My grandparents were some of my best teachers about money. They all knew how to work a dollar. While all four of them taught me something different, they all had something in common.
They believed that your money should work for you and that “Sandy” should have a dog. So, I know for a fact they would’ve love to meet Sugar.
Which brings me to this month’s financial book review, The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason discusses simple principles to build wealth. Though set in ancient Babylon, its timeless lessons on building wealth still resonate today. Through stories, the book discusses how financial success is achievable through discipline, patience, and long-term thinking.
There are four simple lessons that resonated with me in this book. Ironically, the lessons were like the lessons my grandparents taught me.
LESSON ONE: PAY YOURSELF FIRST
“Grandma” is my dad’s mom. She always paid herself first. She called it “don’t go money.” Every time Grandma got paid, she’d put a portion of her money in an envelope towards her savings goal.
In The Richest Man in Babylon, the first lesson emphasizes the importance of saving a portion of what you earn.
The book suggests saving 10%. However, if that’s too much, start with 1% to help you build saving momentum over time. By consistently saving, you’re creating a foundation that will support your future goals, whether it’s starting a business, investing in the stock market, or saving for your dog’s future care. It’s not about how much you save right away, but about building the habit. Once saving becomes second nature, you can increase the percentage over time.
LESSON TWO: CONTROL YOUR SPENDING
“Mom-Mom” is my mother’s mom. She knew how to get every last drop out of mayonnaise jar, hem a skirt, and bake a mean rum cake. She raised 6 kids. So, my girl knew how to manage a household budget and spend with intention.
Which brings me to the second lesson in The Richest Man in Babylon. Control your spending.
It’s easy to overspend on things we don’t need, and it can feel like there’s never enough money to go around. But if we want to build wealth, we need to be intentional about where our money goes. This means being mindful of the difference between what we want and what we need.
As dog moms, this could mean finding creative ways to save on pet care without sacrificing quality. Maybe that means baking your own pupcakes instead of buying expensive treats or swapping out high-cost toys for ones that are just as fun but easier on your wallet. Small adjustments in our spending habits can free up more money for saving and investing to achieve your financial goals.
LESSON THREE: SMALL INVESTMENTS LEAD TO BIG RETURNS
“Pop-Pop” is my mothers dad. He was truly a renaissance man if I ever met one. He made everything that much more interesting. Pop-Pop gave me my first dollar for college (literally a dollar bill) and set me up with my first water ice stand. He always advocated that “all my girls need to have their own money” and small investments lead to big returns over time.
The third lesson in the book encourages us to invest the money we save so that it can grow.
This is where small steps can truly lead to great things. Even if you don’t have a lot to invest at first, putting money into something that can grow—like a retirement account, stocks, or a side hustle—can set you on the path to financial independence.
Start by exploring investments that align with your goals. For example, you might decide to save up to start a dog-related side business, invest in stocks, or open a retirement account. These small, intentional steps will help your money grow over time. By letting your money work for you, you’ll eventually have more financial freedom to support you, your dog, and your dreams.
LESSON FOUR: PROTECT YOUR PEACE
“Grandpa” is my father’s dad. He was a true entertainer. Grandpa always entertained my questions and told everyone that “that little motorcycle is something.” He taught me that it was ok to be curious and ask questions. Asking questions and being curious is how you learn. It’s also how you avoid situations that may not be in your best interest.
This brings me to lesson four in The Richest Man in Babylon. Be cautious with your wealth.
It’s important to protect the money you’ve worked so hard to save and invest. This doesn’t mean avoiding risks altogether, but rather making informed decisions. Before making any big financial moves, take the time to research, seek advice, ask questions, and avoid rushing into anything that feels too risky.
As dog moms, this could mean being mindful about where we take our dogs for care and making sure we’re getting good value for our money. It’s also a reminder to have an emergency fund in place to cover unexpected expenses, like a sudden vet bill. By protecting our financial resources, we reduce stress and are better prepared to handle any surprises that come our way.
WHY THIS BOOK IS A DOG MOM RESOURCE
Being a dog mom can get expensive. The Richest Man in Babylon breaks down money principles into simple lessons. It’s a great book to read as you start to create your financial plan.
It took me five days to read, and I read a chapter each day for 30 minutes while Sugar snuggled in my lap. She slept the whole time, but whatever. Here reasons why I recommend this book to my fellow dog moms.
The Principles Are Timeless – Money principles haven’t changed. The book’s simple principles—like saving, investing, and avoiding debt—offer dog moms a strong foundation for thinking about wealth-building, even if they already have their financial systems in place. Just like my grandparents taught me.
Short & Sweet Financial Advice – The stories are simple and relatable, making it a great read for anyone who wants to learn the basics of wealth-building without getting overwhelmed by technical financial jargon. It’s a good starting point for dog moms who want to think bigger about their financial goals.
Shifts Your Mindset – My mom used to tell me, “You can always get more money.” It took me a long time before I understood what she was saying. An abundance mindset is important to financial planning, no matter how much money you have. The book focuses on abundance through discipline and patience, which can help dog moms see the long-term benefits of small, consistent financial habits—like setting aside money for their dog’s future needs.
PUPCAKE SUGAR SAVINGS CHALLENGE
I love a good savings challenge. Here’s one that you can try out after reading this book. This challenge is designed to help you take small, manageable steps toward building wealth—starting with just 1% of your earnings.
It’s all about creating the habit of saving and laying the groundwork for future financial success. Here’s how it works:
Set a goal for your savings – Having a goal will help you stay motivated. Whether you’re saving to start a business, invest in the stock market, fund your retirement, make a down payment on a home, or take a class to learn a new skill—set a clear goal that excites you. Use Dog Mom Math as an intentional strategy to get you started.
Save at least 1% of your income every time you get paid – You can save more if you can afford to. The Richest Man in Babylon suggests 10%. However, you can start small and work your way up to 10% over time.
Check your progress – Set milestones to check your savings progress at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. These check-ins will help you stay on track and make any adjustments as needed.
Celebrate your wins – Each time you reach a milestone, celebrate the progress you’ve made—no matter how small. Every step forward is a victory.
EXAMPLE SAVINGS GOALS FOR DOG MOMS
Here are some examples of savings goals you can set for this challenge:
Start a Business or Side Hustle – Whether it’s launching a dog-related side business like baking pupcakes or selling handmade dog accessories, saving for startup costs can open new doors for income generation.
Invest in the Stock Market – Even small investments in stocks or index funds can grow over time and help you build long-term wealth.
Retirement – Start or grow your retirement savings with small, consistent contributions. It’s never too early or too late to plan.
A Down Payment on a Home – Homeownership is one of the most significant investments you can make, and saving for a down payment is the first step toward this goal.
Take a Class or Learn a New Skill – Investing in yourself through education or skill-building can lead to higher income opportunities in the future.
Create a Product or Service to Sell – Use your savings to develop and launch a product or service that you can sell, whether it’s something for dogs or something else you’re passionate about.
THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON FINAL THOUGHTS
Small steps truly do lead to great things. The lessons from The Richest Man in Babylon are simple, but they’re powerful. By starting with small, manageable actions—like saving just 1% of your income—you can begin laying the foundation for long-term financial success. And as you build that foundation, you’ll find that managing your finances as a dog mom becomes easier and less stressful.
And like my grandparents taught me, “make your money work for you.” All it takes is the inspiration to learn and the discipline to work towards your goals.
We’d love to hear your story. How do you make your money work for you? Did you read The Richest Man in Babylon? What did you learn from the book? Stay connected and share your pupcake stories with us @pupcakesugar.
SPEAKING OF SAVINGS GOALS…
Unexpected vet bills are only a surprise if you don’t plan for them. So, allow us to introduce you to The Beginner’s Guide to Dog Mom Math.
Dog Mom Math is about making thoughtful, intentional money decisions that balance your dog’s needs with achieving your goals—turning everyday choices into financial wins.
The Beginner’s Guide to Dog Mom Math is an eBook designed to help you achieve your goals and take control of your finances while managing your dog’s expenses. With 15 customizable templates, real-life examples, and practical tips, this guidebook is your step-by-step resource for building a financial plan that works for you and your dog.
Also, sign up for the Pupcake Sugar mailing list to get Sugar’s favorite birthday pupcake recipe to try at home with your dog. It’s great for dog moms who are new to baking dog treats.
