Chief digital officer at Northwestern Mutual, founder/CEO of LearnVest, and New York Times bestelling author shows how to use the simple tools of the digital age to get more out of our money. We live in a new financial world. Our wallets--like every other aspect of our lives--have gone fully digital. From mobile pay to on-demand everything to cryptocurrencies, technology is rewriting the rules for how we earn, save, spend and invest. Technology has made virtually every aspect of our lives cheaper and more convenient. Shouldn't it do the same when it comes to managing our finances? Von Tobel says that it can. In this straightforward and jargon-free guide, she shows us how to use the simple tools found on any smartphone to put more money back into our wallets. Readers will learn: Six new trends that are impacting our finances - and how to optimize them How to navigate the world of mobile pay, and cash in by going cash-free How to save time and money by putting your savings--and spending--on autopilot Best practices for keeping your identity and financial accounts ultra-secure How to talk to digital natives - ie your kids - about financial planning What the Bitcoin hype is all about and how to prepare for the future of digital money Preparing ourselves for the financial future gives us the security and freedom to live our richest lives. It's time to move Financially Forward...or get left behind. " Financially Forward is the everyday guide you need to master your money in the digital age. Alexa breaks down how we can be using everything from Venmo to cryptocurrency to take our finances to the next level." –Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of theSkimm   “Alexa Von Tobel is a financial guru for the real world. She approaches saving money the same way I try to approach food—by making it accessible—and achievable—for everyone.  If you are looking for straightforward tips on how to put more cash in your pocket, Alexa’s your girl!” –Rachael Ray     "Financial confidence is the first step in creating a life that is rich with potential! Alexa gives you the tools you need to be your future self's best advocate."  –Daphne Oz, TV Host and  New York Times  Bestselling Author of  The Happy Cook   "Alexa cares deeply about the future of Americans and their wallets. She is passionate and committed to helping people take control of their money as technology evolves, and preparing them financially for the future ahead." –Tyler Winklevoss, CEO of Gemini       “A refreshing take on how technology can help us maximize our wallets. This book will make you smarter and leave you feeling ready to tackle your money like a pro.” –Randi Zuckerberg, CEO of Zuckerberg Media and New York Time s Bestselling author of Pick Three "Every aspect of our lives - how we earn, spend, and save - is changing. In Financially Forward , von Tobel masterfully walks us through this era of change so we can all thrive and prosper." - Stacy Brown-Philpot, CEO of TaskRabbit ALEXA VON TOBEL, CFP® is founder and managing partner of Inspired Capital. She was previously the CEO of LearnVest, which she founded in 2008. In 2015, LearnVest was acquired by Northwestern Mutual in one of the biggest fintech acquisitions of the decade. Following the acquisition, von Tobel assumed leadership duties at Northwestern Mutual as the Chief Innovation Officer. She has served as a presidential ambassador for global entrepreneurship for the Obama White House, and has been featured by the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Good Morning America, the Today show, Forbes, Fast Company, Vogue, and more. She has been named one of Fortune's "Most Powerful Women," appeared on Inc.'s30 Under 30 and Forbes's40 Under 40 lists, received Elle'sGenius Award, and was listed as one of "18 Women Changing the World" by Marie Claire. Chapter 1 But First, What Is Money? To understand how money is going digital, let’s take a step back. If I asked you to visualize money, chances are you’d conjure up a picture of dollar bills (okay, maybe twenty- or hundred-dollar bills), some coins, or a shiny credit card. But money didn’t always look this way, and it won’t always look this way in the future, either. If we’re going to talk about the changing face of money, it’s important to understand what counts as money in the first place. What Makes Money, Money? Merriam-Webster’s definition of money is “something generally accepted as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment.” More technical definitions evoke the same key qualities. To break it down, money is the following: • A Medium of Exchange: Money is something that can be used to facilitate an exchange of goods. It’s a method of payment. • A Store of Value: In and of itself, it maintains value whether I use it today or tomorrow (inflation aside). • A Unit of Account: Money can be used as a standard numerical unit to convey value.1 If you think about a dollar bill,