Money Like You Mean It: Personal Finance Tactics for the Real World

by Erica Alini

A changing economy has made it harder to get your financial act together. Personal finance reporter Erica Alini delivers a groundbreaking guide to money basics updated for today’s reality.

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

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2022

Reviews

[Gabriel Maracle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am someone that doesn't know a lot about financial stuff, and this book was incredibly useful to me. This isn't really a cover to cover type of read, as a some stuff will not universally apply.

[Jane Gerster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate how much Erica breaks this down for a general audience. I’m very tired of money books catering to a wealthier audience.

I will disclose: I worked with Erica for a few years and consider her a friend now. That’s partly because she rescued me from big banks and now I earn way more monthly interest rather than forking over account fees… HEROIC work in this day/age. 💸💸

[Milah-Rose Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t make it all the way through this read but it will be good to pull off the shelf once in a while and apply it to specific financial situations and decisions.

[Catherine Lavallée · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erica Alini’s Money like you mean it, is a beginner’s guide to personal finance and is for you if you feel daunted (or bored) by personal finance. The writing is approachable, and the author doesn’t take everything too seriously, which will keep you interested. However, don’t expect a how-to manual on ways to grow your net worth. Subjects range from: debt, housing, income, retirement, investing, insurance, children, couple finance and generational wealth transfer. What I particularly liked about this read is that:

1. it’s rare to find personal finance books written by Canadians for Canadians
2. it’s got some of the most up-to-date information (i.e., sky high housing prices), as it was written in the past two years

Chapters on debt, housing, retirement, and investing are great reads that pack a ton of information. I appreciated that she included macro-economic historic analyses to explain the current state of the millennial financial puzzle.

The chapter on income was the weakest of book, as she spent too much of it on the gig economy and the difference between being a full-time employee vs. a contract worker, two scenarios that don’t apply to most people. Rather, it would have been interesting to share ways to increase our value on the job market, increase our income, etc.

5/5 if you’re just getting started on your personal finance journey.

3.5/5 if you already have good knowledge.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I work in the financial services industry so books written by Canadians about things to think about here in Canada tend to catch my eye.

This book covers many topics including having various savings buckets (retirement, house, emergencies, etc.), the different kinds of debt, saving for a house, renting versus buying, being an employee versus self-employed or freelancing, saving for retirement and the different plan options (RRSPs versus TFSAs), different investment options, insurance, whether couples should have their own bank accounts or joint accounts, RESPs, having your family help you financially buy a house, and more!

The author states right away that the target audience for this book is the middle class. The writing style is casual and is at a high level. There are lots of examples to further explain things and input from those in the industry. It's a good book to give you broad knowledge about many subjects you may not have known you have to think about.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2022/01...

[Shaunesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re new to personal finance, this is an excellent book to get your bearings, specifically for Canadians. It covers all of the fundamentals that middle-class earners need to know in order to be financially savvy. There are some valuable lessons shared including topics around investments, TFSAs, RRSPs, managing debt and the reasons why there is so much debt and other really topics.

My only annoyance with this book is that it’s already dated. It was written and published during the most unpredictable time of the pandemic which as we now know was a volatile time in the market. This book could already use a refresh & republication to update post-pandemic markets and insights as things have changed significantly and levelled out since then.

Regardless, worth a read for anyone who is considered a newbie or novice when it comes to financial independence. If you know a lot or even a decent amount about personal finance, this book isn’t really for you.

[Enid Wray]

If you are young, just starting out in the professional or work life and need a blueprint for how to save money for retirement then you will be interested in this title. Frankly I’m past that point in my life.

But even if I did need the advice… this still wouldn’t be the book for me. I don’t like the style of the writing, it’s totally off-putting. It’s written like the author is your best friend and you’re sitting around the coffee table having a cup of tea (I don’t drink coffee…)... all folksy and chummy chummy. Not what I would want in a financial self help title. Stick to the facts…

I will admit that I also feel like she is talking down to me - just a wee bit condescending. But, I will also grant that that feeling might be on account of my age and prior knowledge of the subject matter. I am most definitely not her target audience.

Send a copy to your grandchildren.

[Tatsiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written, hyper practical, and easy to understand volume you will keep coming back to for insights on retirement savings, rent curveballs, insurance advice, smart borrowing, and more. My personal favourite is the tool called The Money Bucket System to help organize and stay diligent with your savings. And there are more tools and practical guides like that!
As a new immigrant to Canada, it's challenging to navigate all the nuances of the country's financial system, but this book is my go-to guide on questions from the credit score, a plethora of acronyms for your retirement funds, the triple money challenge of parenthood, and more.
Great style, pithy headings that left me smiling more than once, and real-life examples (thanks to Joe and Jasmine!). Highly recommended!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is what I've been looking for! Canadian personal finance, written during the pandemic so very current info. Each chapter deals with a different aspect on personal finance (debt management, budgeting, buy vs rent, investing basics, kids, etc.). Global perspective (she was born in Italy, travelled a lot, worked on Wall Street for a while even) but Canadian specific advice and accessible writing style. It's written for everyone, but geared to millennial women achieving financial independence. It also doesn't feel like a "you need to have money to make money" financial advice book, which is refreshing to read.

[Beatrice B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the Personal Finance 101 that I really needed. I wish I'd had this book (or one like it) back in 2016 when I finished graduate school and began working full-time saddled with $45K in debt. I developed tunnel vision in paying it down and neglected to learn about so many other important aspects of personal finance and money management. "Money Like You Mean It" inspired this 30-something-year-old to undertake a much-needed personal finance overhaul, take investing more seriously and better organize joint savings accounts with my partner -- and it empowered me to not feel embarrassed about being late to the party or asking basic questions. For each chapter and topic, I appreciated that Erica went through the broader historical and economic context to explain why things are the way they are, before diving into advice and strategies. This is a great entry-level book, written in an accessible style, with useful insights for young Canadians.

[andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

in my experience of books are all very similar. in this book particularly i loved the more female centered perspective on personal finance- especially with being realistic about pay gaps/savings/kids that women specifically are challenged with in life

for example, losing some of our prime years for career growth for the sake of having kids etc etc and how to work with your partner on the goals you have with each other

there wasnt too much I learned as I've read my fair share of finance books but this one felt very refreshing as an older gen z woman navigating being an adult and saving for my future

[Hannah Babki · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a year and a half to finish this book cover to cover. But I finished it! And I honestly would not have started budgeting properly or felt empowered to look at investments if I hadn't read this. If you are a Gen Z or Millennial Canadian who feels intimidated by managing your money, this book was literally written for you. It's also organized well so it's easy to revisit topics that may not be pertinent in the current moment, like a car loan or ins and outs of mortgages. Read this book!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Excellent listen, and a resource I will be turning to again, I am sure. Alini is Canadian, so some of her information only pertains to Canadians, but the majority is applicable to people in the US, also. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn more about loans, investments, savings, and more.

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m really trying to be more financially educated. This book explained a lot of daunting concepts that you are afraid to admit you don’t understand. In the world of personal finance all the books I see are “get rich quick” this is not that. This is a book to help you understand your money and how to manage it a bit better.
Having a book from a Canadian view point is extremely helpful

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of useful, relevant, timely information. Great historical context for the current economic and money situation in Canada. Useful strategies and ideas for saving for retirement, managing debt, and budgeting without getting nutty about it.

[Emma Wagenman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really helpful, real world finance book for younger millennials/Gen Z people who are just starting out. Lots of recent and relevant studies and an author who clearly understands the uniqueness of this time. Really liked it- not too self helpy or overwhelming!

[Jenn P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Money Like You Mean It by Erica Alini is a great financial check-in for Millennials & Gen Zers - full of easy-going tone, real-world (mid-pandemic & Canadian) examples and sharp sense of humour.

[Rochelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Areas worth reading are retirement, investment and children’s education as well as life curveballs.

The rest is meh……

[Hannah Moerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my fave of personal finance books for canadians but a helpful primer on the practicalities of the current economy and what it means for millennials / gen z.

[Graemme Boone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information.

[Julie Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had read (and been interested and motivated to do the things that are in) this book ten years ago. But I guess it’s bette to start now than never. 🤷‍♀️

[Jo Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good personal financial book based on canadian reality and not cliche-esque. It is a good book that takes account of the millenial struggles and inter generational inequality

[Ryan Scanlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

very useful

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book for Canadians just getting started with their finances. Lots of current information that will probably seem dated in the not so distant future.

[Jenna Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book. Very informative and Canadian based. Relevant to millennials and those in midlife!

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the full review here.

[Sarah Butland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alini somehow mastered containing a lot of facts and financial advice in a way that made it easy to consume and implement. A great addition to any high school curriculum, this is also a book that should be read at any age and more than once.

Whether you are rich or struggling to balance a budget, this book can give you hope!

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

[Noémie Laurence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad this book is written! This is *the* up-to-date “intro to personal finance” book for Canadian millennials. Up to date because it was written after the start of the pandemic. Finally a Canadian perspective, which is refreshing as the market is flooded with US authors. It’s well written and it’s the intro book I’d recommend to Canadians if they’re just getting started. Finally, a non-boomer perspective! The advise that was relevant decades ago simply isn’t anymore - especially as it comes to owning property (stats for Ontario and BC both shocked me and didn’t).

[circle · Rating 2 out of 5]

i don't live in canada. i live in ameriac so half of it was useless. eric mah's book is canadian too but it was useful.