When my mother was 43 years old, she was divorced after 22 years of marriage and 5 boys, and I’m number two. Through no fault of her own, my mother was not prepared to handle her half of the settlement, and had tripped herself down the path of becoming an “old lady on a fixed income.” This book is fast past, fun and entertaining AND informative. The 7 Essential Ingredients walks the reader towards a real path to creating a well thought-out financial plan. Real stories allow the reader to learn quickly the importance of planning, so she doesn’t outlive her money. This book is a must read for all women who are faced with making independent financial decisions. “Both in person and in his writing, Shak is like a very knowledgeable best friend: he lets you know that you are not alone; provides invaluable advice in easily relatable stories and illustrations; and always has your best interest at heart.” Autumn D. McCullogh Attorney at Law