Why I Wrote 'Pipin's Rich Life'

Most of you know what the book is about, but if you don't, before we get into the why, here's the blurb:

Pipin's Rich Life

Liam’s life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of an official letter, catapulting him from carefree youth into the world of adult responsibilities. Guided by his wise neighbour, Ms Hartman, and supported by his faithful Cavapoo, Pipin, Liam navigates the complex challenges of adulthood — from managing finances to making life-shaping decisions.

As Liam faces these trials, Pipin’s constant companionship teaches him valuable lessons about resilience, patience, and unconditional love. Together, they tackle everything from everyday hurdles to life’s bigger tests, proving that it’s okay to stumble as long as you get back up.

Pipin's Rich Life is more than just a coming-of-age story; it’s a journey filled with laughter and tears, triumphs and setbacks. This heart-warming tale will inspire you to embrace the ups and downs of life, reminding you that with curiosity, and support from those we love, we can overcome anything and build a lasting legacy.

A Curriculum Gap

When I set out to write 'Pipin's Rich Life', I had a rather ambitious goal: to make finance fun. Yes, you read that correctly.

Finance. Fun.

Two words that, for most people, go together about as well as ice cream and pickles. But bear with me, because I promise this isn't just another dry tome about compound interest and the joys of spreadsheets. You see, I've watched far too many bright, capable people stumble through life, making financial decisions with all the grace of a three-legged elephant attempting ballet.

It's not their fault, really.

Our education system seems to think that understanding the intricacies of photosynthesis is more crucial to adult life than knowing how to balance a chequebook (please don't now start teaching kids to balance chequebooks - we're past this now - it's just a turn of phrase). Don't get me wrong, I'm all for scientific literacy, but I'd wager that understanding managing income and expenditure might be slightly more useful when you're trying to navigate the murky waters of adulthood.

Adulthood. *shiver*.

*Harvey entered the chat*

So there I was, a finance professional with a military background, wondering how on earth I could make personal finance accessible and engaging.

And then it hit me: dogs.

Well, one dog in particular – mine, Harvey (but to protect him from becoming a celebrity with a huge untamed ego, I had to fictionalise his name to Pipin, a lovable Cavapoo). Because if there's one thing that can make any topic more palatable, it's throwing an adorable furry friend into the mix.

'Pipin's Rich Life' isn't just about teaching financial literacy, though. It's about the journey we all take from clueless teenagers to (hopefully) slightly-less-clueless adults. It's about the mistakes we make, the lessons we learn, and the unexpected sources of wisdom we encounter along the way.

An Unexpected Audience

I wanted to create a story that resonates with readers aged 13 to 30, but here's what threw me: I've had feedback from all ages enjoying it too (from 8 years old to 80 - not even kidding). Turns out, financial confusion doesn't have an expiration date. Who knew?

Through Liam's adventures with Pipin, readers get to explore concepts like budgeting, investing, and entrepreneurship, all while enjoying a heartwarming tale of friendship and personal growth. It's like sneaking vegetables into a child's meal, except instead of carrots, it's compound interest, and instead of a child, it's... well, all of us.

The Stinky Fridge

But why is this so important? Well, financial stress is a bit like that weird smell in your fridge. Ignore it long enough, and it'll take over your entire life. Over two-thirds of adults are stressed about money, and one in five are contemplating the unthinkable - all because of 'money'. By getting young people (and not-so-young people) thinking about finance early on, we can hopefully prevent a few financial fridge disasters.

Breaking the Cycle

Now, I'm not trying to turn everyone into the next Warren Buffett. Although, if that happens, I'll happily accept a small finder's fee. No, this is about giving people the tools they need to make informed decisions about their money. It's about opening up those awkward conversations that many of us avoid like the plague. Because let's face it, talking about money is about as comfortable as wearing a wool jumper in a heatwave.

At its heart, 'Pipin's Rich Life' is my attempt to break the cycle of financial stress that affects so many of us. If this book can make even a small dent in that problem, I'll be over the moon. And if it can do that while also making people laugh, cry, and fall in love with a fictional dog? Well, that's just the cherry on top of the financially responsible sundae.

A Rich Life for All Ages (and Species)

So, whether you're a teenager just starting to think about money, a young adult trying to figure out this whole "adulting" thing, or someone who's been around the block a few times but still feels lost when it comes to finances, this book is for you. Because at the end of the day, we're all just trying to create a rich life – and sometimes, it takes a wise dog to show us how.

Get Your Copy Now

If you would like to get your copy before the official launch, message me and I can get that sorted for you!