Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance, and Bully Market, by Jamie Fiore Higgins, are two wonderful books! In fact, they are so good they made me violate my no blog in December rule. Normally, that’s a little Christmas present I give myself.
I enjoy writing, but coming up with new content each month can be stressful. Taking a break in December gives me the opportunity to close out the year and plan for 2025.
Bully Market: My Story of Money and Misogyny at Goldman Sachs.
As Vice President Elect, JD Vance has enjoyed enough attention recently, so let’s start with Bully Market. I enjoy books like this because it helps me learn how the financial services industry works.
How things work behind the scenes can only really be experienced by employees in the industry. As we know, I had a difficult time getting in the industry and basically created a position for
myself. Part of that difficulty surely had to do with my disability.
Hiring decisions are made like investment decisions, so the recruiters were making what they believed to be the best decision for their company. I don’t blame them for hiring the former college athlete fraternity brother with all of the connections instead of me. I probably would have done the same.
Nobody was sure if I could I work the long hours or schmooze with clients and prospects at golf resorts, clubs, and parties. Shockingly, one firm even said I was too nice for the job. It was another way I didn’t fit the mold of the prototypical financial advisor. What was disappointing then I now wear as a badge of honor.
When I ordered Bully Market, I knew it would be about the struggles Higgins faced as a woman in a male dominated industry.
I was hoping to get some tips on overcoming the prejudgment people have in meetings. We naturally tend to judge or size up a person when we meet them. No, it’s not right, but admitting a problem is the first step in creating a solution.
What I found in reading Bully Market was a kindred spirit in Jamie. She faced adversity early in life with scoliosis. She is not in a wheelchair, but she had to wear a back brace throughout her childhood.
Like me, her family supported all of her ambitions and stood by her side during challenges. Also like me, she wants to be as successful as possible, so she can repay their love by helping them through the rest of their lives.
Of course, her family loves her regardless of her success, but I understand her feelings. You start to view life differently once you realize the sacrifices your loved ones made for you.
Financial planning is my way of helping all of the people that helped me.
Yes, I gladly work with friends because I wouldn’t be here without them. It may be easier to sell to strangers, but it would’ve been just as easy for my classmates to not help me with my book bag. I love being able to support them now.
Bully Market gave me some assurance that I’m building my career with the right mission. Jamie’s book is not a boring business book by any means. I recommend it not only as an empowering story for women, but as an inspiring eye opener for all people.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis.
I purchased Hillbilly Elegy, by JD Vance, because it was on sale during Amazon’s Prime Day. As we know, I loathe politics, but I wanted to get to know the man that was going to be our Vice President.
My main issue with politicians is that they don’t know what it’s like in the real world. They say they fight for us, but many have not truly experienced anything close to our struggles. If they have, then maybe they would actually solve some problems while in office instead of just trying to be reelected.
After reading Hillbilly Elegy, I can honestly say that JD Vance has a better understanding of the struggles we face than most. Vance grew up in poverty, not through any fault of his own, mainly because of location. Sure, his family made some mistakes, but the rural culture in which he was born could have limited his potential.
I was pleasantly surprised by Hillbilly Elegy because it was informative about the forgotten social classes of the American population.
Blaming others for our challenges is unproductive. I appreciate Vance not doing this in his book. I was really dreading reading it as I thought it would be all about the failed policies of the other party or previous administrations.
The poverty of Vance’s childhood is relatable because we have similar problems here in eastern North Carolina. A local school principal called it “generational poverty” instead of “Hillbilly culture.” Grandparents taught the parents, and the parents teach their children the rules of qualifying for benefits, such as Medicaid.
Unfortunately, these benefits make it very difficult to get ahead in life. Before you judge these people, please remember that I am in this group as well. I receive Medicare and Medicaid because I am not allowed to have resources, not only because the government wants to help take care of people with disabilities.
The programs cover most of my medical needs, which is truly appreciated, but they also limit my potential by capping my earning power. I would love to be off of the system, but I would need hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual revenue to pay for home care. Unfortunately, I can only have $2,000.
Under the current rules, it’s a pretty hopeless situation, so I can see why many stay in poverty. I’m hopeful that Hillbilly Elegy opened some eyes to this problem. There are many people like me who just wish the government would get out of our way. American citizens should never be punished for having ambitions.
Two very different books with similar inspiring stories.
I don’t know why I chose to read these books together, but I am glad I did. Both reminded me that the American Dream was still alive and well. Vance and Higgins are two examples of someone
overcoming adversity to reach a high level of success.
I also noticed that both had an anchor to keep them grounded when things became difficult. Their spouses really stepped up at times when the authors’ stories could have unraveled. We all need support, and it was nice to see in the books.
As your financial planner I serve as an anchor as well. My job is to keep you on track, so you have the best chance to reach your goals. Email me!
