Obstacles to financial success as farriers aren’t always circumstances like types of horses commonly worked with or location they work. Instead, insufficient financial planning may be the culprit.

The topic of financial management is critical, but often is overlooked. This deficiency isn’t limited to farriers. A 2016 USA Today study found only 31% of high school graduates ages 18 to 26 felt their education adequately prepared them for understanding personal finances. It would be reasonable to suspect educating on single-proprietor business finances would fare worse.

Farriers then must self-educate on this subject. Many delay, always thinking financial planning is something that they will do tomorrow. Yet, tomorrow may come too late after prime earning years have waned. Financial planning may seem intimidating, and unclear where to start. Recognizing that the industry could benefit from a financial planning introduction, Ontario farrier Andrew DeVisser has written The Blacksmith’s Guide to Financial Freedom.

Showing Where to Start

Pulling from his experiences as a working farrier and blacksmith, DeVisser demystifies the subject of finance. DeVisser is clear in his approach — he is not a financial advisor, but provides the building blocks of understanding. The book doesn’t tell the reader what to do, but delivers a progression of financial basics, emphasizing that there will be more work and research from the reader to launch a plan.

The book is organized into 13 concise chapters, spread over 62 pages. DeVisser follows a logical progression for understanding personal finance and building a long-term plan.

Perhaps…