Review: You’re Broke Because You Want To Be

I just got a copy of Larry Winget’s book You’re Broke Because You Want to Be and I must recommend that everyone read it. I wish I had the money to buy 10 copies just to have in my desk for when people come to whine. Larry tells it like it is, he’s blunt, he’s mean and he’s 100% right. Everyone is quick to blame other people or other issues on their own problems instead of taking proper ownership.

The basic points that I took away from Larry were if you are unable to get ahead then you lack discipline, responsibility and work ethic. I completely agree. People who live paycheck to paycheck come to me as a banker and give 50 excuses as to why they overdraft their account, or can’t make their loan payment and none of the reasons have ever been “It’s my fault.”

Now you are going to offer up the excuses, aren’t you? Well, don’t. Just don’t.

I wish I could say to my clients what Larry writes in his book. Sadly the world of “customer service” does not permit me to give the cold hard truth. I like to think that I am pretty smart with my own money, I’ve made mistakes in the past but currently I live on budgets and I don’t spend more than I earn, I always pay myself and plan ahead. My initial thoughts when I picked this book up were, I can’t wait to review it. I never thought “I hope I learn something.” It’s not that I think I know everything, it’s just that most books on personal finance don’t teach me anything new.

Larry even taught me something new. I am overspending in certain areas – I probably don’t really need my cable or my cell phone with all the bells and whistles. I barely watch TV, and I barely use the email unless I’m traveling – but even then I’m too busy to check it.

If you want to save – then do it.
If you want to get rid of your credit card debt – cut up the cards.
If you want to make a budget – do it and stick to it.
If you want to be rich – start a business, plan for success.
If you want to better yourself – read books like this one!

Everyone can benefit from this book in one way or another. I truly believe that you learn something new every day, but only with the footnote – if you try.