It's time to get your money right!
Okay before I go all into review mode, I feel like it’s important to add my own context as to what mindset I had going into this.
In the midst of recessions in the UK, I think everyone attempting this whole adult life, at least to some extent, has become a bit more attentive to their financial situation. At the very least I have. At the moment, I am combatting paying down a good sum of debt I built while living in America, paying new debt accrued in the UK, trying to build some robust savings for myself, and of course trying to increase my income AKA the same fruit basket your everyday British citizen is fighting against today.
I have looked at a number of financial blogs, books, and resources, but many of them seem to be more US focused and the UK-focused ones have a bit of a price barrier to entry.
So when I started following the eman effect(the Instagram for Emmanuel Asuquo), and got the chance to have a full book signing with the man, I did not think twice! Which goes to my intro.
The Book
Get your Money Right by Emmanuel Asuquo is about getting your money right, from getting a better understanding of resources out there in the UK to providing ways you can build better habits and have a better relationship with your money. It is filled with real-life anecdotes from clients he’s had. Many of them, had common mental barriers to money movements that hit closer to home than I would like to admit.
The tone of the book is very conversational. He has a very relatable story coming from a Nigerian immigrant family, who grew up in a council flat which resonates with me and many others. I will say though, for those who have a financial system in place already, whilst the overall book may be a good refresher, only certain chapters may stick out to you, so keep this in mind when reading the book.
Readability: The African uncle we need, but is painful to receive.
The book feels like a conversation. As in I am literally sitting at the dining table talking to him, as he explains the real cost of lifestyle inflation and how fear of missing out can affect your future home deposit without you even knowing.
He gives examples in a matter-of-fact way without too much jargon, whilst still explaining the relevant terms. The examples given are very relatable, I will admit I have been a Vannessa and have had some poverty scars. I was actually talking to a friend about how as he said, there was someone I was interested in but thought I needed a certain level of income to afford to talk to them and so I ran for the hills. It be like that!
And that’s why I appreciate that Eman does not shy away from the emotions behind money, especially for those who equate success and personal achievement to their bank balance.
I would recommend, in order to get the full impact of the resource book to actually do the actions mentioned, from the contract with yourself to budgeting, understanding your why, and even the parts around your pension; it’s our efforts today that form that future we are all dreaming about.
Would I recommend it?
I would recommend this book for a number of reasons. It’s a self-help book with some real personality so I don’t feel like I’m back in class reading a finance textbook. The number of free and affordable resources given in the book means you get way more extra value than what you paid for, not to mention for those new to actually taking control of their financial life, there is a framework to work off of. But I think the main thing, is really breaking down the mental blocks that many of us from the immigrant communities have when approaching life in general. Yes, financial literacy for many is hard to come by, but what we’ve replaced it with hurts us a lot more than we think.
If anything, because of that nuance in perspective that E-man brings, I definitely recommend the book.
