Fiscally Chic is partnering with the to share this post. Opinions are my own.
With gift guides flooding the Internet, you’re probably more than aware that Christmas is only three weeks away. Earlier this week, the Chicago Tribune shared “Smart financial gifts for young adults” and the first item on their list is personal finance books. As a personal finance aficionado, I’ve read a few: Rich Dad Poor Dad
Pirates of Financial Freedom is a novel geared towards teens and twenty-somethings that combines a pirate adventure story (I mean, who doesn’t love pirates?) with a personal finance self-help book to create financial edutainment:
With his back against the wall, Captain Dailey is forced to make a deal that’s against every pirate bone in his body. In return, his son must save the crew from their financial problems before it is too late. In between gun fights, kidnappings, a blossoming romance, humorous pirate-isms, mythical beasts, and a long-lost treasure so extraordinary that it threatens to tear the crew apart, they must master life-changing personal finance skills.
I finished reading Pirates of Financial Freedom over the long Thanksgiving weekend. At first, the setting was a little I confusing because the hero (Captain Daley’s son) works on Wall Street, but the pirates work on an old ship with cannons, and everyone uses credit cards. I guess I expected the novel to be set in the 1700’s or 1800’s (thanks, Pirates of the Carribean). That being said, it was an entertaining read and our hero is a bit of a Will Turner. There’s also comic relief a la Jack Sparrow.
Even I learned a few new things after reading the book. The one point that really stuck with me is the mindset of earning more to buy the things we want instead of just cutting expenses or taking on more debt (similar to Ramit’s Big Wins Manifesto). I’m in the process of studying for the Series 65 exam to become a Registered Investment Adviser and add investment advice to my financial planning offerings. Registering (and starting a business in general) takes a bit of treasure money, but there’s the potential for unlimited income and ability to become financially free on my own terms.
When it comes to navigating the waters of personal finance, it can feel like you either sink or swim. Fortunately, it’s never too late to change your financial habits. As for teens and young adults, it’s never too soon to learn how to manage money and set the course for smooth financial sailing.
If you’re interested in gifting to your favorite teen or twenty-something, you can get $5 off your purchase through December 15, 2014 using the code “TreasuredMoms”. The book is available in hardcover (currently $24.99) and as an eBook (currently $19.99). You can also read the first half of the novel for less than a doubloon dollar!
Who else is ready to grow their booty and retire on a tropical island??
