Book Review: Train Your Way to Financial Fitness

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?

Shannon 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.

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