Customer Reviews

The Barefoot Investor: 5 Steps to Financial Freedom in Your 20s and 30s

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I brought this book at Christmas time in 2008, read it, and saw it had good ideas. I didn't do anything, untill I was wondering where my money was going in March 2009. I reread the book, and thought, what do I have to lose by giving it a go? I did what the book said(as other reviews have said, simple things, but important things),opened a few different accounts, Savings, bills, holiday,spending etc. In March this year I worked out that I had gone on 2 overseas holidays, put 5k into my mortgage(That I had saved), now have enough money to pay my bills when they come in.

By doing what it said in the book, The Simple things, Financially I have turned my life around, from living from paycheck to paycheck, to having the money to spend on myself and enjoy life, whilst knowing that financially I am free.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in being Financially Free.
After all, what do you have to lose?

If you're looking for a boring financial advice book, that is difficult to read and understand, this is NOT the book for you.

This book gives a whole new outlook on finances. The Barefoot Investor gives down-to-earth and understandable advice. In its own simplicity, it tackles complex financial questions.

Scott certainly delivers common sense advice, with a sometimes comical spin, that does not make you fall asleep. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in getting their financial life in order and who doesn't mind a few laughs along the way.

An educating and enjoyable read!

The Barefoot Investor: Five Steps to Financial Freedom in Your 20s and 30s

At 36 I'm completely incompetent when it comes to money management--so much so that someone else handles my bill paying, checkbook and other finances. No one ever taught me how to do these things effectively, and my father is just as clueless because my mother always handled those things. But since her brain injury it's been left to him to handle all this, and Pape's book does exactly what it says it will do: give you a good overview and steps in the right direction, even if you're a complete idiot when it comes to money. I read the book first and then my father read it, and now we're putting Scott's suggestions into place. It's a bit of an adventure, but more than anything it's empowering to know that I'm thinking about and planning for my present and future financially. The best part is that while the author "dumbs it down" so that even a novice could understand it, he's pretty wry, very witty and occasionally a bit caustic in a humorous way. That alone makes this much less intimidating and much more enjoyable to read than your typical finance book.

If you've read any investment books, this one fits in with all of them and doesn't really offer anything new. Not a bad book if you are new to the idea of investing and building wealth long-term. It also has sections on other life issues, such as renting vs. owning. Be warned that the author hails from Australia, so a lot of the content is useful but different from how things are in the US.

I give it four stars because it's a decent book and the author writes in a very comfortable style, even though much of the material is pretty basic.

This book is good, very good. I like his approach. He didn't teach my much new though. Nothing you can't find in 3 or 4 other books. So it IS really good value as it is all condensed in the one book. I like this guy, he's good.

This guy has two feet firmly planted on the twenty-something-year-old ground. He makes a point of starting with a dose of reality: money is only the stuff that gets you where you want to be, so work that out before you spend. He's ideas are no-fuss, practical and quite obvious good sense once you hear his explanations.
He is completely in tune with pop culture and doesn't try to get you money for when you are too old to enjoy it - it's about being smart now so that you can enjoy it soon...and I trust his advice to last me my lifetime.
The best book an Aussie young-adult can read - the first time I've interested enough to make good decisions that have already reaped rewards.
:)

This book changed my financial life. I have read many financial reviews, books and recommendations and The Barefoot Investor is the only book that I have enjoyed from start to end and then applied to my own life. The language is fun and the strategies are simple but powerful. This is not a book about money scrimping or getting rich quick - it's a philosophical, holistic approach to finances and life. If you're about to dive into a big financial commitment, this book will help you to step back and look objectively at the big picture.

In response to Soragham's review, I fear he missed the point. This is not an economic textbook intended to delve into the finer points of the subject. It sets out to be "a straight-talking, sexy guide to money that empowers you to get to your goals as quickly as possible" and that's exactly what it is. The cover photograph of a simpering Mr Pape is just the beginning of this book's many charms.

I found this book to be too oversimplistic. It's written very poorly(even containing the odd completely unnecessary curse word!), and does not really stand to benefit the reader in any aspect. Any topics that are raised are simply discussed, and to gain any benefit whatsoever, you would have to refer to further material on the matter. On that basis, reaing this book does nothing but annnoy those who are looking for a good insight into managing your finances, on the grounds of it being severely 'unprofitable' as an educational asset, and a very poor return on time invested reading the book.
Ultimately, as the other reviewers have expressed, it would be a much greater use of your time to look elsewhere for a better book on managing your finances, and based on the quality of this books content, that shouldn't be too hard.