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You're Broke Because You Want to Be: How to Stop Getting By and Start Getting Ahead
by
Larry Winget
Now in paperback: The New York Times bestselling author and star of A&Es reality series Big Spender, Larry Winget, cleans up Americas personal finance crisis
More than 40 percent of families today are feeling financial pressure: spending more than they earn, and worrying about retiring and being dependent on the government, family, or charity. Larry Winget knows. He grew ...more
More than 40 percent of families today are feeling financial pressure: spending more than they earn, and worrying about retiring and being dependent on the government, family, or charity. Larry Winget knows. He grew ...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
December 30th 2008
by Gotham
(first published 2007)
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One look at the cover of Larry Winget’s book and his appearance and I can assure you this – you would either like him or dislike him.
Nothing in between.
And I can also guarantee this.
When one reads through his book, you will either love him or hate him.
Nothing in between.
The reason being Larry Winget is a self-help guru who is nothing in between. Oh sorry, did I say ‘self-help guru’? He makes it very clear – he is NOT a self-help guru. Rather his ...more
Nothing in between.
And I can also guarantee this.
When one reads through his book, you will either love him or hate him.
Nothing in between.
The reason being Larry Winget is a self-help guru who is nothing in between. Oh sorry, did I say ‘self-help guru’? He makes it very clear – he is NOT a self-help guru. Rather his ...more
Lauren
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone needing a kick in the pants (which is probably all of us)
If you're tired of being hugged and told everything is going to be alright, well, then Larry Winget is for you. It's fresh and refreshing. I'm sure his style isn't for everyone, but I enjoyed it. This was more than a book, but a workbook. As I use the library, I had to have a notebook along side me to follow the book. Much of what he said has been said before, but what he does that is different is that he makes you take a look at yourself. Take responsibility. If you can't, then things wi...more
In my quest to get our family finances under control, I've been reading pretty much everything I can find on personal finance. It's been hard getting my husband on board, and when we saw Larry Winget as a guest on a TV show, my husband was intrigued by his "matter of fact" approach. He looked up the book on Amazon, and I checked it out from the library (we do have some money sense, review the book before a purchase).
I couldn't even finish this mess. I don't have a problem wi...more
I couldn't even finish this mess. I don't have a problem wi...more
Quick read and practical advice for those with financial worries. Most of the advice is just very practical…stuff my grandmother would have done and said like pay cash for stuff…but we can always be reminded of the practical. This isn’t a book about investing money. This is for people who are working but in debt (or maybe not working and wondering why they’re in debt!)
I liked the anecdotes about real people he’s met on his TV show, his own life, his kids and family, and I liked the w...more
I liked the anecdotes about real people he’s met on his TV show, his own life, his kids and family, and I liked the w...more
This book was extremely nonuseful. If I wanted to be emotionally beat up about the state of my finances, I could have just listened to my interior monologue. On the other hand, it was a fast read, and had an end, which my interior monologue does not.
Perhaps I am unique among broke people, because I do not in fact have debt. Every book about finances I have found is all about getting out of debt. My trouble is more with budgeting, which countless books have actually not given me any...more
Perhaps I am unique among broke people, because I do not in fact have debt. Every book about finances I have found is all about getting out of debt. My trouble is more with budgeting, which countless books have actually not given me any...more
This book didn't tell me anything I didn't know, but it helped to motivate me to become more financially responsible. It also helped me to adjust my thinking; instead of saying "I can't afford to buy this" I now say "I choose not to buy this because I'm saving or spending towards a valuable goal." I put this thinking into practice just this week when I was feeling too lazy to cook and wanted to order a pizza. I chose not to buy a pizza because I am directing my money towar...more
Actually its more like 4.5 but I can't do a half star. I didn't like it as much as Repair your credit and knock out your debt. But it was good. I think he was arrogant but he says he is and he mentioned his show alot. Since I have no t.v i dont' know what he's talking about. Also He advises getting rid of cable but he had a cable show. Go figure. All in all lots of good ideas and good work sheets. Nothing to ground breaking but a good quick read with some nice ideas. He's the first author I've r...more
i don't have tv so i didn't know who this guy was or what his modus operandi is, but after reading this book i can tell his "thing" is to be a complete asshole to people who are in financial crisis. he claims that his approach is simply tough love + that he likes it when people cry because then they finally have attached some emotions to their mistakes, but it is still pretty asshole. i found the book kind of charming in a way because he writes like a complete asshole as well. his m...more
Usually when I read a book in 2 days, it's because I really liked it and couldn't put it down. In this case though, it was more like, I couldn't wait to put it down so I could move on. It's not that it's a bad book, it's just not for me. Larry Winget's in-your-face persona probably works a lot better in person, or on TV. It doesn't work quite as well in a book, because you can always just put the book aside. If this book is going to help you, you have to want the help, and you have to actually b...more
Simply, full of stylized rants that say "Here's my tough guy persona! This is my mask so I stand out...plus did you notice my distinctive shirts?"
Yet for all that, the book is practical and a great introduction to getting back on your feet with sound advice.
If you're struggling, read this. If not, check out books that are more indepth and not as rudimentary, such as 'Your money or your life'.
Yet for all that, the book is practical and a great introduction to getting back on your feet with sound advice.
If you're struggling, read this. If not, check out books that are more indepth and not as rudimentary, such as 'Your money or your life'.
This book was AWESOME! There are so many good things about it, that I'm just going to tell you to go and read it yourself!
*** You don't have to be "broke" to get something out of this book... it's for anyone who wants to make their financial situation better - and who doesn't want to do that?!?!?!
I recommend ALL books by Larry Winget... but only if you like it when someone "tells it like it is" - he is very upfront and in your face. Great on TV, too ...more
*** You don't have to be "broke" to get something out of this book... it's for anyone who wants to make their financial situation better - and who doesn't want to do that?!?!?!
I recommend ALL books by Larry Winget... but only if you like it when someone "tells it like it is" - he is very upfront and in your face. Great on TV, too ...more
Michelle
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who wants to better their financial position
Shelves:
non-fiction
Wingett pulls no punches...he tells the reader their lazy, lack will, are unethical, etc.
And you know what...if you're at the level of broke that he's discussing, then at least one of those derogatory remarks is more than likely true.
He offers up some great tips on what you can do to get yourself out of debt. None of them are easy, some of them are enough to make you cry, but when you hit bottom, you have to shoulder the consequences of your actions...and that's the found...more
And you know what...if you're at the level of broke that he's discussing, then at least one of those derogatory remarks is more than likely true.
He offers up some great tips on what you can do to get yourself out of debt. None of them are easy, some of them are enough to make you cry, but when you hit bottom, you have to shoulder the consequences of your actions...and that's the found...more
A friend recommended this book because Larry Winget is a straight forward guy and his ideas on budgeting are cut and dry. I think some of his advice is extreme, but I suppose for an extreme situation it could be appropriate. I like his attitude, and he tells people to stop making excuses. There were a few tips and tools that were helpful, but overall the book wasn't ideal for me.
A lot of this book should be common sense, but I haven't been very sensible in the last couple of years. Only in the last few months have I started to change my life. This book let me know that the changes I have been making are the right ones in order to get the life I want. It also gave me more practical tools towards building a better future. He's tough, but some of us need exactly that kind of brutal honesty.
This book had a lot of common sense instructions that i was aware of, but yet, with an open mind, i went through and realized how it is easy to become complacent in your day to day actions with money, and how you can slip out of being disciplined. So with that being said, i was energized and motivated to get back on course with my financial plan.
This was a quick, 2-hour read that offered a lot of practical tips for getting out of debt and/or getting ahead financially. While I already embrace most of his tactics (create a budget, know how much you earn/spend, live within your means), the main theme in his book is that we all choose our situations. If we're not getting ahead it's because we don't want to. For example, I could have more money if I was willing to do what it takes to get it...get a second job, sell most of my crap (I don't u...more
FAXBoy
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Borders
Recommended to FAXBoy by:
Borders
A relatively impulsive buy the other day, but hopefully this guy will be able to tell me where I can find a big bag of money.
Dramatic Update: Mr. Winget did not disclose the location of the aforementioned bag of money, but he did start to sound a lot like Mr. T after a while. Like he "pitied the fool who spent more than he earned!"
Dramatic Update: Mr. Winget did not disclose the location of the aforementioned bag of money, but he did start to sound a lot like Mr. T after a while. Like he "pitied the fool who spent more than he earned!"
A good reminder on how to be better with our money. I need a good reminder to help me focus on where we want to be! This author has a no excuse way of speaking and made me laugh! I loved the stories shared and was pleasantly pleased with how many of his suggestions I already do....of course there are more I could do!
I think many more people need to read this book. I know that I needed to hear what it said. Larry Winget has a way of cutting right through all the BS and gives you concrete ways to stop being broke. I think this book will be a Christmas gift for a few of my family members, young and old!!
Another great bargain bin find! At first it seems like it is really light on content and then you realize: there really isn't much more to say. This book slices it as thinly as possible... It's all about choices and you are 100% responsible for your choices. Period. Highly recommend this book.
I'm not broke, but I'm nowhere near where I'd like to be financially, so this audio book caught my eye at the library. It's a good kick in the pants, a no nonsense reminder to take an honest look at your spending habits and take steps to live within our means.
Good for people who are making money, but not saving any. Personally there wasn't anything in this book that was new to me, but if you are just starting out being thrifty then this is an ok start. I would recommend the "Tightwad Gazette" series over this any day.
Winget's style of writing is very abrupt but holds a lot of truth. If you are looking for something sweet and sugary on how you’re destroying yourself and your family because of your spending habits, then don't read this book.
Very insightful.
Very insightful.
All Larry Winget's advice is common sense, but I'd still recommend this to anyone who is having money woes. The writing is simple and blunt, which makes it easy and quick to read. If you've read books about money before, there's probably no reason to pick this up, but if you haven't, like me, you'll probably get a lot from this guy's advice.
Love, love, love this book. It may not be pretty, but it's the truth: you're broke because you want to be. If you're looking for solid advice on how to pull yourself out of the hole you're in .... this is a great book for you.
Straight talk about money and basics. Written to help you start taking responsibility and to notice where you are oblivious to the consequences of your decisions. Basic and direct.
Love his blunt, no-nonsense, smack-you-in-the-face approach to financial health. I just wish I had the courage to do everything he says.....give up my cable??!!
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Eh, it's ok. Nothing you don't already know, he just says it in a more abusive way! If you want to read it, check it out of the library...don't buy it.
If you thought Dave Ramsey was "down home" and straight forward, wait till you hear Larry! I loved this, but for different reasons than other financial books.
This guy I love. He is a no nonsense type of guy that will tell you your excuses and then tell you your full of crap. He has really motivated me to get out of debt and choose my path in life.
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