Happier Than A Billionaire: Quitting My Job, Moving to Costa Rica, and Living the Zero Hour Work Week [Kindle Edition]

Nadine Hays Pisani (Author)

Book Description

TWO PLANE TICKETS, NO PLAN, ONE DREAM

Happier Than A Billionaire shares one couple's celebration of risking it all for the dream of living a happier life.

In this humorous and witty account, Nadine Pisani shares what it is like to follow her dream of quitting her job and starting a new life under the sunny skies of Costa Rica. Along the way, she finds reliable utilities are not that reliable, quirky neighbors are unavoidable, and tackling red tape takes the strength of a linebacker.

But with all its challenges, you'll learn why Costa Rica is ranked as one of the happiest places on earth--and you too may want to taste the Pura Vida lifestyle.

Editorial Reviews

Review

As Profiled on CNN.com

"One point Nadine learns from her experience is that we are all allowed to choose how we ingest what life deals us and I thank her for reminding me. And her humor! If she ever wants to look for a second occupation, she might want to consider 'stand-up comic'"   Tony Ortez, Howler Magazine

"They knew there was more to life than simply earning money to spend it on material things." Natalie Sisson,  SuitcaseEntrepreneur.com

"Reading this book is worth many, many laughs and is a welcome break from typical every-day life in the US." Heather Hill,  heather-leigh-hill.blogspot.com

About the Author

Nadine Hays Pisani is the host of the popular blog happierthanabillionaire.com. She lives in Costa Rica with her husband and the occasional iguana that sneaks into the house. She enjoys traveling, writing, and prefers to have a commute that ends with sipping a pina colada on a tropical beach.

Product Details

• File Size: 447 KB
• Print Length: 255 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1463536100
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0056ZWPWK
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,300 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Travel > Latin America > Central America
  • #2 in Books > Travel > Central America > General
  • #3 in Books > Travel > Central America > Costa Rica

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 72 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Funny, even hilarious, but needs copyediting October 17, 2011

By Dan Comden

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed most of the stories in the book and the author does a great job at the buildup to the move. She makes Costa Rica sound like a wonderful place and details her transition from wigged out city dweller to laid back jungle cat with humor, both at her own expense as well as her husband's. The first half of the book is much stronger than the second half, and some of the vignettes seem like they came directly from a first draft rather than getting the polish they need.

Sadly, the usage errors in the text (prospective vs. perspective, taught vs. taut, etc) were a big distraction for this reader. It's too bad the book didn't get more editorial attention -- it really deserves a good couple of rounds with the red pen. And by deserves, I mean that in the nicest way. I have spent money on flawless books that weren't nearly as good (or funny) as this one was. A star and a half deducted for the errors.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this Book July 22, 2011

By Tom D.

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just finished reading this book on my Kindle and loved it. It had me laughing out loud, in fact my wife kept looking at me like I had lost my mind! She will read it next, than I can throw barbs at her. This book was funny, sarcastic, insightful and just downright a pleasure to read. Her style of writing is light and fun, but also very insightful into what her daily life is like living in Costa Rica. I can't wait to read her next book about her continuing adventures in this exotic land. I highly recommend this book !!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly enjoyable adventure August 4, 2012

By Mike Gusler

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great read - downloaded it to my Kindle Fire and finished it in less than three hours. I was hooked after reading the first paragraph.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Happier than a Billionaire; quitting my job, moving to Costa Rica July 8, 2012

By Helen Scott

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was nice easy vacation reading. Very light weight and entertaining.
I recommend it to anyone who can see humour in every day things.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Living vicariously through Nadine and her Vin Diesel August 17, 2011

By Lvatty

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I started and finished reading this book in one day. The author's style of writing made the book a real delight to read. Her ability to mix personal stories with factualvinformation about the trials and joys of her life changing decision is excellent. I found myself laughing out loud at many points and marveling at the courage this couple showed at others by simply dropping everything and starting a new life in Costa Rica. Having to navigate a foreign country where you don't speakvthe language has got to be a challenge but the author makes it seem like the most practical and joyous experience. Imagining her husband going through a game of charades to get his point across still makes me laugh.

I think anyone who is caught invthe rat race and fed up with simply going through the motions of waking up, going to a job that is not what you really want to be doing, fighting the commute home just so you can go to bed and do it all again will find themselves living vicariously through this couple and wishing they had the courage to simply sell everything and start over.

For someone who is not a "professional writer," the author's style and writing is excellent and much better than many authors who have been published over and over. The fact that we can keep up with their lives through her blog is an added bonus (although after reading the book you'll wish like I do that she would post updates more often). Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone without reservation if only so that they can see that there is light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to be willing to take the chance.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Light hearted, tremendously funny, and informative if you're thinking of moving to Costa Rica November 25, 2012

By Donna Emke

Format:Kindle Edition

My fiance purchased this book when we decided we were going to retire to Costa Rica. We found this book not only informative for negotiating in a new country, but hilarious and witty, with a quirky humor. It shares how one couple changed their lives 180 degrees and how life does not have to be filled with things and possessions, but true beauty, relationship, and recognizing what matters in this world. You'll be rolling on the floor laughing and at the same time, taking away with you a worthwhile message.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars HAPPIER SINCE READING THIS BOOK, LOTS OF LAUGHS May 29, 2012

By sophie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a hilariously funny book! I read it through in day as couldn't put it down
it kept me laughing so much. Nadine's writing style takes the reader along on the
ride of one kooky situation after another along their journey. This book
will entertain. Keep writing Nadine, and glad you and Rob are happier....

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Its a novel and not my cup of tea. April 1, 2013

By ironfox

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Did Jay Leno write this book? I ask because there were a ton of one liners and a poor attempt at humor. This book isn't for me. I was looking for practical information. This is a story mixed in with humor. I don't want to be entertained. I want information. You won't find information here. 3 stars because I understand many people ARE looking for a novel. This book put me to sleep.

More About the Author

Nadine was born in Elizabeth New Jersey and attended Rutgers University. She lives in Costa Rica with her husband and dog, Clementine. When not writing, you can find her at the beach, on the back of a scooter, or frantically tossing scorpions out of her bed. She shares her weekly adventures on her blog: www.happierthanabillionaire.com