Book Review: Money Messages
Money Messages: Get Out of the Red and into the Green; Emotional and Financial Freedom to Transform Your Life. Jody Robinson with Karen Putz. Chicago: Robinson Publications, January 14, 2020, Trade Paperback and E-book, 212 pages.
Reviewed by Lisa Lickel.
“Money is a sensitive topic,” Jody Robinson says. A self-described humanitarian and financial counselor, Robinson is a fiduciary, certified Accredited Wealth Management Advisor, former public school educator, and librarian. Experience matters. Robinson shares from her heart and past experiences in a well-laid out and interactive workbook to encourage readers “to move to a better lifestyle and mindset with money.”
I found myself writing down quotes every few pages. In the introduction, Robinson defines money messages “as the perceptions about money that we’ve absorbed and developed throughout our lives.”
Robinson takes the reader through a series of lessons geared to encourage a positive, healthy, and happy outlook on the topic of personal finance. The book is divided into three sections: 1) Understanding Your Money Messages, 2) Rewriting Your Money Messages, and 3) Investing in You. Each chapter includes a section called “Reflection and Soul Search,” where there is a place to write answers to personal and probing questions about the reader’s relationship with money. The reader is encouraged to think about and write down how he or she may define personal fulfillment, success with money, and mistakes in money management. The goal for the reader is to think of his or her life, money, and time “in terms of purpose.” While categorized as a financial management book, Robinson shows the reader how to understand and take control of his or her motives and actions.
Making use of lessons she has learned from other professionals, money managers, life coaches, clients, and even reality TV stars, Robinson says her happiest clients are those who can save and spend as they wish, are not jealous or lustful of others’ possessions or lifestyle, and are not in deep credit card debt. Little quotes on the pages create pleasant visual callouts. A bonus section at the end of the book includes the author’s advice about how to best choose and utilize a financial advisor, along with practical tips for making wise purchases.
Robinson’s friendly, folksy voice made me trust her. From a person’s first inkling of money awareness to planning for the last days, Robinson shares her own experience and client stories to deliver her well thought out message. Regarding debt, Robinson says, “Pay it off.” Her simple charts help the reader visualize income and spending. If the chart indicates that expenses exceed income, then Robinson asserts that one must find a way to make more money or spend less. She even throws in examples and exercises to help the reader sort out the differences between needs and wants.
Money Messages is a great, readable book about developing positive life habits, which are both influenced and made possible by one’s financial habits. I highly recommend this book for everyone, although some sections are most suitable for adults with established careers.