Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche Summary

Get Good with Money outlines a 10-step plan to achieve financial wholeness, blending budgeting, debt management, credit building, investing, and legacy planning. Tiffany Aliche, "The Budgetnista," emphasizes actionable strategies like the "noodle budget" and "saving like a squirrel" to create stability and growth. The book’s holistic approach helps readers align short-term habits with long-term wealth goals.

This book is ideal for women, young professionals, and anyone seeking practical steps to improve financial literacy. It’s particularly valuable for those tackling debt, building savings, or planning retirement. Aliche’s non-judgmental tone makes it accessible for beginners, while advanced tips cater to those refining their financial strategies.

Yes—readers praise its clear, actionable advice and relatable examples. The book simplifies complex topics like credit scores and investing, making it a top choice for hands-on learners. With over one million women impacted by Aliche’s methods, it’s a proven resource for achieving financial security.

Financial Wholeness is Aliche’s 10-step system to harmonize all financial aspects, from budgeting (10% whole) to estate planning (100% whole). It progresses through credit repair, income growth, insurance, and net worth building, ensuring each component supports long-term stability. The framework includes quizzes and worksheets for personalized tracking.

Aliche introduces the "noodle budget"—a baseline spending plan prioritizing essentials—to identify overspending or income gaps. She advocates automating bills, categorizing expenses, and aligning spending with goals like travel or homeownership. This method helps readers create realistic, flexible budgets.

The book recommends "saving like a squirrel" by setting aside funds for emergencies, big purchases, and investments. Aliche emphasizes separate accounts for each goal, automating contributions, and starting small (e.g., $5/week). This approach builds discipline without overwhelming lifestyle changes.

Aliche’s debt strategy involves prioritizing high-interest loans, negotiating lower rates, and using snowball/avalanche methods. She also stresses addressing the root cause—overspending or underearning—and creating a timeline for becoming debt-free. Tools like debt-tracking worksheets simplify progress monitoring.

The book advises paying bills on time, keeping credit utilization below 30%, and disputing errors on reports. Aliche highlights the impact of credit mixes (e.g., installment loans vs. credit cards) and recommends tools like Credit Karma for ongoing monitoring.

Aliche demystifies investing by explaining retirement accounts (401(k), IRA), index funds, and compound interest. She encourages starting early, even with small amounts, and diversifying portfolios. The "Invest Like an Insider" chapter breaks down risk tolerance and long-term wealth-building strategies.

The "noodle budget" is a minimalist spending plan covering only essentials (e.g., housing, groceries) to determine baseline financial needs. It helps readers distinguish between wants and needs, identify wasteful spending, and reallocate funds toward goals like debt repayment or savings.

Aliche stresses adequate life, disability, and property insurance to protect against emergencies. For legacy planning, she covers wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations, ensuring financial wishes endure. The book also discusses charitable giving and generational wealth transfer.

Unlike get-rich-quick guides, Aliche’s book focuses on gradual, sustainable financial health. It stands out for its inclusivity, practical tools (e.g., quizzes, worksheets), and emphasis on emotional alignment with money. Comparisons to The Total Money Makeover highlight its gentler, more holistic approach.