How a Mother Should Talk About Money with Her Daughter: A Step-by-Step Guide to Budgeting, Saving, Investing, and Other Important Lessons

Inspired by my past work and reputation as a “fin”fluencer, a traditional publisher approached me just months later after seeing my speech and exploring my other work in the personal finance space. Together, we envisioned the book that would eventually become How a Mother Should Talk About Money with Her Daughter: A Step-by-Step Guide to Budgeting, Saving, Investing, and Other Important Lessons.

This book was published during a whirlwind season of my life. It was 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The world was in chaos, and so was my personal life. Between navigating a high-conflict divorce, caring for an ailing parent full-time, taking on 100% custody of my children, and dealing with the economic repercussions of business losses and job uncertainties, the opportunity for book promotion slipped through my fingers.

Yet, this book is perhaps one of the most important achievements in my professional life—not because it reflects perfection but because it is an honest roadmap for women who want to guide the next generation.

When I delivered my TEDx Talk, I shared a money story, deeply shaped by my grandmother, who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration. A single mother with few resources, her transparency about finances shaped how I later approached money, despite my own mistakes along the way.

Her lessons transitioned me from being a young adult drowning in debt to becoming a financially empowered parent sharing the realities of money with my own daughters. My grandmother showed me that it’s not about waiting until you’re perfect with money before having these conversations. It’s about transparency, vulnerability, and creating an emotionally safe space to talk about money for those you care about.

The book unfolds with practical steps and heartfelt stories, chapter by chapter. Each section is designed to break down barriers and encourage discussions about budgeting, wealth-building, and financial independence. You’ll read about how to confront the fear of being a “bad money role model,” learn new approaches for investing and saving, and understand the importance of aligning money decisions with values. Topics also cover how to build healthy mindsets around income, how to address debt honestly, and even how to talk openly about financial red flags in personal relationships.

Though the book springs from personal experiences, the lessons woven into its pages are for everyone—with the dream of creating a world where money talks are as commonplace as discussions about school, relationships, or weekend plans. My hope is for this book to inspire you to sit with your daughter, niece, mentee, or friend and utter the life-changing words, “This is my money story. Here’s what I’ve learned, and here’s what I hope you take from it.”

Now is the perfect time to have these conversations, to chip away at societal taboos, and to empower the women in your circle to make smarter, bolder financial choices. This book is more than just my story—it’s a toolkit, a motivational guide, and a call to action to bring transparency, accountability, and empowerment into the realm of women’s finances.

I invite you to take this step. Buy How a Mother Should Talk About Money with Her Daughter today, and begin the conversation that could change not just your daughter’s life but generations to come. Together, we can build a brighter financial future for women, one authentic, open conversation at a time.

Purchase your copy of How a Mother Should Talk About Money with Her Daughter: A Step-by-Step Guide to Budgeting, Saving, Investing, and Other Important Lessons. today. It’s available on Amazon.com in hardcover and on Kindle.

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