A leading expert on the affluent reveals the real way to build wealth. With well over two million of his books sold, and huge praise from many m... read full description
reviews
May 23, 2010
David
rated it: 
Couldn't get through it except by skimming. Same thing as his earlier The Millionaire Next Door, i.e.:
--A surprisingly high % of the country's millionaires are regular people of high-but-not-outrageously-high incomes who live below their means in modest neighborhoods and save a lot and invest conservatively.
--if you want to be wealthy but are not "glitteringly rich", you're better off emulating these everyday millionaires than the wannabes who try to keep up wi More...
--A surprisingly high % of the country's millionaires are regular people of high-but-not-outrageously-high incomes who live below their means in modest neighborhoods and save a lot and invest conservatively.
--if you want to be wealthy but are not "glitteringly rich", you're better off emulating these everyday millionaires than the wannabes who try to keep up wi More...
Oct 20, 2009
Rjohn
rated it: 
I won this through a goodreads giveaway, which makes me reluctant to rip on it, but this book was not good.
I haven't read any other of Thomas J. Stanley's books, but I have a feeling this one doesn't really cover any new territory. Stanley references the 08-09 Financial Crisis currently going on, but not in any meaningful way. The material covered is enough for a good essay, not a book. It took me back to my college days where you have to get to a specific word count, so you keep rep More...
I haven't read any other of Thomas J. Stanley's books, but I have a feeling this one doesn't really cover any new territory. Stanley references the 08-09 Financial Crisis currently going on, but not in any meaningful way. The material covered is enough for a good essay, not a book. It took me back to my college days where you have to get to a specific word count, so you keep rep More...
Jul 28, 2011
Adriane
rated it: 
Whew! I was so relieved to read that this expert on the lives of the truly rich, ie, those whose wealth is not merely reflected in luxurious lifestyles, but rather in their bank statement financial portfolios, more or less approves of my frugal lifestyle as a means of accumulating wealth. Not only is it okay for me to drive a nondescript Chevrolet and not own a second home, go on fancy vacations or send my kids to private school; but according to his research I am in good company even among th
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Oct 23, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
According to this book, there are a lot of posers out there and that's one of the main reasons we got slammed by the housing crisis and (as a nation) are overcome with debt.
Most millionaire's out there don't have extravagant houses, cars, watches, shoes, suits, wine, liquor, etc. that we tend to associate with that level of wealth. Most of those high end things are really only consumed by the "glittering rich" such as high-end celebrities. The author contends that real milli More...
Most millionaire's out there don't have extravagant houses, cars, watches, shoes, suits, wine, liquor, etc. that we tend to associate with that level of wealth. Most of those high end things are really only consumed by the "glittering rich" such as high-end celebrities. The author contends that real milli More...
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May 11, 2010
Nikhila
rated it:
Part of the Millionaire Next Door series, Stanley shares the results of his research into the habits/practices of the blue collar everyday rich. These are people who live so far below their means they manage to save 7 figures on a mid-5-figure salary by age 45. The earlier books in the series offered more compelling results of Stanley's research.
This book focuses solely on the actual buying habits of the glittering rich (super weathly), average millionaires and wanna-be-millionaires More...
This book focuses solely on the actual buying habits of the glittering rich (super weathly), average millionaires and wanna-be-millionaires More...
Jul 29, 2011
Trevor
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As the third book in his fantastic "Millionaire Next Door" series, "Stop Acting Rich" reveals that there wasn't quite enough content to round out the triology. While the facts and statistics are as interesting there is a whole lot a new information presented. Instead Stanley repeats the "if you want to act rich then buy product X, Y and Z" much too often. If you have read the previous two books I certainly recommend continuing on with this addition but if you are ne
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Mar 12, 2011
Tammy
rated it:
Several financial experts have said that if you can get just one golden nugget from any book you read then it was worth the read. You really have to dig through all the statistics and repetition of Dr. Stanley's books to find that one golden nugget. Basically, if you want to be an average millionaire, you don't hang out with or live where the outwardly affluent do because chances are they're living well above their means and are broke. The true millionaire lives below their means in middle cl
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Jan 19, 2011
Kimberly
rated it: 
While not as groundbreaking as Stanley's first book, this new look on his recent round of data does ground the reader's idea of luxury / what true wealth means vs. vapid "luxury" wealth for those that cannot afford it. His references on what the wealthy buy regarding watches, houses, cars is provocative. I also enjoyed the ending letter of slight criticism of Stanley's reporting by a millionaire, who basically states that "it's nice to have nice things, as it's your money and you
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Feb 24, 2010
Nate
rated it:
Dr. Stanley provides real market research into the attitudes of millionaires in America. The data show that your typical millionaire is not a hyerspender or hyperconsumer rather they are fiscally conservative individuals who get pleasure out of activities in life that don't require having money. It is their approach to life that makes them successful in all aspects, including financially. A must read for someone wanting to understand more about millionaires, their purchasing habits, and what mak
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Jan 08, 2010
Nikki
rated it:
Unfortunately, this book was not up to the same standard of "The Millionaire Next Door" that I read five or six years ago. Dr. Stanley interprets survey collected data from millionaires to tell us what kind of cars they drive, what kind of suits they wear, what kind of wine and vodka they drink, and what kind of homes they live in. Chapter after chapter felt redundant, the overall message being: most really wealthy people do not act like people in television adds for luxury items. W
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Feb 17, 2010
Crista
rated it:
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT advice if you are wanting to stop acting like you have money and actually ACQUIRE money.....much of it is common sense, but clearly not alot of people depend on something so basic anymore.....I love how the book points out that the majority of millionaires do NOT drive fancy cars or live in elaborate homes, and that is exactly HOW they got to be millionaires...if your whole goal is to "look rich" then you will most likely only end up in debt, but if you want to act
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Jun 28, 2010
Kristen
rated it:
This is a decent update of the earlier books. It was published after the housing and stock markets started crashing and periodically touches on that as a warning. (Although it's pretty strange that a 2009 author would consider a cellphone a luxury item like he still does.) This edition probably wouldn't be very helpful by itself as it doesn't go back and repeat the basics in the original volume.
Like the first book, it does get redundant. But that's not such a bad thing in this conte More...
Like the first book, it does get redundant. But that's not such a bad thing in this conte More...
Dec 30, 2011
Katherine
rated it:
I have not read Stanley's previous book so found this quite revealing. I did find some of the message rather repetitive. I had to chuckle at my kids when I asked what the best vodka was and they immediately responded with "Grey Goose". Definitely worth reading if you're inclined to buy any sort of status symbol watch, car, jewellery or house or wonder why we've ended up in the economic mess we are in.
Nov 10, 2011
Madonna
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This was great if you want to get down to the specifics about what millionaires buy from everything from suits to watches to cars to liquor. Very enlightening and breaks down a lot of stereotypes. I found the chapters about housing most helpful because it truly is where you live that will make or break your net worth.
Jan 28, 2010
Chris
rated it:
This book could have been 15 pages but instead he made each point, beat it do death, and then moved on to the next point. I have a feeling his publisher kept pushing for MORE FILLER! The points made were good, but much more enjoyable to read the first time he made them in, "The Millionair Next Door", which I Do recommend.
Jan 05, 2010
Anna
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I liked how the author used the word 'acting' to describe people who live as if they are wealthy even if they are far in debt. What the author boils his message down to is managing your money with smarts and common sense when it comes to spend vs. save and living within your means rather than 'acting' as if you are rich.
Jan 08, 2012
Tom
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Totally agree with the basic argument presented in this book: SAVE YOUR MONEY; QUIT SPENDING IT ON THINGS YOU DON'T NEED. The book's about twice as long as it needs to be and doesn't really have much of a math-based explanation for most of its arguments, but it's not really a finance book - just a good philosophy.
May 22, 2010
Janet
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I gave this book three stars despite only skimming it, because the author's basis thesis is quite valuable: that a majority of actual millionaires don't live a glittering lifestyle, but are very deliberate about living below their means. They become millionaires because they are not spending their assets on expensive clothes, cars, homes, boats, jewels and liquor. Instead, they are saving and investing, and enjoying peace of mind rather than huge debts and the stress of trying to keep up appeara
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Oct 30, 2009
Debra
rated it:
Stanley unfolds the truth behind the sterotype mold of the "millionaire". He gives you pointers on living like your rich and help you accumulate wealth to achieve the type of financial freedom that will create true happiness and fulfillment. It shows you how to live rich without spending more. It helps you to understand why you buy what you buy so that you can start accumulating, rather than depleting, wealth. A must read for anyone who wants more out of life.
Oct 04, 2011
Jane
rated it:
I could not wait until I was finished listening to this. Wow - what a time waster. Perhaps it would have been better reading it. The narrator came off as a condescending know-it-all.
I am not saying he doesn't make a few interesting points but really it could have been a nice essay not a book.
Read his other books and leave this one on the shelf.
I am not saying he doesn't make a few interesting points but really it could have been a nice essay not a book.
Read his other books and leave this one on the shelf.
Jan 30, 2011
Peter
rated it:
Written by an actuary whose job was to gather data on millionaires. Statistically surprising information on how the rich really live and spend their money. They didn't get rich by spending it on showy material items.
Feb 16, 2011
Paul
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Unfortunatly, it had one theme, to stop acting rich. Meaning, don't spend money on things to look rich. Use your money wisely. A good idea, but not for a whole book. I tried to like it, but no go.
Feb 10, 2010
Ashley
rated it:
I liked the concept and the major point of this book - my only problem is that the point was made in the first chapter. The rest of the book had a few interesting case studies and stories, but nothing that really added to the first chapter.
Jan 11, 2011
Julie
rated it:
Extremely useful information for the younger crowd. For us older folks it was kind of like reading a book about child rearing after your kid's in prison.
Sep 28, 2009
Mike
rated it:
What a goof. This author is a millionaire fetishist in the way that doesn't make this book any better. I'd avoid this is you care about your time :O)
Aug 20, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Very repetitive...seemed like an article stretched and padded to become a book. I didn't notice anything new, compared to The millionaire next door.
Aug 08, 2010
Stephanie
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Honestly, I could not finish this book. I stopped at the second chapter. I have read his other books and absolutely lived all of them. If you are new to his writing, perhaps you will enjoy this.
Mar 28, 2010
Mike
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If you've read The Millionaire Next Door there's really not much new in this book. He's beating a dead horse at this point.
May 04, 2011
Rpleshette
rated it:
The book had a good concept and I did learn a lot from it. However, I could only bring myself to skim through it.
Aug 07, 2011
Justus
rated it:
A follow-up to Stanley's "Millionaire Next Door" book. Worth reading BEFORE you buy that BMW or McMansion.
