My Money My Way: Taking Back Control of Your Financial Life

“Society’s expectations are the problem. You are the solution,” writes financial counselor Love in her empowering debut, a guide for “women who have lost their way with their finances.” A single mother who was financially strapped after her divorce, Love realized that her debt was tied up with emotional baggage that needed to be addressed before she could effectively tackle it; her wake-up call was when she had to pay for a $1.09 McDonald’s ice cream cone for her son with a credit card. Her guidance focuses on the emotions surrounding money—namely shame, fear, and anxiety. She walks readers through beating worry by finding their “why” (the person or thing that inspires them) and asks them to consider how they want their money to serve them. Once that’s established, she helps them “take back control” of their lives using her “Budget by Paycheck” method, a system that combines self-examination, a budget, and a calendar to keep track of cashflow. There are plenty of stories from other women in the “Budget Mom family,” and, thanks to Love’s “you can do it” message, there’s no shortage of encouragement on offer. This pragmatic, caring guide is perfect for women looking to shape up their financial picture. (Feb.)