Getting a Life : Real Lives Transformed by Your Money or Your Life

Rating:
Summary: Profound and practical!
Review: After reading "Your Money or Your Life," I was primed for delving into this book. It has changed my life! While I loved YMOYL, this book revealled practical means of achieving simplicity and happiness. The honesty of the authors was amazing in today's world of plastic-like people trying to "get ahead." Plus, the change is truly my thinking, so everyday changes will manifest as a result. In fact, I made two changes today (thanks to the book) in an effort to slow down life to make it more meaningful. However, I now need advice on how to get a "financially proficient" husband to understand simplicity when he doesn't have time to read! (He's caught in the catch-22 of the American Dream). Basically, this book makes sense and made a lasting impact on me. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: excellent book, shows that you still can have a decent life
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It deals with two middle class people who lived a typical american lifestyle. they had high paying high stress jobs, a beautiful home and lots of toys. They decided to trade in the overconsumption lifestyle for a more fullfilling and more simple life without a paycheck and stress from employment. If you are looking for how to get by on $600 a month, this book will disappoint you (see other reviews below). The authors live on $3000/month which may seem outrageous if your current standard of living is half of that. Their lifestyle includes more than the basic necessities such as food and shelter to stay alive. They go on vacations and trips, have hobbies, own an economy car, go out for dinner occasionally, live in a normal house in a decent neighborhood, read the newspaper etc.. Their life is simplified but still includes most comforts and some luxeries of today's society. Living more simply does not mean deprivation to them, but removing clutter (especially "stuff") from their lives and focus on what they enjoy in life and have TIME. The book goes into detail on what kind of life they lead, standard of living etc. and detailed financial balance of their $3000/month budget. I would only not recommend reading this book if you plan to lead a complete bare bone life or if you are in a very low income segment. The only criticism I have is that they do not think inflation is an issue. Although that may be the case for some basic food items and electronics, I think the ever increasing healthcare premiums will skyrocket as you get older.

Rating:
Summary: If you liked Money or your Life you will love this book!
Review: The authors expand more deeply on the material that is available in money or life. It is packed with many real life examples with some gut wrenching situations which can only question what a person has learned during lifes learning process. The book is dedicated to Joe Dominguez who died recently - I only found out in this book - I am sure he would have loved this book it is genuine! The authors write in a sincere helpful manner which makes it an easy read. I like the depth and ideas which the book gives. It is well researched which must have taken a long time to produce. The audio version of this book which I have listened to on a number of occasions is well worth the investment. It is well produced and extremely professional in its presentation. I was concerned that it would be to similiar to Money or Your Life however the material is different with deeper examples on how the principles have been applied. I recommend this book highly the authors are sincere, genuine and truly "Walk the Talk"

Rating:
Summary: excellent book, shows that you still can have a decent life
Review: This book is a far way from helpful. The authors have done an O.K. job in transformming their lives. But they seemed to have trouble giving the reader some ideas on how to achive it. They gave about a dozen examples of how people achive "F.I.", but no new ideas. (we've read this before when it was titled "Your Money or Your Life) Anyone who has read "YM or Y L" should consider themselves done with the subject. Blix and Heitmiller give off some sort of cockyness about the lives they lead. Maybe someday we will all get there. Thanks for listening.