How Much?: The life of your money

by FLORENCE BETT

You are in your 20s and 30s. You are still young, still hungry. You are making some decent money from your job or business. Most likely from both, you know how it is living in Kenya, you have to burn the candle at both ends. You are managing your money smartly – you are budgeting and saving it, investing. Yet…? ‘How Much?’ responds to those niggling questions about the life of your money. Questions that a Kenyan like you mulls over late into the still night, while you watch your candle burn.

Questions such as, ‘How much does it cost to run a household in Kenya?’ ‘Why spend so much on a wedding?’ ‘How much will motherhood ask of me?’ ‘What should I know before buying an education policy?’ ‘How much will my funeral cost?’Bett is a certified accountant, a small business owner and a former financial auditor. She is also a personal finance columnist with Daily Nation newspaper. Bett has drawn from her personal experiences and from engagements with her readers, to respond to your questions about the life of your money.

308 pages, Paperback

Published December 8, 2022

Reviews

[Mwongeli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book of Bett's I have read.

It is a follow up on the first book, which is the starting point on personal finance. The book is meant to be for more mature Kenyans. Bett writes really well...like she is having a conversation with you and her personality really shines through.

Some things from the first book have been carried over to this book. For example, the problematic views/opinions on matrimonial property and how men and women are supposed to relate when it comes to money. At least there were fewer grammatical errors in this one. However, the math was wrong in some places.

All in all, I like that there are discussions happening on personal finance in Kenya and I appreciate that this is a step in that direction. If this is what you are looking for, then this book is for you.

[Pendo · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s value in this book — especially for beginners in personal finance.

My main concern is the emotional disconnect in some of the advice.
A few stories needed more empathy than structure.

Florence Bett clearly knows her money space; I just wished the emotional layers matched the financial insight.

I can critique the approach and still appreciate her contribution to Kenyan financial literacy — both can be true.

Maybe I was reading it from a psychological lens… and that’s okay.
No book is for everyone.

[Njeri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's perspective on personal finance should be incorporated as a unit in college/campus at least. That way, persons earning their first salary after college/campus would be better equipped on matters finance.

[Nyambura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book directs you to look at your money critically without making it complicated. Your money is your responsibility. Take care of it. It will take care of you.