You're Broke Because You Want to Be: How to Stop Getting By and Start Getting Ahead (Hardcover)

by Larry Winget (Author) "Don't start in on me because of the title..." (more)
Key Phrases: Larry Winget, Broke Because You Want, Big Spender (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
“Larry Winget is a great guy - he's tough, talks straight and has a big heart. Read this book if you need a good kick in the butt!"
—Robert Kiyosaki, Investor, Entrepreneur, Teacher, and Author of Rich Dad Poor Dad

"I love this little book! Larry is authentic, sincere and generous in his advice. So shape up and STOP being broke... FOREVER! Listen to this man. He is the ROCK STAR of personal finance!"
—Keith Ferrazzi, author Never Eat Alone

“Larry Winget’s no-nonsense advice will make a difference in your life today. His plain talk and simple solutions - right in this book-are what every American needs to go from broke to making money and living life. If you’re feeling broke, get this book, now.”
—Jennifer Openshaw, Author of The Millionaire Zone

"Classic Winget. Bold, brash, and exactly on target. If you want to escape debt and get your life back, this book is your game plan."
—Randy Gage, author, Why You're Dumb, Sick & Broke... And How to Get Smart, Healthy & Rich!

"Go Winget, go! Larry tells it like it is (in his trademark style), and gets in your face to make you FACE your financial reality (or lack thereof). Stop thinking and acting broke, and get with his program. It can change your life."
—David Bach, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Automatic Millionaire and Start Late, Finish Rich

Product Description
I wrote this book for the average person who has a job, makes a living and still can’t seem to get ahead. I wrote it for the person who dreams of being rich but can’t quite seem to turn his dreams into reality. I wrote this book for the person who is ready to turn his life around and finally have financial freedom. I wrote this book for the person who is covered in debt and can’t seem to stop living paycheck to paycheck. I wrote this for the person who spends more than they make and can’t figure out how to stop doing it.
--Larry Winget

If this describes you, you are not alone. Over 40% of families are feeling the pressure, spending more than they earn, and risking retiring financially dependent on the government, family, or charity. Larry Winget knows—he’s been where you are now. He grew up poor, then made and lost a fortune when a business in which he’d invested went bankrupt. But he worked his way back from rock-bottom to become a multi- millionaire.

Now he gets paid to help people in financial crisis on A&E’s reality series, Big Spender. On the show, he coaches people who have jobs, maybe even high-paying jobs, but are nevertheless in debt or living hand-to-mouth. His blunt take on their situations? They’re broke because they want to be. They all say they want stability, savings, and financial freedom, but their actions too often contradict their words. Larry helps them to see the contradiction, get back on track, and out of debt, step-by-step. He can help you, too.

Whether your aim is to get out of debt, save for a house, or simply stop kidding yourself when it comes to savings (for retirement, for your kids’ college, whatever your goal) this book encourages you, through easy-to-complete worksheets and Larry’s bullying yet wise counsel, to make it happen. Larry’s motivating message: If you want to be rich, you can. But first, you have to stop being broke, and start getting ahead. And he’ll walk you through not only the necessary attitude adjustment, but the practical choices and actions that will get you there.


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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Gotham (December 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592403344
• ISBN-13: 978-1592403349
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (114 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,474 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Great Material, Great Writer!, January 9, 2008

By	Robert L. Stinnett (Boonville, MO) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

When is the last time you sat down and read a book cover-to-cover without stopping? That is just what I did the other day when I got home and found Larry Winget's book waiting for me from Amazon. In "You're Broke Because You Want To Be..." Larry Winget uses this in your face style of self-help coaching to let you know that there is a way out of this debt hole you are in. Given the current state of the economy, this book couldn't have come out at a better time.

Larry puts it on the line and basically says that all of us have the power to make our lives better and stop the financial bleeding if we want to -- and you know what he is right. He states, for example, to get off your rear end and stop watching television and take a class or learn something new to help advance your career which helps you earn more money. He's dead on in that regard -- I personally stopped watching the idiot box over 2 years ago and started taking night classes towards an MBA. It has helped me more than I could ever have imagined.

The problem with this book is that most people, just as Larry says, won't want to do what he tells you to. They don't want to give up their cable TV, they don't want to get a 2nd job to pay off the bills, they don't want to stop eating out every other day. They just want a magic bag of money to drop into their lives. Well wake up folks, it isn't going to happen. The theme of this book can best be describes as "It's All About You!" -- YOU have to sacrifice to get out of the hole and if you aren't willing to or don't want to make tough choices then save your money and don't buy the book and continue living in your financial nightmare.

After reading this book I got the extra "boost" I needed to continue working my 2nd job (my own small business) to help it grow even more. My goal is to be debt free by the beginning of 2009 and I know I can do it -- I got my shot of reality from reading this book. Now I'm ready to hunker down and make it happen!

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on finance available, December 28, 2007

By	Marsha Petrie Sue "Marsha" (Scottsdale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This book is a must buy for anyone that doesn't have a secure financial grip on life. Larry makes you take a hard internal look at the way you earn, spend and save money. Through real life stories of himself and others, he gives direct, no fluff actions to apply, solving any financial disaster. No more excuses are allowed.

The video download is excellent and supplements the book perfectly. I also like Larry's blog and newsletter. Along with the book, he gave me everything I need! Marsha

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book on Managing Money!, January 2, 2008

By	William Jenkins - See all my reviews

Why is this book different? First, it gives you a proven, simple step-by-step process to dramatically improve your financial situation. None of those fancy, complicated theories are included. Instead, the techniques in the book are very specific and you can begin applying them immediately. Second, this book will actually inspire you to start taking action right away.

Don't just "skim over" the book hoping for that one-sentence "magic pill" that will make you rich and famous without any effort. That "magic pill" doesn't exist. The simple fact is this book WILL work for you if you READ IT and DO IT.

Of course, there are always those people who will never take personal responsibility for their financial problems. They'll complain about their physical problems or say how their husband was raked over the coals by his ex-wife's lawyer. Their excuses are endless.

Larry confronts ALL excuses head on. It's fairly easy to find people who have experienced extreme hardships and yet still able to become financially successful. He even gives some very inspiring and detailed examples in this book.

Here are the three steps to follow if you want to improve your financial situation:

1. BUY the book.
2. READ the book.
3. DO what the book recommends.

Another reviewer mentioned the excellent video download you'll receive without cost when you buy the book. I totally agree with her. The download video is an extremely valuable supplement. You might even feel the download video is worth many times the price of the book.