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The Simple Life Guide to Financial Freedom: Free Yourself from the Chains of Debt and Find Financial Peace
Are you living paycheck to paycheck and barely getting by? Do you constantly worry about not having enough time or money for what you need or what is most important to you? Written in an approachable style with easy-to-implement advice, this guide will change your perception of money forever. You'll learn how to view money as the gateway to freedom, how most people have the potential to be millionaires just by adopting a few simple spending habits, and how your dream house could end up being your worst nightmare. Gary Collins, author of the series The Simple Life, deconstructs the obstacles facing many people today that prevent them from living the life they want.
176 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2019
38 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Gary Collins
11 books35 followersGary Collins has a very interesting and unique background that includes military intelligence, Special Agent for the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Collins’ background and expert knowledge brings a much-needed perspective to today’s areas of simple living, health, nutrition, entrepreneurship, self-help and being more self-reliant. He holds an AS degree in Exercise Science, BS in Criminal Justice, and MS in Forensic Science.
Gary was raised in the High Desert at the basin of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in a rural part of California. He now lives off-the-grid part of the year in a remote area of NE Washington State, and the other part of year exploring in his travel trailer with his trusty black lab Barney.
He enjoyed, and considers himself lucky to have grown up in a very small town experiencing fishing, hunting, and anything outdoors from a very young age. He has been involved in organized sports, nutrition, and fitness for almost four decades. He is also an active follower and teacher of what he calls “life simplification.” He often says:
“Today we’re bombarded by too much stress, not enough time for personal fulfillment, and failing to take care of our health… there has to be a better way!”
In addition to being a best selling author, he has taught at the University College level, consulted and trained college level athletes, and been interviewed for his expertise on various subjects by CBS Sports, Coast to Coast AM, The RT Network, and FOX News to name a few.
His website www.thesimplelifenow.com, and The Simple Life book series (his total lifestyle reboot), blows the lid off of conventional life and wellness expectations, and is considered essential for every person seeking a simpler, and happier life.
Gary was raised in the High Desert at the basin of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in a rural part of California. He now lives off-the-grid part of the year in a remote area of NE Washington State, and the other part of year exploring in his travel trailer with his trusty black lab Barney.
He enjoyed, and considers himself lucky to have grown up in a very small town experiencing fishing, hunting, and anything outdoors from a very young age. He has been involved in organized sports, nutrition, and fitness for almost four decades. He is also an active follower and teacher of what he calls “life simplification.” He often says:
“Today we’re bombarded by too much stress, not enough time for personal fulfillment, and failing to take care of our health… there has to be a better way!”
In addition to being a best selling author, he has taught at the University College level, consulted and trained college level athletes, and been interviewed for his expertise on various subjects by CBS Sports, Coast to Coast AM, The RT Network, and FOX News to name a few.
His website www.thesimplelifenow.com, and The Simple Life book series (his total lifestyle reboot), blows the lid off of conventional life and wellness expectations, and is considered essential for every person seeking a simpler, and happier life.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 6, 2020
2.5 some good ideas and ways of looking at things differently. Some of his analogies and "numbers" I question and did not find them effective in getting his point across. Noting that he's a single guy, but he knows lots of parents with children who've simplified or gone off the grid, etc. doesn't acknowledge that it's a whole different process/experience, unless you've met your life partner (he doesn't believe in the government institution of marriage) and both opted for this lifestyle prior to children. Using Bach as a prolific composer while have 22 children...as an example of being wildly successful in your career, while still having that many children, I found ridiculous in trying to establish his point. Just googled it and he had 7 children with his first wife, 3 of whom died before the first birthday and then had 13 more children, 6 who survived into adulthood...anyway, his advice sounds very similar to Dave Ramsey, but without the Christian/10% giving back and budgeting perspective that Ramsey promotes. I liked the idea of financial freedom and agree that viewing your possessions and what our culture tells us can be very misleading in terms of happiness and instilling the right values. However, berating others about their stupidity, getting on his soap box about fashion, (smack yourself with your man bun) education, housing, made me very glad I did not purchase this book. Again there are counter culture ideas, about our consumerism, more is better, shopping society--really downgrades women here but not even sure when he says shopping if he's including grocery shopping or shopping for the needs of the family....again not too detailed on his "research". Agree with his concern about the promotion of cosmetic surgery etc., vehicles, credit card debt, vs being truly free and healthy that are valuable...yet sounding like a pompus ass was a turn off. Apparently I had some feelings about this book, via audio book....and am finding Atomic Habits much more informative and thoughtful read by the author James Clear, in terms of having us think about why we do what we do with new insight and setting ourselves up for better outcomes. Alright lots of run on sentences here, but another one done...and don't think I need to read any more of his books, as it sounds like they are all a bit recycled material.
July 18, 2020
Short read, interesting perspective
I like Gary's direct style. He has some very good points about asking why anyone is spending big bucks on cars, college, marriages, etc. There might be legit reasons for some, but these expenses all need to be thought through very carefully, with some simple math. And an amortization table.
Some of the math is a little too simplistic. I think it's unrealistic to include utilities as a cost of home ownership -- renting an apartment or RV come with those, too. Similarly, I don't think anyone is going to stop eating out based on the compounded return on their lifetime savings from never eating out. Fun to see the numbers, but hyperbolic for most.
I like Gary's direct style. He has some very good points about asking why anyone is spending big bucks on cars, college, marriages, etc. There might be legit reasons for some, but these expenses all need to be thought through very carefully, with some simple math. And an amortization table.
Some of the math is a little too simplistic. I think it's unrealistic to include utilities as a cost of home ownership -- renting an apartment or RV come with those, too. Similarly, I don't think anyone is going to stop eating out based on the compounded return on their lifetime savings from never eating out. Fun to see the numbers, but hyperbolic for most.
August 13, 2020
This is not your stereotypical personal finance book where the author tells you to cut out lattes and reduce your expenses to the point your depriving yourself of things you enjoy.
This book focuses more on pointing out that you can’t spend yourself to financial security. It implores the reader to take a good look at their finances and get real about what they spend their money on and why. Is it leading you to your goals? If not, make adjustments.
It’s refreshing to read a personal finance book that does not tout home ownership as the end-all-be-all and goes into why renting does not always mean you’re throwing money away.
This book focuses more on pointing out that you can’t spend yourself to financial security. It implores the reader to take a good look at their finances and get real about what they spend their money on and why. Is it leading you to your goals? If not, make adjustments.
It’s refreshing to read a personal finance book that does not tout home ownership as the end-all-be-all and goes into why renting does not always mean you’re throwing money away.
November 7, 2020
Really simple, easy to understand ideas and plans for becoming free from the chains of debt.
October 29, 2022
Great, practical advice to simple, debt free living & financial freedom!
April 7, 2023
Good read and motivating
October 30, 2019
This is a review for the audible version.
I feel like I've read this one before, I think the title was Total Money Makeover. However that book provided more of a plan of action, and Dave did his own narration too.
This is still a good companion book to TMM though, it provides some of the numbers to get the wheels turning and should really help reinforce that debt is a bad idea. It does a much better job adding to the conversation than the books by other Ramsey Solutions members.
I feel like I've read this one before, I think the title was Total Money Makeover. However that book provided more of a plan of action, and Dave did his own narration too.
This is still a good companion book to TMM though, it provides some of the numbers to get the wheels turning and should really help reinforce that debt is a bad idea. It does a much better job adding to the conversation than the books by other Ramsey Solutions members.
February 2, 2020
Freedom. That simple?
Gary's book relies on common sense, hard won experience and some rare common sense. You'll find the numbers that explain why you're broke and miserable in spite of what the media and the Gridmasters are trying to sell you and your family 24\7. Do the math, do the hard thing and experience freedom as it can be.
Gary's book relies on common sense, hard won experience and some rare common sense. You'll find the numbers that explain why you're broke and miserable in spite of what the media and the Gridmasters are trying to sell you and your family 24\7. Do the math, do the hard thing and experience freedom as it can be.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews