Reviewed By K.C. Finn (5 Star Rating)
"A truly superb work overall."
Sober and Broke! is a work of non-fiction in the self-help genre that focuses on rebuilding life, and was penned by author Dirk Foster. Subtitled 'How to Make Money, Save Money, Pay Debt and Find Financial Peace in Sobriety', the guidebook takes its readers through the very relatable pitfalls of post-alcoholism lifestyles, in which recovering addicts usually find themselves in financial difficulties owing to their previous life choices. From changing your mental habits to improving spending and saving through to investment in your future and developing good credit from bad, the guidebook takes a serious but manageable approach towards full recovery.
As the title suggests, this is a very specific guidebook for those who find themselves over the initial hurdle of getting sober but still facing the mountain of repair work that needs to be done in the rest of their lives. Author Dirk Foster presents a highly relatable stance on the subject, with an accessible narrative that never talks down to the audience, but fills them with the hope and possibility that hard work can bring them in the future. The advice provided is solid and sensible for the condition of the target group, and it's also very well organized to make for easy reference when readers want to look back over a particular section. Most of all, there's a really positive attitude towards enjoying life and the financial repair process as we look towards a brighter future, and it's this spark of positive energy that makes Sober and Broke! a truly superb work overall.
Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite
"A well thought out guide that, I'm sure, is going to help so many people really get their financial lives back on track."
You have overcome one of the hardest obstacles in your life and now you are finally sober. You may be free of the addiction but, unfortunately, many people will still face pressures and stresses in their finances. Although many addicts have been very resourceful when getting funds for their addiction, the story can be quite different when they are sober. If you are struggling to know how to start to get your finances back on track and set realistic and achievable financial goals, then Sober and Broke! will take you step by step with proven methods that work. Discover the blockages preventing you from reaching those desired goals, learn how to budget properly, learn the strategies to deal effectively with creditors, and learn all the innovative ways you can earn extra money. You have achieved sobriety so don't let your lack of knowledge when it comes to your finances limit the happiness and success that you deserve.
The title of this book really intrigued me because I was curious as to why planning for your financial future would be different if you had suffered an addiction. However, the methods outlined by the author were very clever and inspirational. There are many great ideas throughout to budget and to use the talents and resources that are available to you to earn extra money. But what I especially liked was the style; it is lighthearted, upbeat and non-judgmental. Dirk Foster has used effective diagrams and personal stories that inspire success; these were subtle but I imagine would be a very powerful motivator. For example, the diagram showing what a few dollars saved would add up to over a year was impressive. The 'Pay and Roll' method was my favorite strategy, very clever and effective. I loved the chapter on micro business and commitment and the further reading and resources section was a great bonus. Sober and Broke! by Dirk Foster is a well thought out guide that, I'm sure, is going to help so many people really get their financial lives back on track and will ensure the stresses caused by money problems do not endanger their sobriety.
Reviewed By Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite
Achieving sobriety is a huge accomplishment but being sober and broke presents a whole new set of challenges. Author Dirk Foster gives readers a no-holds-barred look at what it looks like to be sober and broke and what it takes to get out of the black hole of financial despair in Sober and Broke! How to Make Money, Save Money, Pay Debt and Find Financial Peace in Sobriety. Most alcoholics and addicts are in bad financial shape and one of the most difficult challenges faced by recovering addicts is establishing a stable and healthy financial life in recovery. Foster states that rebuilding an addict's life comes with small but very significant steps like making it through each day without drinking or using, developing sober friendships, feeling better physically and, to some degree, spiritually and mentally. However, a recovering addict's financial situation is another story altogether, with most having done significant harm to their credit and where they owe thousands to financial institutions, struggle to pay essential bills like rent and electricity, own nothing of significance like a car or house or have investment assets, and eat only the cheapest - and in most cases - unhealthiest foods. Foster also states that being broke and in debt causes tremendous stress on one's mind, body, and spirit, killing energy while destroying incentive and sleep, and leading to fear and depression, with many addicts relapsing from their financial burdens.
While all this may seem depressing, Dirk Foster is quick to reassure readers that financial prison doesn't have to have a lifetime sentence but overcoming financial problems isn't a "quick-fix solution" because it won't happen overnight. Divided into five parts, with a Resources section at the end, the author, who's a recovering addict himself, keeps his narrative simple and easy to follow, and his advice straightforward. He overviews financial basics (income less costs equals profit), discusses the importance of having a small emergency fund, cutting bigger expenses such as cable and taking advantage of freebies through YouTube and the library, using coupons and selling things no longer needed at yard sales, flea markets and through online sites such as Craigslist or eBay. Foster also stresses the importance of setting the following basic goals: commit to fixing the problem, eliminating debt, saving money, creating cash flow and being patient. Sober and Broke! has no bells and whistles, only straightforward advice from a man who's been there. And while Foster's book is directed to recovering addicts who are broke or facing financial challenges, it nevertheless speaks to a much wider audience facing financial challenges.
