Category: book review

MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your “Enough”

by Advantage One, posted in book review, Budgeting, Lifestyle, Tips & Best Practices

Title: MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your “Enough”

Author: Manisha Thakor

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Harper Business

Publishing Date: Aug. 8, 2023

Who is this book for? 

  • Readers of any age and background who have ever felt like they can never measure up. 

What’s inside this book?

  • A breakdown of the personal, cultural and societal forces that lead people into believing they can never have or do enough.
  • Leading financial expert, Manisha Thakor’s joy-based approach to living with financial health and emotional wealth.
  • Inspiring stories of people from all walks of life who’ve struggled with “Never Enough”.

4 lessons you’ll learn from this book:  

  1. How personal traumas, cultural influences, societal pressures and biology make us believe that, if we just had “more”, all our problems would be solved. 
  2. How to get off the hamster wheel and reclaim your life.
  3. Financial Health + Emotional Wealth = MoneyZen.
  4. How to stop equating your self-worth with your net worth. 

4 questions this book will answer for you:  

  1. How can I feel like I have enough?
  2. Can I really achieve authentic joy?
  3. Why are so many of us unhappy, exhausted and worn out – even if we’re following all the rules we’ve been taught?
  4. How can my work and the rest of my life fit together?

What people are saying about this book: 

“MoneyZen is an essential book for anyone who wants to reimagine their relationship with work and money, create more time for the things that really matter, and live a happier, more meaningful life.” – Ashley Willians 

Too many professionals are caught in a never-ending trap of seeking ‘more.’ Manisha Thakor provides a way out—a sustainable path to building the lives and careers we want.” — Dorie Clark

“If ‘doing it all’ so you can ‘have it all’ was a successful strategy for health and happiness, it should have worked by now. Our exhaustion, sense of overwhelm, and joylessness begs us to take a very different route. MoneyZen offers you a seat on the life raft of ENOUGH. Get on it.” — Mary LoVerde 

“MoneyZen is a manifesto for finding calm, confidence, and clarity around the role work and money should play in our lives. Drawing on her years of expertise, Manisha proves it’s never too late—and never too early—to embrace the MoneyZen mindset. An empowering must-read.” — Deepa Purushothaman

“A potent call to get away from one’s desk.” — Publishers Weekly

TikTok Inspo: What did you think of MoneyZen? Share your opinion in the comments. 

Fool Me Once: Scams, Stories, and Secrets from the Trillion-Dollar Fraud Industry

by Advantage One, posted in book review, online security, Reviews, security, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Title: Fool Me Once: Scams, Stories, and Secrets from the Trillion-Dollar Fraud Industry 

Author: Kelly Richmond Pope

Hardcover: 288 pages

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

Publishing Date: March 21, 2023

Who is this book for? 

  • Anyone who has ever wondered why investors were easily duped by Elizabeth Holmes, or how any of the thousands of scams fraudsters pull off each year is successful.
  • Anyone who has ever wondered how to identify the scams that cost consumers and businesses trillions of collective dollars annually. 

What’s inside this book?

  • Fascinating stories and insightful analysis on fraud, culled from Pope’s years as a forensic accounting expert.
  • On-target tips for recognizing fraud and protecting yourself from becoming a victim.

4 questions this book will answer for you:  

  1. How is it possible for scammers to dupe successful mega-businesses, as well as educated, bright consumers?
  2. What really motivates whistleblowers?
  3. Are my beliefs about fraud legitimate?
  4. What really makes perps tick and victims gullible?

What people are saying about this book: 

“Fool Me Once is insightful, educational, and highly entertaining. Based on hundreds of hours of direct personal contact with fraudsters, Kelly Richmond Pope offers a riveting take on the human side of fraud. A must-read!” — Bethany McLean

“Fool Me Once is required reading for anyone who wants to better understand perpetrators, victims, and whistleblowers and how to better prevent, detect, and investigate fraud.” — Cynthia Cooper

“Accessible, humorous, and engaging, Fool Me Once includes fascinating stories from the perspective of one of the nation’s foremost fraud research experts. I recommend this book for corporate and academic discussion or for anyone interested in understanding and preventing fraud. I do not recommend it for potential fraudsters!” — Paula A. Price

“Fool Me Once sets the bar high for how to protect yourself from scammers. It is an essential read.” — Joe Navarro

TikTok Inspo: Can you sell us on picking up a copy of this book? Give us your take on Fool Me Once in a 15-second video. 

The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Your Leadership Superpower

by Advantage One, posted in book review, Career, Lifestyle, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Title: The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Your Leadership Superpower  

Author: Morra Aarong-Mele

Hardcover: 272 pages

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

Publishing Date: April 11, 2023

Who is this book for? 

  • Anyone in a leadership position who’s ever stressed about feeling anxious in the workplace. 
  • Readers looking to turn their anxiety into success in their career. 

What’s inside this book?

  • A compelling guide to managing the anxiety that accompanies success and leadership from a top-rated podcaster, entrepreneur and mental health advocate.
  • Morra’s personal stories, research-based insights into mental health and practical advice culled through her years in the field of workplace mental health.

3 lessons you’ll learn from this book:  

  1. Anxiety is built into the nature of leadership.
  2. Anxiety should be harnessed into a force for good.
  3. You can learn to resist perfectionism, manage social anxiety and set boundaries to prevent burnout.

4 questions this book will answer for you:  

  1. How can I confront my bad habits and unhealthy coping mechanisms?
  2. How do I deal with feedback, criticism and impostor syndrome?
  3. How do I model and communicate healthy behavior as a leader?
  4. How do I figure out my own anxiety profile so I can recognize and avoid common thought traps and triggers?

What people are saying about this book: 

“Aarons-Mele has written an astonishing book. This is not a book for just anxious achievers–it’s a book for any human being who wants to transform their mental health.” – Andy Dunn

“Armed with the concepts in this well-researched, raw and vulnerable work, you will learn how to take anxiety and channel it toward a powerful purpose.” — Rita McGrath

“Great leaders take their mental health seriously. The Anxious Achiever gives you the skills to do it.” – Dorie Clark

TikTok Inspo: What did you think of The Anxious Achiever? Share your own review with us in a 15-second video. 

The Art of Bouncing Back: Find Your Flow to Thrive at Work and in Life ― Any Time You’re Off Your Game

by Advantage One, posted in book review, Career, Lifestyle, Reviews, Tips & Best Practices

Title: The Art of Bouncing Back: Find Your Flow to Thrive at Work and in Life ― Any Time You’re Off Your Game 

Author: Darleen “Coach Dar” Santore

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: McGraw Hill

Publishing date: Feb. 28, 2023

Who is this book for? 

  • Anyone struggling through a rough patch with their finances or another area in life.
  • Anyone looking to build a stronger emotional foundation to help them survive – and thrive – when life throws them curveballs.

What’s inside this book?

  • Coach Dar’s proven strategies and techniques as a mental skills coach to help others with bouncing back when life gets them down. 
  • Coach Dar’s stories of how she and her clients rebounded after financial devastation and other setbacks throughout her 25+ year career.

4 lessons you’ll learn from this book:  

  1. Any adversity you face in life can create new opportunities for growth. 
  2. Pour a strong emotional foundation now to prepare yourself for future challenges.
  3. When you connect with your “Why-Power,” you can create your own bounce-back environment.
  4. Every setback you encounter in life can be instantly reframed. 

4 questions this book will answer for you:  

  1. How do world-class athletes suffer through defeat and come back stronger; and how can I do the same?
  2. How can I increase my confidence, emotional intelligence, agility and resilience to build my business or career?
  3. What’s the right way to accept feedback?
  4. How can I identify the exact pivot I need to push myself forward?

What people are saying about this book: 

“In The Art of Bouncing Back, Coach Dar shares 9 simple and practical ways to not only bounce back but thrive again. A must-have guide in everyone’s home.”— Bob Goff

“This book is an essential road map for those needing hope, tools for change, and a vision for their lives.” — J. Douglas Holladay

“Anyone who has had the privilege of learning from Coach Dar knows she offers sage counsel and guidance, and as a person she is truly one of a kind. When applying her leadership principles, our executive team was able to successfully lead a Fortune 500 Company through the uncharted waters of a global pandemic and come out on the other side stronger and more aligned than ever.” — Sheryl Palmer

“The Art of Bouncing Back is a must-read!..There is something in it for everyone.” — John H. Dalton

Your Turn: What did you think of The Art of Bouncing Back? Share your opinion in the comments.

Two Weeks Notice: Find the Courage to Quit Your Job, Make More Money, Work Where You Want, and Change the World

by Advantage One, posted in book review, Career, Lifestyle, Reviews, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Title: Two Weeks Notice: Find the Courage to Quit Your Job, Make More Money, Work Where You Want, and Change the World

Author: Amy Porterfield

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Hay House Business

Publishing date: Feb. 21, 2023

Who is this book for? 

  • Frustrated, overworked or under-stimulated employees who are looking for more time, flexibility, recognition, income and impact. 
  • Employees seeking a way to leave their job and start their own business.

What’s inside this book?

  • A step-by-step blueprint for financial freedom through business ownership.
  • Three revenue-generating strategies.
  • Porterfield’s strategies, stories and mindset shifts as a 9-5 escapee who built an 8-figure online business on her own terms. 

4 lessons you’ll learn from this book:  

  1. How to use your 10-percent edge to build a foolproof marketing plan.
  2. How to give notice and “unboss”.
  3. How to set your business up for success.
  4. How to build your company website and a social media following.

4 questions this book will answer for you:  

  1. How do I build up the courage to leave my job?
  2. How do I navigate the most common boss traps, like self-sabotage and “superwoman syndrome”?
  3. What do I need to know before I start my own business?
  4. How do I identify my ideal customer avatar?

What people are saying about this book: 

“…Amy does a remarkable job breaking down the steps for creating a passion-filled life and business. If you’re a woman dreaming of breaking through the glass ceiling to create a life on your terms and enjoy the process along the way, this book is exactly what you need.”

— Mel Robbins

“Ready to ditch your 9–5 and follow your dreams? Then get this book now! In her signature step-by-step style, Amy delivers a practical and inspiring blueprint to becoming your own boss.”

— Marie Forleo

“Amy unveils the mindset, skill set, and grit required to quit your job and unboss with clarity. Not only will you find the courage to give your two weeks’ notice, but this book will guide you step by step through navigating entrepreneurship with a greater sense of peace, purpose, and freedom.”

— Patrice Washington

“If you’ve been daydreaming of starting your own business and being your own boss but have no idea where to start, this book is just the motivation you need. Entertaining and incredibly inspiring, it’s packed with actual practical advice that will set you up for major success.”

— Alli Webb

Your Turn: Have you read “Two Weeks Notice” or plan to do so? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

Just Keep Buying: Proven Ways to Save Money and Build Your Wealth

by Advantage One, posted in book review, Budgeting, Lifestyle, Saving, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Title: Just Keep Buying: Proven Ways to Save Money and Build Your Wealth

Author: Nick Maggiulli 

Paperback: 296 pages

Publisher: Harriman House

Publishing date: April 12, 2022

Who is this book for? 

  • New and experienced investors looking for hard evidence on money management, building wealth and investing.

What’s inside this book?

  • Real data and stats on the biggest questions in personal finance and investing.
  • Proven ways to build wealth.
  • Engaging anecdotes with powerful life lessons.

3 lessons you’ll learn from this book:  

  1. Why you need to save less money than you think you do.
  2. Why saving cash to buy during market dips is not the best idea.
  3. How to survive – and even thrive – during a market crash.

3 questions this book will answer for you:  

  1. How can I start building wealth today?
  2. Is everything I’ve learned about investing true?
  3. How can I take smarter steps and live richer?

What people are saying about this book: 

“Nick Maggiulli clearly delights in flouting the received wisdom about how people should manage their money. The end result is a book that’s full of both aha moments and practical takeaways. As a fellow writer about personal finance, I felt a creeping sense of jealousy in what I was reading. Nick takes the tired topics of how to save and invest well and managed to make them utterly fresh and even quite a bit of fun.” – Christine Benz

“The first time I read Nick Maggiulli’s writing, I knew he had a special talent. There are lots of good data scientists, and lots of good storytellers. But few understand the data and can tell a compelling story about it like Nick. This is a must read.” – Morgan Housel

“Just Keep Buying is the ideal combination of thoughtful and actionable. Maggiulli not only uses evidence to guide his suggestions, but he is also among the best at boiling everything down into ideas that are easy-to-understand and apply.” – James Clear

Your Turn: What did you think of Just Keep Buying? Share your opinion in the comments. 

Wealth Habits: Six Ordinary Steps to Achieve Extraordinary Financial Freedom

by Advantage One, posted in book review, Budgeting, Credit, Debit, Lifestyle, Reviews, Saving, security, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Title: Wealth Habits: Six Ordinary Steps to Achieve Extraordinary Financial Freedom

Author: Candy Valentino

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Wiley

Publishing date: Nov. 15, 2022

Who is this book for? 

  • Anyone lacking connections and/or an education who’s wanting to build wealth.
  • Seasoned entrepreneurs, young adults and everyone in between who is looking for financial guidance. 

What’s inside this book?

  • Candy’s own story of how she opened her first store at age 19 (without the benefit of a college education) and built it into a 7-figure business before most of her friends had even completed college.
  • The six key habits to building wealth:
  1. Long-term investing strategies
  2. How to recession-proof your life
  3. Ways to keep money out of the IRS’ hands
  4. What to teach your children about money
  5. How to establish financial protection and security
  6. The secrets to keep more of the money you make (so you can invest more of it)

4 questions this book will answer for you:  

  • Can I get ahead in life without having a formal education?
  • What are the key habits needed for building wealth?
  • Is it too late to turn my money story around?
  • How can I overcome obstacles to my financial freedom?

What people are saying about this book: 

“I love the way Candy thinks. She shows you how to collapse time in a way the most successful people I know have done: breaking wealth down to the simplest form of the game to create success. This book should be required reading for every high school student, aspiring entrepreneur, or anyone who wants to turn the tables on their current financial situation.” – Rick Steele

“People that build wealth do things differently. Not only does Candy understand this from her own experience, but she does a masterful job of giving the reader actionable steps to immediately put them on the path to financial freedom and generational wealth. She has cracked the code, and if you’re looking to change your financial reality, this book is for you.” – Todd Davis

“Candy Valentino is the real deal! She’s overcome massive obstacles and built practical systems to help anyone achieve massive wealth. I highly recommend this book!” – Rory Vaden

“Candy Valentino is an Entrepreneur’s Entrepreneur! By researching and interviewing the various stages of wealth creation from industry leaders, Candy has really done a masterful job of simplifying the complex. This book is a must read!” – Tom Hatten 

Your Turn: What did you think of Wealth Habits? Share your opinion in the comments.

What to Do Next: Taking Your Best Step When Life Is Uncertain

by Advantage One, posted in book review, Career, Lifestyle, Reviews, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Title: What to Do Next: Taking Your Best Step When Life Is Uncertain 

Author: Jeff Henderson

Hardcover: 240 pages

Publisher: Zondervan

Publishing date: August 23, 2022

Who is this book for? 

  • Anyone interested in changing their career or life circumstances, but unsure of how to take that first step.

What’s inside this book?

  • A practical guide toward reevaluating your purpose and determining your next step in your life and in your career.
  • Jeff’s personal story and insights he’s learned along his own journey from marketer to church-founder and beyond.
  • The “Career Risk Calculator” to help you determine if you’re ready for change.

4 lessons you’ll learn from this book:  

  1. How to identify what to do, and what not to do when making decisions about change.
  2. How to exchange fear and confusion for confidence, freedom and purpose.
  3. How to cultivate optimal options in your life to guide you toward better decision-making.
  4. How to prepare for changes, both planned and unplanned.

4 questions this book will answer for you:  

  1. How can I pursue more meaning in my life?
  2. How do I know if I need a change?
  3. Is who I am right now as important as who I am becoming?
  4. I know I’m ready for change, so what’s my best next step?

What people are saying about this book: 

“The Great Resignation has resulted in millions of people wondering what’s next for them. It’s one of the reasons I’m excited about Jeff Henderson’s book. His practical and winsome approach will have you highlighting, laughing, and enjoying the story. All the while, he’ll help you take important steps toward figuring out what’s next for you.”–Michael Hyatt

“As a fellow restless traveler who took a career leap of faith in my fifties, I found comfort in Jeff Henderson’s journey … Change is hard. But Jeff Henderson helps make it easier.”–Stephanie Stuckey

“In an era when millions of people are facing a seemingly infinite set of career options and rethinking their futures, Jeff Henderson arrives with a thoughtful, highly practical and generous book. If you’re looking for actionable strategies and wise counsel, pull up a chair and let Jeff coach you.”–Carey Nieuwhof

“Reading this book is like having a million-dollar coach in your corner helping you navigate your next move confidently.”–Sangram Vajre

“Authentic. Helpful. Freeing….What to Do Next is a must-read resource for anyone looking for clarity, empowerment, and vision for what’s ahead.” –Shelley Giglio

Your Turn: What did you think of What to Do Next? Share your opinion in the comments. 

Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together

by Advantage One, posted in book review, Budgeting, Credit, Lifestyle, Reviews, Saving, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Title: Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together 

Author: Erin Lowry

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: TarcherPerigee

Publishing date: May 2, 2017

Who is this book for? 

  • Cash-strapped 20- and 30-somethings who are always stressing about money.
  • Anyone looking to take control of their financial health.

What’s inside this book?

  • A step-by-step guide to take you from broke to financial master.
  • Tips and tricks for tackling every kind of money situation, in addition to basics, like investing, credit card debt and budgeting.
  • Anecdotes from Erin’s own journey from a debt-crushed millennial to a money master who successfully negotiated a 40% raise.

 4 lessons you’ll learn from this book:  

  1. How to understand your personal relationship with money.
  2. How to manage student loan debt without falling into a panic.
  3. How to successfully navigate social outings in which you’re the only broke one among your friends.
  4. How to find out about your partner’s true financial health.

4 questions this book will answer for you:  

  1. Should I treat money more like a Tinder date or a marriage?
  2. Is it possible to conquer a mountain of debt without getting a massive windfall?
  3. How can I learn about money on millennial terms?
  4. How can I get on the same money page as my partner?

What people are saying about this book: 

“Broke Millennial takes the typical preaching and finger-wagging out of money lessons and replaces them with humor, empathy and a fun, pick-your-financial-path twist, while offering helpful and practical advice to successfully navigate all the financial questions you’ll face in the real world.”— Farnoosh Torabi

“Rich with specific advice to guide readers on the path to financial wellness. Millennials who may be overspending because of #FOMO need to read this book stat!”— Bobbi Rebell

“Thinking about money, especially when you don’t have much, can be painful. But Erin Lowry shows that you don’t need to be a mathematical genius to get on the right track. She makes it easy for people to build a financially healthy plan for life. Spend some time with this book, and your financial decisions and confidence will improve, no doubt.”— Nicholas Clements

“If you’re looking for a book to give to a recent grad, your friend who has no idea what a budget is, or just want to read a personal finance book from someone like you who’s been there…you absolutely need to grab a copy of Broke Millennial.” — Jessica Moorhouse

Your Turn: What did you think of Broke Millennial? Share your opinion in the comments. 

Gen Z Money $ense: A Personal Finance and Investing Guide

by Advantage One, posted in book review, Budgeting, Lifestyle, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Title: Gen Z Money $ense: A Personal Finance and Investing Guide

Author: Ella Gupta 

Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: New Degree Press 

Publishing date: May 22, 2021

Who is this book for? 

  • Gen Z readers trying to navigate the financial landscape. 
  • Readers of any age looking to broaden their financial knowledge and to learn how to grow their wealth or manage money more effectively.

What’s inside this book?

  • A comprehensive guide to the world of finance, complete with down-to-earth analogies and fun facts on every topic.
  • Pragmatic financial tips on filing taxes, robo-advisors, cryptocurrency, investing and more. 
  • Expert insights from financial experts, including Karen Finerman, JJ Kinahan, Ahdrew Ross Sorkin and Jill Schlesinger. 

4 lessons you’ll learn from this book:  

  1. How to take charge of your financial future.
  2. Why it’s best to start investing at a young age.
  3. All about the blockchain and how it works.
  4. How to understand trending financial topics like ESG investing.

4 questions this book will answer for you:

  1. Why does Gen Z have a unique relationship with money?
  2. How can I start investing?
  3. Why is Gen Z positioned to achieve substantial wealth?
  4. How can I learn to manage my money as naturally as I drive a car?

What people are saying about this book: 

“Ella Gupta is money-wise beyond her years. It’s remarkable that someone her age has the interest and knowledge to write this book, but that speaks to just how intrepid Gupta is. With a dearth of financial literacy among young people, here is a book to address that problem.” – Andy Serwer

“A wise read not just for Gen Z but for all generations. Ella Gupta does an excellent job explaining the fundamentals of investing in a clear and fun way, while offering practical and immediately actionable advice.” – Burcu Esmer

“In Gen Z Money $ense, Ella Gupta provides a financial roadmap that should be required reading in every high school in America.” – Tim Ranzetta

“Ella has put so much thought and passion into this book. Investing your time reading it will surely pay dividends that will be hard to measure.” – Lauryn Williams

Your Turn: What did you think of Gen Z Money $ense? Share your opinion in the comments.