The Five Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth

The 5 lessons a millionaire taught me about life and wealth is a great book, especially for those just starting out in this money driven world.
I'm about to go to college, and I already know I am going to start out in the real world with a lot of debt. Using the easily understandable
bullet pointed lessons, I feel more confident I'll be able to get out of that and hopefully become a little wealthy. And, by wealthy, I learned
that I just don't want to have to worry so much about money. I like that the author makes the point that money won't make you happy, but
giving will does. And in order to give, you need money. For a person who has no drive to learn about how to become a millionaire, this book
proved to be useful. I'm pretty good about knowing where my money goes, except at this time in my life I'm not really spending much. The
organized nets worth sheets are a great way to keep track once I have to start paying for myself. This book also answered a lot of question
about savings, and how you should pay yourself first, and always look for side ways to make extra money, and keep all of that. I think this
book is for everyone who needs some guidance in how to manage their money, and discover what true wealth is.

Five Lessons helped me realize what I wanted out of finances in my life - peace. All the other books I have read on making money made me focus on acquiring money and/or things. At one point I was working 3 jobs. Sure, I was able to buy stuff, but I never slept. About the time I was starting to wonder how much would I pay to take a nap, just a short little nap, a friend gave me this book.

The single most important thing I learned was to define what I considered wealth. I learned what I really want.

I don't make as much money now as I once did, but I only work one job. I sleep at night. I have true joy walking away from impulse purchases, instead of the constant regret that all my stuff made me feel in the past. I can park my car in the garage rather than all the junk I used to collect in a momentary buy of happiness, only to have it uselessly occupy precious space. My marriage is happy, no longer stressed by financial strife. I still have some debts my earlier decisions created, but I am paying them off much faster than I used to hope I ever would. I ain't rich, but this book helped make me a wealthy man.

I really enjoyed this book.....eventually. Some of the other reviews state that there isn't the fluff about how many people got rich using the 'system' like other books. Actually, there is some of this at the beginning, which almost caused me to give up on it. After you get past that, however, you find five lessons that are good common sense that many of us have probably thought of, but never truly believed in. Having it set out, in a form to practice and re-affirm, can help you to make it a habit in your life. It is a good, concise book that you should read or listen to over and over.

Evans provides some good background statistics, as well as some basic principles of becoming wealthy. However, he does not go far enough to make the information as useful as possible.

In '46 household debt was 22% of personal disposable income - today it's about 110%. At age 65, over 50% are wholly dependent on relatives, Social Security, and welfare.

"The Five Lessons" goes on to point out that less than 20% of millionaires inherited even a small portion of their wealth, while over 80% of those winning the lottery are bankrupt within 5 years. Thus, planning, not luck, is paramount. Evans goes on to state that millionaires do not have stellar IQ's - their average GPA was less than a B, and Warren Buffett was rejected by the Harvard Business School.

Evans' Five Lessons: 1)Decide to be wealthy. 2)Take responsibility for your money - don't delegate, pass this off to others. Know where it is coming from and going. 3)Keep a portion of everything you earn - at least 10%. Stop living on plastic, and pay the cards off. 4)Win in the margins - get extra income, and save most of it.

Considerations Before Spending Money: 1)Is the expenditure necessary; can the same effect be obtained with less money? 2)Is it contributing or taking away wealth? 3)Is this an impulse or planned purchase? Just say "No" to salesmen needing an answer "right now" - the opportunities are always still there later. 4)Do not equate spending with happiness.

The remainder of the book contains suggestions on earning extra income and sources of savings.

"The Five Lessons" would be much more valuable if it provided some additional suggestions with powerful long-term impact. These could include getting married and choosing a partner willing to earn an income (vs. stay at home), arranging low-cost or free child-care (neighbors, relatives), focusing on jobs with good benefits (pensions and healthcare), buying as much house as possible, minimizing monies spent on realtors (eg. use standard contract forms, limited attorney service), avoiding divorce, minimizing auto expenses (eg. purchase reliable used cars using Consumer Reports data, locate near jobs to avoid need for back-up transportation (ideally only have one vehicle), and buy only low-cost vehicles (not SUVs or luxury cars) with reasonable gas mileage.

I would call this a good "reminder." There is nothing new or particularly fascinating about his book. I'm glad I read it because we all need occasional reminders to these true principles but I was disappointed that he didn't add even one insight to the subject.

This book was awesome in teaching the 5 lessons a prospective millionaire should learn. The author provides good examples of people who were in financial trouble, then followed the five lessons to live a happier and wealthier life. The manner in which the author explains the 5 lessons is exciting and gives the reader enthusiasm to decide to become wealthy. I recommended this audiobook to anyone who wants to leave the life of debt and enter the life of happiness. Lastly, it is great for listening on road trips or when if you're stuck in traffic.

I have struggled for many years as a single parent to provide for my child and stay out of debt. Living paycheck to paycheck has been a way of life that i accepted as my only option. When i read this book i learned that the mentality outlined in the 5 Lessons could be followed with great success even by a person with little income. At the age of seven my daughter is seeing the differnce in the way we make and spend money, it is one of the most valuable lessons she can learn. I highly recommed this book regardless of your financial status, there is something in it for everyone.

I found that Mr. Evans' storytelling skills make reading a book about money realities much more fun! He shares many life experiences and personal examples about why these Lessons work. This book is an important teaching tool and I hope that more teens and college kids will read it and apply these priciples today so they can have more peace of mind in the future. And while Mr. Evans teaches the basics about money, debt-reduction, saving and much more, my favorite aspect of this book is it's focus on spiritual motivations and helping to change our attitudes towards money.

I was very pleased with the common sense approach that Mr. Evans shares in his book. It is an easy reading book, with several self-helps in the back of the book. Mr. Evans' personal experiences he shares are insightful as well as inspiring. We all could be millionaires!

Connie McIntyre

Claremon, CA

Hi I have read other business books before like rich dad poor dad, David Bach's Automatic Millionaore, Millionaire next door, etc. but this one is the best. Clear, Concise, gave a lot of good ideas how to win in the margins. I was inspired I gave a copy to one of my co workers. To those of you who are thinking of purchasing this, please do so, because it is so simple and it is very helpful. I recommend this as a gift for new couples starting out... its a great wedding gift..

The book was very easy to read and understand. I plan to start the five steps immediately. I also plan to pass the lessons on to my 7 year old son. I figure the earlier the better. I have read a lot of books regarding finances and budgets, but this really spelled out what is necessary to get your act together. Thank you Mr. Evans! I know what gifts will be given at birthdays and Christmas time this year.

I received a self-published version of this financial book a year ago. And let's just say that I'm a loyal follower of its easy to understand and follow format. I'd tried numerous budget plans and even a financial counselor, in the past. But it is "living the lessons", that I credit with my family (besides our home)being debt free. Oh, and the millionaire Richard credits for teaching him The 5 Lessons is Kerry Heinz. The book is dedicated to him.

I heard Richard Evans being interviewed on the radio about his book and the seven magic words. I ordered the book same day as the radio show, also used the seven magic words on the same day and saved about $30.00 on just one small purchase. It was amazing. Can't wait to get the book.

Richard

Seattle, WA

Yet, another overpriced reiteration of some very basic and very sound, tried and true advice. At the end of the day, its all in the implementation, and yet, this quick and easy read requires nothing of the reader, so the results will be up to the reader.

I was deeply disappointed in some of the references (Dave Ramsey, tech, tch, tch) and other investment advice was shallow and misleading.

Mr. Evans, YOU need to read "Becoming Your Own Banker" by R. Nelson Nash and take a lesson from that! You are just another supporter of the "Pirates Of Manhattan" that Mr. James Barry Dyke speaks and references in his research on the boondoggle the American public has been left with.

Perhaps you should stick to writing fiction.

Eric Frohn

This book introduces principles that are simple to understand (a 5 yr old can understand) yet powerful principles if applied in your life. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to improve or learn more about managing their financial life. Great book!

Great book, loved it! This is an excellent book that was a quick and easy read with practical suggestions that anyone can follow. It contains very sound advice in regards to managing your finances wisely and learning how to always "come out on top."

Also, in regards to some of the other reviews people have made, I know personally and for a fact that the author does not make any money off of the sale of this book. All of the proceeds go to charity.

Good book, good lessons. Not sure why it needed to mention Christian ideals a few random times though. If it were marketed as a Christian book, that's one thing. But it didn't seem to be when I downloaded it. I prefer when books are either religious or not. But if you're not religious it's still worth a read if you can ignore the random mentions of God.

Simple, simple, simple common things that once you read this book, you say to yourself, "Gee, why didn't I know that before?"

I met Mr. Evans tonight at a fireside meeting and he completely validated every thought I had been having about how to make it out of debt and how to become successful at life. I was homeless- living in a shelter away from my husband. We were newlyweds and it all fell apart a mere month after we married. After realizing how far we fell, I worked and worked (mostly without help from my husband) to get us out of that. Now, barely 2 months later, we live in a decent apartment, both me and my husband work full-time, and we're finally accumulating savings. Seeing Mr. Evans tonight made me realize how much I wish that I'd known this all before I had to learn it myself the hard way. I am thankful that he is out there, sharing this with everyone.

I can't wait to get my copy of the book. :)

This is the best financial book I have ever read. The information is so simple, and yet so significant. Perhaps the most valuable lesson is what the true motivation should be in our pursuit of wealth- making the world a better place to be. Highly recommend.

Amazing enough the millionaire secrets are really explained in 5 simple yet very effective lessons. I purchased this book and have been to the author's seminars and love (absolutely love) what I have learned. I have passed it onto family and friends who have also loved what they have learned. I have now started my own business and you can find my products on the store.com too!

This would be great for a young couple just starting out as it would take quite a part of your life to build up a wonderful savings account. If you are retirement age, I feel it is a little bit too late to use the tips.

This book is one that if followed, will help IMMEDIATELY to change your financial outlook and situation. Richard Paul Evans helps you to understand clearly and very basically how easy it can be to change your financial picture.

I truly enjoyed this book. It gave me direction, guidance and focus on how I should manage my incoming and expenses. Beautifully written. The best thing I found it's that it's easy reading. Overall, it's an outstanding book.

Tania from New York City.

I truly enjoyed this book. It gave me direction, guidance and focus on how I should manage my incoming and expenses. Beautifully written. The best thing I found it's that it's easy reading. Overall, it's an outstanding book.

Tania from New York City.

In looking at the positive reviews for this book, I determined that my initial reaction might have been flawed. Accordingly, I picked up the book again and determined to make a very careful second reading. The result? In reading even more carefully I found that I was not only right with my first reaction to the book!

As other have observed, this book makes one monumental error in assumption: that material wealth is the end all, beat all of life and that virtually every human being on the earth today can be a millionaire! If getting rich is your goal then FIVE LESSONS... might be the book for you. But, then, maybe not.

One of my economics professors put it very well when he taught us that he had learned that wealth, in all too many cases, was the result of cut and dried luck. Such, I have little doubt, is the case with Mr. Evans! The sad fact is that most rich people are totally bent on believing that they did it all themselves.

Accordingly, be very careful with this one and be ready to be disappointed.

The author, who really needs to stick to his supposedly "feel good" books, goes to exaggerated lengths to sound like a down-to-earth guy who followed the rules that he presents and became a millionaire. But then the whole thing begins to fall apart as he begins to throw in questionable stuff about hoarding precious metals and getting involved in "appropriate" schemes like network marketing in order to make it all happen.

Please! This was to be a book that was different than the usual gospels of proponents of get-rich-quick thinking. What emerged was a monumental bait and switch that made it seem that this book was a modest, clean way to manage life appropriately. Instead the author can't resist vomiting up the usual bilge regarding material wealth as being the "normal" outcome of a life well lived (and rules well followed).

Just plain lousy on the second reading!

THE PENMAN