The Seven Laws of Money

by Michael Phillips

Believing money to be secondary to a satisfying livelihood, the author suggests ways for individuals to handle their financial problems and develop a healthy attitude towards money

Genres: Business, Finance, Money, Self Help, Nonfiction, Economics

194 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 1974

About the author

Librarian Note: there is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Steve Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read years ago. Best hippie/banker money advice book, EVER! The good version is out of print, but still available. Look for the 1974 edition, by Michael Philips, with the help of his friends Salli Rasberry / Jug 'n Candle / Richard Raymond / Stewart Brand. The newer edition only has Michael Philips words in it, and it suffers from that.

[Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've got mixed feelings on this book. In a lot of ways it reinforced the views I already had on money, so I suppose on that end it qualifies as encouraging. One the other end, the cynic in me wants to dismiss it as a load of crap because of the new-agey mysticism of the writing style. The book started out as a seven page pamphlet, later bulked out to 120 pages. In light of that, the $12 price tag struck me as a little steep, especially since most of it was composed of things I'd already intuited on some level.

[David S · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this man invested a great chunk of the modern digital system we know and love, his financial principles might very well be his own inventions too. He helped invent part of the credit card economy we know and love today. As with any market hunter capitalist or entrepreneur big shot, if it works for him, he thinks it works for All. Economics now is changing and his rules for money learn towards ideals and arc towards "my experience". It works if it works but if it doesn't, don't waste your time. What does work is often market awareness and following the money. This book reflects seven financial principles that worked for Michael and other financial laws can be seen today. If this book is 'good for you', you might like Rich Dad, Poor Day too.

[Georgi Georgiev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many needless examples and in some moments you lose the basic meaning. It would be helpful if there was summarization in the end of the book.

[Molly Mielke · Rating 3 out of 5]

worth reading purely for the stewart brand / whole earth cameos!!!!!!

[Michael Tapp · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book ended up in my queue because a finance blogger recommended it. For me the most thought provoking idea in the book is that money is a relationship between all things in the world. Besides that, I don’t know if this book is even worth the three dollar asking price. The Seven Laws of Money is surprisingly muddled and borderline incoherent. <- Part of that has to do with the bad formatting for the Kindle edition. If you’re looking for a book on philosophy behind money I recommend Vicki Robin's Your Money or Your life.

[Alex Timberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing from the book that will always stays me is this: How come people don't think of money as being collectible in itself? All kinds of people collect stamps, baseball cards, etc. but not many people think of collecting money for what it is. Not sure why I think his advice is profound but it did change the way that I look at money. If I have the time or run across this book again, I'd like to take another read.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

My dad suggested I read this as I worry about money. It's a bit outdated-some of the references for the second law are hilarious. It's definitely worth reading, only takes a few hours. However because it is so outdated it didn't particularly calm my nerves because my concerns are based on broken systems that were still intact when this book was written.

[Hagi]

So far an interesting blend of anecdotes, principles, and strategies. Its hard for me to stay interested in money matters, but because this book examines money as a manifestation and representation of power and strategy...its more interesting to me.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

an excellent, fascinating book. the digital version has some formatting problems, but it's still all in there.

[Majka · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is encouraging people to think about money in a different way. It is quick read, I recommend it.

[Dre Top · Rating 1 out of 5]

This guy is a YAPPER! The whole book could’ve been 10 pages long.