Green with Envy: A Whole New Way to Look at Financial (Un)Happiness (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "It started even before the couple next door moved in..." (more)
Key Phrases: money taboo, social psychology textbook, home equity line, New York, Capitol Hill, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Freelance journalist Boss performs a real service by putting some of America's financial hangups on trial, charging that "the money taboo"—our good-manners reluctance to discuss what we earn and spend—is "destructive nonsense" that leads to debt and despair. Boss argues that envy ("the only vice warned against in both the Ten Commandments and the Seven Deadly Sins") can be good for the economy, but our drive to keep up with our neighbors can be unhealthy. In five case studies, she shows the consequences of maintaining appearances when we can't afford it; the highlight is a chapter in which Boss lives a fantasy by interrogating her seemingly well-off next-door neighbors and getting the real scoop on their savings, income and credit card bills. The scope of the author's reporting is a bit limited—except for one billionaire, her subjects aren't especially socioeconomically diverse—and we never learn whether non-U.S. cultures suffer the same pangs of envy. Worse, her soft concluding chapter tacks toward self-help, offering counsel that's surprisingly platitudinous ("The universe will provide"). Even so, Boss's case for candor is valuable. (May)
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Review

"It's rare to encounter such honesty about the endless financial comparisons people make...refreshingly juicy... a compelling read." -- --USA Today

"A much-needed reality check...a must-read for those trying to achieve true wealth." -- --Black Enterprise

"Boss performs a real service by putting some of America's financial hang-ups on trial...Her case for candor is valuable." -- --Publishers Weekly

"Finally--an entertaining book about money." -- --King Features Syndicate

"Voyeuristic...nicely backed up with a slew of eye-opening facts." -- --Charlotte Observer --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Business Plus (May 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446578355
• ISBN-13: 978-0446578356
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #849,199 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most honest personal finance book out there, May 14, 2006

By	Mark Danaher - See all my reviews

First and foremost, i loved the first and second chapters about the author's perception of her neighbors and what the reality turned out to be. This book is hilarious, a page turner and also pretty scary at times as I can relate to the slippery slope of charging more than i need to.

It's not your typical 9-steps to riches book, it's much deeper than that. I've read many personal finance books, but never came across one that really deals with the pyschological aspects of things. And that's actually where most of us need help and the book offers a very philosophical approach in the last chapter.

Absolutely recommended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A surprising page turner, June 23, 2006

By	Kendra Crook (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was a surprising page turner for me, because I NEVER read books like this....I don't even slow down by the personal finance section of Barnes & Noble. I decided to read it because I felt like I was seeing mention of it everywhere - CNN, NPR and USA Today. Figured if it was getting this much press, it was probably worth a try....and I was right.

I enjoyed it so much that I bought a copy for my parents, my in-laws and several accountant friends. And they have all enjoyed it....and for different reasons, my parents and in-laws liked the personal stories (the confessions of other people's dirty financial secrets) and my accountant friends liked Boss' mental approach to other people's money in the conclusion.

I plan on continuing to give copies as gifts - great for recent college graduates, newlyweds, etc.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read, May 9, 2006

By	K. Parsons (Berwyn, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While it's true that there is not a great deal of "new" information in this book-that's largely true of most books on money. There is only so much money information to dispense and there are many, many books on money out there. Green with Envy gives a new and interesting spin on that information. It is also fun and--I'll admit it--a little gossipy. It was particularly interesting to read about the money woes of our members of congress. Many people, myself included, read books on money not so much for information, but for incentive to keep saving, and the encouragement of knowing that we're doing pretty well compared to, well, the Joneses.