A Million Bucks by 30: How to Overcome a Crap Job, Stingy Parents, and a Useless Degree to Become a Millionaire Before (or After) Turning Thi

by Alan Corey

Book Overview

At twenty-two, Alan Corey left his mom's basement in Atlanta and moved to New York City with one goal in mind- to become a millionaire by the time he was thirty. His parents and friends laughed, but six years later they were all celebrating his prosperous accomplishment-at a bar Corey owned in one of Brooklyn's hippest neighborhoods. No, Corey didn't climb the corporate ladder to build his fortune. In fact, he worked the same entry-level 9-to-5 job...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345499727
• ISBN13: 9780345499721
• Release Date: December 2007
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Suprisingly entertaining and legit!

I was on my way to the bathroom at borders. I needed some reading material, so I saw this thin catchy "get rich quick" book (considering the millionaire next door's avg. millionaire is 56 years old). Figured it would be a P.O.S. book... I couldn't put this book down read it in a day! Chapters are short, filled with good info, and are funny at times. However, most people will dismiss this book as a sham, or make excuses why it can't be done now, excuses blah blah blah... Realistically, they just can't hack all the sacrifices that it takes to be a millionaire and would rather look like millionaires rather than actually be one, you know, "all hat and no cattle". This book exposes the eternal formula for wealth! HERE IT IS: Live below your means/increase your means and invest the money in appreciating assets (stocks, real estate, and businesses), not personally working for your money (passive income), because J.O.B. = just over broke. Leverage (other people's time, money, and knowledge) is also needed and he demonstrates the use well, even if it seems risky at some points in the book. It all worked for him, but remember the book wouldn't have existed if it didn't ;) He could have easily been financial road kill if the economic environment turned on him. Yes, getting rich isn't as safe and secure, like a paycheck (at least working-class perceives it that way). WHY THIS BOOK WILL NOT WORK FOR MOST OF THE POPULATION, THE PAY CHECK TO PAYCHECK MAJORITY... If your balls deep in life (2 car payments, jumbo mortgage, kids, etc..), this book will seem ridiculous/risky to you, you have bills to pay with no extra money to invest, go back to work and make everyone else rich instead (government with taxes, your boss, and banks with your mortgage, credit cards, and auto loans). You can't invest (buy appreciating assets - cashflowing property, businesses, or stocks) with thin air! You need to live below your means to get starting capital. If you can't control your spending and save money consistently, then don't bother reading this book, it won't work for you. All of his "luck" is built on this foundation of saving and investing. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. You can call him lucky about real estate booming at the time (he even admits it), but he sacrificed and had the cash when the opportunity arouse. This doesn't have to happen just with real estate, but with any asset class (stocks, businesses, etc..), but most people don't have any extra money saved to take part in that opportunity, they spent it on furniture or a new car. He stresses the following important topics: There are no "secrets" to getting wealthy just following a basic formula religiously, having written goals with sub-goals, persistence (he sent 700+ resumes to get a job in NYC and he didn't take "no" for an answer), saving/sacrificing by living below his means (even when he was a millionaire), and taking educated risks. Another thing that I LOVED in this book was how he

Fun Read and Motivating

I love true stories about the ways that people created their own opportunities for being succesful. The author has a witty and sarcastic writing style that makes you want to cheer for him. Throughout the book you can just tell from his determination that he is going to find a way to make it. Even though a large part of his success was luck and timing, you have to have the guts to be in the game to make any money. This book is a relief from all of the other fake real estate authors out there that are just trying to motivate you by selling the lifestyle and theory.

inspiring read!

I'm not one to read "how-to" books, especially not financial ones, but I found this book to be engaging, inspiring and funny! I enjoyed reading about Alan's journey as well as learning about saving and investing money. His easy-going, conversational writing style made it an easy read. I have made some financial changes in my life, for the better, after reading this. Even if you're not interested in investing in real estate, there is plenty of advice about having fun while saving your money and how to not spend foolishly. Very practical things you can do to save a little here and there, which adds up..and then what to do with the money you've saved. I recommend this book to people of all ages but it would make a great high-school or college graduation gift. Thanks, Alan!

Not a Hunting Deer Hunting Book, But Still Great

This guy tells a great story about how he managed to gain wealth. There are a lot of finance books out there that one might gain a few nuggets of useful information, but this book has a great overall message...anyone can reach their goals with dedication and a little risk. The humor always helps the financial subject, as well. Great Job, Mr. Corey.

5 stars

I was walking around barnes and noble looking for real estate/investment books when i came across this one. I feel lucky that I ran into this book because it's completley changed how I handle my money. It's simple and to the point. I'm two years out of college. When I graduated I went out and bought flat screen tv's, camera, xbox,ipod and brand new car. I was doing everything wrong. Then I read this book which this kid did the complete opposite. And now I will never go out or buy a new product ever again. Thats a big point I think the Corey is trying to make. Instead of buying toys for himself, he bought real estate and gave himself the opportunity to be lucky. The book was worth the 15 bucks and it only takes a couple days to finish.