I’m a nationally recognized personal finance and business expert, and author of nine books, including Money Girl’s Smart Moves to Grow Rich (St. Martin’s Press). I wrote this fun, comprehensive guide to personal finance in plain language to help readers understand the terminology, tactics, and attitudes that lay a foundation for smart financial decisions.
The book won the prestigious 2011 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) Award from the Institute for Financial Literacy, one of my biggest honors. It was a springboard into doing media work and reaching a global audience.
My newest book is Money-Smart Solopreneur: A Personal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers (Entrepreneur Press). This complete guide for solo business owners removes obstacles that stop aspiring and current entrepreneurs from reaching their most profitable potential.
You might be surprised that I didn’t set out to become a finance or small business writer. I’ve always enjoyed managing money and couldn’t wait to get my own checking account as a young high school kid. But as I got older and went out on my own, I discovered that I had a lot to learn about money. I grew up in South Carolina, raised by entrepreneurial parents. 
They sent me to the college of my choice, The University of the South, a small, liberal arts school in Sewanee, Tennessee.
After graduation, I fell into the trap that so many people do: living above my means. I rented apartments that I couldn’t afford, spent too much on vacations, and became a shopaholic.
Later on, I brought my credit card debt into my marriage. As we unpacked big cardboard boxes and started to fill our only bedroom closet, my husband asked, “So exactly how many pairs of shoes do you have?” It was evident that my shopping habit would squeeze not just our closet space but also our finances.
After getting extremely anxious about our growing credit card balance, we committed to cutting way back and slowly paying off the card. I’ll never forget the feeling of accomplishment we had after making the final payment.
Since then, my passion for spending has turned into a passion for saving, investing, planning, and every aspect of personal finances. Over the years, I became a serious finance student through many books, gurus, advisers, and eventually, graduate school. I received my MBA from the University of Florida in Gainesville.
I accrued so much financial knowledge that I wanted to share it–but in ways that an average person could understand in everyday language. Around that time, I discovered and fell in love with podcasts and started my own show in 2007. The following year, I got invited to join the Quick and Dirty Tips Network (QDT) as the Money Girl Podcast host.
As Money Girl, I get all kinds of questions from people who want to take control of their finances but just don’t know how to. The show has been downloaded more than 40 million times. All those loyal listeners have inspired me to create more than 750 weekly episodes and counting.
My career has been diverse. I’ve worked in accounting and real estate, owned a floorcovering business, consulted and trained for a Fortune 100 company, and been a COO for a small company. Podcasting has been a springboard to new opportunities such as book deals with leading publishers, blogging, consulting, and speaking. I have a strong background in digital media, online publishing, SEO, public relations, and content marketing.
I’m passionate about working as an on-camera financial spokesperson, analyst, and consumer advocate to promote critical topics in the national media. Since 2013, I’ve completed more than 3,000 live and taped interviews with TV and radio show hosts, news reporters, and print and online journalists.
My specialty is partnering with brands as a media personality, subject-matter expert, and content creator to amplify their messages through satellite media tours (SMTs), video news releases (VNRs), audio news releases (ANRs), events, and partnerships.
You can see some of my broadcast media appearances here.
My mission is to help over 100 million consumers and students live richer lives through my podcasting, speaking, writing, spokesperson, and advocacy work. As our financial landscape changes, I’ll continue to break it down and explain it in plain language, so making smart decisions and taking action is easy.
Above all, my goal is to inspire you to create personal freedom. When you have knowledge, choice, and independence, you’re truly in a position to Live Rich and Love the Journey!
My husband and I live in beautiful Vero Beach, Florida. I enjoy taking walks on the beach, boating, cooking, reading, watching great TV, and traveling to my favorite and new places.
Contact me to learn more and discover ways we can work together.
Please download my Services Sheet (PDF), email Laura@LauraDAdams.com or use the form below to get in touch.