Leslie Scorgie grew up in a home where money was “very tight” – but by the time she was 17, she was giving financial advice on Oprah. Now 23, she works in finance, owns her own home, and plans to have millions saved by retirement. More importantly, she also writes in a lively way that young readers will enjoy, while at the same time explaining and simplifying complex financial concepts.

Scorgie begins with a series of profiles (“Maya is sixteen years old and in her last year of high school…. She loves to hang out with her friends, dance, and most importantly – shop!”). The profiles become jumping-off points to explain financial basics such as getting organized, using spreadsheets, budgeting, and avoiding the dreaded “credit crunch.” Scorgie then moves on to chapters on the fundamentals of investing and more complex investment strategies, before concluding with a chapter on the long term – “Homes, Kids, and Stuff Like That.”

The real strength of this book is its attempt to take concepts like savings and investment, which might seem irrelevant for many kids, and make them matter right now. But Scorgie’s messages are always delivered with a strong sense of realism. Becoming rich by 30, she says, is possible, but it takes knowhow, motivation, and discipline. “Life,” she writes, “brings about some unexpected changes – changes that can affect both your ability and motivation to save.”

Rich by Thirty offers lots of sound financial advice rolled into an entertaining package. Despite the intended audience of the book, it’s very likely that adults will be the ones to shell out their hard-earned dollars to purchase it, passing it along to younger readers for the financial benefits it will bring them.