Nirupama P.R.V.'s Blog: Catty Opinions of a Book Loving Couch Potato, page 13
August 2, 2020
Reading Challenge Updates- July
Another month is up and it is time to take stock of how the month passed. On this blog, it simply means reviewing how much I progressed on the Goodreads Reading Challenge.
This month I progressed to 3 books.
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All three books are ebooks and are non-fiction.
Review of Richest Man in Babylon is here.
In this pandemic and some family health issues going on, this reading has been my down time.
How is everyone else using this time? Let me know in the comments below.
July 26, 2020
Book Review- Richest Man in Babylon
The book Richest Man in Babylon has been recommended by many. It’s been on my wish list ever since I read Barbara Stanny’s Overcoming Underearning.
So, of course I wanted to share my review of the book.
Rating
5/5 stars
This is an amazing book. The core principles of money are easy to follow along although hard to implement in reality. It needs loads of discipline and determination. If there is one book on money we all need to read, this is it.
The story style is engaging and even though some of the laws are repeated, the characters keep you hooked.
The book is so amazing- I have to immortalize the wonderful rules of personal finance that every person should know.
Seven Rules of Riches
1. Earn, Save , Spend
Save at least a tenth of what you earn. And then spend. Simple and miraculously- works!
It is hard though… as is the first step of every difficult but amazing prize!
2. Budget
Document what you spend on. You will learn what you spend on. It might not be to your liking but you will know.
Then allocate your money such that you have have ample funds for necessities and to fulfill worthy desires – NOT casual wishes. All the while, continue to save a tenth or more.
3. Make your money grow.
Invest your money and keep going. Do tap into power of compounding.
4. ABC- Always be Careful
Guard your money such that the principal is always safe and can be reclaimed. Don’t get lured into quick rich schemes. Seek the wisdom of those who know to handle money expertly.
5. Own your home.
Build and invest in your own future. Instead of plowing money into a rental, put it to good use to build your own asset and place of pride.
6. Invest
Invest for your future, for retirement, for aging needs and for dependents. Make a list and get a realistic number so you know what you need to build up to and by when.
7. Grow Your Mind
Cultivate your own powers, study and become wise, become more skillful and more confident to achieve more of your own desires.
As ever, let me know in the comments if you read the book. What were your thoughts on the book? If not, will this review entice you to check out the book?
July 20, 2020
Monday Motivation
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(Because some loveys need to be passed down generations!)
July 13, 2020
Monday Motivation
Desire is the Starting Point of all Achievement.
– Napoleon Hill
July 9, 2020
Half Yearly Updates
Hi everyone! If you are like me and wondering where half the year slipped by, you are not alone!
With the global pandemic and lockdown came the additional tasks of trying to self sufficiently within our homes. I know everyone had at least one task that they relied on others that caused an unpleasant burden. Whether it was the lack of takeout, cleaning service, domestic help, childcare, entertainment options, fitness centers- we all had to learn kicking and screaming.
And that I think put the perspective for a lot of people who thought work from home was the bees knees. Well, the grass is always greener on the other side.
Anyway, the saving grace in these ‘Groundhog Day’ style months has been my reading and this blog. So, it’s time to take stock of how the blog fared.
Here are the top stats-
VIEWS
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I’m happy to see that my views are a lot more than what it was last year. (Last year/2). I hope to beat 2017’s views this year.
VISITORS
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As far as visitors go, 2017 and 2019 were neck to neck. But this year, have already crossed more than half of the metric value from last year.
PAGES
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Book Reviews dominated my traffic. The reason is simple cross pollination. I had participated in the BookReviewBlogChallenge. So, a lot of folks came to read my book reviews and naturally hopped to allied book reviews I had done Hurrah!
AUDIENCE LOCATIONS
My audience mostly from the US followed by India. Is latter all you Mom and Dad?? Thanks!
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I was surprised to see the countries 6-10 on this list. I have never had people from places like Finland and Ukraine follow my pages EVER. Thanks folks!
REFERRERS
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As ever, the WordPress Reader tab made up the bulk of my referrers, followed by Search Engines and unsurprisingly, this year, from the site that hosted the BookReviewBlogChallenge. Thanks a ton. (The accolades were great- and knowing it boosted my traffic is even better.)
I hope to surpass myself this year with views and visitors this year. But more importantly, I hope to write consistently and better. Got to live up to the love of the wonderful supporters in the blogosphere and beyond!
How about you?
Do you check your progress regularly? Are you on track with your goals and self set ambitions?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Stay safe, stay positive. (Non-Covid variety please!)
July 1, 2020
Reading Challenge Updates- June
Half the year gone!
It’s just passed in a blur- yet has been the longest time ever!!!
But despite these singularly strange times, we shall stick to our routines – in the hopes that familiarity will bring comfort. Accordingly, here is my monthly reading update.
I finished two books this month, both latest and published recently.
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Both are self help genres but both were very conversational in writing style and extremely actionable guides.
I have read Ann Rajaram‘s other book on Data Science jobs before so my expectations were quite high of this one. Unsurprisingly, she has excelled herself with this book as well. The methods listed are highly recommended. Don’t be fooled by the number of pages, the advice is concisely packed like seeds in a pomegranate- every pearl juicy and nutritious.
I follow Brian Rowe on Medium , so I was very intrigued by this title. The Look Inside on Amazon captured my attention further. The actual book turned out to be fantastic too. I can’t wait to follow all his advice and grow my skills.
Both books are wonderful and I can’t wait to implement the strategies outlined.
How about you? Have you read the books? What is your opinion?
Also, how are you faring in your reading challenge? Share in the comments below.
June 22, 2020
Monday Motivation
Frog or Robot or Creative Outlet or Parent Hazard? It’s all about the perspective!
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June 16, 2020
Case of the Missing Monday Motivation
If you have been following this blog, you know that my usual Monday Motivation blog posts turn up at 6 or 7 am.
On holidays, they are out and about by 10am.
So what happened yesterday?
I forgot to press Save!
And of course the poor dear post languished in my drafts section waiting for a savior to swoop in and safely take it to the land of ‘Scheduling’ and finally to the glorious realm of ‘Published.
Did not happen!!! 
June 3, 2020
Reading Challenge Updates- May
Another month, another update on my reading Challenge efforts and goals.
This was a fabulous month for me as far as reading goes, all thanks to the superb Book Review Challenge that ran between April and May. The month still sucks with the pandemic and lockdown and worries but life has taught me to appreciate the silver linings no matter how wispy or broken.
I read three books and was just wowed by all that I learnt.
The first book I finished is Prisoner of Birth. Okay, this was re-reading but really, the adventures of Danny are too wonderful to be read only once.
This masterpiece by Jeffrey Archer was my answer to the 400+ page prompt.
Next was Diary of a SAHM :
Jess Newman‘s sweet weekly anecdotes were a nice, heart warming read and my review can be read here.
The last read of the month is Danny Iny‘s latest
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With three books read in the month, I am well ahead of my reading schedule. (And for the detail oriented who have been reading this blog with meticulous scrutiny, I did fix my double re-reading error from April.)
With the review challenge all done, not sure how quick the reading will go in the days ahead. But, we plod in with hope and ambition.
In the meanwhile, stay safe, stay hopeful and stay calm.
June 1, 2020
Monday Motivation
Inspiration from Goodreads!
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