Bad With Money by Gaby Dunn Book Review
Bad With Money by Gaby Dunn Book Review
The lowdown from Goodreads
Publication Date January 1st, 2019
In the first episode of her “Bad With Money” podcast, Gaby Dunn asked patrons at a coffee shop two questions: First, what’s your favorite sex position? Everyone was game to answer, even the barista. Then, she asked how much money was in their bank accounts. People were aghast. “That’s a very personal question,” they insisted. And therein lies the problem.
Dunn argues that our inability to speak honestly about money is our #1 barrier to understanding it, leading us to feel alone, ashamed and anxious, which in turns makes us feel even more overwhelmed by it. In Bad With Money, she reveals the legitimate, systemic reasons behind our feeling of helplessness when it comes to personal finance, demystifying the many signposts on the road to getting our financial sh*t together, like how to choose an insurance plan or buy a car, sign up for a credit card or take out student loans. She speaks directly to her audience, offering advice on how to make that #freelancelyfe work for you, navigate money while you date, and budget without becoming a Nobel-winning economist overnight.
Even a topic as notoriously dry as money becomes hilarious and engaging in the hands of Dunn, who weaves her own stories with the perspectives of various comedians, artists, students, and more, arguing that—even without selling our bodies to science or suffering the indignity of snobby thrift shop buyers—we can all start taking control of our financial futures.
Bad With Money by Gaby Dunn Book Review
A book that breaks down the culture of money, finance, wealth & more. I need this book in my life!
Pairs Well With the Podcast
Since seeing this book on Instagram, I’ve listened to several episodes of Gaby’s podcast of the same name. Through the episodes, listeners get to know Gaby. We learn a bit about her financial history & it makes her more relatable. We also learn a bit about what drives her financial decisions. For instance, she donates money to charities she cares about. She also breaks down finances in a way that represents regular working people. I love it.
Let’s Be Honest About Money
In the Bad With Money book, Gaby displays a vulnerability I truly respect. She outlines her family’s monetary history & how it influences her decisions even today. I also love she shares her experiences with mental health & how it impacts her finances. Throughout the book, Gaby encourages us all to talk about money. Through sharing our experiences, our mistakes & our triumphs with each other we can navigate the complicated financial world. Working together, this financial journey won’t be as isolating & scary. I love it because people can be so weird about money. It shouldn’t be this way & Gaby tries to bring so many financial discussions into the light.
Some Takeaways
One thing I love about this book are the takeaways. At the end of each chapter, Gaby places a few bullet points. Each bullet details, you guessed it, the takeaways. These are great for all readers. This way it’s so easy to go back & refresh your mind as needed. Yes, I read the chapters about W-2s, 1099’s & other tax forms. Could I use a refresher? You bet your ass.
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book! Bad With Money is a resourceful book that breaks down finances in a hilarious, honest & meaningful way. Buy this book for every high school or college graduate you know. While you’re at it, buy yourself a copy!
Special thanks to Gaby Dunn & Atria Books for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
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ABOUT GABY DUNN:
Gaby Dunn is a bestselling author, journalist, television writer, actress, and LGBTQ activist living in Los Angeles. Her podcast “Bad With Money” was named one of the top ten podcasts of 2016 by The New York Times. Along with her comedy partner Allison Raskin, Gaby stars in, writes, and produces the YouTube channel Just Between Us, which has been viewed over 140 million times. Their 2017 novel I Hate Everyone But You was a New York Times bestseller. She is on Twitter as @GabyDunn and on Instagram as @GabyRoad.