Introducing our inaugural Book of the Month selection – “Get Good with Money“, by Tiffany Aliche.
Tiffany Aliche is a former preschool teacher who became a financial educator after bad advice & the 2008 recession wiped out her nest egg.
Financial educators abound – but Tiffany is different.
Tiffany doesn’t focus on arbitrary financial goals, tactics, or strategies. She teaches people how to build their financial foundation and true financial wholeness, one aspect at a time. Her experience as a preschool educator shines through her focus on teaching the absolute fundamentals of financial health.
We admire her courage, personal strength, heart, financial philosophy, and calling as a teacher. For those reasons (and so many more) we’re proud to spotlight her work as our first ever Book of the Month.
TOC:
- Who is Tiffany Aliche?
- How did Tiffany first develop good money habits?
- From a great early start to jobless, single, and in debt
- How Tiffany Aliche restored her financial health
- Her Story In Her Own Words
- What are Tiffany Aliche’s 10 Steps to Becoming Financially Whole? 🕵️♀️
- Where to find it?
Who is Tiffany Aliche?
Tiffany Aliche, aka The Budgetnista (and our imaginary new big sis), is a consummate educator and devoted teacher.
She began her career as a preschool teacher in an area with socioeconomic challenges. challenging school district. She taught little 3 and 4 year-olds how to read and write – equipping them with the most fundamental skills we all need in life.
Then she started teaching their parents.
The preschool parents noticed that Tiffany had good personal financial management skills and they started asking her for advice.
Let’s step back to where this all comes from.
How did Tiffany first develop good money habits?
Tiffany’s financial insight starts with her parents. She grew up in a home with money smart parents who actively taught her good financial habits.
Money wasn’t taboo. It was discussed openly – in everything from daily money talks to weekly family budget meetings.
Oh, and did we mention that Tiffany’s father was a CFO and accountant?
People paid him thousands of dollars to hear advice he poured into his children for free.
She learned from the best and knew how to budget, save, and meet her financial goals. That’s how as a pre-school teacher on a $39,000 yearly salary, Tiffany had a credit score of 800 and saved $40,000 in 2 years – enough to make a down payment on her own home.
No wonder people asked her for advice!
From a great early start to jobless, single, and in debt
So everything was going well for Tiffany. She had fulfilling work, her own home, and a relationship.
Then came the Great Recession.
Tiffany’s preschool lost its funding and laid everyone off.
She lost $30,000 in a credit card scam. And her relationship fell apart.
So, zero income + significant debt + a mortgage + basic life costs = total financial disaster.
Tiffany ended up jobless, in debt, and living with her parents.
And here’s the thing.
She felt so down, ashamed, and completely lacking in confidence or motivation, that all her built-in financial savvy did no good.
It was as if she’d never learned principles of budgeting, saving, and money management.
She just sat in her old childhood room and rotted.
How Tiffany Aliche restored her financial health
If you’ve ever felt depressed, overwhelmed, or super stressed out, you might relate to this. The truth is, it can be harder to access higher modes of thinking, creativity, and executive functioning when we’re experiencing hard times.
It took a friend to help Tiffany change.
Her bestie called her up with some lighthearted encouragement, reminding Tiffany that her money problems were manageable and she had the skills to take them on.
So Tiffany picked herself up.
First emotionally. And then financially.
She tapped her inner resources and built true financial health one step out of ten at a time. But even more than that, Tiffany got back to doing what she loves and created a second career as a practical financial educator.
Her Story In Her Own Words
What are Tiffany Aliche’s 10 Steps to Becoming Financially Whole? 🕵️♀️
Tiffany’s method is based on ten fundamental aspects of financial wholeness.
- Budget Building
- Saving
- Debt Management
- Credit Scores
- Earning More
- Investing
- Insurance
- Net Worth
- Professional Team
- Legacy
This former preschool teacher hasn’t lost her touch. She covers the foundations, without sticking to just the basics or hyper-focusing on one or two areas. It’s thorough, yet so very approachable. Perfect for financial beginners, as well as anyone who feels like they’re missing a piece or two.
So that’s why “Get Good with Money” is our very first Book of the Month.