Financial Literacy

Book Review: Train Your Way to Financial Fitness

Book Review

My good friend, Shannon from Financially Blonde, just released her new book, Train Your Way to Financial Fitness, and I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy to review. Beyond sharing the same name, we have much in common. We’re both blonde financial advisors with young children who want our clients (and basically the world) to be financially fit. No more embarrassing money love handles that hold us back, but to be fit and confident in our ability to live the life we desire.

Shannon begins by sharing with us her journey to become physically fit, which then gave her the confidence to become financially fit as well. I agree wholeheartedly that getting fit physically and financially are very similar. We typically know the changes we need to make, but actually implementing change is harder than we imagine. It’s a journey readers will easily be able to relate to and will find themselves nodding their heads in agreement.

Are You Financially Skinny, Fit or Fat?

Train Your Way to Financial FitnessShannon identifies three financial fitness types: Fit, Skinny and Fat. Someone who is financially fit lives within their means and plans for their future through goal-setting, etc. Someone who is financially skinny lives paycheck-to-paycheck and feels as though they can never get ahead. A financially fat person lives beyond their means and likely has significant debt.

Each financial fitness type receives its own chapter and lots of practical advice on how to improve their situation, including someone who is financially fit. As Shannon said, even fit people have areas that need some improvement and I absolutely agree with her. I like how Shannon breaks it down into bite-size pieces so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

She doesn’t jump right to “fixing” the problem as many books do but wants you to first acknowledge where you are now and how you got here through both the quiz you take and the individual work in each chapter. She doesn’t guilt you or make you feel bad but asks you to be honest. And this is key because if you don’t accept your role in why you are financially skinny or fat, then it is so much harder to become and stay financially fit. Once you’ve recognized some of those beliefs and habits, then Shannon takes you through how to create a FitPlan.

Add Train Your Way to Financial Fitness to Your Reading List

Overall I thought this was a great, engaging book. It’s both strategic and tactical and provides you with the tools to take action. You feel as though Shannon is right there with you, cheering you on. Bottom Line: It’s a fast, easy read filled with a ton of useful information and tips to help you become financially fit. I highly recommend it.

Shannon

The Heavy Purse Store is now open! My new downloadable Money Club Workbooks are now on sale. Each workbook provides five targeted lessons to help you raise Financially Confident Kids. Please check them out in The Heavy Purse Store.

September 17, 2014  •  8 Comments  •  Financial Literacy

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Comments

  1. Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
    Your image looks like me after vacation. :-) Thank you SO much for reviewing my book and your comments on it. I love that you pointed out my stance on guilt and judgment. I think too many people carry financial guilt and it almost paralyzes them from making any changes and people need to know that it's okay to make financial mistakes, just as long as you recognize them and start to make change.
  2. Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
    Awesome review, Shannon! And I'm excited to see where this takes Shannon, too. Two of my favorite bloggers in this post :) You both rock!
  3. Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
    I also had a chance to read the book and I highly recommend it. I haven't had the chance to review it on my site yet, but it is coming. I'm just a little sad because I thought I would be financially fit, but after taking the test/self assessment I'm financially skinny. That means I have to keep working out!
  4. Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
    This book in on my list of books to read, so thanks for sharing your review! I wonder which finance fitness one I'd fall in to :)
  5. Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
    I will go right away and look for a copy of the book. Thank you for letting me know about the opportunity for a great read.
  6. Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
    You're all over the internet today Shannon! :) Nice job!!
  7. Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
    I just read a review on another site and I'll say the same thing here: I NEED to read this book! I was lucky enough to have Shannon as a writer on my blog for 10 weeks and I've read her blog regularly for a long time now. I can't wait to read an entire book by her!
  8. Thursday, September 18th, 2014
    I am always amazed at how similar finances and health are related. It appears to me that people who excel at one are usually successful at the other because they have chosen to take command of their life, time, and finances. It isn't always true, but when I am physically healthy I tend to be happier, work harder and wiser in my decisions and time management. Thanks for sharing.
Shannon Ryan SHANNON RYAN, CFP®
  • Meet Shannon

    "As a Certified Financial Planner, it is my passion to help individuals and families build a healthy relationship with money. I look forward to helping you raise financially confident kids.” - Shannon Ryan