The Financial Diet

November 20, 2017
Introducing financial concepts with a light touch, Fagan, cofounder of the Financial Diet website, begins with her own story of bad financial behavior and its costs both financially and to her peace of mind. Fagan leads millennials and Generation Zers—the tone and content of the book are clearly aimed at the generations born after 1980—through building a solid understanding of finances and how money affects all areas of life, from one’s career to one’s romantic life. Offering the expected topics of credit, investing, and retirement savings and a sparse glossary of financial terms, this slender book succeeds best as a life guide. Fagan elevates her book above other beginner guides by showing how finances and aspects of lifestyle such as diet and your relationship with money intertwine. In short interviews, experts give out sound advice in their areas of expertise, including on saving, deciding when buying a home makes sense, and knowing when to spend money. In a section useful to those just starting out on their own, after discussing renting versus owning and the cost savings of being able to do basic repairs, a list of tools and their uses is given, and why you’ll need them. The breezy lifestyle-magazine-like writing style and easy-to-digest layout make this guide a useful and readable resource.

December 1, 2017
Based on Fagan's popular blog, The Financial DietTFD for shortthis book dispenses practical, no-nonsense financial advice, with balance as a key ingredient for success. Fagan shoots straight about her own experiences as an irresponsible teen with a credit card. Luckily, she avoided some common hang-ups for most millennials, including student loans. In time, Fagan and her team eventually decided to get good with money and work toward healthier relationships with it. Hence, the diet. Bringing together experts from varying fields, including career planners, mortgage experts, financial bloggers, and money and relationship writers is par for the course. The mix of savvy, open, and mostly female perspectives on personal finance are what make this a winner. Additionally, Fagan excels at encouraging conversations about money, which she emphasizes as crucial for young women in their careers and relationships, and in caring for their future selves. Whip-smart, collaborative, and mindful, The Financial Diet dispenses timeless advice that goes above and beyond asking readers to give up their avocado toast.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)