You know the basics. So why do financial decisions still feel hard?
-Victoria Ligon, PhD, associate professor, Personal and Family Financial Planning, University of Arizona
Most money books tell you what to do. This one teaches you how to think.
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Every financial choice you make—what to buy, how much to save, when to invest, how to prepare for the future—comes down to one thing: how you decide. Most financial education focuses on rules, tips, and formulas that rarely change behavior. People don’t struggle because they lack information. They struggle because they lack a clear way to think about money.
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The Strategic Money Method reshapes how you approach every financial decision. You’ll learn practical mental frameworks that make the best choices easier to see—and easier to act on. Engaging examples and step-by-step reasoning reveal how to evaluate spending, saving, investing, and protecting what matters most.
You’ll learn to:
• Identify your true financial choices
• Break complex decisions into simple, strategic steps
• Align money decisions with meaningful goals
• Act with confidence in any financial situation
When you master the logic behind smart decisions and every future choice gets easier.
You CAN build a better financial life - one strategic decision at a time.
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"I only wish I had read this book 10 years ago! I could have avoided so many mistakes."
-Ryan K, age 34
AS FEATURED ON
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi. I'm Patrick Payne — Ph.D., CFP®, and professor of finance at Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business. I've spent my career studying how people make financial decisions and teaching those lessons to students, professionals, and everyday readers.
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The Strategic Money Method grew out of a simple observation: most people aren't missing information. They're missing a clear way to tackle financial decisions both big and small. This book is my attempt to give them one.
"I’ve worked my entire adult career in higher education and have come across only a handful of academicians who are able to convey complex concepts with an abundance of clarity and a healthy dose of humility. Dr. Payne has accomplished that!"
-Dr. Daniel McDonald, Distinguished Outreach Professor,
Take Charge America Endowed Chair, University of Arizona
Perfect for Home or the Classroom
"For over a decade, I have been looking for a relevant resource to help my students go beyond financial definitions and rules of thumb for money decisions. The Strategic Money Method is just that resource, and it is certain to become a class favorite."
-Dr. Jacob Tenney, Financial Planning Program Director
University of Charleston
Erica T.
Middle Park High School
"Dr. Payne made me realize how little I knew about my finances. I learned a lot of life skills that will help me to manage my money"
Caleb R.
Age 27
"I didn't think money would ever make sense. It's still not easy, but at least I have a clue about what I'm doing and why."
Amber C.
University of Arizona
"Completely changed the way I think about money!"
Click to learn more about how to incorporate our materials into your classroom!
Praise for
The Strategic Money Method
“This book delivers practical tools wrapped in relatable stories that make complex financial ideas simple and usable. The three-step process is clear and surprisingly transformative. If you’ve ever felt stuck despite knowing the ‘rules,’ this is the guide that will finally help you move forward with confidence.”
Dr. Russell N. James III, JD, PhD, CFP®,
The CH Foundation Chair of Personal Financial Planning,
Texas Tech University
