Your Money Mentors

December 13, 2021
Retired financial professional Robb (Buying Your Own Business) and his millennial granddaughter Robb Meehan, an executive-level administrator, advise millennials and their parents on generation-specific financial challenges in this well-intentioned but unfocused guide. As an educated, underemployed, and debt-ridden generation, millennials need a specific set of financial knowledge for landing work, starting a family, and planning for the future, the authors write. They lead readers through such tasks as finding a mentor (look for someone respected and encouraging), choosing a “starter job” (a reputable company looks good on your résumé), and tackling the gig economy (it’s got plenty of shortcomings, but “could be an ideal situation for couples with children who can’t afford childcare”). Each chapter ends with “Katie’s Korner,” in which Robb Meehan offers advice on leadership, education, and developing soft skills (communication and social-emotional intelligence have served her most, she writes). Unfortunately, the book’s organization is messy, the authors tend to repeat themselves, and Robb alternates between underestimating his audience’s knowledge (claiming, for example, that millennials are “financially naive”) and overestimating it (he fails to explain such terms as ETF and IRA). While it’s a fine look at the younger generation’s unique concerns, millennials will likely find this to be a case of diminishing returns.

Starred review from December 1, 2021
The tone of a caring adult mentoring a cherished family member moves Your Money Mentors from dry financial literacy tome to trusted heirloom. Inspired by a group of seasoned high-level financial professionals and fellow grandfathers, the book builds on the real-world challenges experienced by their millennial grandchildren. Expanding beyond money management, the authors explore everything from post-secondary education choices, internships, and starter jobs to outlining a career path, managing loan debt, building a network, and achieving work-life balance. Robb provides fundamental information and a wealth of resources covering areas of particular interest. The reviews following each chapter guide individuals as they process and adapt the content to their unique pathway. The authentic experiences and insights shared by granddaughter Katie make this highly relatable for readers while modeling the "take what you need" approach to using the guide. As relevant for Gens X and Z as it is for millennials, the book is a great supplement to learning in financial literacy programs and would work well as an aid to parents in delivering practical guidance. This is a much needed, accessible addition to public and school library collections.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2021
The tone of a caring adult mentoring a cherished family member moves Your Money Mentors from dry financial literacy tome to trusted heirloom. Inspired by a group of seasoned high-level financial professionals and fellow grandfathers, the book builds on the real-world challenges experienced by their millennial grandchildren. Expanding beyond money management, the authors explore everything from post-secondary education choices, internships, and starter jobs to outlining a career path, managing loan debt, building a network, and achieving work-life balance. Robb provides fundamental information and a wealth of resources covering areas of particular interest. The reviews following each chapter guide individuals as they process and adapt the content to their unique pathway. The authentic experiences and insights shared by granddaughter Katie make this highly relatable for readers while modeling the "take what you need" approach to using the guide. As relevant for Gens X and Z as it is for millennials, the book is a great supplement to learning in financial literacy programs and would work well as an aid to parents in delivering practical guidance. This is a much needed, accessible addition to public and school library collections.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.