Customer Reviews

You Don't Have to Be Rich: Comfort, Happiness, and Financial Security on Your Own Terms

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are dozens of books which address many of the same topics and issues and this is one of the best because it was written primarily for non-experts such as I who seek "comfort, happiness, and financial security on [our] terms," of course, and need guidance to make appropriate decisions. Answers to questions such as these are more difficult to formulate now than at any prior time that I recall:

* What are the significant differences between standard of living and quality of life?
* Are they mutually exclusive?
* How can -- and should -- "wealth" be measured?
* To what extent (if any) is there a correlation between personal happiness and net worth?
* What do the happiest people seem to share in common?
* What are the most damaging misconceptions many people have when formulating a financial plan?
* Which strategies and tactics are most effective to achieve financial security? Why?
* What are "The Ten Commandments of Financial Happiness"?

Chatzky address these and countless other questions which many of us may have but feel embarrassed to ask. Of course, we can retain highly reputable financial planners whose services are worth every dollar they cost. However, my own experience suggests that a financial planner's best client is a well-informed client. More specifically, financial planners are most valuable once a client has carefully completed exercises such as those which Chatzky includes in her book. Invoking direct address, what do you REALLY want in life? Being rich and being happy are NOT mutually-exclusive. Many people are unhappy because they are essentially insolvent, if not destitute. No savings, credit unworthy, deeply in debt, in danger of foreclosure or eviction, etc. Many others are just as unhappy because of their affluence. They yearn to possess what money can't buy: physical health, peace of mind, friendship worthy of the name, etc.

Caveat: Do NOT purchase this book or any other such book unless and until you are wholeheartedly committed to doing the "homework" required and then to following through on whatever decisions you make. I think that Chapter 6 (all by itself) is worth far more than the cost of the book. However, do you REALLY understand the requirements as well as the benefits of living within your means? Tough decisions may need to be made. (I mean TOUGH.) Do you have what it takes to make them? More importantly, do you have what it takes to stick with those decisions no matter what? Years ago, the actor Rod Steiger was asked if young people ever requested career advice. "Oh yeah, sure, all the time. I look them right in the eye and ask `Do you want to be an actor or do you HAVE to be an actor?' The longer it takes them to answer, the less likely they'll ever make it." If you HAVE to have financial security, Jean Chatzky can help you to achieve it. Otherwise....

Jean Chatsky has written a very timely and powerful book on personal finance. While many books merely regurgitate popular dogma, "You Don't have to Be Rich" overs a fresh perspective to personal finance.

This book is somewhat like "The Millionaire Next Door" except that it discusses what the happiest people in America have in common when it comes to managing their money, and what the rest of us can learn from them. For instance, they have distinctly different habits and behaviors about things you might consider minor, such as how often to pay your bills, and what you will do with your bank statement when it arrives in the mail.

"You Don't have To Be Rich" offers clear cut strategies to take control of your money. "It's time to take back our lives", says Chatsky "and in order to do that we need to take back our money."

Chatsky also offers a series of questionaires which will enable you to take a good hard look at your money habits and make necessary corrections.

Overall this is an excellent book and worthy of five stars. For even more in depth information, I recommend "Talking Money" also by Chatsky. These books will get you on the road to financial freedom.

I had an opportunity to obtain this book at a function before it was available to the public. Ms. Chatzky also provided some very nice supplemental commentary to the delegates of this convention. I appreciate her approach; however, there is one point to keep in mind as you read this book: this book is for consumption by a populace that for the most part is financially illiterate. If you're a detail oriented person with some financial acumen, some of the suggestions made in this book will drive you crazy (i.e. paying your bills the day they come in). However, if money is controlling you instead of you controlling it, if you find yourself confused or bewildered by a myriad of options and not enough explanation, or you feel your financial life is simply out of control, then this is an excellent starting point to bringing some order to chaos.

Jean Chatzky's new book on personal finance is unlike any that has come before. I know becaue I've read dozens of books on personal finance and getting rich. Chatzky's book includes an abundance of valuable advice and information necessary to manage your money in today's economy but what makes this book unique is the 'bigger picture' approach Ms. Chatzky takes on money's relevance to the whole of your life. After reading the book and doing the exercises I have a new awarness of my perceptions about money, its value and place in my life and I'm taking steps to do more of what brings me satisfaction instead of obsessing about how much money I have, what my investments are doing and so on. As if all that is ever going to make me happy. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and enjoying life more. And my money is doing just fine.

Excuse the pun, but this book is so on target. As soon as I saw the title, I thought I heard my conscience speaking. Like many of my friends, colleagues and neighbors, I recently found myself chasing the buck and losing sight of the more important priorities. Ms. Chatzkey's book helps to re-focus the reader on what's really matters and most importantly, how to achieve it. The book is an interesting combination of good practical advice that we'd expect from a therapist coupled with good practical advice we'd want from a financial advisor. It's going to be my "bible" in terms of getting back on the track of living an enriched life and not just a rich life.

I don't watch television, and I don't read financial magazines. I bought Chatzky's book on a friend's recommendation and was immediately impressed that someone had written a book for those of us who don't need to be rich. The questionnaires and charts and graphs are easy to digest, and the overall tone of the book is comforting. A great mix of economics, psychology, and common sense.

This book could have been called "Why are those people smiling?" It's interesting that one of the leading experts on personal finance is writing this book. Jean Chatzky presents an interesting addition to the old saying "money can't buy happiness."

Rather than write another one of those countless how-to books about making money, this one explains how you can feel better about what you have. Hats off to Chatzky's refreshing dose of reality.

The book is a quick read, in a light and breezy style, and filled with practical advice. I bought an extra copy for my mother! This one is worth reading.

Once again, Jean provides practical advice that we can all use. I have watched her on the Today Show for years and am struck by her uncanny ability to keep it simple. Here, Jean offers a path to happiness that everyone can follow. Her suggestions make sense, and the anecdotal examples make this a fast read that's well worth the investment.

The only problem for me is that the Roper research is based on a national survey. For those of us living in New York City, it's hard to swallow that $50,000 is the threshold amount that a person might need to be happy, unless she means "after taxes." I have friends who pay that much in yearly rent.

Still, if you can imagine the audience for this book is wider than those of us stuck in the most expensive city in the world, her points all make sense. Her thoughts about controlling spending by examining your real needs could have come from a psychologist, not an expert on money. The step-by-step advice is applicable to everyone, no matter how much you have in the bank.

It's a far reaching book that can help anyone become happier with what they have.

If you are like me, you have probably read and bought a lot of money books. But really, don't most of those other books pretty much say the same thing? I mean how many time can you talk about reducing debts, pay off your cc's invest in your 401 (k) etc., etc.

With Chatsky's new book, you will hear about reducing debt but in a different way. You also hear about saving, investing and financial planning.

I have been a fan of Jean Chatsky since reading Talking Money and have read her articles in Money magazine. In my opinion, she is the best of the female money guru's.

You don't have to Rich is a book for the times and I highly recommend it for men and women who want to take control of their finances.

The research conducted by the author on the impact of money on personal happiness is revealing and makes the book worthwhile. The author also talks about setting goals, a pre-requisite for success.. I enjoyed the author's perspective. Chatzky understands the value of intrinsic satisfaction and is not seduced by who has the most toys. After much reflection, I remain convinced that our goal in life is to make the most of the everpresent moment. So I recommend Optimal Thinking: How to be Your Best Self by Rosalene Glickman PhD as a companion to this book to arm you with the mental software to be your best, make the most of every situation and OPTIMIZE your financial life.