Customer Reviews

Money : An Owners Manual : A Personal Guide to Financial Freedom (Enhanced & Expanded Edition)

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

 

 

I first read this book in 1994, when I was deep in debt and wondering how to get out. This book gave me specific instructions on how to do that and to move on to financial freedom I enjoy now. It is simple, easy to read and gives you the plan to not only own money, but to own it without the worry that all the "other" investment schemes have built into them. I have since loaned it to my friends, with good reviews, and I periodically re-read it (one of the few books I have read more than once) to keep the focus. GET THE BOOK!

Money: An Owner's Manual by Dennis R. Deaton was such an inspiring book. I am 23 years old and have been married for 2 years. My husband and I read this book together and by using Dr. Deaton's debt elimination plan, we are just about debt free (aside from our mortgage) By May we should have both of our cars paid off and absolutely no credit debt. On top of that, we have managed to pay ourselves first every month! I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to try a new way to look at their financial future.

I bought this book after browsing several bookstores for anything that felt promising about financial advise. What a wonderful find. I was so excited about sharing what I had learned from reading the book, my wife became angry because I wouldn't stop talking about it.

Dr. Deaton's book is has a realistic, inspirational, humorous feel to it. I wish I could convince more of my peers of the book's value.

Dennis Deaton has foiled the lazy get-rich-quick seekers who want some clever and cynical way to "beat" the system. Deaton has the only way: utter simplicity: it's what you keep that counts. Companies could learn from this too! Deaton has given the simplest of lessons in the best and simplest way possible. His voice in the book is strong and clear, and he does not leave you wondering what to do. You know exactly what to do. If you want to own money instead of owe money, this is the book. This book will drive shallow people crazy. Which is why I like it.

Dennis Deaton's book "Money" taught me how to stay focused on all the reasons why I work for money. Run a tight ship, but, by all means buy this book.

Dennis Deaton attempts to write a book on how everyone, regardless of ability and background, can become financially secure by following his time proven steps to financial freedom. He explains how get rich quick schemes are scams, how conservative banking habits will promote financial success, and how to maintain that freedom once it is achieved. The book's primary flaw is its age. It is written in 1994 and speaks of savings interest rtes of 8-10%. Oh, for the goold old days.

A funny thing happened between then and now: Allan Greenspan. Greenspan's solution to limit inflation and to get people to spend money was his absurdly low interest rates. No one, not even frugal Dennis Deaton, can gain financial freedom with bank savings accounts that pay .5% interest. The rule of 72 says it will tak 150 years to double a $10,000 investment. Wow, sign me up.

Deaton also exhibits a typical Baby Boomer mentality towards work. It is the only way to achieve personal satisfaction. He expoinds that work gives meaning to life and since we love what we do, we should never retire. Once again, Allan Greenspan's finaincial genious assures us that we won't be able to retire anyway. Deaton's Baby Boom preaching carries on to the central role that money plays in our lives. (I should qualify myself as a fellow baby boomer who has similarly preached to the deaf ears of my kids.) But reading it, even though I'm part of it, shows how obessessed baby boomers really are. Deaton never really mentions charitable giving to religious or non-profit organizations is if donating one's money is anathema to his main point.

You can read this book if you want, but it really isn't all that good. At time he makes sense, as those hucksters on television who calaim buying foreclosed properties is the road to success really are a bunch of snake oil salesmen. But his obsessive preaching about the virtues of money and the happiness it will bring become rather tiresome by the midway point in the book. Since interest rates are no where near what he writes of, this has realy lessened the attractiveness of saving (though saving is still better than spending). A quicker way to get Deaton's point across is to simply listen to the Pink Floyd song "Money" which will provide the same theme.

Sure, Deaton has the key to financial freedom: Write a nonsensical book in a preacher's tone and give it a provocative title. Unfortuantely, it is the unsuspecting financial novice who ends up on the short end of the deal. Any words of wisdom that Deaton has to share are lost in his sermon about the acquirement and accumulation. His quest to be funny feels more like an insult.