If you are lucky enough to fall within the age bracket of between 20 to 35years old and want to learn more about how you achieve personal freedom, i.e. managing your personal finances appropriately, this book was written for you. The author, Ramit Sethi, provides you with a six week, step-by-step program and a wealth of sound advice on how to get started on your way to financial security.
I like that he doesn’t preach, instead he brings his ideas across in an entertaining, easy-to-read, but very practical and down-to earth style. He talks about the important parts of achieving financial independence, banking, saving, budgeting and investing, and how to do it wisely.
The book - I Will Teach You To Be Rich
can be read in conjunction with his website, iwillteachyoutoberich.com, where he provides you with the latest and up-to-date information, a financial blog, and more advice on how to build your own personal wealth.
Overall, I like the fact that the author writes in a clear and to-the-point language on how to implement his many suggestions on conscious budgeting and spending. Learn how to manage your student loans, the low-down on credit cards and bank fees, how to be frugal without being cheap and other invaluable advice.
One of the Customer Reviews By Susan Roberts
5 stars: Not your parents’ money management book, March 23, 2009
This review is from: I Will Teach You To Be Rich (Paperback)
First, here’s what this book is not: It’s not your parents’ money management and investing book, although as a parent I wish I had done in my twenties what Ramit Sethi tells the twenty-somethings they should be doing right now.
Ramit starts with the premise that most people are so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of financial information available that they just shut down and do nothing. So Ramit tells you exactly what to do with your money and why. Want to know whether it’s smarter to pay extra on your student loans or put that money into your 401(k) instead? Ramit will tell you. Want to know some specific financial companies that offer the low-cost index funds you should invest in through your Roth IRA? Ramit will tell you. Do you not even know what the heck an index fund is? Ramit will tell you!
Ramit also tells the truth about brown bagging your lunch and curbing your latte habit; and the truth is that these actions on their own are virtually pointless. Instead, you should go after the big wins, like getting the lowest interest rate and the best price on your next car because you have impeccable credit and negotiated “like an Indian” (negotiation scripts included).
Ramit maps out exactly how to get from where you are now to where you want to be financially, including how to create a personal money management system that practically manages itself. Ramit’s system starts with a no-fee checking account and an online high-interest savings account. (He even tells you which online bank he uses.) He then walks you through setting up automatic bill payments and regularly scheduled transfers to your investment accounts. Throughout, he includes easy-to-understand charts, as well as short pieces by other personal finance bloggers.
I wish I could quote some of the passages that I found especially useful or entertaining–Ramit writes with an appealing, if oddball, humor–but I have already mailed my copy of the book to my 24-year-old son, who called me last night to tell me it never would’ve occurred to him to ask his bank to waive an overdraft fee. (That gem is in chapter 2, I think.)
Thank you, Ramit! I hope this enthusiastic review by an “old person” will not stop the young people from buying your book!
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I like the fact that the book comes with charts, worksheets and plans to work from to explore the feasibility of staying at home and living on one income. Also included are real life stories, which make this book a very interesting and informative read.