Alright, you might not have pondered that before.
But Nova Ellis, a Portland, Oregon–based creator of the “Oh My Dollar!” radio program and workshops, champions personal finance sprinkled with a bit of sparkle. She’s merged her take on money matters with her affection for cats to produce the “Get Your Money Together” workbook — an illustrated “purrsonal finance” guide.
Yes, I’m totally on board for the wordplay.
A Money Guide for Everyone
“Get Your Money Together” covers topics like building a budget that suits your life, managing debt and credit, basics of investing, mortgages and more.
“I also address issues that many other finance books overlook: queer partnerships, juggling multiple part-time 1099 gigs, lacking workplace benefits, and money matters for unmarried parents and long-term partners who aren’t married,” Ellis wrote in an email.
Ellis launched a Kickstarter in October to fund the book. It reached its $7,500 target within the first two weeks, and if it raises over $10,000 she’ll produce an audio edition of the workbook.
Meanwhile, many supporters selected a pledge level that both preorders the book and pays it forward — yes, still here for the puns — by donating copies to some of “Oh My Dollar!”’s preferred nonprofit partners.
Ellis said she hasn’t yet opened applications for Portland-area nonprofits to request donated copies, but in the past she’s partnered with Portland Public Schools, the homelessness-awareness paper Street Roots, and the youth mentoring program p:ear, among other groups where she’s led live workshops.
For the Cat Doubters
Do the cats actually serve a purpose?
The slogan promises “More cats than any other investing book,” but the kitties do play more than just a cute role.
“I meet so many people who want to take charge of their finances, but the resources out there don’t resonate with them,” Ellis said in a press release for the Kickstarter. “They’re after solid financial know-how but don’t want to doze off or get overwhelmed trying to sort out their money.”
Ellis noted her favorite chapter is about investing, where cartoons of cats and their playthings, like toy mice and feather wands, illustrate retirement diversification. “It’s the most enjoyable explanation of portfolio allocation I’ve come across!”
So don’t dismiss the cats as frivolous. They’re meant to ease the stress of examining your finances and setting goals for an ideal, purr-filled future.
(See what I did there?)
“Get Your Money Together” is scheduled to be released as an ebook in January 2018, with a print edition following in April.
For readers looking for other quirky pet-related finance tips, check out how to toilet train a cat for a fun and useful guide.
