Nicole Lapin - Rich Bitch: A Simple 12-Step Plan for Getting Your Financial Life Together...Finally

Talking about money sucksbut so does being BROKE

Do your eyes glaze over just thinking about the mumbo-jumbo language of finance? Do you break out into hives when faced with getting your financial life together? Well, sister, you are not alone.

In Rich Bitch, money expert and financial journalist Nicole Lapin lays out a 12-Step Plan in which she shares her experiencesmistakes and allof getting her own finances in order. She talks to you not like a lecturer but as your friend. And even though money is typically an off-limits conversation, nothing is off-limits here.

Lapin rethinks every piece of financial wisdom youve ever heard and puts her own fresh, modern, sassy spin on it. Sure, there are some hard-and-fast rules about finance, but when it comes to your money, the only person who can tell you how to spend it is you. Should you invest in a 401(k)? Maybe not. Should you splurge on that morning latte? Likely yes.

Instead of focusing on nickel-and-diming yourself, Nicoles advice focuses on investing in yourself so you dont have to stress over the little things. But, in order to do that you have to be able to speak the language of money. After all, money is a language like anything else, and the sooner you can join the conversation, the sooner you can live the life you want.

Rich Bitch rehabs whatever bad money habits you might have and provides a plan you can not only sustain, but also thrive on. You wont feel deprived but rather inspired to go after the rich life you deserve, and confident enough to call yourself a RICH BITCH.

PRAISE FOR

RICH BITCH

You might not know this but stressing over money can harm your overall health. Let Nicole be the doctor for your financial health and you will feel better in more ways than youd think.

DR. MEHMET OZ, HOST OF THE DR. OZ SHOW AND LISA OZ, HOST OF THE LISA OZ SHOW

Rich Bitch should be mandatory reading for every young professional woman who wants to take control of her financial destiny. Lapin provides unfiltered, brilliant advice to a generation of women taking aim at their own success and wealth.

MINDY GROSSMAN, CEO OF HSN

Nicoles advice is a swift kick in the pants to the young, ambitious, upstart women out there who want control over their lives, debts and careers.

WENDY WILLIAMS, HOST OF THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW

Rich Bitch is the manual for a new generation of women who want both job stability and financial peace of mind.

STACY LONDON, AUTHOR, HOST OF TLCS WHAT NOT TO WEAR

Whether you want to take over the world or just balance your checkbook, Nicole gives you the tools to save, spend and succeed.

RANDI ZUCKERBERG, TECHNOLOGY EXPERT

Nicole brings to lifein a highly readable waythe real pitfalls and solutions of financial life in a more complex world.

NIGEL TRAVIS, CEO OF DUNKIN BRANDS

Nicole is tapping into a new sensibility for the career-minded woman; shes responsible, resourceful and realistic about the working world. And shes doing it with verve and style.

PAULA SUTTER, CEO OF DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

A financial diet is like a regular diet: if you allow yourself small indulgences, you wont binge later on. Nicole offers you a plan you can stick to.

SANJAY GUPTA, CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN

I wish I had Nicoles book when I was starting my business. She makes business and finance feel accessible but does it in a sassy, humorous way. Its a must-have for any budding entrepreneur.

KRISTI YAMAGUCHI, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST, FOUNDER OF CLOTHING LINE TSU.YA

You dont need Google search to understand Nicoles advice. Its crystal clear, straightforward, shameless and spot on. She writes it the way she says it and she does not hold back.

JANE PRATT, EDITOR OF XOJANE

If youre a woman and you like money, you need to read this book. Immediately. You cant afford to miss this one, ladies!

ALLIE WEBB, CEO/FOUNDER OF DRYBAR

Rich Bitch is essential reading for 21st century women wanting to rise to the top of the economic ladder. Everything that you need to know is in here, all of it said with the wit and confidence weve come to expect from Nicole.

REBECCA TAYLOR

What I love about Nicole is that you dont need a dictionary to understand her advice. Its crystal clear, straight up and spot on.

ALYSSA MILANO, ACTRESS AND FOUNDER OF TOUCH BY ALYSSA MILANO

Its empowering to see an independent, strong woman as the voice of the financial industry. Nicole is truly inspiring and shares essential tips for women who want to take control of not only their bank accounts, but also their lives.

JOSIE NATORI

Nicole delivers expert financial advice straight up, no chaser, in a tone thats as lively as it is likable.

NEIL BLUMENTHAL AND DAVE GILBOA, FOUNDERS OF WARBY PARKER

Women will talk aboutand ask forabsolutely anything, except money. Time with Nicole and her no-nonsense advice will change that for good.

TORY JOHNSON, ABC FINANCE CORRESPONDENT

Nicole does a fabulous job educating people about money while always keeping it fun and entertaining.

ALEXIS MAYBANK, FOUNDER OF GILT GROUPE

Lapins unfiltered, energetic advice speaks to anyone taking aim at their own career destiny.

MIKE PERLIS, CEO OF FORBES

Nicole helps you navigate muddy money-matters while talking to you like an old friend. As a working mom I can tell you my three daughters will be reading this book!

CHRISTI PAUL, HLN ANCHOR

To my former self,
who has finally stopped smiling and nodding.

And for all my Rich Bitches
the women who understand that
you dont have to be either to be both.

There are people who have money
and then there are people who are rich.

COCO CHANEL

CONTENTS

Embrace the Rich Bitch Attitude

Get a Grip on Your Future

Create a Little Budget Diary That Fits YOU

Home Is Where Your Stuff Is

Transportation, Food, Insurance and Other Essential Expenses

Paying Down Debt

Saving Sucks but So Does Being Broke

Put Your Career in Overdrive

You Will Get OlderDo It in Style

Investing Is Just Not That Serious

Rich Bitches in a Mans World

Your Life Is Your Business

INTRO

Choose Your Own
Money Adventure

S o you picked up a book about money. You? Yes, you! Well, you didnt pick up just any book. You picked up the first finance book that...swears! And is written in plain English! Yes, its true. This. Is. Happening.

And I think I can guess why you picked this book up. You want control of your life and your finances; you want to live a rich life. Am I right? You want to understand the language of money. I thought so. Well, then, yes, youre in the right place. Dont freak out. Think of it as an adventure.

Remember reading those Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid? I loved them; still do (shh...dont tell). As you will find by the time you finish this book, Im a huge proponent of taking control of your own destinyyep, choosing your own adventurewhether in life, love or finance. There is no set way to do this; its all about what works for you.

In that spirit, while Ive set this up as a 12-step program, you can read this book and its 12 steps in whichever way you wantits your choice. Youre a big girl. In need of some serious budget reform? Start with Step 3, Your New LBD, and learn all about how a Little Budget Diary can keep you on track. About to have a panic attack because you are drowning in debt? Go to Step 6, Get That Monkey Off Your Back, to lose your debt load and keep it off. Jonesing to be your own boss? Step 8, Work It, Bitches, has you covered. Feel like youre