Review

Rating:

A couple of weeks ago I finally got it from the library, and was able to breeze through… it’s >300 pages but a quick read. It is both well-written and compelling, though to me, not earth-shattering–for example, I found that I already do 95% of all of his “sure ways to save” strategies, in addition to the good financial habits he espouses, like keeping track of where every $ goes.

That said, the book’s strength and purpose isn’t so much about throwing at you 100 money-saving or money-making tips, but rather, in changing one’s attitude towards work, consumerism, and what makes a “fulfilling” life. A theme propounded throughout the entire book is viewing all activities in terms of “life energy”, as in how much of one’s “life energy” is required to make a living (e.g., it is much more than just the time spent at work, but also, the time/energy it takes to shave, dress, commute, buy a lunch that you would otherwise make yourself at home if you weren’t working, auto/fuel expenses, the amount of time it takes just to unwind from work after the workday is over etc.), or to purchase material goods. By thinking of everything in terms of life’s energy, it is easy to decide what things are worth doing or worth possessing.

I’d recommend the book, especially to anyone wondering whether the typical Silicon Valley lifestyle paradigm of slaving away 50-70 hours a week in order to have “more, more, more” is the best means towards happiness and fulfillment, and whether there are other options. For one thing, the principal author, Joe Dominguez, has walked his talk, having retired at age 31 and lived comfortably until age 62, in which he passed away from cancer. (which would otherwise seem tragic were it not for the fact he had already been retired for more than 3 decades, much longer than the average American who had a more typical lifespan!) Indeed the entire book becomes entirely slanted towards FIRE (financial independence and retiring early from paid employment)… but then, that is exactly what I’ve had in mind the last couple of years, so for me it was nice to read something that confirmed the soundness of the idea.