MATT MCKEEVER

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy Paperback – November 16, 2010

by Thomas J. Stanley (Author), William D. Danko (Author)

Christian

5.0 out of 5 stars

Great book!

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2017

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This pretty much supports everything that Dave Ramsey says about the differences between those who truly are wealthy and those playing the part. If you want to be wealthy, do what wealthy people do! This has nothing to do with luck, or being an entrepreneur (although it doesn’t hurt) but living below your means, having a budget, investing and not trying to impress people you don’t like with money you don’t have! Every now and again on the Dave Ramsey podcast he hosts the millionaire theme hour and it is really inspiring to note that the majority of millionaires he interviews are regular “blue collar” people. They live in our neighborhoods, drive used cars and work at our companies, hence “the millionaire next door!”

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Travis Bughi

5.0 out of 5 stars

the title "The Millionaire Next Door" might sound like some trashy novel just begging for glamour and it's ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2017

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In a word, this book was fascinating.

In summary, this book was essentially a long stream of curated data distilled into a finely tuned narrative that I just couldn't put down.

At first glance, the title "The Millionaire Next Door" might sound like some trashy novel just begging for glamour and it's 15 minutes in the spotlight, but this couldn't be further from the truth. I assume most people, when they think of the world 'millionaire,' they think of a high class, high consumption lifestyle full of limitless indulgence. However, Thomas Stanley goes through great length in this book to show precisely why this isn't so. Through countless interviews and a vast list of data, Stanley pulls together that the average millionaire is anything but the cocaine-induced celebrity so often featured in mainstream media.

Quite the opposite, being an average millionaire is within reach of just about everyone. The American Dream is alive and well, but only for those who are willing to sacrifice.

It's kinda funny in a sense. This book put into words and data a lot of things I noticed growing up. I've always said that there are two ways to have more money: make more or spend less, and I prefer to do both. As it turns out, most millionaires feel the same way, and they invest their savings into appreciating assets rather than depreciating assets, like real estate and stocks/bonds as opposed to clothing and cars. The average millionaire doesn't reach such a status until late in life, and inheriting large sums of money more often than not dooms any developing child to a life of high-spending with few fulling achievements.

I could go on, but it's really pointless. In a way, Thomas is simply a messenger, presenting the data he found in an easy to follow format that drives home a list of bullet of points. However, despite this, I still found this book amazing and uplifting, because the message it presents is exceptionally hopeful and inspiring. Everyone should read this book, to help themselves and their finances, because there are no second chances when it comes to time and money.

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Francie Nolan

5.0 out of 5 stars

So Inspiring - You Can Be a Millionaire, Too!

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2016

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This is such an inspiring read because it shows almost anyone can become a millionaire if you live below your means and invest well. I love that the majority of millionaires are people you'd never suspect because they don't live flashy lives in big houses with high-status toys abounding. If you make $200,000 a year, but spend $220,000, you're in trouble. But if you make $50,000 a year and live on $35,000, investing the rest, over time you're going to be in great shape.

I grew up in a super-affluent suburb. My friends' lived in big houses and mansions with luxury cars and country club memberships. We lived in one of the smallest houses in the suburb. My mom was so frugal. I thought it was such a drag!! But when she died (too young), she'd saved enough so that my dad, who lived another 30-some years, was comfortable in retirement. I wonder now if any of my high school friends' parents were actually living on the edge in trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Years ago, I used to charge like crazy. Now I save like crazy, just like my mom.

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Mo892

5.0 out of 5 stars

No get rich easy schemes but true ways of achieving financial independence if you really want it.

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2018

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This book is a true eye opener to what it really means to be wealthy. Great book that when followed can alleviate most people's financial struggles. With that said, you must follow the advice of the author if you want to see results. Easy to read. Not difficult to follow at all. Buy it for your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews and all the people you care about. This book truly explains how everyone that is lower middle class and above can be wealthy, but it is an individual choice. Wish I'd read it in my 20s or 30s. Currently in my 40s, but still worth the read and not too late even if you are in your 50s or 60s.

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Kimberly Roldan

5.0 out of 5 stars

Highest honors

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2017

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Any young person I come across, I tell them about this book.Anyone wanting to get out of debt, i tell them about this book.

Just read it, it will change your life and thinking forever.

We were meant to go to the work force to save money, not live check to check. This book gives awesome examples of "It does not matter how much money you make, you can be richer overall, by your spending habits."

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Allan M. Dorman Jr.

5.0 out of 5 stars

Best Gift to offer anyone who wants to establish an independent future

Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2020

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I've read this book several times in my life, and now I purchase and share it for all interested. The entire series is a must read for anyone that thinks they are not capable of a financially independent life

David

5.0 out of 5 stars

A must-read. Wish I read this at 18.

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2018

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ANYONE can become a millionaire by following the guidelines of this book. I love how it shows you that we have everything wrong when we think about who millionaires are and what they buy. Great principles. This should be taught to everyone.

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John Buczynski

5.0 out of 5 stars

Eye Opening Insight into US’s Values & Materialism

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2019

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Great book highlighting the “Americanized” values which exist in the US. The extensive 30 years of research that was done is very eye opening and informative about how to ensure future wealth - be frugal and minimize materialism. The case studies in the book help evaluate your own life, as it’s okay to have nice things and spend more here and there, but makes you consider what percentage of your net worth those things cost you and assess if you are at a level of hyper-consumption. The book has a simple equation for where you should be based on age and income. A household making $80k income annually and living frugally can have a significantly higher net worth (millions) compared to an equivalent household (size & age) where the net income is $150k for example, due to values and proper budget planning. A greater income will have a perceived requirement of societal pressures, so income may be higher, but so will the spending toward materials to reflect a certain lifestyle. A lot of the book’s numbers are in 1990’s dollars, which need to be adjusted to today’s dollars, but the demographics & percentages still hold true and message is clear - the millionaires of our society do not value the material items as much as those who believe you need to highlight such materials (house, car, clothing, private education, etc.) and may not look it all the while it’s become a case of keeping up with the Joneses for non-millionaires. The true millionaires do not get caught up in the lifestyle of appearances. Wealth can be generated within one generation, as is emphasized by the significant percentage of 1st generation wealth, and over time, even first generation citizens become “Americanized”, as highlighted by the longer one spends in the US, their ranking in the millionaire demographic lowers.

The moral is if you look wealthy, you may be generating a lot of income, but it may be going toward materials instead of investments contributing toward your net worth. Those who live frugally may catch or significantly surpass equivalent households (similarly sized and aged family) who make significantly more income.

This book helped me set financial goals and immediately after reading it, I was able to assess what I really need in my life and cut my next month’s credit card bill in half! A value I’ve never been able to get so low in years. I’ve always been able to afford what I buy, but when it’s going toward materialistic items and not going toward net worth, immediate change was needed. Based on the book’s equation, it turns out I wasn’t going to be a millionaire at my rate and I needed to change something quickly to get on the right track. Highly recommended for anyone.

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Mongo

5.0 out of 5 stars

Literally the only personal finance book you need

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2021

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Are some of the illustrations out of date? Yes. Do some of the ideas such as men with long term marriages most likely to be millionaires non PC? Yes. Save instead of spend obvious? Yep. Uncomfortable mirror if you belong to a country club, drive a brand new luxury car, have a Rolex, send your kids to a private prep school and then get derided as a UAW (under accumulator of wealth) repeatedly? Ouch cause the real millionaires quoted make fun of you as all hat no cattle, repeatedly. And not one of those criticisms matter at all because this book is such an eye opener about who becomes wealthy and how. For the most part they don't inherit it, they don't win it, they don't have a secret formula. What they do is avoid living by rich people, live below their means, earn well, and save/invest over a lifetime. The only thing missing is how the millionaires get decent careers or businesses - three things I can help you with. One - every college is a business so they will tell you "follow your dreams" not "4% of our undergrad degrees are biology of which we can only place 30% in biology jobs (what are we to do, fire 70% of the biology department to help undergrads and then tell you the whole truth about our business?)". Two - never work for someone else unless they are teaching you how to become their competitor or skills that will help you open your own business. Three - the business world is littered with closed cupcake stores so don't do what you love; instead do a SWOT analysis, do your due diligence, identify the barriers to entry (better be some!), know your first two years cash flow, find a ready market, don't be late to said market, get your spouse working because that extra revenue stream will buy you time, calculate your exact burn rate on one income and save two years worth, and if at all possible start your business part time while still working. So you can discount the criticism of this book as most negative reviewers haven't read it in full, don't like the political insinuations, are defensive big spenders, or wanted some secret that would make them rich. Here is a simple trick to start spending less - look at everything you do in 10 year cost. Hulu $6 per month/ $72 per year / $720 per 10 years - for me worth it. Specialty coffee $5 per day / $150 per month /$1800 per year /$18000 - that right $18,000 over 10 years - no way. Just set two simple goals - first get in the top quartile of household income, and second save 20% of pretax income. If you are under 35 and do those two things (oh and read/follow this book) you may retire in comfort and be in control of your life because you won't be scampering from one bill to the next, in perpetual fear that you might lose your job, always and forever on the wheel.

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B. Stephan

5.0 out of 5 stars

Live below your means.

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2021

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I found this book to be very enlightening, as well as entertaining, I think every high school student in North America, and especially USA, should be issued this book and required to give a report about it's contents. I recall recommending this book to someone (a young lady, I am not young) because it establishes two very important facts, to have money you have to spend less than you earn (and invest properly), and that most people who have $1M or more are not easily recognized as affluent because they seldom live a flashy, or glamorous, lifestyle (a Trump type would be what most people expect vs. the Buffet type who is far more numerous). This book repeatedly states that we live in a consumption based economy and that there is a certain pressure (sometimes more sometimes less depending on various factors) to spend to 'fit in'. I'll just say that I have been made fun of over the years for resisting the 'pressure to spend' and can now live a comfortable retirement, so I very much have lived, and am living, what the authors are stating here. For myself, this book is primarily reinforcement of some things I believed long ago and lived my life accordingly. Something from the book I recall often is the authors, when they began interviewing multi-millionaires, setting up a luncheon table with expensive wine, caviar, and other expensive food, thinking this is what affluent people would be used to eating. Then seeing that about all their interviewees were interested in were the gourmet crackers. Perception met reality. Reminds me of the story about Warren Buffet taking Bill and Malinda Gates out to dinner - at McDonald's, and he paid with coupons. Buffet, he's my hero.

Kate Miller

VINE VOICE

5.0 out of 5 stars

Transformational Read.

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2021

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Reading this compilation of research, examples, and profound concepts surrounding wealth completely changed my perspective on money. Dr. Danko and Dr. Stanley illustrate seemingly controversial subjects on simple terms that automatically click in the reader's mind. They use real-life examples to hammer home abstract concepts and use detailed research to support all claims.

You will be shocked about the habits of millionaires. Every human faces daily choices that will impact their wealth in the future. Appreciable assets usually entail delayed gratification while depreciable assets lead to flashy appearances in an episode of instant gratification. This desire to appear wealthy is the downfall of many high (and even low) income-producing humans.

I am eternally grateful to Dr. Danko and Dr. Stanley for releasing this content to the masses to build our wealth, and to my college accounting professor for including this book on a list of recommended reads. I choose it based on the appealing title, but am leaving with a knowledge that no one can take away. The market may change, fads will come and go, but the habits described in this book are for a lifetime.

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wntuc

5.0 out of 5 stars

Frugality is good

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2019

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Great book. I don't know why it's not rated equal or above Rich Dad Poor Dad. The book makes being frugal nothing to be ashamed of. I disagree with its point regarding the gender gap. Women today can choose. She chooses liberal arts instead of finance. She chooses government aid because its easier. The noble wife chooses to stay home and raise her child while the husband works rather than pursue financial or selfish gain. This is why there is a gap today, no policies are against women.

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Theron

5.0 out of 5 stars

Valuable Stuff!

Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2020

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This book can definitely teach you some things, but at the end of the day, if you're the kind of person that needs other people to know you have money or think you have money even if you don't, that's the real issue. This book speaks more about statistics for what affluence looks like behind the scenes. Extremely eye-opening and informative. If you're living a flashy lifestyle and appear rich, but you're not, you're doing it wrong and this book can help you understand the difference between what is real and what people see. You just have to decide what is more important to you. Highly recommended to those who want to make a change or just want to learn more about millionaires hiding in plain sight.

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Jord-n-Kell

5.0 out of 5 stars

My favorite personal finance book

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2016

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This is one of my all-time favorite books. I have read quite a few personal finance books and this is by far my favorite one. Dr. Stanley through actual facts and numbers dispels all of the misconceptions that we have about who the average wealthy person in the US is and how they got there. Many popular personal finance books are based on some anecdotal advice about "doing what I did to get rich". The problem with most of those books is that the paths that they personally took largely aren't replicable by the average person and suffer from extreme survivorship bias. This book focuses on a lot of habits and attitudes that anyone can implement. Highly recommended.

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Randall Degges

5.0 out of 5 stars

A Fascinating Book on Millionaires

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2017

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This book is fantastic. It isn't at all what I expected, but was incredibly interesting and valuable.

This book is primarily a collection of statistics repacked for consumers in a friendly way. The authors interviewed many millionaires over a long period of time, asked them lots of in-depth questions, and built profiles on them. After doing this for a long time, the authors wrote this book, which explores these interviews, stats, and profiles to give you a meaningful look into what makes a millionaire.

I was fascinated while reading the research. So many things stand out.

I'd strongly recommend this book to just about anyone. Not only is it fun/interesting to read, but it contains valuable insights into what makes wealthy people wealthy, how to raise your children in such a way that they will be successful themselves, how to buy a car, etc.

I fell in love with it and I'm sure you will too.

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T. L. Allen

5.0 out of 5 stars

READ THIS BOOK. DO WHAT IT SAYS...

Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2020

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I read this book when I was 25 years old back in the 1990's when I was living and working in San Diego. I wanted to know how I was going to become a millionaire after a 20-year career. I am now in my 50's and have been "retired" for over 10 years. My portfolio just went over $1M.

READ THIS BOOK & DO WHAT IT SAYS! It can be done but it takes a good OFFENSE and primarily a good DEFENSE in order to reach this milestone. I am the perfect example of what this book talks about.

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Patrick

5.0 out of 5 stars

Give it to your younger self

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2020

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I wished someone had given this book to me when I was just out of high school or even when I was in my early 20s. I truly believed if I had discovered this book in my earlier years in life, I would be a millionaire by now. But as the saying goes, it's better late than never.

I'm glad I discovered this book later on in life. It has helped me changed my savings, investing and spending habits. Before I read this book one of my goals was to drive a very expensive car without having any investment income. Now one of my goals is to be a millionaire and drive a used Honda Accord. I will achieve this goal thanks to this book. I also plan on paying it forward by giving this book to nephews and nieces who are around the age that I was when I wished I discovered this book.

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I'll swallow your soul

5.0 out of 5 stars

Eggsellent.

Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2020

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I ordered this book thinking that it would help me find a millionaire next door, especially since I just moved into a new neighborhood. I found out shortly thereafter that my neighbors were just run of the mill boomer retirees who liked to come over for free drinks and conversation.

I did eventually read the book and got some great insight into the mindset of being smart with money. This is done by doing essentially anecdotal analysis of statistics of high dollar earners. I recommend it if you need to figure out what you're doing wrong in terms of mastering your money management.

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Patty Sunshine

5.0 out of 5 stars

a not to be missed classic

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2019

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I listened to this audiobook because I had read many years ago the book. It is a great book about the lifestyle of millionaires- it is not outdated and it gives classic advice about paying attention to what matters and learning to live below your means. Millionaires do invest in education and make sure they are not keeping up with the Joneses, because in their neighborhood there are no Joneses. I highly recommend it to anybody who needs to use money for the safety and opportunities it brings along and not to boast.

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Reese

5.0 out of 5 stars

Eye Opening

Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2017

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Chapters don't flow as well as I would've thought given the amount of time and research the authors say they it took to put the book together but nonetheless, the information is priceless. My biggest take away was the mindset and behaviors wealthy people exhibit on a daily basis that allow them to live the way that they do. About to read it a second time as the first was more of quick read. Highly recommend for anyone looking to challenge their thinking about money!