If I had, had a book like this when I was 16 years old, my bank account would without question have a bigger nest egg in it today. Of course, that isn’t taking into consideration the fact that my educational costs were substantially lower than those the current generation faces (even when inflation is factored in). More Money for Beer and Textbooks – A Financial Guide for Today’s Canadian Student is a great look at the tough decisions young Canadians have to face these days and how to make them a little easier. While the book obviously isn’t aimed at me, I think it’s a perfect fit for an audience that is desperately in need of a resource like this.

Who Are These Guys?

I know the authors – Kyle Prevost and Justin Bouchard – from my blogging adventures and can vouch for the fact that they know what they’re talking about. Frankly, you don’t run into too many 25-year olds that have a clue about finances, never mind having the ambition to throw a book together. Their unique perspective allows them to channel both their somewhat-sarcastic inner teenager, and their research-based professional exterior at certain points. The tone is perfect for young people in my opinion. At the end of the day a book about saving a little money isn’t going to be quite as widely consumed as the latest blockbuster movie, but the guys do a great job of keeping a somewhat dry topic upbeat and fresh by mixing in entertaining anecdotes and making fun of themselves. By the end I couldn’t help reminiscing about my post-secondary days of cold, sudsy bliss!

The $5,000 Promise

Justin and Kyle make the claim in the introduction that if they had read the book before starting out on their respective post-secondary journeys, that they would have each came away at least $5,000 richer. I think this figure is low-balling things a little to be honest. There is tons of great material in this book covering everything from student housing options, to daily cost considerations, and what the current job market looks like and how that might affect your post-secondary choices. One of the best parts about this thoroughly researched book, is the fact that all of the information is up-to-date and completely relevant for today’s student.

Didn’t We All Make Great Choices At 18?

The only problem I can foresee my fellow bloggers having in terms of getting this book into the hands of the people that need it, is that those hands would rather be filled with an actual pitcher of beer than a book with a pitcher of beer on the cover. I know when I was 18 I probably wouldn’t have rushed out to buy any book, much less one about money. Sixteen bucks for information that can be directly applied to their lives and save them thousands is a pretty good bargain. Even if young people only casually flip through half of the chapters or skim the chapter summaries they will get at least 100x the value of the book back in the form of scholarship tips, resume help, and textbook savings.

Great job Kyle and Justin! Apparently the book is available online at Amazon.ca.