Mom's Got Money

Mom's Got Money is a mother’s guide—an instruction manual to help them use the skills they already possess to become extraordinarily confident managers of their money. 

Alford won't pretend mothers don't have a lot on their plate. She already knows they're pressed for time. The weight of their daily decisions takes a toll. Sometimes, it feels like they manage everything, whether they have a supportive spouse or not. She knows this because it's that way in her house too. However, we all have a choice on how to handle that responsibility, and Alford thinks we can flip the script. Instead of being frustrated or feeling resentful, Alford teaches moms how to recognize their own strengths and develop true financial confidence.

Once readers master Alford's money lessons, they'll start to truly enjoy money. Vacations are more fun when they're already planned and paid for. Christmas shopping is a breeze when you have a fully funded holiday spending account. Never worry about the worst that can happen because you have a fully funded emergency fund and life insurance. Feel in control of your bills, caught up, and with room to spare.

In this book, you'll learn how to:

• Become an exceptional leader of your family with a growth mindset
• Calculate your net worth
• Effectively budget and manage your household cash flow
• Work with your spouse or partner on financial goals
• Understand what impacts your credit score
• Ensure you pay all your bills on time, every time
• Make sure you plan for emergencies
• Protect your family by buying term life insurance
• Do the math on childcare costs vs. career costs when having a family
• Plan and save for holiday spending, birthdays, and special events
• Learn the art and joy of giving

Ideal for moms everywhere, but especially new and millennial moms, Mom's Got Money is an indispensable guide to taking financial control of your life.

Acknowledgments ix

About the Author xi

Introduction xiii

Chapter 1 Shifting to a Boss Mindset 1

Chapter 2 How to Determine Your Household Net Worth 15

Chapter 3 The Family Budget Meeting 35

Chapter 4 How to Manage Your Household Cash Flow and Start Saving 57

Chapter 5 How to Increase and Maintain Your Credit Score (and Why It’s Important) 73

Chapter 6 How to Negotiate, Earn Extra Money, and Start Investing 87

Chapter 7 Protect Your Family With Emergency Funds and Insurance 105

Chapter 8 The Childcare versus Career Dilemma 115

Chapter 9 Finances in Your Relationships 127

Chapter 10 The Art and Joy of Giving 151

Epilogue: Action Steps 159

Index 165

CATHERINE ALFORD is an award-winning blogger, influencer, and financial educator who helps women take a more active role in their finances. Her work has been featured in publications including U.S. News and World Report, Bustle, Kiplinger, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, and more.

For any mom looking to take control of her finances and grow her and her family’s nest egg

In Mom’s Got Money, nationally recognized financial educator Catherine Alford delivers an instruction manual for moms who want to clarify and grow their finances using skills they already possess. The book shows you that you already have the gifts, intellect, and decision-making abilities you need to become a money boss and how to unlock those skills to manage your finances.

You’ll learn how you can effectively manage your household cash flow, increase your credit score, budget for family trips and extracurricular activities, and invest for the future, all without being overwhelmed by the responsibility.

Perfect for any of the 9 million millennial moms who already run their households like a boss and want to do the same with their finances, Mom’s Got Money will also earn a place in the libraries of women who juggle multiple responsibilities and want to learn how to make time to take control of their financial lives.