Do you know your Number?
What happens if you don't make it to your Number?
Do you have a plan?
The often-avoided, anxiety-riddled discussion ... read full description
reviews
Feb 22, 2010
Gian
rated it: 
Being in the Financial Planning busines, I have always found it curious as to why nobody even thinks about planning for their future. Why do you work aside from paying the bills? One day you won't be working and what if you don't have any money to live on? This book examines the dicotomy of why it is so important to figure out your own number, why such a majority don't and what are the consequences. Very interesting and insightful read.
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Feb 08, 2009
Nick
rated it: 
I'm puzzled as to how to rate this book. The argument in it -- that we all need to save up for our retirements, and also think clearly about what we want to be doing in our retirements, because that affects how much we need -- is inarguable. But the author spends the first 9/10ths of the book telling us annoying stories about people who (mostly) fail to follow the advice. Way too much time on the problem. All you really need (if you buy the argument) is p. 251, a simple formula for calculati
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Feb 22, 2010
Grant
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“I received THE NUMBER book yesterday at my office, and earnestly delved into it last evening after supper. As of two a.m., I sat and grappled with both wonder and bewilderment. You have conveyed a remarkable tale to your readership, and for that I thank you. Your book is now my "number one" financial and behavioral book, and the essence of it both soothes and terrifies me. As one who has chosen planning as my profession, I plan to impart your ideas to my clients and, at the same time,
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Feb 22, 2010
Samuel
rated it:
An interesting read on what the author terms "The Number" - the sum which one can retire on. Deals with how people set or more commonly, fail to set targets for their retirement savings, and the myriad reasons why we often underestimate the amount needed. Contains some good financial advice.
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Feb 22, 2010
Hank
rated it:
I have some financial training and an economic mindset: Incentives Matter is one of my favorite mantras. I've labored in my mind on how best to inspire others to want to save with a plan - it seems this is an attribute one is either born with or is not.
This book is not about calculating the amount of money you will need in retirement - it is about ascertaining what achievable lifestyle you wish to target that can be maintained on your resources to and beyond your estimated but unkn More...
This book is not about calculating the amount of money you will need in retirement - it is about ascertaining what achievable lifestyle you wish to target that can be maintained on your resources to and beyond your estimated but unkn More...
Jun 01, 2008
Smallerdemon
rated it: 
I have abandoned this book. The author is well intentioned, but he is also disconnected from the reality of day-to-day life for the majority of Americans. One of the foundations of writing is to ask the question "Who is my audience?" This was not a question that the author asked himself in any way at all. He essentially decided to write a book about retirement saving and investing based purely on his own experience and his friendships with people in the minority of earnings and pos
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Oct 13, 2007
Jared
rated it:
The Number is a book about retirement. It's very accessible, and somewhat informative, but it's also a bit scatterbrained. The subtitle is also almost entirely misleading: while the book does discuss how many retirement calculators don't do a good job of assessing what a person actually needs to retire, it doesn't offer a better approach.
The main purpose of the book--belying it's subtitle--appears to be an attempt to document some of the history of the idea and practice of retiring More...
The main purpose of the book--belying it's subtitle--appears to be an attempt to document some of the history of the idea and practice of retiring More...
Aug 05, 2011
A philosophical discussion of "the number" - that magic amount of money you'll need when you "retire". Too outdated (2004) and too American.
Health + Wealth + Happiness + Engagement
Plan to withdraw 4% of your Number per year.
Remember to add up and include your invested assets (stocks/bonds), home equity, inheritance income, Canada Pension Plan income, work pension income, and any other income.
Health + Wealth + Happiness + Engagement
Plan to withdraw 4% of your Number per year.
Remember to add up and include your invested assets (stocks/bonds), home equity, inheritance income, Canada Pension Plan income, work pension income, and any other income.
Feb 05, 2012
Doreen
rated it:
This book is about retirement. It addresses 'the rest of your life' in clear and interesting terms. The focus is not only on MONEY for retirement. The book focuses equally on HOBBIES, NEEDS, and EXPECTATIONS, for retirement. It's an easy read. I liked it.
Jan 18, 2010
Al
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New Year's Resolution = get ready for Retirement. This entertaining book has one critical message - you can do it if you are willing (and able) to live within your means (spend less than you draw down each year).
Aug 14, 2011
Matthew
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Decent book about the strategy of planning for retirement and a look at the career of life planning and financial advising. Well researched author but had a fair amount of unnecessary information.
Feb 27, 2010
Amy
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This is a quick read and makes you think about how you want to live during retirement and what you need to ask yourself NOW to make sure your current actions are in line with your "dream"
Jun 09, 2011
Ashley-Dior
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It was good, but I didn't finish the whole book. I got the gist of what he was saying pretty quickly. Especially since I've read a couple of finance books in a span of 2 months.
Nov 30, 2008
Jason
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A book about the question: How much money should I save for retirement? I don't remember taking a lot away from the book, however, I did enjoy reading it.
Jan 29, 2011
Amanda
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He's a very smooth writer, but gives little practical advice. A good book to read while you stew on retirement & money philosophies.
Dec 29, 2010
Luigib
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This does not even come up under "the Number." This book was really hyped. I thought it was below average
May 02, 2011
Mmiller400m
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Everything changed when the recession started. Those poor books that came out just before are extremely naive sounding. This book barely escapes that and does have a lot to teach. Covering many different retirement issues, it's main audience is the baby boomer generation. Reading it from the perspective of a mid 20 something, it just reinforces the need for a retirement plan and account. It is reassuring in the fact that we might not need what we think we will and we can get by on a lot less and
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Jul 27, 2011
Lucy
rated it:
This is a pop-psychology book and not a financial planner guide as many readers refer to it. This book exposes some of the situations that retirees will encounter. I read portions in the past and had to re-read to put some things in perspective for me. It has some interesting points and stats, so if you're looking for a financial guide book this book will do nothing for you, however if you are looking for a social and psychological outlook on retirement this book will help you.
Feb 28, 2008
Espen
rated it:
About personal investment and retirement. Key point: Most people start saving for retirement too late, underestimate how much they will need (partly because we live longer now) and does not pay enough attention to allocation between investment instruments. Much wisdom, but despite the title, Eisenberg never comes out and says what the number ought to be.....
Mar 05, 2008
Kate
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I got about halfway through and couldn't take it anymore. I wasn't interested so much in theorizing as in practical strategies and information. I also found the author/narrator (don't read your own books, people, unless you have a background in acting, too!) and his anecdotes about super-rich acquaintances off-putting.
Nov 27, 2007
I started this book ages and ages ago, and I'm still not done. The reality of how much one must make in order to sustain a living in which one's already accustomed to is shocking and scary, not to mention all that other stuff once you start a family. SCARY........that's why I still haven't finished it!
Aug 29, 2007
vowelry
rated it:
Apparently, I will be poor and homeless when I retire, thanks to all the other generations that effed it all up. It's one of those things that's "good to know" so that you can plan the rest of your life away, but I am tempted to pull my "ignorance is bliss" card.
Oct 10, 2007
J. A.
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this book was a joke. I think that most people who are able to read will quickly learn that it does not tell you anything that you don't already know. I wish that I had written it. The author's "number" got higher because I bought it.
Mar 14, 2008
Chatfield
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 20, 2011
Christina
rated it:
Good re-thinking of "retirement" planning, although I wanted more concrete planning advice and some details to consider.
