Pattie Ehsaei, a banker whose influence extends far beyond the traditional confines of the financial sector, has carved out a unique space for herself on TikTok. Through her popular account, she generously shares her financial wisdom, a passion that stems from a deeply personal relationship with money. As an Iranian – American and the child of first – generation immigrants, Ehsaei’s early life was marked by observing her father’s strict financial control over the family. These early experiences were compounded by the tragic and unfathomable event of a murder – suicide involving her parents during her young adulthood.
This dark and complex history forms the backdrop of her book, “Never Date a Broke Dude: The Financial Freedom Playbook.” Despite its somewhat light – hearted title, the book is a profound and earnest guide dedicated to Ehsaei’s mother. It offers readers advice on avoiding partners who do not contribute equally to the financial well – being of a relationship and emphasizes the importance of maintaining one’s own financial independence. However, the book’s central premise has sparked some debate. Many women already tend to avoid partners with financial difficulties, which can limit their dating pool. Additionally, as Michelle Obama recently pointed out, shunning those who are not “financially sound” is not a one – size – fits – all strategy, as she herself married a partner who may not have been in a strong financial position at the time.
What truly makes the book stand out, though, are the richly drawn characters and stories within its pages. These narratives powerfully illustrate the significance of women’s financial freedom, whether they are single or in a relationship. One such character is Evelyn, a 95 – year – old grandmother who had amassed a savings of $1.4 million yet was content with her slightly warped drink coasters, declaring, “It still works.” Evelyn’s story had a profound impact on the author and readers alike. After reading about Evelyn, the author found herself reevaluating her own spending habits. While shopping at Target, she made more conscious choices and ended up spending only about half of her usual amount. Evelyn, who passed away in 2012, serves as a lasting reminder of the importance of saving, much like the author’s own grandmother, who was the family’s accountant and managed to save through both good and bad times.
Ehsaei’s advice, which is a culmination of years of financial lessons and experiences, is not only shared in her book but also on TikTok, where she has cultivated a persona as a “rich Persian auntie” and has gained an impressive one million followers. Long before the retail boycotts that have emerged this year, Ehsaei was already encouraging her followers to be more discerning with their spending. She urged them to refrain from splurging on unnecessary items from places like Amazon and Sephora and instead invest that money. Ehsaei emphasizes that the key is consistent saving, as it has a snowball effect due to compound interest. She firmly believes that everyone can find a way to set aside at least $100 a month, whether through a side hustle, such as driving for Uber, or other means. By doing so, individuals can start building a more secure financial future for themselves.
Related topics
