You Don't Have to be Rich: Comfort, Happiness, and Financial Security on Your Own Terms

by Jean Chatzky

Book Overview

One of America's most popular personal finance experts reveals how you can become happier at any income level through better money management Millions of Americans have turned to Jean Chatzky for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0965804488
• ISBN13: 9780965804486
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: the Penquin Group
• Length: 245 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Money and happiness are not the same

The author says that money can't make you happy, but it can make you miserable. I think that people are more obsessed with money than they ever were before. They think that money will bring them happiness so they sacrifice things like family and even health. It is said to see that, but I believe that the reason for this obsession is that the lack of money creates misery. Happiness is hard to achieve without money, but with money, happiness is not guaranteed. The author says that after a certain level of financial stability, incremental wealth does not produce incremental happiness. But in order to have a shot at happiness, we have to be able to control our money, instead of the other way around. The author illustrates to readers what the happiest people have in common when managing money and how we can use it to improve our lives. - Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market

Great book!

This book could have been called "Why are those people smiling?" It's interesting that one of the leading experts on personal finance is writing this book. Jean Chatzky presents an interesting addition to the old saying "money can't buy happiness."Rather than write another one of those countless how-to books about making money, this one explains how you can feel better about what you have. Hats off to Chatzky's refreshing dose of reality.The book is a quick read, in a light and breezy style, and filled with practical advice. I bought an extra copy for my mother! This one is worth reading.

Life is better!

Jean Chatzky's new book on personal finance is unlike any that has come before. I know becaue I've read dozens of books on personal finance and getting rich. Chatzky's book includes an abundance of valuable advice and information necessary to manage your money in today's economy but what makes this book unique is the 'bigger picture' approach Ms. Chatzky takes on money's relevance to the whole of your life. After reading the book and doing the exercises I have a new awarness of my perceptions about money, its value and place in my life and I'm taking steps to do more of what brings me satisfaction instead of obsessing about how much money I have, what my investments are doing and so on. As if all that is ever going to make me happy. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and enjoying life more. And my money is doing just fine.

On the money!

Excuse the pun, but this book is so on target. As soon as I saw the title, I thought I heard my conscience speaking. Like many of my friends, colleagues and neighbors, I recently found myself chasing the buck and losing sight of the more important priorities. Ms. Chatzkey's book helps to re-focus the reader on what's really matters and most importantly, how to achieve it. The book is an interesting combination of good practical advice that we'd expect from a therapist coupled with good practical advice we'd want from a financial advisor. It's going to be my "bible" in terms of getting back on the track of living an enriched life and not just a rich life.

You don't have to be rich to be happy - timely book.

Jean Chatsky has written a very timely and powerful book on personal finance. While many books merely regurgitate popular dogma, "You Don't have to Be Rich" overs a fresh perspective to personal finance.This book is somewhat like "The Millionaire Next Door" except that it discusses what the happiest people in America have in common when it comes to managing their money, and what the rest of us can learn from them. For instance, they have distinctly different habits and behaviors about things you might consider minor, such as how often to pay your bills, and what you will do with your bank statement when it arrives in the mail. "You Don't have To Be Rich" offers clear cut strategies to take control of your money. "It's time to take back our lives", says Chatsky "and in order to do that we need to take back our money."Chatsky also offers a series of questionaires which will enable you to take a good hard look at your money habits and make necessary corrections.Overall this is an excellent book and worthy of five stars. For even more in depth information, I recommend "Talking Money" also by Chatsky. These books will get you on the road to financial freedom.