If you have read The Smart Money Woman by Arese Ugwu, then you should read The Smart Money Tribe. This 2020 sequel is nothing short of delightful.

In this finance guide, Arese dissects the nooks and crannies of financial intelligence for the modern African woman — and man, too! As in her debut book, Arese shares salient personal finance tips for the emerging African woman through the stories of Zuri and her friends. 

She offers insight into other characters’ lives and how they navigate their financial woes. This gives the reader a more comprehensive range of situations to see from and find the one that fits their reality. We get to experience and hear Zuri, the real estate executive, Lara; the oil and gas big babe, Tami; the fashion entrepreneur; Ladun, the formerly fabulous housewife; and Adesuwa, the conservative lawyer behind closed doors. 

Source: Smart Money Africa

The thirteen-chapter book also offers financial advice and some exercises at every chapter’s end. These are expected to help readers, especially women, understand their financial starting point and help them build the blocks to help achieve a plausible financial goal with the right savings and investments. However, Arese does not leave you hanging. She goes further to show you how.

She dissects the process to help you access investment opportunities effectively, build a valuable network that can earn you money, position yourself to earn more, leverage social media to create an income, build multiple income streams, and prepare your business to attract capital.

Arese Ugwu further establishes her stance on feminism by using the smart money lesson after chapter 7 to highlight what feminism is and is not. She takes time to dismantle the common misconceptions about gender equality, such as being a feminist and wanting to be financially independent doesn’t mean she doesn’t need a man.

However, the lesson that stands out most to me is the importance of quality friendships in achieving your goals, whatever they may be. There are high and low points for the characters in the book, but the power of their strong friendship helps them overcome one financial or emotional challenge after the other. Arese opines that having friends who want to be better together and push you to grow makes a lot of difference. If you wish to learn good and easy-to-understand ways to manage your money, this book is for you.

In conclusion, Arese Ugwu’s “The Smart Money Tribe” delivers a powerful message that transcends gender and financial status. The author’s call for a reassessment of one’s lifestyle and finances is evident throughout the book, echoed in her letter to the Smart Money Tribe. Whether you earn ten Naira or ten million, the lessons are universally applicable, emphasising the importance of understanding financial principles and utilising the tools provided.

This compelling book is a must-read for individuals of all genders and ages, particularly resonating with African women. Arese Ugwu underscores the significance of taking personal finance seriously from a young age, making it a compulsory read for anyone seeking financial empowerment.

For those eager to get more insights from the author, Smart Money Africa TV on YouTube is a valuable resource. There, Arese Ugwu shares podcasts and videos focusing on financial matters, catering specifically to the needs of young women.

Title: The Smart Money Tribe

Author: Arese Ugwu

Page count: 352

Publisher: Smart Media Africa  Year of publication: 2020