Rating: Summary: Buy it - Read it - Give it Review: This is a must-read for anyone trying to overcome money problems. It has a tremendous explanation of the emotional and psychological reasons behind why we spend money. My wife and I are sometimes asked by others for financial advice - this is the first book I reccomend they read.
Rating: Summary: It changed my life Review: Two years ago I was in real trouble with consumer debt, and struggling hard to even keep up with minimum payments on several credit cards. I have one card left, am almost finished paying that off, and should be done within six months, probably sooner. I've also managed to save a substantial amount during these past two years. I owe the turnaround in my finances all to this book. The use of its principles have absolutely improved the quality of my life.
Rating: Summary: A life changing read Review: This book has literally changed my life by changing my relationship to money. Without getting into all the gory details, let's just say that it's a "good" thing I had bad credit in my spendthrift college days which prevented me from obtaining credit cards with big credit lines. Who knows how much debt I would have today - I shudder to think about it. Because of this book and my new attitude towards money, I am joyfully debt-free and what I used to give to Visa and Nordstroms is now sitting in a growing collection of mutual funds. At my current rate of savings I will be financially independent by age 40. Not a bad transformation for someone who used to "shop 'til I dropped" at Nordstroms. When I finally made the connection between my precious life-energy and the amount of money I wasted, it was like seeing the light - hallelujiah.
Rating: Summary: A Life Changer Review: I have read YMOYL twice now. The book has changed my life. For once there is a book not on just how to save money, but why. In today's world where many are deep into debt, trying to keep up with the Jones', thinking that MORE will bring happiness, and never satisfied with "enough," this book points out the folly with such a way of life. Living life this way is like a dog chasing it's own tail. If you want a good foundation to money and a solid system for living below your means, this book is it.
Rating: Summary: Good book on how to get out of debt.. Review: I am in my mid 30's and into serious financial planning. I found this book interesting, but a bit long. Also, I am pretty much in-control of my finances, so some of the suggestions were common sense to me. However, if you are a person who lives check-to-check and is looking for a way to get out of the earn-and-spend spiral, I'd highly recommend this book or 'The Mindful Money Guide'. If you are looking for a nuts-n-bolts book on managing your finances, there are better books. If you are interested in exploring your relationship to money and what 'enough' is in your life, then you'll find this book worth a read.
Rating: Summary: Impacted My Life for the Better Review: I've read this book 4 or 5 years ago and its simplicity and honesty shocked me. I cut the umbilical cord with corporate life and live without an alarm clock. When people ask me what I do, I say, I am unemployed ... no, I work a lot, only for myself and at my own pace. A year or so ago Joe Dominguez died and his obituary said that he spent the last few days of his life drawing handmade invitations to his funeral - true to his frugal principles to the very end, real class! Sorry I did not meet the guy while he was still alive... a fantastic book, read it!
Rating: Summary: Most of life is sucked into working for money... Review: This book clearly shows how much of our lives we spend pursuing money through our jobs. It hit me like a ton of rocks, I'm spending most of my life working. Then I spend money, create debt, and never feel as happy or satisfied as I like. The nine steps in this book clarify what you are doing with your life and how to stop the madness.
Rating: Summary: Good, with Some Caveats Review: Your Money or Your Life is excellent for a) highlighting just how excessive our consumption is, b) showing how we could easily manage with much less, and c) making clear the tradeoffs we make for a "good" lifestyle. I also really admire the author(s) for walking their talk. I do, however, have a few problems with the book. First, I wish they wouldn't advocate shopping at the Walmarts of the world. Second, I don't think most people (especially with kids) can live on the thread-bare shoestring budget the authors do (although I suppose its the spirit of what they say more than the exact numbers they suggest that matters most). Last, I wouldn't take the book's investment advice (which is buy long term government bonds). For a more balanced--or at least an excellent supplement--read The Mindful Money Guide. Its coming from a similar place (i.e. how to manage money so it doesn't manage you--for both a better quality of life and a better world), but The Mindful Money Guide gives the reader more options to choose from. I also found it more fun to read.
Rating: Summary: excellent definition of 'enough' Review: As someone who has made and spent an enormous amount of money (fortunately I still have some of it) I was looking for a book that spoke more to the philosophy of money rather than the basics of money management. If you are trying to determine how much money is 'enough' so that you can figure out when to get off the treadmill this book can transform your life. The authors are able to articulate a point of view as it relates to spending money and value derived that is so poignant you'll never purchase an overpriced item that you don't need again. It presents a lifestyle philosophy that focuses on maximizing enjoyment, not sacrifice.
Rating: Summary: This book is killer. Review: If you read this book, and follow its advice, you are a better man than I. My attitude was "step one sounds great -- but I'll skip it." And I put all my money in Internet stocks, and they took off, and then they fell, and the simple life is not for everyone. Still, the book is quite thought-provoking (if a bit dogmatic). Get rid of all that you do not need, and live off investment interest, then you can do what you WANT to do instead of what you HAVE to do. A good plan, indeed, and a nice antidote to the get-rich-and-die yuppi credo. See you in shangri-la
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