What I Learned About Life When My Husband Got Fired!

Red, the warm and fuzzy sister, has a successful husband, two beautiful daughters, friends all over the world, and a big, pretty house. Highly pragmatic Black has taken early retirement from a lucrative business career to live in luxury with her fabulously wealthy husband and race Ferraris and Porsches.

Then the unthinkable happens. Red's husband loses his job. Panicked because she knows nothing about their personal finances, Red turns to her sister for help. If Red expects sympathy, she has come to the wrong place. Black yanks Red's head out of the storybook world she has been living in and takes her on a three-month whirlwind tour through the real world of money.

Realizing that there is no Prince Charming, lottery ticket, or magic how-to book to rescue her, Red has to roll up her sleeves and take control of her financial life. Black takes her through everything from the beginning: how she got in this mess, how her values affect her spending, how she can clean up the problems and get herself organized at the same time. And, finally, Black explains to Red how she – and all of us – can go forward in financial health with values and priorities that will make life richer, in all the important ways. As Red takes on the daily challenges that Black puts before her, she begins to understand that when it comes to running her finances – and her life – she is not stupid, she has just been sheltered.

Eavesdrop on Red and Black's candid, and entertaining, exchanges as they discuss the things that matter most. Their informative conversations cover everything from specific financial issues such as balance sheets, credit cards, and long-term financial planning to more fundamental concepts such as values, time management, and handling stress. And if you find Red unbelievably naïve and Black extremely sarcastic, do not worry. The key is their relationship works for them, and it can work for you, too.