So...This Is Why I'm Broke: Money Lessons on Financial Literacy, Passive Income, and Generational Wealth

by Melissa Jean-Baptiste

”Finally a smart, funny, relatable, and REAL book on navigating finances and wealth-building for Black women! ― Cinneah El-Amin , founder of Flynanced
#1 New Release in E-commerce Professional, Budgeting & Money Management, and Wealth Management
An easy-to-follow financial literacy guide for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). Financial help can be hard to find but So…This Is Why I’m Broke gives practical and simplified financial tips for you to financially thrive. A safe space for all BIPOC. Financial help is right here! Melissa Jean-Baptiste of “Millennial in Debt” is a first generation American providing readers with accessible financial tips and advice wrapped up in her story of paying off over $100,000 on a teacher's salary. Melissa makes financial literacy relatable and easy to understand. Action steps to develop your financial literacy. Learn about budgeting for beginners, fixing your credit score, investing, and passive income ideas. With this guide, financial literacy gets broken down step-by-step through interesting perspectives and historical points. Inside, you’ll If you’re looking for books for entrepreneurs or financial literacy books for the CEO in your life, grab your copy today! If you liked reading Financial Feminist , Get Good with Money , We Should All Be Millionaires , or More Money Now , then you’ll love So…This is Why I’m Broke .

Genres: Nonfiction, Finance, Personal Finance, Money

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Joslyn Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a future millionaire for the last 3 years, this read was like watching on @millenialindebt’s IG stories! I loved how it read talking with the author 1:1. Melissa provided the basics of personal finance, for the understanding at any level; however, it didn’t feel like reading a textbook and included topics that I haven’t seen in a lot of personal finance books (i.e estate planning, FIRE movement, and prenups). I personally enjoyed how she wove in her personal journey and gave examples of an average American, keeping the feel of the book very relatable.

[KaRi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great first read for those who have ABSOLUTELY NO financial literacy. Are you first generation? Did your parents not teach you anything about finances? THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. Plenty of other financial books assume you either have some knowledge or you have your parents to fall back on if you get yourself into financial troubles.

While this author had parents she could have turned to for a bit of help, and while her parents taught her some things she assumes your parents did not and teaches you as if you’re a friend she grew up with. She’s made some great mistakes in her own journey and is happy to share them with you.

It’s very easy to follow, entertaining (?!?!) and she explains all the vocab you need to learn to start thinking of your future. From this book you can step into so many others and gain some confidence as you navigate the financial world.

[Meredith Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4/5 stars) I enjoyed this read and found it straightforward and accessible for people interested in becoming more financially literate! Jean-Baptiste breaks things down into manageable steps and the inclusion of her personal finance journey and the mistakes she made (and would recommend you didn't) made this a good read for me. She both reiterated the basics (creating a budget, investing, etc.) but also covered topics that I hadn't thought much about (e.g., estate planning, FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) numbers, etc.) and will certainly be considering in the months to come! This is definitely a book I wish I had read at 18, but I'm glad I read it at 28.

[Pastel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a helpful and uplifting book and even though I thought I knew a few things about finances, Melissa breaks it all down into easy to get steps. She meets you where you are, too, unlike some other financial advice that's hella rigid and therefore unhelpful. Melissa is encouraging and educates you on what finances are, how to handle them (she gives you options!), and how our financial system got the way it is and how it effects everyone in different ways, particularly black women, but anyone can read this book and learn so much and feel so empowered.

[Cindy Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

RUN, don’t walk to get your hands on this comprehensive and entertaining finance book. Highly recommend!

[Tiffany Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this felt like I was sitting with Melissa over some coffee while getting the details on personal finances! It is the perfect resource to turn back to often while improving your money habits.