meal Planning, Home Buying, Money Lies and Money Truths, Bible Verses
Rating as a movie: G
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐¾
Quotes: ”We all have something we can’t imagine having to live without, but sometimes that very thing is financially burying us.”
My thoughts: 26% - So far, this book is The Total Money Makeover without Bible verses or tough love, but including a chapter on grocery shopping and meal planning.
53% - It's mostly a tweaked updated Dave Ramsey plan. She talks about the cost of raising kids and why she thinks you should put a 6-month emergency fund ahead of paying off debt and the pandemic.
So there are actually 3 Bible verses mentioned in this book but no preaching. There are a lot of good things about this book. It is quick and to the point. It is another Davish plan. I have read a lot of those lately, but this one is one of the few that gives Dave some credit after hijacking his plan. Jessica basically shares her financial journey with you. She tells you how she paid off debt, including her house, while living on a single income under $50,000 in Atlanta, Georgia, and raising 3 kids with debt triple her household income. This isn't 100% true, but it's the gist of it. There are some things she suggested that I don't agree with, but she has a this is what I recommend you do what's best for you approach. If you have read Dave Ramsey's books, this is that plan with a few tweaks. Firstly, she claims to have paid off her debt over 6 years, including the house, while living on $47,000 a year. Not to dismiss her accomplishment, but that is misleading. Her husband's income was $47k a year, but she started paying off debt prior to losing her income and while she was at home she had side hustles, she even cashed out her 401k so she didn't do it on that income alone, although she states as such many times throughout the book and then contradicts herself with details. She recommends you save 6 months of expenses before paying off debt, although she herself did not do so, she had $3,000-$5,000 in emergency funds and did not save 6 months of expenses until after she was consumer debt-free and needed a cushion so her husband could start his own business. She also doesn't encourage saving for your kids' college with a 529 or ESA so they won't be "penalized for not choosing higher education" she prefers a high yielding savings account they can spend anyway that's needed in adulthood, but she also recommends you do you. Overall this is a good book, not only because she uses the foundation of an already proven plan but because she touches on details like Amazon, meal planning, medical emergencies, living for vacation, and how children are only as expensive as you allow them to be.
Recommend to others?: Yes. This is a quick read and good advice for those willing to put in the work.
February 8, 2022
It’s #PayDay do you know where your money is going 💸
Every January my husband and I revise our budget. Goals, wants, and needs are reassessed & strategies that are not working for us are replaced.
This year we read 𝙶𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙼𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚢 and are excited to put into action everything we’ve learned. If you’ve never budgeted before, struggle to maintain your budget, or feel your budget isn’t working for you - 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
I’ve read several financial books and found many to be overwhelming, complicated, or dripping with privilege. I loved that Jessi’s methods are simple easy steps towards financial freedom that 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 can do.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙:
✎ Journaling: The questions at the end of each section help you transform the concepts to actions.
✎ Easy: Jessi’s quick start budget is as easy to implement as 1, 2, 3.
✎ Practical: Her pay your bills first philosophy and “do what works for your family” is empowering, realistic, and allow you to take the drivers seat.
✎ Teamwork: She helps you identify and own your personal relationship with money so you can fight less about money while work WITH your partner.
Thank you @thomasnelson @jessifearon @tlcbooktours for gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Every January my husband and I revise our budget. Goals, wants, and needs are reassessed & strategies that are not working for us are replaced.
This year we read 𝙶𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙼𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚢 and are excited to put into action everything we’ve learned. If you’ve never budgeted before, struggle to maintain your budget, or feel your budget isn’t working for you - 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
I’ve read several financial books and found many to be overwhelming, complicated, or dripping with privilege. I loved that Jessi’s methods are simple easy steps towards financial freedom that 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 can do.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙:
✎ Journaling: The questions at the end of each section help you transform the concepts to actions.
✎ Easy: Jessi’s quick start budget is as easy to implement as 1, 2, 3.
✎ Practical: Her pay your bills first philosophy and “do what works for your family” is empowering, realistic, and allow you to take the drivers seat.
✎ Teamwork: She helps you identify and own your personal relationship with money so you can fight less about money while work WITH your partner.
Thank you @thomasnelson @jessifearon @tlcbooktours for gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
February 8, 2022
I'm pretty good with my money so my guilty pleasure is reading personal finance books specifically to judge them. This one has a lot of good advice if you're very, very bad with money, but it's pretty repetitive and simplistic if you're just ok with it. I also wasn't expecting the heavy Christian bent to the book, but I did at least appreciate the author saying that you shouldn't be tithing to the church if you can't afford it.
July 13, 2023
I never expected to finish this book so quickly, but Fearon’s personable writing style is easy to digest! I’m not great with money and it honestly stressed me out to read this, but I’m so glad I did. There are brilliant tips for how to get started on the debt-free journey and so many personal stories it feels like sitting down with a good friend. Highly recommend!
April 8, 2022
More Biblical grounding than I’m used to in financial planning, but excellent resource
May 24, 2024
definitely some good tips in this book, but way too much talk about religion for me, this is what I get for not reading descriptions of books before reading them 🤪
January 4, 2026
All my reviews can be found at: http://www.jessicasreadingroom.com
This review will appear on my site on January 5, 2026.
~~~~
I am sharing this for my first review of 2026 as it deals with something a lot of people have issues with: Money. This is a book that needs to be read by younger individuals. Younger individuals need to learn this in school before they get in the real world and fall ‘victim’ to the financial traps of life. Getting Good with Money is a short and quick read that I think every reader will find at least once chapter that ‘speaks’ to them. Fearon gives lots of advice to help one get out of debt and take control of their lives. She also shared her family’s story and what they went through which gives a personal touch to the book. At the end of each chapter Fearon gives action items/ questions from the chapter for the reader to self-reflect on.
Fearon is also from Georgia so when she was sharing from her personal life I identified with her. I was also excited about that as when I started the book I did not know she is from Georgia.
Honestly, I did not learn much with the book, as I am naturally a saver. The chapter that was most useful for me was the last chapter that dealt with mortgages. One day (I hope sooner rather than later) I will have my own house! What I know I need is a book that can baby step and give easy understanding about retirement and investing. I just don’t ‘get that stuff’. I know I need to start a Roth IRA, I just need the understanding on it! I plan on starting a HYSA this year.
I can see this book helping someone who needs an introduction to saving and budgeting. And again, it is a quick easy read. There are some religious themes in it, but not ‘too much’. She does briefly mention tithing and her thoughts on it, which I was pleasantly surprised about.
Overall, this would be a great book for a beginner to saving and budgeting. I received a copy from the publisher through a Goodreads Giveaway.
This review will appear on my site on January 5, 2026.
~~~~
I am sharing this for my first review of 2026 as it deals with something a lot of people have issues with: Money. This is a book that needs to be read by younger individuals. Younger individuals need to learn this in school before they get in the real world and fall ‘victim’ to the financial traps of life. Getting Good with Money is a short and quick read that I think every reader will find at least once chapter that ‘speaks’ to them. Fearon gives lots of advice to help one get out of debt and take control of their lives. She also shared her family’s story and what they went through which gives a personal touch to the book. At the end of each chapter Fearon gives action items/ questions from the chapter for the reader to self-reflect on.
Fearon is also from Georgia so when she was sharing from her personal life I identified with her. I was also excited about that as when I started the book I did not know she is from Georgia.
Honestly, I did not learn much with the book, as I am naturally a saver. The chapter that was most useful for me was the last chapter that dealt with mortgages. One day (I hope sooner rather than later) I will have my own house! What I know I need is a book that can baby step and give easy understanding about retirement and investing. I just don’t ‘get that stuff’. I know I need to start a Roth IRA, I just need the understanding on it! I plan on starting a HYSA this year.
I can see this book helping someone who needs an introduction to saving and budgeting. And again, it is a quick easy read. There are some religious themes in it, but not ‘too much’. She does briefly mention tithing and her thoughts on it, which I was pleasantly surprised about.
Overall, this would be a great book for a beginner to saving and budgeting. I received a copy from the publisher through a Goodreads Giveaway.
March 21, 2023
This book should really be titled "getting good at eliminating debt and saving cash." It seems like this book was written as an alternative to Dave Ramsey's book The Total Money Makeover. The thing is, his baby steps are way more comprehensive than this book. If you're struggling with paying off debts and saving an emergency fund, then this book is useful (but I'd say YNAB or Dave Ramsey's book is better). If you're past that (like I am), then this book is just a recap of stuff you already know and not very useful.
Being good with money is more than paying off debts and hitting savings goals. You need to know how to invest and generate more income, ideally passive income. Rich people don't work as hard per dollar than everyone else; they hustle smart, not hard, and they know how to put their dollars to work.
Plus, a 6+ month emergency fund is more important for the self employed or people with fluctuating incomes. For folks with a very stable job and good benefits, especially good health insurance, you can just do 3 months. Just make sure your health insurance deductible is fully covered. If you have a house, you'll want a separate house maintenance fund so you don't have to use your emergency fund to cover it, e.g., to replace the fridge, HVAC system, the roof, etc. YNAB is excellent for planning this kind of stuff out.
To summarize, there are better starting books out there for money beginners like YNAB or The Total Money Makeover. If you're not a beginner, I wouldn't read this book. Read Broke Millennial Takes on Investing, The Bogleheads' guide, or A Random Walk Down Wall Street instead. Put your dollars to work!
Being good with money is more than paying off debts and hitting savings goals. You need to know how to invest and generate more income, ideally passive income. Rich people don't work as hard per dollar than everyone else; they hustle smart, not hard, and they know how to put their dollars to work.
Plus, a 6+ month emergency fund is more important for the self employed or people with fluctuating incomes. For folks with a very stable job and good benefits, especially good health insurance, you can just do 3 months. Just make sure your health insurance deductible is fully covered. If you have a house, you'll want a separate house maintenance fund so you don't have to use your emergency fund to cover it, e.g., to replace the fridge, HVAC system, the roof, etc. YNAB is excellent for planning this kind of stuff out.
To summarize, there are better starting books out there for money beginners like YNAB or The Total Money Makeover. If you're not a beginner, I wouldn't read this book. Read Broke Millennial Takes on Investing, The Bogleheads' guide, or A Random Walk Down Wall Street instead. Put your dollars to work!
October 1, 2025
This book was filled with good tips to go from deep in debt to having savings to fall back on in hard times.
There were a couple of antibiblical points (examples below), so I cannot recommend following the advice on those particular points.
“I could even hear myself cursing at the driver who cut me off…”
~ This was a poor example since Ephesians 4:29 says, “No foul language is to come from your mouth…” (HCSB). This verse does not give exceptions for “special circumstances” or “moments of frustration.”
There were also antibiblical views on tithing. The Bible could not be clearer about tithing when it says, ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23 HCSB). The author even knew of this verse, yet she misparaphrased it and completely left out the “without neglecting the others” part. That was the most crucial part of all, as it indicates we are to give ten percent of our income (tithing) AND to live with “justice, mercy, and faith” beyond (not instead of) that.
The advice on pouring every possible dollar into decreasing one’s debt and then to increase one’s savings was spot-on. Loved that aspect!
Content: antibiblical advice (see above), one profane phrase, one expletive, a handful of replacement expletives
There were a couple of antibiblical points (examples below), so I cannot recommend following the advice on those particular points.
“I could even hear myself cursing at the driver who cut me off…”
~ This was a poor example since Ephesians 4:29 says, “No foul language is to come from your mouth…” (HCSB). This verse does not give exceptions for “special circumstances” or “moments of frustration.”
There were also antibiblical views on tithing. The Bible could not be clearer about tithing when it says, ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23 HCSB). The author even knew of this verse, yet she misparaphrased it and completely left out the “without neglecting the others” part. That was the most crucial part of all, as it indicates we are to give ten percent of our income (tithing) AND to live with “justice, mercy, and faith” beyond (not instead of) that.
The advice on pouring every possible dollar into decreasing one’s debt and then to increase one’s savings was spot-on. Loved that aspect!
Content: antibiblical advice (see above), one profane phrase, one expletive, a handful of replacement expletives
February 16, 2022
I was #gifted this copy of the book by my friend Jessi for review. This book is amazing. She gives real and relatable money advice for the average person that anyone can draw some inspiration from. She gives step by step methods and helps you navigate the hardest parts of financial struggle. Jessi draws from her own personal experiences, never having a tone of judgement, because she’s been there too and she wants to help you, not shame you. I hope you pick up this book maybe for yourself, maybe as a high school graduation present, or maybe for someone you know that would benefit from its wealth of information. Don’t forget to check out Jessi’s Instagram page as well. She shares tips and tricks in real time over there as well and she’s sweet as a peach.
(Backstory: Brian and I paid off $35,000 in 18 months between 2019 and 2020 on our debt free journey: a small college loan, two cars, a personal loan, and a credit card. I met Jessi on Instagram while on our debt free journey and when she asked me recently if I’d like to read a copy of her book I was shocked and so excited, because I’ve followed her for so long and loved all she has to tell on her page)
February 15, 2023
Good beginning personal finance book for normal people. You aren't going to get someone telling you to always have 5 different streams of income or humble brag that they paid $400k in cash for their house and now put 80% of their income into retirement and investments since they are debt-free. Jessi explains the steps - and mistakes - they took along their debt-free journey on a normal salary of around $50,000. She is very relatable, and it doesn't feel like you are being lectured or talked down to. She is a Christian and does view finances through a Christian viewpoint, but it is not a forced topic throughout the book. As a Christian, I appreciated she was not afraid to bring God into the discussion, but I also feel comfortable recommending this book to non-Christian friends and family. This is not the first personal finance book I've read, so I didn't learn really anything new, but it was very good for motivation and reenergizing my personal financial life.
February 8, 2022
This book is a great and informative look at personal finances and how to acquire financial freedom. While it is a quick read, it is packed full of useful tips, reflective questions and a personal account of how one family moved out of debt and took control of their money.
Even though a lot of her tips were already things my family implements regularly, it was a good refresher course for those of us who occasionally get a little too lax with our budgets. The author's reminders regarding mindfulness with money were so refreshing; definitely a change from the projections of happiness and consumerism that prevail in filling our daily feeds. Stuff isn't security - she makes that well known - but focusing on using money as a tool (instead of becoming a tool for money) is the key to stability.
Even though a lot of her tips were already things my family implements regularly, it was a good refresher course for those of us who occasionally get a little too lax with our budgets. The author's reminders regarding mindfulness with money were so refreshing; definitely a change from the projections of happiness and consumerism that prevail in filling our daily feeds. Stuff isn't security - she makes that well known - but focusing on using money as a tool (instead of becoming a tool for money) is the key to stability.
January 21, 2023
This book is definitely good for any young couple that might be living together, or wanting to get married, or are married and having children. Jessi tells the story of how she was able to get rid of all her debt, pay off her mortgage, have an emergency fund, and still live a good life, with three kids and a husband.
I am old, widowed, close to retirement and a lot of what Jessi talked about didn't apply to me.
But she did tell a good story about how she and her husband did it. How they were able to manage their budget and get ahead of the money situation.
I would definitely recommend it to my younger friends who already have credit card debt and want to get married, have kids, and buy a house... and think ... that can never happen. Jessi shows it can happen.
I am old, widowed, close to retirement and a lot of what Jessi talked about didn't apply to me.
But she did tell a good story about how she and her husband did it. How they were able to manage their budget and get ahead of the money situation.
I would definitely recommend it to my younger friends who already have credit card debt and want to get married, have kids, and buy a house... and think ... that can never happen. Jessi shows it can happen.
May 26, 2023
I wish I would have read things like this when I was younger. This book has some similar ideas to Dave Ramsey's get out debt plan, but ultimately the message is clear, make changes to your spending habits so you can spend less than you make, don't fall into debt once you've gotten yourself out, and find ways to make more income (i.e. side hustle or 2nd job) to get out of living paycheck to paycheck. I like the clear laid out plan or "how-to" and even though I've heard all of these things before, never hurts to hear them again when you have a financial plan set. Recommend. From one book nerd to another, happy reading.
April 21, 2024
I loved this book. Her voice resonated with me. I’ve been following her on social media for a few years, so maybe that helped me ‘get’ this book. I just found her so real. It tapped into growth mindset, empowerment, courage, etc. I learned a lot and am inspired and encouraged from her putting her experiences and knowledge down in words. The religious stuff that bothered other reviewers did not bother me at all, because she’s just really saying to get in touch with your own inner knowing, which is important, no matter how you explain it. Also, I’m from Canada and don’t have kids, but I still found this book to be very good for me.
November 9, 2024
I read this because I am actively working on increasing my savings, and because I'm an accountant so this topic is generally within my interests. this book wasn't groundbreaking, but there were some good tips. I didn't realize the author was going to bring religion into it, but I didn't mind either because this is written in more of a memoir style and that's her truth. however, I do think it's dangerous to encourage tithing while in debt, especially when the targeted audience are people in debt who may also be vulnerable. overall, a read I liked but not one that I would necessarily think of to recommend.
February 18, 2022
This book contains many common-sense tips for getting out of debt and building an emergency nest egg—all on a small salary. I was not familiar with the author, who apparently has a blog. A lot of the advice is geared to a younger reader than I am, and the author’s faith came through a little too strongly for my taste, but there is good, solid advice contained here that young people just starting out should know. I’d hoped for more investment advice, but this is not that book. #GettingGoodwithMoney #NetGalley
March 23, 2022
I found Jessi through another author and began following her on IG. I love how relatable she is. This book is a breath of fresh air; it is presented as though you are having a conversation with a friend.
Jessi doesn’t tell you what you to doc, instead she walks you through what worked for her family and provides you with the foundation to implement what will work best for you. Seeing a “normal” family achieve freedom is a great motivator!
Thank you to @netgalley and @nelsonbooks for the ARC!
Jessi doesn’t tell you what you to doc, instead she walks you through what worked for her family and provides you with the foundation to implement what will work best for you. Seeing a “normal” family achieve freedom is a great motivator!
Thank you to @netgalley and @nelsonbooks for the ARC!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews