Comments on: The Millionaire Next Door: Buy or Don’t Buy?

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 25 May 2009 07:40:45 +0000

I would say don’t buy it. The lessons it teaches mostly have to be learned by experience. They are “the basics” really. Work hard, be responsible, don’t waste, invest wisely, ALWAYS save some, etc. I would suggest checking this book out at the public library! How wise you would be if you DID learn an important lesson from this book AND you didn’t spend ten buck buying it!

By: Christine

Christine — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:11:20 +0000

I’m a relative youngin, with no children, and found the book to contain some good ideas, and inspiration. I did not buy it though, I borrowed it from the library. I would not have went out and bought it new if it had not been in the library, but would have kept my eyes open for it at the used book store, thrift shops and rummage sales that I go to!

I’m frugal like that.

By: Gardening 4 Life

Gardening 4 Life — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:17:56 +0000

I have this book. With all of it’s flaws, I think what it boils down to for me is inspiration. I like to be reminded that it’s not the big expensive houses, cars etc that display wealth, but it just may be the man with a 10 year old car living in an average neighborhood that is. It keeps the temptation level down on the wants AND makes me look at life around me just a little differently.

We’ve lived in an affluent neighborhood and know how easily it can be to be “sucked in” to the pressure and deception. You’ll go broke just trying to keep up.

By: JHP2

JHP2 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:41:44 +0000

The weakness with this book is that is focuses on business owners whose wealth is primarily in the business. That is not a bad thing to have. However, the reason many of these people have the habits they do is that they do not have large incomes as the money is in the business. It is easy to be frugal if you are a farmer with a high net worth due to land but little cash. Same with plumbing contractor, contractor, etc.

By: David

David — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 06:32:02 +0000

My recollection of the book is the roller coaster ride that the authors take, alternating between serious social science and rah rah boosterism.

It’s like, we’re scientists, and we discovered X, and then they get all excited before suddenly realizing, wait a minute, we’re scientists. Back to the science.

I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book quite like that.

The other benefit is the dispelling the myth of the millionaire. Pop culture tends to think of people like Donald Trump. The book clearly leaves the impression that the millionaire is someone who lives below their means for an extended period of time. That message is beneficial to all ages, but particularly those who are just starting the journey.

By: lilo's mom

lilo's mom — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:29:31 +0000

Just a comment…does a ‘do not buy’ recommendation mean ‘do not read’? I think that people who are young would benefit from the frugal living examples in this book and I’d recommend they check it out from the library…but I agree it’s probably not one for their bookshelves.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:27:10 +0000

I disagree that this book is only useful to people aged above 40. It highlights people in that age group because that’s when most people become millionaires. But if you’re already 45 years old and in over your head because you haven’t been living on less than you make and have been enabling your adult children than this book is like a “ha-ha! see what you don’t have/did wrong!”. Where-as if a 20- or 30-something reads it, it can inspire them to get on the right track now, and to not make those mistakes in the future.