The Smart Money Woman: An African girl's journey to financial freedom

This was a nice quick read. I love the mix of the fiction with real hard truths about financial freedom. It has taken a lot of the big scary words & aura of finance and presented it in a way that is more approachable & digestible. I would recommend this to every woman out there esp those just starting college because at that stage they haven't learned too many bad spending habits or (hopefully) gotten themselves in a financial hole. Lots of great actionable tips to take away from this book too. It's an easy fun read with a lot of impact that could change your life for the better. It may not make you the next Warren Buffet but it certainly can help you eliminate worries about financial freedom & peace of mind. Proud to see a generation of African women rising to make their voice heard & making positive change in their own way.

I was curious to see an African perspective on money management. Arese Ugwu delivered 100% with a mix of a typical African society (Nigeria). As a matter of fact, i fell in love with Nigeria (Cameroonian here) even more with an extra love for the continent, seeing how individuals are defying the odds to foster business and economic growth like Tara of House of Tara, she leads Africa etc. Wished I had read this book 5years ago when i moved to the US or 3 years ago when i joined CorpAm. 2 years ago I decided to understand the game of money (still on my goal), plus there's been so much to learn on how entangled we can get and easily become slaves to credit card debts. We are raised to believe money is the root of all evil (sighs), chasing money is bad and not helping others in need is wickedness...While reading I couldn't help but wonder why most Africans (Blacks in general) and other minorities spend so much on designer items, while the Caucasians invest in real deals (real estates, stocks, retirement, etc). Truth is the system is built for us to remain down as we classify looking good and flashing for wealth (all stated in the book). Its never too late to make necessary adjustments, save more, invest and forego things which add little or no value to us...i love my little luxuries, but know when soaked garri has to be my best friend, haha. Great work Arese, you are an inspiration.

Such a wonderful. I also watch the show on Netflix. Very insightful and made me re-evaluate my financial goals.

The Smart Money Woman was a true wake up call! Arese used a thoughtful and creative style to target a specific group, the working-class woman. She brought so much awareness to a topic very few women I know would openly discuss, packing a great deal of finance facts, data, tips and ideas in one good read. This book was both entertaining and inspiring; I'm beyond moved to revamp my lifestyle and get smarter about my money habits. I would recommend this book to any female, especially young ladies just entering the work field.

Book was educative and interesting. A nice way to present a very important subject to the African woman. Language was good as well. As a Ghanaian, I quite enjoyed the use "oh" hahaha. I found Zuri to be a bit annoying at times (like getting angry when Tsola told her she couldn't afford a BMW used or not. I mean how many mistakes can you make before learning the lesson? Unfortunately there are quite a number of people like that. Even I have been guilty of such behaviour). It was however nice to see how she finally understood what her friends were talking about and doing something to change her life financially. I enjoyed it and I learned a lot and I will definitely implement the advice presented. Time to get a Money Journal.

I thoroughly enjoyed and learned from this book. Rather than focusing on financial jargon or process that tends to overwhelm or scare readers, Arese incorporates personal finance lessons in a story format through an African middle class lens. The outcome is a piece of work that is relatable and possible. I've already recommended it to friends and family members as a must read and worthwhile investment! I am eagerly waiting on a sequel :D!

Riveting story. Straight to the point exercises. I like the concept of a chapter and then an exercise to reinforce the message. Highly recommend to all women regardless of age. Thank you.

The author brilliantly tells a story that teaches lessons on how to develop the best financial strategy and manage wealth. She not only tells the "what" but the "how" to go about investing in your financial future. I am so glad I got to read this. Its brilliant! I recommend this book to anyone - Just starting out in life or Established that wants to do well or improve financially. Everyone would learn a thing or two about wealth and Financial management.

Have never been so excited to read a book.Love the book, lot of financial reevaluation. Thank Arese

This book really inspired me as an African Woman trying to find my purpose I really needed this. I will refer to it if my motivation towards my financial goals ever drops.

This book is FANTASTIC!!! It breaks down financial tips in a way that any literate layperson (especially those like me who usually see financial language as 'Latin') who takes the time to read them would easily understand. It highlights the dangers of giving in to instant gratification and impulsive spending, and most importantly stresses on the importance of having a savings culture (whilst dividing your income into long term goals, short term goals and living expenses) and living within one's means, while taking reasonable, active and conscious steps to attain the lifestyle that one desires. It also delves into areas that go beyond finance like discovering and fulfilling one's purpose in life and finding ways to create value for oneself by solving specific problems for others, as well as the importance of having relationships (marital and otherwise) that reflect your way of thinking and where you aspire to get to in life (Reminds me of Amos 3:3 and Proverbs 27:17). This book additionally took me down memory lane by its mention of a few places in Benin, having schooled in Edo State and been to Benin on countless occasions. I also like how she directly and indirectly raised a glass to several Nigerians (especially women) who have achieved and continue to achieve great things in their respective industries like Tara Fela Durotoye, Betty Irabor, Nimi Akinkugbe, Mo Abudu, Chef Fregz, Bolanle Austin-Peters to mention a few. This is a book that encourages its readers to reach for their dreams in a practical, sensible and well planned out manner. It encourages one to maximize one's earning power by utilizing ones skill-sets, passions, talents, interests etc. and it does all of the above in a simple and intelligent fictional story telling manner about Zuri and her friends that makes it more relatable to the reader. The author's intelligence, smartness, knowledgeability, and style (I must add) are very evident in this book and I give her 2 thumbs up for this wonderful book that has set me on a serious path to achieving personal financial growth and freedom. By God's grace and by my utilization of same, as well as my application of the lessons in this book, I am on my way to becoming a Smart Money Woman!!! PS: I was looking forward to seeing a glossary at the end of this great book to aid foreign readers in their understanding of particular Nigerian terms/phrases used in the book. Perhaps this is something the writer could consider in reprints of the book.

Honestly every woman should read this African or not I get so many new ideas and inspirations from reading it. It’s such an easy read it’s fun and engaging yet the smart money lessons allow you to reflective and continuously questions the systems you have around how you spend and manage money.

C’est un livre très facile à lire, l’histoire des personnages est captivantes, elles ont chacunes des principes et des valeurs différentes. Des sujets soulevés deja abordés en débat. Ensuite à chaque chapitre nous avons le droit a une leçon sur l’argent. Ce qui me déplaît c’est qu’il n’y a pas de version française, heureusement que mon anglais est bon... Je le recommande a toutes les jeunes femmes ou femmes qui ne savent pas comment epargner ou faire de l’argent, mais aussi a celle qui savent en faire car cela nous donne une autre vision et cela peut aussi etre un plus pour nous.