I do not recall where exactly I purchased Girls Just Wanna Have Funds by Molly Benjamin; but it has helped me with making better financial decisions and learning new skills. High school does not prepare you for real-world finances. You learn yourself or via tertiary education. It seemed like a light and easy to follow read, also explaining finance in layman’s terms rather than using jargon that is no easily understandable unless you work in that field.
The book has taught me better money management skills.
Here are the key lessons that stuck with me:
- Calculating net worth: This helps with figuring out your financial situation. Such things as listing assets (something you own that makes you money), liabilities (what you owe others) and calculate net worth (assets – liabilities = net worth).
- The B word: it stands for budgeting. In order to budget properly, you need to calculate how much you earn. After finding out how you earn, you need to calculate what is going out (money). This can be achieved using a budgeting app or a spreadsheet templates (google docs) that can be purchased from Canva or Etsy.
- Budgeting methods: the zero-based method, 50/30/20 rule
- Goal setting: short (1-3 years), medium (4-6 years) and long (8 years plus).
- OMG (emergency) fund: Money kept in another account for when you need it for an emergency. It’ll also get you out of situations and give you control of circumstances.
- Paying off debt: the snowball v.s the avalanche. The avalanche method involves dealing with debt that has the highest interest rate first, meanwhile the snowball method is listing your debts from smallest amount you owe to the largest, as well as the minimum repayment (continue to pay minimum amount monthly repayment). (Benjamin, 2023)
Bottom line: Girls Just Wanna Have Funds isn’t just about money—it’s about reclaiming control over your life. It’s a reminder that women can be ambitious, smart, and financially fearless—all at the same time.
This book didn’t just teach me how to handle money better—it reminded me that being intentional, disciplined, and brave with your finances is empowering. From fun to funds, it’s a journey worth taking.
Reference:
Benjamin, M. (2023). Girls Just Wanna Have Funds. Affirm Press
