Money Matters

Maggie Mueller lives a comfortable life in a beautiful Boston suburb. She has never worried about money, until the day her husband disappears and her pleasantly ordinary life takes a sudden and unusual turn. In a matter of hours, the FBI crashes in, foreclosure threatens, and she faces destitution. Maggie, confronted with these crises, refuses to give in. Starting at the beginning, she sets out to learn everything about money; first how to get it, then how to manage it, and finally how to invest it. In the tumultuous year that follows, Maggie remakes herself and her life. She learns that money matters, just not in the same way as she had previously thought.

Maggie Mueller lives a comfortable life in a beautiful Boston suburb. She has never worried about money, until the day her husband disappears and her pleasantly ordinary life takes a sudden and unusual turn. In a matter of hours, the FBI crashes in, foreclosure threatens, and she faces destitution. Maggie, confronted with these crises, refuses to give in. Starting at the beginning, she sets out to learn everything about money; first how to get it, then how to manage it, and finally how to invest it. In the tumultuous year that follows, Maggie remakes herself and her life. She learns that money matters, just not in the same way as she had previously thought. "Money Matters" is an exciting story that is designed to cover one personal finance concept per chapter. The author uses masterful story telling to share important financial lessons on a wide range of concepts including credit, taxes, retirement plans, and investing basics. The novel dramatizes the consequences of financial illiteracy, and then gently introduces readers to the basic money management skills, using romance and melodrama to enliven material that too often is made overly complex and ambiguous. In clear and easy to understand language, the reader can learn everything from how to raise cash in a pinch to how to trade options on the NYSE. As Maggie learns, finances should not control your life, you should control your finances. Readers will come away with an understanding of financial literacy basics and an ability to comfortably talk about money with everyone from life partners to financial advisors.

Ms. Vanderhorst graduated Wellesley College and has an MBA from Wharton Business School. She has worked in the financial industry and as a strategy consultant. Despite her business background, she fell victim to an unscrupulous financial "advisor." As a result, she set out to educate herself regarding personal finance, with a particular focus on investing. She now works as successful option trader. She wrote "Money Matters" to share what she learned and empower people, particularly women, who turn away or tune out when money comes up in conversation.