Matthew Rich

Personal Background

Matthew Rich (a pen name), also writes as Richard M. Gutkowski (his surname), is the author of books and short primers to help parents talk effectively with teenagers about borrowing money. He focuses on making money talks comfortable and practical, teaching about budgeting, credit cards, student loans, and car loans to build trust and real-world skills. The first time these topics come up is a key moment in parenting, marking the beginning of teaching and guiding teens as they learn to manage money. Every parent wants to do their best.

Richard draws inspiration from his experiences with his teenage daughter, who, now as an adult, still turns to him for financial advice. As she got older and more independent, he continued to teach her money management skills and motivated her to use them.

Many parents worry about whether they are ready for this responsibility and often feel lost. To be successful, they must be well prepared. For many, encouraging in-depth discussion with their teenager is challenging, especially when it comes to topics like money and debt, which are rarely a teen's priority.

Advice from experienced parents is invaluable. When he was much younger, Richard lacked experience with formal borrowing and learned tough lessons. Gradually, he made better decisions, managing debt more strategically and developing discipline. Now, he shares these methods with others.

Understanding the requirements, steps, and basic mathematics of financial matters is essential. Learning from someone who can explain the basics is helpful. Richard is not a financial planner, but a parent and retired professor. His books focus on beginners, helping parents guide teens through first-time debt situations and fostering good money habits. Reading Richard’s books together builds trust, strengthens their relationship, and teaches key financial skills.

Richard’s books are distinguished by their combination of technical know-how, detailed explanation of realistic situations, and engaging hypothetical conversations between a fictional mom and her teenage daughter. For example, when the daughter asks for a credit card because others have one, mom tutors her in how to obtain one and use it correctly, safely, and wisely. These conversations show parents how to reach teens and teach them money skills. Teens learn by considering the daughter's questions and observing the mom's responses, gaining real-life insights into money management. Parents and teens benefit from observing how informed choices are made together.

Professional Background

Richard is an Emeritus Professor at Colorado State University. He spent his career teaching and advising young students at all academic levels. His fields included structural and transportation engineering, with experience giving lectures and conducting workshops nationally and internationally. His commitment to mentoring and collaboration is evident throughout his academic career:

He directed a structural engineering lab and two regional transportation technology transfer centers—including one for Native American groups. And, he managed a local site within a regional education consortium, including a telecommunications network for distance learning. He led research projects, funded graduate student assistants, involved them in budget management, and hired many part-time undergraduate aides. He managed multi-million-dollar budgets. Richard applied his professional financial skills at home, becoming skilled in sound domestic money management principles and making informed borrowing decisions.

Richard published over 160 scientific journal papers and numerous research reports. He presented many professional papers at conferences and had them published in the proceedings. He continues to review journal articles and grant applications.

Richard’s education was not only technical. While earning his civil engineering degree, he excelled in English literature elective courses. Once, he even filled in for a professor who was ill and asked him to teach one of his classes on novels. After retiring, Richard left engineering to pursue fiction writing. His blended fiction/non-fiction books mark the beginning of this new path.