Review— Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life by Vivian Tu

Asian American History Month is in May and I want to take time to honor an artist who is making the world wiser. Vivian Tu is a former Wall Street trader and uses the advice she learned from mentors, failures, trials, and successes. From the beginning, Vivian uses her knowledge to provide her followers, her "BFFs", with wiser financial advice.

The kind of knowledge that was denied to many of us throughout our time in American high schools. The same ones that our current systems don't often like to talk about. These are some of the tips many of today's wealthier families are passing onto their kids. The same ones that Vivian shares in her book: Rich AF: The Money Winning Mindset That Will Change Your Life.

Vivian did not become a success over night. She was raised as a first generation Chinese American. Her parents used to wash the Ziploc bags and cut coupons. This was a journey that Vivian underwent not knowing where it would lead.

The lessons she learned served her well. Not only did she grow from them, but now she helps others not make the same mistakes. In the end, Vivian is relatable because like many of us…she had to figure it out. Vivian teaches us though that money doesn’t have to be a solo journey.

She is a woman who is not afraid of being herself. Her confidence is present and delivers profound insights. In addition to her book, she also has a social media page where she posts regular updates to help you manage your money better.

These tips are not just about bank account usage, credit usage, or how loans work. Her tips provide some awesome ways to understand how your debt makes loan servicers richer. She also breaks down things to look for (and avoid) when leveling up your finances. Credit cards, bank accounts, money scams, and more are all discussed.

Vivian also talks about some of the experiences that financial savviness saved her. Emergencies are a part of reality. This can come in handy when it comes to handling life’s unexpected mishaps. These are the unexpected trips to the hospital and any other potential situation.

Some of the content that Vivian mentions can also be triggering, so definitely read carefully. The author does a great job at highlighting parts that can be disturbing for some audiences. But these stories are related to financial wellness and how you can best prepare for emergencies.

One of my favorite quotes from the book goes:

Talk about money. Because when we talk about money, everyone benefits.

Vivian Tu’s work is not only insightful but flows and keeps you enthralled. She brings freshness, grace, and nuance desperately needed in financial wellness. When we learn how money works and how to best utilize it…we can improve our livelihoods and effect the changes we need to see in the world.

Knowing how to use your money does not absolve the real systemic issues in our society. Learning how to budget and finance though gives you agency. It also connects you with folks who are not only aspiring to the same ends but also want to work with you and build community. We don’t all need to buy luxury goods and services or own the best home on the market. We should aspire towards a life that is bountiful and meaningful.

We can all be happier and wiser with our spending and financing. Wealth is not just a social condition but a state of mind. When I know my power and I have the tools…I can effect the changes I want to see for myself and those around me.

Instead of listening to influencers who shame and vilify us, let’s go to the experts who inspire us. The ones who not only know us but were us at some point. Who even despite going far…remember what it was like to be us. Those who are dropping knowledge.

You can grab a copy of Rich AF: The Money Winning Mindset here.