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" One of six basic needs of humans is recognition. Some get it by committing acts of violence in public. Others do it on social media. Scathing reviews...more
One of six basic needs of humans is recognition. Some get it by committing acts of violence in public. Others do it on social media. Scathing reviews of ANY work is unnecessary and is a testament more to the person's self-centered immaturity than any dislike of the piece in question.(less)
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OK, I didn't even finish the book because I've heard it all before. Besides, here it's told in a story which is nice if you need to know about how to acquire money, keep it, and make your money earn more money, especially if this is your first book o...more
OK, I didn't even finish the book because I've heard it all before. Besides, here it's told in a story which is nice if you need to know about how to acquire money, keep it, and make your money earn more money, especially if this is your first book on the topic, find the topic boring, and need a story to entertain to get it across. This is just one of thousands of books that speaks on this material. I found it rather repetitive and corny in its story form. Other books you might be interested in that are more fact based and driven are Secrets to Creating Wealth: Learn How to Create Outrageous Wealth with Only Two Pennies to Rub Together; Think and Grow Rich; The Science of Getting Rich, How to Get What You Want; Secrets of the Millionaire Mind; on and on.
Like I said, there have been thousands of books written on the topic. Why this one is so popular, not sure. It has been around a long time, first published in 1926 and re-printed a dozen times; it's a very short, easy read, and, like I said, it's in story form. So maybe all that adds to it, but I'd rather just have the facts. I don't need story. When things are written like this and I'm looking for information, I have a tendency to skip around a lot. Or, like in this case, just drop it after a few dozen pages because I've heard this stuff many times before.
If you don't know much about the topic, I say give it a read through. But be warned, it is not the end all and cure all on such a complex topic. To understand any topic of complexity you have to read many books, for there is author bias, blind spots (few of us know it all), and complexity. Few books can cover all angles well. But to give you an idea about what this book covers, here it is:
1) Start thy purse to fattening - save/invest 2) Control thy expenditures - watch out for self serving brokers 3) Make thy gold mutiply - use powerful investments 4) Guard thy treasures from loss - watch out for brokers with their hot tips. 5) Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment - rental properties, your own home---but stay within your means. 6) Insure a future income - do work that you love to do. Become excellent at it. 7) Increase thy ability to earn - education never stops. Keep reading good books like this one, The Millionaire Next Door, Rich Dad Poor Dad and so on.
But anyone who has made money will tell you, there's much more to it than just what is stated here. Also much depends on the individual: talents, gifts, upbringing, mental maturity and stability, focus, ability to deal with and prosper from failure, motivation, on and on. Many have read books, gone to seminars, listened to CDs, watched DVDs, got it all, got it all down pat but never do anything with it. If it was that easy to make money and get rich, most would be doing it. There is a LOT that is not covered here. Another point to consider that there are as many ways to gain riches as there are people to gain them. YOU have your road map to riches and wealth within you; it is a very individual based path. But when all is said and done, if you just focus on money, you've missed the point all together. Peace!(less)
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Jeffrey
is now following Roma Gardner's reviews
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OK, this isn't literature of fiction, so let's take a look at the information contained within. To set the stage, let's take a look at your average retiree today. He or she is retiring on $25,000 and has a 95% chance of being dependent on the governm...more
OK, this isn't literature of fiction, so let's take a look at the information contained within. To set the stage, let's take a look at your average retiree today. He or she is retiring on $25,000 and has a 95% chance of being dependent on the government, friends and family, or other sources outside of personal retirement funds to make ends meet. My father, for example, with an Ivy League education and an advanced degree in engineering made a good living, probably in the upper 5% of income earners. Today, because of unforeseen circumstances or merely relying on a pension, he says he may outlive his retirement money.
According to the author, Patrick Kelly, retirement is something most Americans are not trained to think about, that it's quite uncommon for your average worker to be as prepared as he / she should be upon retirement. The statistics above verify this point. So, what does the book talk about? Is it important? essential reading to the average American? not only for her / his benefit but to the benefit of family, friends, and country that may have to make up for the difference putting additional financial burden on an already stressed economy?
YES!
What does the book cover? Well, the nine financial land minds, of course. And they are:
1. Lack of Planning 2. Procrastination 3. Getting on the wrong side of Mr. Interest 4. Desire for Instant Gratification 5. Following the Masses 6. The Inertia Facto 7. A desire to Get Rich Quick 8. Lack of Generosity 9. Acting like the Future Will Never Arrive
Not only is there sound financial advice, there's sound advice to live by . . . . period. If you've read other books or materials on investing, getting rich, even self-improvement literature, you'll recognize some of these principles. But the general theme here is don't be lazy, a simple follower follower, a glutton, focus solely on money, stingy, ignorant, or unaware. Actually, it's telling us to grow up, be responsible and accountable for ourselves, our families, and our country. Good advice all around. A must read for any citizen with a pulse.(less)
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I've read several books on economics (outside of college Econ. 101 and 102), or, more specifically, the Fed., the current dominant money system, co-ops and alternatives to current money system, and so forth, but this is one everyone should read. Why?...more
I've read several books on economics (outside of college Econ. 101 and 102), or, more specifically, the Fed., the current dominant money system, co-ops and alternatives to current money system, and so forth, but this is one everyone should read. Why? Here's the author to let you in on a secret:
"We are a nation of economic illiterates. As a result, we are easily misled by leaders who tell us of their good intentions--their passion to solve our problems. Our democracy puts voters in charge of choosing our policy makers, so the consequences of economic illiteracy can be disastrous."
Oh, yes, boys and girls we are in the midst of a perfect example of that "disastrous" result of economic illiteracy. The author tells us that if we want to avoid disaster and want this country to be economically prosperous, read on. But there's more. There's a micro to the macro. The author also states that by reading we will be able to make better decisions regarding our "consumption, savings, investments, career alternatives, and many other dimensions of personal decision making."
As an aside, this book falls in line perfectly with a pet peeve or mind about education in general. I bring this up because this book is now being read by many in school and college, and they are learning more about economics than from most the 'text books' they are assigned. Why are we teaching science and math (most of high school curriculum) to 100% of the population when only 5% of jobs are in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, math). The majority of kids can't even master their behavior nor do they have the necessary attitudes to achieve in the work force or the needed success principles amongst other things to not only survive but thrive. So our focus is on material that most don't want or will ever use in their careers? And our 'education' predominantly omits how to build a businesses when this country is founded in entrepreneurship; even its founders were some of the most effect entrepreneurs this country has ever knows (Ben Franklin rich by age 40 via selling his printing franchise to have more time for inventing and statesmanship--fortunately for us). Our kids don't even know how to do research or how to think independently, creatively, intuitively, never mind know the first thing about economics that will help them make informed decisions that will hopefully keep this country out of the crapper. Finally, this book will help them with their individual finances, which is essential when I see the majority of college kids cluelessly racking up debt in loans and credit cards to a future of indentured servitude. Oh, yes, Mr. Gwartney, we certainly do need this book. PeacE!(less)
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OK, before you get your panties all in a twist, let's remember who's writing the book and particular bias. Hey, he's Steven Forbes, businessman, net worth $430 million, and editor-in-chief of Forbes, son of Malcolm Forbes, grandson of B. C. Forbes. E...more
OK, before you get your panties all in a twist, let's remember who's writing the book and particular bias. Hey, he's Steven Forbes, businessman, net worth $430 million, and editor-in-chief of Forbes, son of Malcolm Forbes, grandson of B. C. Forbes. Enough said. He comes from money and he is money. He's not working class and never has been. He's not a left-wing demagogue, pundit, social engineer or radical economist looking to blame all economic ills on capitalism. So from that perspective, this book is going to praise capitalism not bash it. OK, now we can move forward keeping particular bias in mind--hopefully an open one.
Contrary to popular liberal belief, to a great degree Forbes is right. In a perfect world capitalism based in limited govt. regulation, free markets, and free enterprise where people vote freely with their dollars as to whether a product and / or services lives or dies is a Godsend. However, as Noam Chomsky will tell you, it's really been state-capitalism for nearly the last eighty years where govt. bailouts and intervention has turned us more into a socialist than democratic state (but have we ever been a true democracy? With the Fed. Act of 1913 pretty much nips that idea in the bud, eh? Hell, even Jefferson believed in the idea of the intelligentsia running the country full of poor, ignorant slobs--yes, you and me).
And he does nip some general ignorance in the bud regarding certain issues:
-- “Free markets are best at serving the needs and wants of people.” --”Self-interest -- not greed -- compels people in free markets to meet the needs and wants of others.” -- “Only a dynamic, entrepreneurial private sector is capable of producing the growth and prosperity that we take for granted in a free society. Government command-and-control economies simply can’t do it.” -- “Profit is a vital barometer in a democratic capitalist economy and the key source of investment capital.” -- “The most effective regulation in the Real World establishes the ‘rules of the road’ and does not attempt to micromanage markets.” -- “The best economic stimulus results when government unleashes the private sector by lowering tax rates and opening up markets. Government efforts to ‘stimulate’ or ‘fine-tune’ the economy -- through spending or monetary policy -- have never produced sustained long-term growth.”
All true, but what he isn't telling us is what Prof. Richard Wolff (Harvard, Stanford, Yale) is professing: there are seismic failures within the structures of American-style capitalism.
So as per usual, you can't just read one book on a topic as complex as economics and expect to get all you need to obtain a general understanding. You need to piece it together by reading several books written by several authors with differing biases, keeping in mind those biases and not freaking out or panicking when you see something that is"all wrong" in your opinion. And keep in mind, everyone has their blind spots, especially you, Mr. and Mrs. know-it-all reader (you know who you are.) Peace!
P.S. Good book to read is Common Sense Economics. Simple and to the point. Smart people making a complex issue so easy to understand even school kids are getting a kick out of it. Good read.(less)
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Actually, if you're even somewhat familiar with American History (and I'm not talking about what you learned in your politically correct high school readers, even though in recent years more of the 'bad stuff' is leaking out to our high school studen...more
Actually, if you're even somewhat familiar with American History (and I'm not talking about what you learned in your politically correct high school readers, even though in recent years more of the 'bad stuff' is leaking out to our high school students), there's nothing new here. So why are so many upset by Zinn? Most say they are bothered by Zinn's subjectivity (but who cares? after all, it's his book) and what some say is his "whining" tone. Hey, this will help you build your critical thinking skills and delaing with the reality of bias (never, ever read just one book on complex issues to get it all, or at least most of the true picture) And if he does focus excessively on the rich as creators and cause of all negatives historically, well, he's not too far off (for more, read The End of Money and The Future of Civilization by Thomas H. Greco). But there certainly are positives within most existing negatives (for more read A Patriots History of the United States).
But back to all the people whining about Zinn's whining (yeah, I know, funny, huh? ;o)What frequently happens is that people respond emotionally and within that emotion analyze incorrectly, therefore, missing the mark and attacking the author (not always, but often). What is most likely affecting most people is an initial exposure to long-covered truths, something Zinn has nothing to do with. And if you love your country and you're getting pummeled by constant negatives about that country, well . . . from that emotional state you shoot missing the mark.
But there's nothing new here, and you don't have to take my word. If you're looking for different perspectives on the same material, try this short list:
Revisiting America: Readings in Race, Culture, and Conflict; Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong; and to add to the fire, Noam Chomsky's Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance (yes, the one Hugo Chavez shot to the top of the bestsellers list); Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy; What We Say Goes: Conversations on U.S. Power in a Changing World; ad infinitum. Basically anything Chomsky.
As for the conservative reading list, there's . . . ahhhh . . . wait a tic? I don't see anything beyond the one book mentioned above. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Let me get on the phone to McCain. I'll be right back.(less)
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" Hey, Kenny. Thanks for the message. Some good points here. Not sure about there being an "original" but what he says, and from personal experience, it...more
Hey, Kenny. Thanks for the message. Some good points here. Not sure about there being an "original" but what he says, and from personal experience, it makes sense that since there was no printing press to copy the Bible verbatim, and it was being copied in various isolated incidents, then there would have to be mistakes, never mind changes to fit agendas. But you do make a solid point. Thanks.(less)
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