“Book Reviews” Archive
On this page you will find the search results for the search term that you queried.
Over the last week, I read Steven D. Levitt’s book, Freakonomics.
I am not a math person. I don’t get excited over statistics. And I generally turn the channel when ‘top economists’ are talking.
Despite that, I loved this book.
When an author compares the corporate structure of McDonalds to the hierarchy of gangs, I’m in. He talks about everything from cheating teachers, to poverty, to baby names and somehow it all makes perfect sense.
I did struggle a bit with his stance that the legalization of abortion reduced crime rates 20 years later because unwanted children, who would eventually grow up to be criminals, were aborted. That’s a bit of a stretch.
Levitt encourages readers to look through the surface of information and *gasp* use your brain. It’s a fascinating read.
Every once in a while, I try to read a book that isn’t somehow related to the economy, personal finance, or motivation. While I don’t write reviews of these books here, they are a big part of the reason I’m still sane…or at least a version of sane anyway.
I rented ‘Sh*t My Dad Says’ by Justin Halpern from the library and didn’t anticipate sharing it with you based on the fact that it isn’t about finance AND, let’s be honest, the name of the book makes it a rough sell – but hear me out.
Halpern moved home with his father at 29 after a particularly difficult break-up. Eternally amused and occasionally miffed by lessons from his father, he decided to write them down. The stories and quotes are funny and weirdly touching. Don’t tell anyone but – I cried during the last chapter.
It seemed like a good idea to read it on the train. ‘Seemed’ being the operative word.
I laughed so hard, people started to stare. Once I realized this, I attempted to stifle my laughter by closing my mouth… which only made my giggles come loudly out my nose as snorts. What seemed like 10 minutes into my commute, I looked up and realized I had missed my stop…3 stops ago.
After work, on the way home, I thought I fought the urge to burst into laughter a little better but when I went to exit the train, a gentleman touched my arm and asked what book I was reading. A little embarrassed, I showed him the cover and he said, ‘I have never seen someone laugh so much in a 45 minute period. I’m buying that book. Thanks for the afternoon entertainment.’
Here are some of the reasons I couldn’t stop laughing…
ON THE DEATH OF OUR FIRST DOG
He was a good dog. Your brother is pretty broken up about it, so go easy on him. He had a nice last moment with Brownie before the vet tossed him in the garbage.
ON MY BLOODY NOSE
What happened? Did somebody punch you in the face?!… The what? The air is dry? Do me a favor and tell people you got punched in the face.
ON SHOPPING FOR PRESENTS FOR HIS BIRTHDAY
If it’s not bourbon or sweatpants, it’s going in the garbage… No, don’t get creative. Now is not a creative time. Now is a bourbon and sweatpants time.
The worst thing you can be is a liar… Okay, fine, yes, the worst thing you can be is a Nazi, but then number two is a liar. Nazi one, liar two.”
“Are you wearing perfume? …Son, there ain’t any cologne in this house, only your mother’s perfume. I know that scent, and let me tell you, it’s disturbing to smell your wife on your thirteen-year-old son.”
WARNING WARNING WARNING: This book contains profuse use of profanity. If you are at all sensitive, don’t read it.
I read the follow-up book to Thomas Stanley’s, The Millionaire Next Door, over the long weekend.
The Millionaire Mind is nearly 150 pages longer and, no offense to Dr. Stanley but, it feels 150 pages longer. It’s no surprise that the reviews of this book on Amazon are significantly lower than its predecessor.
The book expands on information shared in The Millionaire Next Door, and at times, repeats it exactly. It’s as if Dr. Stanley experienced a high amount of success with The Millionaire Next Door and simply regurgitated a good portion of information in an effort to produce another bestseller.
This book was also seemed to be targeted to a specific group of people. People who already have money. As a broke person, I don’t consider buying homes or cars for my children as gifts – I’m working hard just to pay my own debts – and I simply don’t care about the best way to purchase gifts.
The book is worth skimming but as for an in depth read? Probably not.
I had the opportunity to read ‘The Millionaire Next Door’ by Thomas Stanley this week during my commute to work.
The book is in one word… amazing. I mean really, if the guy can make a book entirely of statistics about a group of people I can’t even relate to and keep me interested, he’s a pretty good author.
Stanley covers the gamut of what makes a millionaire different from others. From how they manage marriage, to work, to frugality, to children, it’s all there.
The most shocking statistic? Most millionaires drive used domestic cars worth less than $30,000. The most popular model? A Ford F-150. Now every time I see an old Ford, I wonder if a very wise person is behind the wheel.
His main point – The gross majority of millionaires don’t care what you think of them.
Sounds like something I need to work on.
Rent this book from the library. It’s FASCINATING!
I had the opportunity to read Judith Levine’s book “Not Buying It. My Year Without Shopping” while on our camping trip.
I was excited to read about the experiences of someone who decided to say no to shopping… or so I thought.
Judith’s book should have been titled, ‘Stories about my strong political beliefs sold to you under the guise of reducing consumerism.’ I tried to glean as much as possible about living life frugally but finally became so annoyed with the author, I didn’t read the last 30 or so pages. She droned on and on about how Bush was to blame for just about everything, insisted that frequent political contributions and political activism trips didn’t count as spending, whined for a chapter or two about a cell phone tower she didn’t like, and then explained how purchases didn’t count if one of her friends paid for it. When she wrote about a friend who had invited her and her husband to dinner and they went in hopes the friend would offer to pay (he did), I blew a top.
My poor husband was interrupted more than necessary when I would yell from my chair, ‘Honey! Listen to this. No seriously. This is the most ignorant paragraph I have ever read!’ or ‘If this isn’t spending, what is?!?!?’ while he played lawn darts.
Maybe it’s because I had hoped a book about reduced spending would actually be about reduced spending or maybe it’s because the last ‘fun’ thing I’ve bought in 3 months is a $15 set of lawn darts and my patience is wearing thin but…
As much as I treasure library books and treat them gently… I ‘may’ have thrown this library book into the sand in a horrible fit of anger.
Don’t worry, I quickly moved on to trashy romance novels to rot my brain for the next three days because really, isn’t that the point of a vacation?
I’m not into gambling and I have never purchased a lotto ticket. I believe that my return will be 100% if I keep my money and I’ve been 100% right every time.
But, I listen to Dave Ramsey everyday and can’t help but smile whenever he gives away $1,000 in his Real Estate Rescue giveaway. I know the chances of winning are slim, but give it a shot and enter anyway. It’s free so you’ve got nothing to lose. http://www.daveramsey.com/specials/process.real-estate-rescue-giveaway/
But if you win, you should share your prize with me. ; )
Also, if you’ve been putting off buying one of Dave’s books, now is the time to finally make the move. Nearly all his books are on sale for $10 each. http://www.daveramsey.com/store/10_dollar_books_cds_dvds/c10dollarsale-p0.html
And no, this isn’t an infomercial for Dave Ramsey – I don’t make any money if you buy anything. His methods and his books have helped me get serious about becoming debt free and I want the same for you.
I recently read ‘The Difference’ by Jean Chatzky. The book focuses on the differences between the four financial classes of people – Wealthy, Financially Comfortable, Paycheck to Paycheck, and Further into Debt.
Merrill Lynch and Harris Interactive conducted a study of 5,000 people and created a list of the very specific characteristics that define each financial group of people. Chatzky emphasized that most wealthy people are not wealthy because of an inheritance or because life ‘gave them all the breaks’, they are wealthy because of their decisions and attitudes. For example, wealthy folks are generally socially connected, married, competitive, hardworking, physically fit, optimistic, have good attitudes about finances, and believe in risk.
Yeah, sure Jean, those are super easy qualities to come by.
Don’t worry, she doesn’t leave you on the ledge. Chatzky gives you daily exercises to help you change the way you think and even the way you feel. The book is 50% financial information and 50% motivational material.
I listened to this book on CD but I recommend you rent the actual book from the library. Some of the exercises would be far easier to do without pushing pause after each chapter.
I enjoyed this book and if nothing else, felt encouraged about my path.
About This Site
My Debt
- Original Debt: $38,495.86
- Added Debt: $1,781.50
- Total Debt: $40,277.36
- Paid: $36,084.36
- Remaining: $4,193.00
- Broken Down
- Auto Loan 1: $0.00
- Credit Card: $0.00
- Student Loan: $4,193.00
- Auto Loan 2: $0.00
- Vet Loan: $0.00
Categories
- :)
- About Me
- Blogging Buddies
- Book Reviews
- Bump Update
- Carnivals/Festivals
- Childcare
- Confessions
- Coupons
- Credit Cards
- Credit Reports/FICO
- Debt Updates
- Educational Spending
- emergency fund
- Financial Peace University
- food
- Food Review
- Free Stuff
- General Debt
- General Personal Finance
- Giveaways
- Giving
- Good Info
- health
- Holiday
- Home Ownership
- identity theft
- Insurance
- job loss
- Keeping Motivated
- Kids & Money
- Legal Battle
- Life After Credit Card Debt
- Life Experiences
- Living Frugal
- Loans
- Making Home Affordable Program
- Making Money
- Misc
- Money & Relationships
- Monthly Spending
- Morals and Money
- Net Worth
- Parties
- Picks and Pans
- Prosper Borrowing
- Quicken Tips
- Reducing Debt
- Saving Money
- Spending Money
- taxes
- unemployment
- Ways I Save Money
- work
Finance Blogging Buddies
- Beachgirl’s Budget Blog
- Becoming and Staying Debt Free
- Boston Gals Open Wallet
- Debt Free Hispanic
- Debt Kid
- Debt Reduction 101
- Dual Income No Kids
- Everybody Loves Your Money
- Financial Hack
- Free Money Finance
- From the Brink of Bankruptcy
- Generation X Finance
- GRACEful Retirement
- Grad Money Matters
- It’s Your Money
- Josephsangl.com
- Kick Debt’s Butt
- Lazy Man and Money
- Low Income Life
- Make Love Not Debt
- Mapgirl’s Fiscal Challenge
- Mighty Bargain Hunter
- Million Dollar Savings Club
- Money for Military
- Money is My BFF
- Money, Matter and More Musings
- My 1st Million at 33
- My Money Blog
- My Plasectomy
- My Two Dollars
- No Credit Needed
- One Million and Beyond
- Personal Finance Advice
- pfblogs.org
