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You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth
“A cheerful manifesto on removing obstacles between yourself and the income of your dreams.” —New York Magazine
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of You Are a Badass, a life-changing guide to making the kind of money you’ve only ever dreamed of
You Are a Badass at Making Money will launch you past the fears and stumbling blocks that have kept financial success beyond your reach. Drawing on her own transformation—over just a few years—from a woman living in a converted garage with tumbleweeds blowing through her bank account to a woman who travels the world in style, Jen Sincero channels the inimitable sass and practicality that made You Are a Badass an indomitable bestseller. She combines hilarious personal essays with bite-size, aha concepts that unlock earning potential and get real results.
Learn to:
• Uncover what's holding you back from making money
• Give your doubts, fears, and excuses the heave-ho
• Relate to money in a new (and lucrative) way
• Shake up the cocktail of creation
• Tap into your natural ability to grow rich
• Shape your reality—stop playing victim to circumstance
• Get as wealthy as you wanna be
“This book truly crystallizes the concept that financial abundance is an inside job—in that it all begins with your mindset—and Sincero gets serious (in the funniest ways possible) about helping you identify your particular limiting beliefs surrounding money.” —PopSugar
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of You Are a Badass, a life-changing guide to making the kind of money you’ve only ever dreamed of
You Are a Badass at Making Money will launch you past the fears and stumbling blocks that have kept financial success beyond your reach. Drawing on her own transformation—over just a few years—from a woman living in a converted garage with tumbleweeds blowing through her bank account to a woman who travels the world in style, Jen Sincero channels the inimitable sass and practicality that made You Are a Badass an indomitable bestseller. She combines hilarious personal essays with bite-size, aha concepts that unlock earning potential and get real results.
Learn to:
• Uncover what's holding you back from making money
• Give your doubts, fears, and excuses the heave-ho
• Relate to money in a new (and lucrative) way
• Shake up the cocktail of creation
• Tap into your natural ability to grow rich
• Shape your reality—stop playing victim to circumstance
• Get as wealthy as you wanna be
“This book truly crystallizes the concept that financial abundance is an inside job—in that it all begins with your mindset—and Sincero gets serious (in the funniest ways possible) about helping you identify your particular limiting beliefs surrounding money.” —PopSugar
267 pages, Hardcover
First published April 18, 2017
About the author
Jen Sincero
62 books3,521 followersJen Sincero is a #1 New York Times Bestselling author, speaker and success coach who has helped countless people transform their personal and professional lives via her public appearances, private sessions, coaching seminars and, most recently, her latest #1 NY Times Bestselling book, "You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life".
She’s spoken on stages all over the world and has coached full-on super heroes, helping them build their dream businesses, become NY Times Bestselling authors, navigate million dollar business deals, find their soul mates and forgive their bitchy mothers who they now realize were just doing the best they could.
Before becoming a coach, Jen played in several rock bands and eventually wrote her first book, a semi-autobiographical novel called, "Don’t Sleep With Your Drummer." When her plans to become a world-famous rockstar didn’t pan out, she decided to try being a lesbian instead, didn’t pull that off either, and wrote her second book, the National Bestseller, "The Straight Girl’s Guide to Sleeping With Chicks." Jen currently lives in New Mexico, and can be found on the web at JenSincero.Com.
She’s spoken on stages all over the world and has coached full-on super heroes, helping them build their dream businesses, become NY Times Bestselling authors, navigate million dollar business deals, find their soul mates and forgive their bitchy mothers who they now realize were just doing the best they could.
Before becoming a coach, Jen played in several rock bands and eventually wrote her first book, a semi-autobiographical novel called, "Don’t Sleep With Your Drummer." When her plans to become a world-famous rockstar didn’t pan out, she decided to try being a lesbian instead, didn’t pull that off either, and wrote her second book, the National Bestseller, "The Straight Girl’s Guide to Sleeping With Chicks." Jen currently lives in New Mexico, and can be found on the web at JenSincero.Com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,643 reviews
June 18, 2017
Although I am generally a keen reader of self-help or financial advice books, I struggled to make it through this one. The book's (and its author's) heart is in the right place, and there are definitely bits of information and advice here that almost anyone would find useful, but the way its content was presented and the style in which it was written made it a chore to get through. There is also more than a bit of content in these 260 pages that I find quite troubling - more on that later.
This book has what I have found constitutes the Holy Trinity of mediocre self-help books.
1. A forced casual style, filled with cringe-inducing turns of phrase ("get the fuck on the fuck" is a genuine line printed in this book - I would appreciate any insight into what that actually means), unnecessary swearing, and a number of added extras (such as the little "nuggets of wisdom", surrounded by two dotted lines) that unhelpfully break up the flow of the reading while simply repeating what is being said in the main body of the book. Amusingly enough, the author initially found success helping authors complete their books (her website being called, predictably enough, "writeyourdamnbook.com"), which makes me hope that she at least has a more serious style in her writing portfolio to offer her clients.
2. A rambling structure, with ideas that, although simple to explain, somehow manage to take up entire chapters through the inclusion of silly anecdotes, the above-mentioned turns of phrase, and just generally repeating the same thing over and over again. Ironically enough, this goes against the actual content and message of the book, which is that being wealthy/fulfilled is as simple as changing your attitude and making yourself entirely open to the opportunities that abound around you. Then again, if all the chaff was cut out and this book found its natural length of, say, a series of articles, it would be much tougher to sell for £13 than this visually eye-catching book.
3. Speaking of structure: the book itself is obnoxious to leaf back through to find a specific passage or quote that speaks to you or that you need to reflect on. This is especially disappointing as this functionality is pretty much required for self-help books, which invariably encourage you to re-read the parts that you "need the most right now" whenever that need arises. Rather than have a handy section at the beginning or end of the book where all the information is neatly summarised (something done very well by Tony Robbins' book, which is far superior to this one should you be looking to improve your financial situation), there is a short bullet-point list of key takeaways at the end of each chapter, again written in the frustrating "I'm your buddy" style. Really not very useful.
Beyond that, however, I find issue with much of the book's content itself. Like so many other "self-help" experts, the author's professional background is the usual mix of success coach / motivational speaker / entrepreneur. While I in no way want to play down the author's success, or the way that she turned her life around, it is rather frustrating that so many of these authors' massive success seems to have come from helping other people be successful rather than, say, created a product or niche service that they managed to grow into a successful venture. This would be fine if only there was any attempt in the book to accept that starting a business that is primarily based around a service that you provide by yourself is completely different to, say, based around a physical product. Worse still, the advice for aspiring business owners here invariably seems to be "throw yourself into it and don't be afraid to take large risks", advice that is optimistic at best and downright dangerous at worst. It is much easier to extricate yourself from a success coaching business that has floundered than it is to lose a toy car business after having ordered the production of 1-2000 toys. Not only that - the author repeatedly extols the virtues of seeking the help of a success coach yourself, and states that the multiple paid seminars and courses she attended are what helped her to "get to the next level". Astonishingly, she states that one of the key turning points in her life was hiring one of the personal coaches she respected most for a one-to-one, six-month course, which cost - wait for it - 85 thousand dollars. And how did she get that money? She borrowed it from a friend. The book then goes on to explain that the difficulty in this situation was having the guts to ask a friend for some much-needed financial help, and that, once you have taken that step, the actual amount you ask for, be it "80 dollars or 80 thousand" in the book's very words, is the same. This is not only untrue, it manages to waltz over the fact that the vast majority of people, in the US or elsewhere, do not know anyone who has even close to that amount of cash to casually lend to a friend in need. And all in the space of a page.
Regarding the tone, while I do understand that the tone of these books invariably has to be upbeat as a large amount of people reading them are probably going through tough times and therefore need to have their spirits raised, this book often times drives straight over the line separating "very optimistic but ultimately realistic advice" and "outright pseudo-spiritual self-help baloney". The idea that there is a "Universal Intelligence" out there waiting to make you rich is based on a good piece of advice, namely that opportunity is everywhere and needs to be seized; however the "intelligence" part of the term is dangerous, as it reverses the process of seizing opportunity from an active one to a passive one. It's just a matter of changing your view of the world, of money ("stop thinking of money as bad or evil" is something that is ceaselessly hammered in here, as if to say that poor people are simply poor because they "hate money" or "hate rich people"), and waiting for all these opportunities to fall in your lap.
And finally, added to this is the part of the book that left me most ill-at-ease: the part where the author speaks with admiration about a woman who managed to cure her cancer by "changing her worldview" and going from seeing herself as diseased to seeing herself as healthy and living life to the fullest. The idea that a large amount of people who are either destitute or suffering from health issues (which, in the free universal healthcare-less United States, are likely to be one and the same) can not only become rich, but even cure their illnesses by thinking more positively and "communing with the Universal Intelligence" is downright dangerous. There is, in closing, something to be said here about how scary it is that "becoming wealthy and fulfilled" and "not suffering from potentially life-threatening disease" can be conflated, but that is a conversation for another day.
This book has what I have found constitutes the Holy Trinity of mediocre self-help books.
1. A forced casual style, filled with cringe-inducing turns of phrase ("get the fuck on the fuck" is a genuine line printed in this book - I would appreciate any insight into what that actually means), unnecessary swearing, and a number of added extras (such as the little "nuggets of wisdom", surrounded by two dotted lines) that unhelpfully break up the flow of the reading while simply repeating what is being said in the main body of the book. Amusingly enough, the author initially found success helping authors complete their books (her website being called, predictably enough, "writeyourdamnbook.com"), which makes me hope that she at least has a more serious style in her writing portfolio to offer her clients.
2. A rambling structure, with ideas that, although simple to explain, somehow manage to take up entire chapters through the inclusion of silly anecdotes, the above-mentioned turns of phrase, and just generally repeating the same thing over and over again. Ironically enough, this goes against the actual content and message of the book, which is that being wealthy/fulfilled is as simple as changing your attitude and making yourself entirely open to the opportunities that abound around you. Then again, if all the chaff was cut out and this book found its natural length of, say, a series of articles, it would be much tougher to sell for £13 than this visually eye-catching book.
3. Speaking of structure: the book itself is obnoxious to leaf back through to find a specific passage or quote that speaks to you or that you need to reflect on. This is especially disappointing as this functionality is pretty much required for self-help books, which invariably encourage you to re-read the parts that you "need the most right now" whenever that need arises. Rather than have a handy section at the beginning or end of the book where all the information is neatly summarised (something done very well by Tony Robbins' book, which is far superior to this one should you be looking to improve your financial situation), there is a short bullet-point list of key takeaways at the end of each chapter, again written in the frustrating "I'm your buddy" style. Really not very useful.
Beyond that, however, I find issue with much of the book's content itself. Like so many other "self-help" experts, the author's professional background is the usual mix of success coach / motivational speaker / entrepreneur. While I in no way want to play down the author's success, or the way that she turned her life around, it is rather frustrating that so many of these authors' massive success seems to have come from helping other people be successful rather than, say, created a product or niche service that they managed to grow into a successful venture. This would be fine if only there was any attempt in the book to accept that starting a business that is primarily based around a service that you provide by yourself is completely different to, say, based around a physical product. Worse still, the advice for aspiring business owners here invariably seems to be "throw yourself into it and don't be afraid to take large risks", advice that is optimistic at best and downright dangerous at worst. It is much easier to extricate yourself from a success coaching business that has floundered than it is to lose a toy car business after having ordered the production of 1-2000 toys. Not only that - the author repeatedly extols the virtues of seeking the help of a success coach yourself, and states that the multiple paid seminars and courses she attended are what helped her to "get to the next level". Astonishingly, she states that one of the key turning points in her life was hiring one of the personal coaches she respected most for a one-to-one, six-month course, which cost - wait for it - 85 thousand dollars. And how did she get that money? She borrowed it from a friend. The book then goes on to explain that the difficulty in this situation was having the guts to ask a friend for some much-needed financial help, and that, once you have taken that step, the actual amount you ask for, be it "80 dollars or 80 thousand" in the book's very words, is the same. This is not only untrue, it manages to waltz over the fact that the vast majority of people, in the US or elsewhere, do not know anyone who has even close to that amount of cash to casually lend to a friend in need. And all in the space of a page.
Regarding the tone, while I do understand that the tone of these books invariably has to be upbeat as a large amount of people reading them are probably going through tough times and therefore need to have their spirits raised, this book often times drives straight over the line separating "very optimistic but ultimately realistic advice" and "outright pseudo-spiritual self-help baloney". The idea that there is a "Universal Intelligence" out there waiting to make you rich is based on a good piece of advice, namely that opportunity is everywhere and needs to be seized; however the "intelligence" part of the term is dangerous, as it reverses the process of seizing opportunity from an active one to a passive one. It's just a matter of changing your view of the world, of money ("stop thinking of money as bad or evil" is something that is ceaselessly hammered in here, as if to say that poor people are simply poor because they "hate money" or "hate rich people"), and waiting for all these opportunities to fall in your lap.
And finally, added to this is the part of the book that left me most ill-at-ease: the part where the author speaks with admiration about a woman who managed to cure her cancer by "changing her worldview" and going from seeing herself as diseased to seeing herself as healthy and living life to the fullest. The idea that a large amount of people who are either destitute or suffering from health issues (which, in the free universal healthcare-less United States, are likely to be one and the same) can not only become rich, but even cure their illnesses by thinking more positively and "communing with the Universal Intelligence" is downright dangerous. There is, in closing, something to be said here about how scary it is that "becoming wealthy and fulfilled" and "not suffering from potentially life-threatening disease" can be conflated, but that is a conversation for another day.
March 28, 2017
Is it a coincidence I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway the day after I asked "the universe" to bring the books, movies and people into my life that I need in order to further advance my goals? Is it merely serendipity that exactly one week after finishing this book I received a 25% raise, a $1000 bonus and got the certification class I just signed up for paid for by my employer? Or is it because I've worked my butt off this past year? Who knows. But I personally like to think that life is not merely a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences, but rather a tapestry of events that culminate into an exquisite, divine plan. I believe the majority of success is due to one's attitude and ability to remain positive and stay in the right mindset regardless of their circumstances. And this book definitely helped me tap into that mindset.
Favorite Quotes:
"Time wasted rationalizing the mediocre could be time spent creating the magnificent."
"Rich = The ability to afford all the things and experiences required to fully experience YOUR most authentic life."
"Your external world is a mirror of your internal world."
"Your thoughts inspire emotions which inspire actions which forms your 'reality'."
"If you've made a backup plan you haven't made a decision."
"What you focus on you create more of."
"When you succumb to fear, you are under the illusion you can predict the future."
Favorite Quotes:
"Time wasted rationalizing the mediocre could be time spent creating the magnificent."
"Rich = The ability to afford all the things and experiences required to fully experience YOUR most authentic life."
"Your external world is a mirror of your internal world."
"Your thoughts inspire emotions which inspire actions which forms your 'reality'."
"If you've made a backup plan you haven't made a decision."
"What you focus on you create more of."
"When you succumb to fear, you are under the illusion you can predict the future."
May 21, 2017
This book is a very new age type of book that is very dangerous - 'jump off a cliff and you'll be fine as long as you believe you'll be fine'. This belief system is not new and has been damaging people financially for years. Shame on this lady for writing this book. Interestingly, this book brings her revenue by showing others to merely believe they have money and it will manifest. I'm surprised these types of authors are not sued routinely for false advertising. That's the last time I buy a book in my business recommendations list without due diligence. Oy!
February 6, 2018
DNF.
Sincero is largely unaware that most people aren’t hung up on borrowing $85,000 from a friend, but are likely hurting from the systemic issues that prevent us from accessing wealth in the first place. Her tone is cringe-worthy in its attempt to be relatable.
I should have stopped reading when she praised Ayn Rand.
So glad I borrowed this from the library and didn’t purchase it.
Sincero is largely unaware that most people aren’t hung up on borrowing $85,000 from a friend, but are likely hurting from the systemic issues that prevent us from accessing wealth in the first place. Her tone is cringe-worthy in its attempt to be relatable.
I should have stopped reading when she praised Ayn Rand.
So glad I borrowed this from the library and didn’t purchase it.
April 24, 2017
This might be the worst book on finance I have ever read. I liked her first book well enough, and I love reading books about money but this one was truly awful! There is not one piece of actual solid advice here....just a bunch of mumbo jumbo about thinking yourself to wealth.
August 20, 2018
This is what I needed to hear at this moment in my life. I did look over some of the reviews of this book and I saw many gave it 1 and 2 stars. Their complaint is that it does not give solid details for making money.
I see this book working on a spiritual level. Jen keeps saying raise your energy level and keep it high. She is not simply saying to quit and everything will be ok. She said, you have to have the faith and then put everything you have into it; make yourself uncomfortable and give everything to your idea.
She is working with the Universal laws here. I think my biggest take-away is the negotiating voice. It is always about small things. I plan to write 5 pages today and a voice inside says I could check facebook first. I do this all the time. I negotiate away what I really want.
In my past, I have had an issue with money and I push some opportunities and money away from me. I have issues I need to work out. Going to school and racking up the debt has been the biggest risk of my life and I feel it was the right choice. My heart lead me here and there is a path to pay off my debt if I don't get scared of being uncomfortable and letting people know I'm an acupuncturist. I am pretty shy until you get to know me. I must push past that.
She gives big examples of going for the big bucks, but sometimes its taking out student loans and going to school, or going to a workshop or joining the Kiwanis Club and meeting other people. Sometimes, it's simply talking to another person.
I thought the questions she asked were very important questions and what really drives us and what we really believe. We can be a victim or sabotage ourselves without even knowing it. There is a lot of inner work to happen to make outer goals happen. I do think our attitudes are important. Focusing on the stuff not working has never really helped me. It makes my life more difficult. This past year was tough and my attitude has made it brutal instead of just something I have to do.
Working with people's energy the way I have, money is such a primal part of us like it or not. I grew up thinking I hated money, but what I meant was that I hated that money drove things. I do like the freedom money can give a person, the freedom to live a fuller life. Money is really simply energy. It is that simple. I think I am seeing it more that way and it makes sense.
We need our energy to be used for life transformations. What we put out can pay dividends later. There are times we need to conserve energy, like in the winter, and times to spend, like the summer when it's time to have fun. Energy really is a form of currency as is money.
This book happened at the perfect time for me and it was the perfect message for me at this point. I am about to open a practice and I need to answer the questions she posed throughout the book.
If you are looking for a step by step process to getting rich, this probably isn't the book for you. If you want a guide to figure out your way of making money in the world and the attitudes of successful people, I think you will find this book useful and helpful.
I see this book working on a spiritual level. Jen keeps saying raise your energy level and keep it high. She is not simply saying to quit and everything will be ok. She said, you have to have the faith and then put everything you have into it; make yourself uncomfortable and give everything to your idea.
She is working with the Universal laws here. I think my biggest take-away is the negotiating voice. It is always about small things. I plan to write 5 pages today and a voice inside says I could check facebook first. I do this all the time. I negotiate away what I really want.
In my past, I have had an issue with money and I push some opportunities and money away from me. I have issues I need to work out. Going to school and racking up the debt has been the biggest risk of my life and I feel it was the right choice. My heart lead me here and there is a path to pay off my debt if I don't get scared of being uncomfortable and letting people know I'm an acupuncturist. I am pretty shy until you get to know me. I must push past that.
She gives big examples of going for the big bucks, but sometimes its taking out student loans and going to school, or going to a workshop or joining the Kiwanis Club and meeting other people. Sometimes, it's simply talking to another person.
I thought the questions she asked were very important questions and what really drives us and what we really believe. We can be a victim or sabotage ourselves without even knowing it. There is a lot of inner work to happen to make outer goals happen. I do think our attitudes are important. Focusing on the stuff not working has never really helped me. It makes my life more difficult. This past year was tough and my attitude has made it brutal instead of just something I have to do.
Working with people's energy the way I have, money is such a primal part of us like it or not. I grew up thinking I hated money, but what I meant was that I hated that money drove things. I do like the freedom money can give a person, the freedom to live a fuller life. Money is really simply energy. It is that simple. I think I am seeing it more that way and it makes sense.
We need our energy to be used for life transformations. What we put out can pay dividends later. There are times we need to conserve energy, like in the winter, and times to spend, like the summer when it's time to have fun. Energy really is a form of currency as is money.
This book happened at the perfect time for me and it was the perfect message for me at this point. I am about to open a practice and I need to answer the questions she posed throughout the book.
If you are looking for a step by step process to getting rich, this probably isn't the book for you. If you want a guide to figure out your way of making money in the world and the attitudes of successful people, I think you will find this book useful and helpful.
April 17, 2018
Yet another self help book, this one is dedicated to people who like money and goats.
March 17, 2020
Another installment of this sheer goodness!
Yes, I know: we've heard most of it all elsewhere but noe this way!
I love how Jen explains the criminalized perception of wealth that many of us have ingrained.
Q:
What you focus on you create more of. (c)
Q:
Why not be the biggest, happiest, most generous, and fully realized humanoid you can be? (c)
Q:
It’s about you letting yourself be the biggest badass you can be, whatever that happens to look like for you. (c)
Q:
What would a typical day in your life as the richest, happiest, and most successful version of yourself look like? (c)
Q:
Get clear on the amount of money you’re going to make, the specifics of what the money’s for, and how freaking awesome it feels to make it. Decide, with unshakable commitment, that you are making this money. Get a plan together to make the money you desire to make, chunk the plan back into bite-sized pieces, and focus yer ass off on one goal at a time. Hold an image in your mind of the life you’re creating and all the money that’s flowing toward you with eager excitement, hardcore faith, and deep gratitude. Do your best wherever you’re at. If, while building your greeting card empire, you’ve taken a job scraping gum off the bottom of tables at a bowling alley, instead of being pissed off about having a job that you don’t exactly love (what you focus on you create more of), find the silver lining, be the best damn gum scraper that table has ever worked with, and have an attitude of gratitude. (c)
Q:
You cannot give what you do not have, so if you want to help others you have to take care of yourself first. (c)
Q:
Our world, now more than ever, needs as many compassionate, creative, bighearted, conscious people to be as rich as possible... (c)
Q:
If you’re all over the place, you’re half-assing a bunch of different things instead of kicking ass at one thing... (c)
Q:
A wise man once said nothing. (c)
Q:
The walls of your comfort zone are lovingly decorated with your lifelong collection of favorite excuses. (c)
Q:
Our “realities” are make-believe—whatever we make ourselves believe, we experience. (c)
Q:
Our environment shapes everything from our drinking habits to our financial situations to our physical appearance, and the longer we immerse ourselves in certain surroundings, the more they influence us. (c)
Q:
If you allow yourself to make all the money you need to flourish and live out your desires, it does not mean you are, or will become, a greedy, selfish, Earth-ruining bastard. (c)
Q:
You have to want your dreams more than you want your drama. (c)
Q:
Wealth appreciates for the appreciative. (c)
Q:
Vague aspirations lead to vague results; specific aspirations lead to kicking ass. (c)
Q:
Design your own job. If you see things in your company that need doing that aren’t being done, create a new job for yourself. Come up with an excellent pitch about all the ways this will benefit the company and help them make craploads of money, and name your salary. You never know, stranger things have happened. (c)
Q:
Treat money the way you’d like to be treated. (c)
Q:
She got a mentor. It was 2008, all these other much bigger firms were crashing down around her, and she was brought to the point where she didn’t think she could take it anymore, so she sought out a mentor who gave her great advice: He told her to go surfing. (c)
Q:
Wake up, become aware of how you’re perceiving “reality,” make new choices, get outside help for fresh perspective, believe in the unbelievable. Most people stay in financial struggle not because they suck at what they do or don’t have any prospects, but because they don’t stretch their minds. (c)
Q:
... when you listen to your heart and connect with who you’re meant to become, you have energy because you’re in a state of flow, things happen more easily, opportunities land in your lap, you’re turned on, inspired, engulfed in a sea of brilliant ideas.
... learning experiences are different from wasting your life pushing a boulder up a hill... (c)
Yes, I know: we've heard most of it all elsewhere but noe this way!
I love how Jen explains the criminalized perception of wealth that many of us have ingrained.
Q:
What you focus on you create more of. (c)
Q:
Why not be the biggest, happiest, most generous, and fully realized humanoid you can be? (c)
Q:
It’s about you letting yourself be the biggest badass you can be, whatever that happens to look like for you. (c)
Q:
What would a typical day in your life as the richest, happiest, and most successful version of yourself look like? (c)
Q:
Get clear on the amount of money you’re going to make, the specifics of what the money’s for, and how freaking awesome it feels to make it. Decide, with unshakable commitment, that you are making this money. Get a plan together to make the money you desire to make, chunk the plan back into bite-sized pieces, and focus yer ass off on one goal at a time. Hold an image in your mind of the life you’re creating and all the money that’s flowing toward you with eager excitement, hardcore faith, and deep gratitude. Do your best wherever you’re at. If, while building your greeting card empire, you’ve taken a job scraping gum off the bottom of tables at a bowling alley, instead of being pissed off about having a job that you don’t exactly love (what you focus on you create more of), find the silver lining, be the best damn gum scraper that table has ever worked with, and have an attitude of gratitude. (c)
Q:
You cannot give what you do not have, so if you want to help others you have to take care of yourself first. (c)
Q:
Our world, now more than ever, needs as many compassionate, creative, bighearted, conscious people to be as rich as possible... (c)
Q:
If you’re all over the place, you’re half-assing a bunch of different things instead of kicking ass at one thing... (c)
Q:
A wise man once said nothing. (c)
Q:
The walls of your comfort zone are lovingly decorated with your lifelong collection of favorite excuses. (c)
Q:
Our “realities” are make-believe—whatever we make ourselves believe, we experience. (c)
Q:
Our environment shapes everything from our drinking habits to our financial situations to our physical appearance, and the longer we immerse ourselves in certain surroundings, the more they influence us. (c)
Q:
If you allow yourself to make all the money you need to flourish and live out your desires, it does not mean you are, or will become, a greedy, selfish, Earth-ruining bastard. (c)
Q:
You have to want your dreams more than you want your drama. (c)
Q:
Wealth appreciates for the appreciative. (c)
Q:
Vague aspirations lead to vague results; specific aspirations lead to kicking ass. (c)
Q:
Design your own job. If you see things in your company that need doing that aren’t being done, create a new job for yourself. Come up with an excellent pitch about all the ways this will benefit the company and help them make craploads of money, and name your salary. You never know, stranger things have happened. (c)
Q:
Treat money the way you’d like to be treated. (c)
Q:
She got a mentor. It was 2008, all these other much bigger firms were crashing down around her, and she was brought to the point where she didn’t think she could take it anymore, so she sought out a mentor who gave her great advice: He told her to go surfing. (c)
Q:
Wake up, become aware of how you’re perceiving “reality,” make new choices, get outside help for fresh perspective, believe in the unbelievable. Most people stay in financial struggle not because they suck at what they do or don’t have any prospects, but because they don’t stretch their minds. (c)
Q:
... when you listen to your heart and connect with who you’re meant to become, you have energy because you’re in a state of flow, things happen more easily, opportunities land in your lap, you’re turned on, inspired, engulfed in a sea of brilliant ideas.
... learning experiences are different from wasting your life pushing a boulder up a hill... (c)
July 8, 2017
"You Are a Badass at Making Money" by Jen Sincero
I will not be recommending this book to other readers. There are better personal finance books out in the market. I was excited to read this book, but I found it to be a disappointing read. The content was boring and the advice given in this book is very questionable.
I found Sincero's writing style lacked depth. I believe she was aiming for a narrative that was bold, crude and exciting. And I'm all for bold, crude and exciting content. But what I read was none of those things. The writing style in my opinion came across superficial and, I found it hard to sympathize or, empathize with Sincero, or, the other men and women's cases highlighted in this book.
I have mix feelings about the advice Sincero gives regarding money. Some of the advice I found ok, but the majority of her advice left me concern. Sincero's advice to people is pretty much...take action, take risk, go into debt, and hire a personal coach no matter what the fee is...because it's worth it and in the end you'll be rich. I'm going to be a Debbie Downer. The majority of start ups fail. The risk doesn't always out way the benefit. Some caution should be taking, especially if other people depend on you. And I personally don't think spending thousands of dollars on a life coach a good investment; especially when there are organizations out there that mentor new business owners/starts for free or at a much lower fee than what was suggested in this book. I honestly felt this book was a long sales pitch for people to hire personal coaches. The sales pitch vibe turned me off of this book and left me very disappointed.
I will not be recommending this book to other readers. There are better personal finance books out in the market. I was excited to read this book, but I found it to be a disappointing read. The content was boring and the advice given in this book is very questionable.
I found Sincero's writing style lacked depth. I believe she was aiming for a narrative that was bold, crude and exciting. And I'm all for bold, crude and exciting content. But what I read was none of those things. The writing style in my opinion came across superficial and, I found it hard to sympathize or, empathize with Sincero, or, the other men and women's cases highlighted in this book.
I have mix feelings about the advice Sincero gives regarding money. Some of the advice I found ok, but the majority of her advice left me concern. Sincero's advice to people is pretty much...take action, take risk, go into debt, and hire a personal coach no matter what the fee is...because it's worth it and in the end you'll be rich. I'm going to be a Debbie Downer. The majority of start ups fail. The risk doesn't always out way the benefit. Some caution should be taking, especially if other people depend on you. And I personally don't think spending thousands of dollars on a life coach a good investment; especially when there are organizations out there that mentor new business owners/starts for free or at a much lower fee than what was suggested in this book. I honestly felt this book was a long sales pitch for people to hire personal coaches. The sales pitch vibe turned me off of this book and left me very disappointed.
June 22, 2017
If I end up changing my attitude and manifesting money then I will gladly change my rating to 5 stars.
Right now, I'm a skeptic and try to stay away from anyone that calls themselves a "life coach" or believes in "The Secret".
I do agree with the author about our attitudes towards money and how strange they can be. A lot of think that wanting money is wrong or dirty. Or even that we don't deserve to make a lot of money because we don't have special skills, etc. I do think if you change your thinking to reflect why having money would make your life good and how you could improve the lives of those around you, you will be less afraid of chasing success. HOWEVER, I do not really believe that the universe will somehow send you $75,000 if you get specific and "put it out into the world". Literally, the author told a story where I woman wrote the number 75 all over the place and (crazy coincidence!!) $75,000 landed in her lap.
Ugh, so annoyed but maybe I should try to believe.
Right now, I'm a skeptic and try to stay away from anyone that calls themselves a "life coach" or believes in "The Secret".
I do agree with the author about our attitudes towards money and how strange they can be. A lot of think that wanting money is wrong or dirty. Or even that we don't deserve to make a lot of money because we don't have special skills, etc. I do think if you change your thinking to reflect why having money would make your life good and how you could improve the lives of those around you, you will be less afraid of chasing success. HOWEVER, I do not really believe that the universe will somehow send you $75,000 if you get specific and "put it out into the world". Literally, the author told a story where I woman wrote the number 75 all over the place and (crazy coincidence!!) $75,000 landed in her lap.
Ugh, so annoyed but maybe I should try to believe.
March 21, 2018
This is the Joel Osteen Prosperity gospel for entrepreneurs. Believe you are a badass, say a bunch of mantras about money positivity, and manifest how much you want to make. Believe it will happen, and it will happen. The dumbest book on business I’ve ever read.
August 1, 2017
Before I move on, *please* someone tell me where this ridiculous idea came from that the etymology of "desire" is from the latin "de - sire" meaning "of the father." Oh dear LORD where did that come from? I searched online a bit and I think it came from a misreading of a Biblical reference via a life coach. And now other life coaches are repeating it? PLEASE STOP!
From the Online Etymology Dictionary: "desire (v.) early 13c., from Old French desirrer (12c.) 'wish, desire, long for,' from Latin desiderare 'long for, wish for; demand, expect,' original sense perhaps 'await what the stars will bring,' from the phrase de sidere 'from the stars,' from sidus (genitive sideris) 'heavenly body, star, constellation' (but see consider). Related: Desired; desiring."
Would have given it four stars if she hadn't referred to "the late, great Ayn Rand." Because there was some stuff I found useful. Specifically I've been looking for targeted advice for rooting out my negative ideas around money (grew up in poverty, parents functioned like addicts, etc). This had some exercises in it that were useful for me. But overall if you're going to be annoyed by the rah-rah hire-a-coach start-a-business stuff, this isn't for you. (I am somewhat but also love starting businesses, so it had some relevant stuff even if it's not what I'm doing right now.)
One more note about this spate of suggested finances and self-help books: any source that talks about positive thinking without any reference to racism and systemic inequality, let alone disability or the many other ways that people are different that are not at all due to thoughts needs to sit the fuck down. You can encourage people to do the best with what they have without pretending that everyone is starting from the same point.
From the Online Etymology Dictionary: "desire (v.) early 13c., from Old French desirrer (12c.) 'wish, desire, long for,' from Latin desiderare 'long for, wish for; demand, expect,' original sense perhaps 'await what the stars will bring,' from the phrase de sidere 'from the stars,' from sidus (genitive sideris) 'heavenly body, star, constellation' (but see consider). Related: Desired; desiring."
Would have given it four stars if she hadn't referred to "the late, great Ayn Rand." Because there was some stuff I found useful. Specifically I've been looking for targeted advice for rooting out my negative ideas around money (grew up in poverty, parents functioned like addicts, etc). This had some exercises in it that were useful for me. But overall if you're going to be annoyed by the rah-rah hire-a-coach start-a-business stuff, this isn't for you. (I am somewhat but also love starting businesses, so it had some relevant stuff even if it's not what I'm doing right now.)
One more note about this spate of suggested finances and self-help books: any source that talks about positive thinking without any reference to racism and systemic inequality, let alone disability or the many other ways that people are different that are not at all due to thoughts needs to sit the fuck down. You can encourage people to do the best with what they have without pretending that everyone is starting from the same point.
June 30, 2017
1.5 This book was assigned as part of an online book club I'm part of, and even though it had some cool passages and made me laugh in some places, I think the author came off as pretty tone-deaf to actual, real societal problems/structures that influence people's financial realities besides their own mindsets. I would've enjoyed it much more as a memoir of what worked for her success, throw in the cool inspirational phrases, and leave it at that.
June 22, 2017
Dropped it because of two reasons.
First one, can't stand American "ecetera". Can't stand one, but here were hundreds! Completely p*ssed me of. Can you f*cking see how it's writter?
Second. It falls into category of spelunking fantasies. All those claimants "millionaires", "achievers" made their money by coaching and washing brains, not the real job. That says everything and I apply this rule for decades - if someone earned money not through real job, then he's selling the B.S. And, f course, people just like B.S. over the real. They live shitty lives (no, actually,. they believe, they need some millions to compensate their invented problems), they want to believe fantasies and they buy them eagerly.
So, not saying why I know that (yep, I've been through everything) how and why it works, but I'd rather read something how some shoe doctor done something, than those capitalistic idiocies of how to manipulate people.
Some suggestion from someone (me), who spent years not in shitty jobs, but "meditating" and thinking on the purpose of life :-D Everything is in your head.
First one, can't stand American "ecetera". Can't stand one, but here were hundreds! Completely p*ssed me of. Can you f*cking see how it's writter?
Second. It falls into category of spelunking fantasies. All those claimants "millionaires", "achievers" made their money by coaching and washing brains, not the real job. That says everything and I apply this rule for decades - if someone earned money not through real job, then he's selling the B.S. And, f course, people just like B.S. over the real. They live shitty lives (no, actually,. they believe, they need some millions to compensate their invented problems), they want to believe fantasies and they buy them eagerly.
So, not saying why I know that (yep, I've been through everything) how and why it works, but I'd rather read something how some shoe doctor done something, than those capitalistic idiocies of how to manipulate people.
Some suggestion from someone (me), who spent years not in shitty jobs, but "meditating" and thinking on the purpose of life :-D Everything is in your head.
Read
April 24, 2017"Time wasted rationalizing the mediocre could be time spent creating the magnificent" (6).
"We've been raised to believe that you have to work hard to make money, and certainly there are times when this is true, but the real secret is you have to take huge, uncomfy risks. You have to do stuff you've never done before, to make yourself visible, to acknowledge your own awesomeness, to risk looking stupid" (9).
"Everybody arrives on this planet with unique desires, gifts, and talents, and as you journey through life, your job is to discover what yours are, to nurture them and to bloom into the most authentic, gleeful, and badassiest version of yourself" (15).
"Your external world is a mirror of your internal world" (31).
"When you change who you're being, you're basically killing off your own identity, which completely freaks your subconscious self out. Change hurls you into the unknown and puts you at risk for all sorts of loss and, of course, all sorts of unthinkable awesomeness, which is why it brings your biggest fears to the surface" (35).
"Money is a renewable resource. It comes and goes, it ebbs and flows, it's meant to move. When we're cheap about spending it or weird about receiving it, we block its natural course, we put ourselves in a place of lack instead of abundance, our energy becomes richus interruptus" (70).
"you have to want your dreams more than you want your drama" (90).
"Doubts, fears, and other people's rules are no match for a heart on a mission" (99).
"And if you're going to make the kind of money you've never made before, you're going to have to do a whole lotta stuff you ain't never done before, which will scare and challenge (and excite) the crap out of you" (100).
"Worrying is praying for stuff you don't want" (126).
"If you want to change your life, you must be more available for the ridiculous than your reality" (135).
"If you decide you absolutely must manifest a certain amount of money to provide yourself with the resources to get rich, be it $80 or $80,000, the money exists, it's just a matter of how serious you are about getting it for yourself" (175).
"The very unfunny cosmic joke: In an attempt to protect ourselves from pain, we perpetuate behaviors that create the very pain we are trying to avoid" (205).
"When we focus on the money instead of working ourselves to death, and get mighty clear about how much we desire to make and what we can do differently in order to make it happen, we open the door to new freedoms" (206).
"I'd like to end here by reminding you that you not only have every single thing you need to get rich inside of you right now, but you've got the Universe backing you up and cheering you on, just as it does for every other living thing in nature" (266).
"You are mighty and magnificent beyond measure, grasshopper. You are meant to follow your desires. You are meant to blossom into the fullest expression of your unique and fantabulous badassery. You are meant to be rich" (267).
"We've been raised to believe that you have to work hard to make money, and certainly there are times when this is true, but the real secret is you have to take huge, uncomfy risks. You have to do stuff you've never done before, to make yourself visible, to acknowledge your own awesomeness, to risk looking stupid" (9).
"Everybody arrives on this planet with unique desires, gifts, and talents, and as you journey through life, your job is to discover what yours are, to nurture them and to bloom into the most authentic, gleeful, and badassiest version of yourself" (15).
"Your external world is a mirror of your internal world" (31).
"When you change who you're being, you're basically killing off your own identity, which completely freaks your subconscious self out. Change hurls you into the unknown and puts you at risk for all sorts of loss and, of course, all sorts of unthinkable awesomeness, which is why it brings your biggest fears to the surface" (35).
"Money is a renewable resource. It comes and goes, it ebbs and flows, it's meant to move. When we're cheap about spending it or weird about receiving it, we block its natural course, we put ourselves in a place of lack instead of abundance, our energy becomes richus interruptus" (70).
"you have to want your dreams more than you want your drama" (90).
"Doubts, fears, and other people's rules are no match for a heart on a mission" (99).
"And if you're going to make the kind of money you've never made before, you're going to have to do a whole lotta stuff you ain't never done before, which will scare and challenge (and excite) the crap out of you" (100).
"Worrying is praying for stuff you don't want" (126).
"If you want to change your life, you must be more available for the ridiculous than your reality" (135).
"If you decide you absolutely must manifest a certain amount of money to provide yourself with the resources to get rich, be it $80 or $80,000, the money exists, it's just a matter of how serious you are about getting it for yourself" (175).
"The very unfunny cosmic joke: In an attempt to protect ourselves from pain, we perpetuate behaviors that create the very pain we are trying to avoid" (205).
"When we focus on the money instead of working ourselves to death, and get mighty clear about how much we desire to make and what we can do differently in order to make it happen, we open the door to new freedoms" (206).
"I'd like to end here by reminding you that you not only have every single thing you need to get rich inside of you right now, but you've got the Universe backing you up and cheering you on, just as it does for every other living thing in nature" (266).
"You are mighty and magnificent beyond measure, grasshopper. You are meant to follow your desires. You are meant to blossom into the fullest expression of your unique and fantabulous badassery. You are meant to be rich" (267).
March 24, 2018
This book is so insanely good, I want to send it to everyone I know. It’s not about money, it’s about everything in life, although she uses money as the general theme. I could see so many of these concepts showing up in relationships, career mindset, parenting, health, all of it. Highly recommend, even better than her first book.
May 16, 2017
Definitely not what I was expecting. As opposed to giving concrete steps for improving one's finances in the nature of, say, Suze Orman or Dave Ramsey, Sincero gives self-help advice of the hippie-dippy New Age variety.
July 23, 2017
The only reason I continued reading this book beyond the 2nd chapter is; I thought there's a breakthrough idea the author will share which have this book such a high review score..
And sadly she didn't!
The only reason I continued reading it in the last few chapters was that so I can be fair in my rating for it!
A book full of none sense impractical ideas that's very common in the self-help industry.. now I believe that the mental/psychological solutions to life problems are helpful yet it needs to be complemented with practical hard excruciating work. Selling fairy tales of pure coincidences as a solution to any problem is utter BS
Moreover, the world is lacking genuine, smart, and knowledgeable hard working individuals NOT fake, empty, ignorant yet confident idiots.
And sadly she didn't!
The only reason I continued reading it in the last few chapters was that so I can be fair in my rating for it!
A book full of none sense impractical ideas that's very common in the self-help industry.. now I believe that the mental/psychological solutions to life problems are helpful yet it needs to be complemented with practical hard excruciating work. Selling fairy tales of pure coincidences as a solution to any problem is utter BS
Moreover, the world is lacking genuine, smart, and knowledgeable hard working individuals NOT fake, empty, ignorant yet confident idiots.
March 14, 2023
“Worrying is praying for stuff you don’t want.”
A surprisingly helpful book on how to change your mindset. Sincero gets you thinking about how and what you think of money, but most importantly, how to change those thoughts. Each chapter has a success story and writing exercises. Even though I haven’t completed the writing exercise yet, I’ve already had an a-ha moment. I’ve learned one of the reasons why I’m unintentionally blocking money from flowing into my life. I’m excited to learn more as I do the exercises and fix these underlying issues. And, it’s full of great quotes. Recommended.
“When you succumb to fear, you are under the illusion that you can predict the future.”
May 2, 2017
After reading and enjoying ‘Get your Sh*t Together’ this book caught my eye. I do ‘ok’ but I am not, and never felt I would be, part of the rich gang. Reading You Are A Badass At Making Money would change all that I thought. But, it just really wasn’t my kind of vibe.
This is a VERY ‘American’ book. Jen Sincero talks a lot about ‘putting it out there to the universe’ and ‘being your authentic self’. She lived in a converted garage with no money, barely getting by, and is now a very rich author and ‘success coach’. What is a success coach? I imagine lots of seminars about being rich and successful being held in large conference rooms in American hotels with lots of high fives and ‘Yeah!’ being shouted in unison.
I really did try to get into this book, as I do with all the publications I am asked to review. I just couldn’t get a grip on this one. I’m all for any book which boosts your motivation, creativity, and of course wealth, and some may get something out of it. I just became mildly irritated by it. What grated on me most were chapters asking you to write a letter to money, along with snippets of emails and letters Jen had received from ‘believers’ who had gone from nothing to rich just by following the book and it all being so easy. Reading anonymous “you changed my life emails” alerted my bullshit antennae and from there, unfortunately I just couldn’t carry on.
If you are looking for a book which is something new and different, you won’t find it here.
Unrated from me (unfortunately!)
This is a VERY ‘American’ book. Jen Sincero talks a lot about ‘putting it out there to the universe’ and ‘being your authentic self’. She lived in a converted garage with no money, barely getting by, and is now a very rich author and ‘success coach’. What is a success coach? I imagine lots of seminars about being rich and successful being held in large conference rooms in American hotels with lots of high fives and ‘Yeah!’ being shouted in unison.
I really did try to get into this book, as I do with all the publications I am asked to review. I just couldn’t get a grip on this one. I’m all for any book which boosts your motivation, creativity, and of course wealth, and some may get something out of it. I just became mildly irritated by it. What grated on me most were chapters asking you to write a letter to money, along with snippets of emails and letters Jen had received from ‘believers’ who had gone from nothing to rich just by following the book and it all being so easy. Reading anonymous “you changed my life emails” alerted my bullshit antennae and from there, unfortunately I just couldn’t carry on.
If you are looking for a book which is something new and different, you won’t find it here.
Unrated from me (unfortunately!)
June 10, 2017
I suggested my coworker buy this for the library. Then I borrowed it from the library. Then I read it. Then I went ahead and bought myself a copy. Yea, it's a little woo-woo, but I think she grounds that a little more than some other people do.
If you want to make more money, you do have to get into the right mindset to do so. This book helps you do that.
It's the exercises that I didn't do. So now that I have my own copy, I have no excuse not to sit down and really do them. With paper and a pen and everything. (Though I did write $100,000 on my bathroom mirror. So that's something, right?)
If you want to make more money, you do have to get into the right mindset to do so. This book helps you do that.
It's the exercises that I didn't do. So now that I have my own copy, I have no excuse not to sit down and really do them. With paper and a pen and everything. (Though I did write $100,000 on my bathroom mirror. So that's something, right?)
May 24, 2017
Forced slang and curse words, and a bunch of law of attraction advice. But some good advice mixed in with the bad, and a great general attitude. Probably a 2.5.
Read
June 16, 2018I have a lot of thoughts about this. Not all are kind, but not all are mean, either.
This book is primarily a cheerleading book telling you to have faith in yourself. There are a few gems sprinkled about that tell you how to focus on your goals, sharpen your mindset, and to be okay with the discomfort of growth and change.
If there is anything to take away from this, it's to believe in yourself.
That said, I don't think people need to spend $16 and hours of their life reading a book that tells them to "have faith."
The "faith" Jen refers to is that "the Universe will provide." I am not spiritual and it felt too much like "God's plan" type of thing to accept the idea that if you wish it (pray for it), it will happen, which is basically her way of talking about the Universe (or god). I discussed this book with a few other friends who read it (or were reading it) and one said that she imagines the Universe to be her best self, which is a lot better than the ~energy~ that I feel is referred to the book.
She advocates taking risks, taking on debt, being ruthless and cutting people out of your life if they are slowing you down. I hate that. Yes, cut out toxic people if they are bad for you and your mental health, but to drop your less-wealthy friends because they're not operating the same "vibe" as you? Mmm [McKayla Maroney gif]
She mentions that she asked a family member for a loan of $85k to hire a business coach when that was more than she made in a year —one that the family member would consider a "snake oil salesman"— but she got the money anyway, turned her life around, and paid the money back within a few years. I found this ridiculous, because it paints the picture that these kinds of risks are worth it... they are only worth it if it works! There are no guarantees in life! She shares success stories of people who have made it, but I am almost sure that there are examples of people out there who have done just that, been taken in by a massively overpriced business coach and wiped out their life savings and ruined themselves, and I am equally sure that Jen would say that their failure is because they didn't "believe" enough. Or that this is just a "setback" on the way to future wealth.
Sure, there is taking a risk and being massively uncomfortable with it, vs. a reckless risk that can fuck up your life. Nor is there mention of obstacles built into the infrastructure of our American society that limits opportunities for many people — if she says anything at all it's "don't be a victim! don't cry about it not being your fault!" It means that the hurdle is just that much steeper to climb and if someone can't get over that because of systemic blocks, it's "you don't have enough faith in the Universe."
Also, it's hard to take seriously the word of a woman who includes a line that legitimizes MLM (aka pyramid schemes), credits "focus" for curing a woman who rejected science of incurable cancer, and writes like a bad stand-up comic. She gives an example of a kid who was on a sold-out plane with an assignment for a middle seat, adamant that he wanted a window seat instead, and someone switching with him, as a good example. No, that kid sounds like a spoiled brat. He is no one's example.
Here, let me summarize it for you:
- believe in yourself
- you can do it
- meditate
- believe in yourself some more
There, I saved you $16.
This book is primarily a cheerleading book telling you to have faith in yourself. There are a few gems sprinkled about that tell you how to focus on your goals, sharpen your mindset, and to be okay with the discomfort of growth and change.
If there is anything to take away from this, it's to believe in yourself.
That said, I don't think people need to spend $16 and hours of their life reading a book that tells them to "have faith."
The "faith" Jen refers to is that "the Universe will provide." I am not spiritual and it felt too much like "God's plan" type of thing to accept the idea that if you wish it (pray for it), it will happen, which is basically her way of talking about the Universe (or god). I discussed this book with a few other friends who read it (or were reading it) and one said that she imagines the Universe to be her best self, which is a lot better than the ~energy~ that I feel is referred to the book.
She advocates taking risks, taking on debt, being ruthless and cutting people out of your life if they are slowing you down. I hate that. Yes, cut out toxic people if they are bad for you and your mental health, but to drop your less-wealthy friends because they're not operating the same "vibe" as you? Mmm [McKayla Maroney gif]
She mentions that she asked a family member for a loan of $85k to hire a business coach when that was more than she made in a year —one that the family member would consider a "snake oil salesman"— but she got the money anyway, turned her life around, and paid the money back within a few years. I found this ridiculous, because it paints the picture that these kinds of risks are worth it... they are only worth it if it works! There are no guarantees in life! She shares success stories of people who have made it, but I am almost sure that there are examples of people out there who have done just that, been taken in by a massively overpriced business coach and wiped out their life savings and ruined themselves, and I am equally sure that Jen would say that their failure is because they didn't "believe" enough. Or that this is just a "setback" on the way to future wealth.
Sure, there is taking a risk and being massively uncomfortable with it, vs. a reckless risk that can fuck up your life. Nor is there mention of obstacles built into the infrastructure of our American society that limits opportunities for many people — if she says anything at all it's "don't be a victim! don't cry about it not being your fault!" It means that the hurdle is just that much steeper to climb and if someone can't get over that because of systemic blocks, it's "you don't have enough faith in the Universe."
Also, it's hard to take seriously the word of a woman who includes a line that legitimizes MLM (aka pyramid schemes), credits "focus" for curing a woman who rejected science of incurable cancer, and writes like a bad stand-up comic. She gives an example of a kid who was on a sold-out plane with an assignment for a middle seat, adamant that he wanted a window seat instead, and someone switching with him, as a good example. No, that kid sounds like a spoiled brat. He is no one's example.
Here, let me summarize it for you:
- believe in yourself
- you can do it
- meditate
- believe in yourself some more
There, I saved you $16.
December 23, 2023
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The flow worked more as a linear read. It wouldn't be as valuable as a reference novel and was more biographical.
The most significant part of the book that bothered me was the constant advice to go into debt to find a coach. According to the book, one NEEDS a coach at ANY cost to be successful.
Although I understand the value of a knowledgeable coach, this seems counterintuitive. It wasn't that you should chase your dreams NOW! But 80K in debt or more? This seems like it's not even accessible to many people and could make them detach from the rest of the wealth of knowledge.
Basically, stop making excuses, and start taking action.
3.75 rounded up to 4 stars.
The most significant part of the book that bothered me was the constant advice to go into debt to find a coach. According to the book, one NEEDS a coach at ANY cost to be successful.
Although I understand the value of a knowledgeable coach, this seems counterintuitive. It wasn't that you should chase your dreams NOW! But 80K in debt or more? This seems like it's not even accessible to many people and could make them detach from the rest of the wealth of knowledge.
Basically, stop making excuses, and start taking action.
3.75 rounded up to 4 stars.
May 31, 2018
"The very unfunny cosmic joke: In an attempt to protect ourselves from pain, we perpetuate behaviors that create the very pain we are trying to avoid"
the audiobook is superb, as usual. great advice, gonna reread this - and soon, cause I need to digest all the wisdom cuz moneyzzz
the audiobook is superb, as usual. great advice, gonna reread this - and soon, cause I need to digest all the wisdom cuz moneyzzz
May 21, 2017
Any book that teaches me something, inspires me and makes me laugh is a winner!
February 6, 2019
I try to avoid giving 1-star reviews. I can only imagine how hard it is to work on a book and release it into the world, only to have a bunch of rubes on Goodreads tear it to shreds.
In this case, I feel pretty comfortable giving the author a single star. Jen Sincero's earlier book "You Are a Bad Ass" was kind of fun and frothy, and overall it felt like a decent pep talk from a good girlfriend. I was anticipating "Making Money" to be similar, but I was also expecting the barest minimum of decent financial advice (given that it is, ostensibly, about becoming "a badass at making money.").
Now, to be fair, Sincero never claims to be teaching any actual financial principles. And the subtitle - "Master the Mindset of Wealth" - is a pretty solid clue that this book is more armchair psychology than investing advice. But even as a pop-psychology/self-help/get-rich-quick book, it fails miserably.
Sincero spends most of the book preaching the effectiveness of coaching services, and eagerly trots out the fact that she once borrowed $80,000 from a friend for one-on-one time with her personal self-help guru (we are led to assume that it was somehow worth it because she is now "rich").
When she's not trying to get you to drop a six-figure sum on coaching, she's busy persuading us that the universe WANTS us to be rich - and we could have it all, if only we'd embrace magical thinking (aka, "The Secret").
Overall, the entire book left me with an extremely bad taste in my mouth. While I definitely appreciate Sincero's frank, can-do manner, this book just felt straight-up irresponsible. I feel sorry for those who are going to spend their way into bankruptcy following her advice.
In this case, I feel pretty comfortable giving the author a single star. Jen Sincero's earlier book "You Are a Bad Ass" was kind of fun and frothy, and overall it felt like a decent pep talk from a good girlfriend. I was anticipating "Making Money" to be similar, but I was also expecting the barest minimum of decent financial advice (given that it is, ostensibly, about becoming "a badass at making money.").
Now, to be fair, Sincero never claims to be teaching any actual financial principles. And the subtitle - "Master the Mindset of Wealth" - is a pretty solid clue that this book is more armchair psychology than investing advice. But even as a pop-psychology/self-help/get-rich-quick book, it fails miserably.
Sincero spends most of the book preaching the effectiveness of coaching services, and eagerly trots out the fact that she once borrowed $80,000 from a friend for one-on-one time with her personal self-help guru (we are led to assume that it was somehow worth it because she is now "rich").
When she's not trying to get you to drop a six-figure sum on coaching, she's busy persuading us that the universe WANTS us to be rich - and we could have it all, if only we'd embrace magical thinking (aka, "The Secret").
Overall, the entire book left me with an extremely bad taste in my mouth. While I definitely appreciate Sincero's frank, can-do manner, this book just felt straight-up irresponsible. I feel sorry for those who are going to spend their way into bankruptcy following her advice.
March 11, 2019
raw raw raw you are a badass at making money, you got this, you can do it! This book is alllll about having the right mindset for making money.
She gives many examples of others including herself that went from broke to rich once they fixed their mindset. Sincero is pretty funny though, she keeps it entertaining.
It's all about the way you think of things, and what you put out into the universe. The universe listens and provides. So make sure to be sending out the right messages you want.
I mean this was a decent book, just not for me.
She gives many examples of others including herself that went from broke to rich once they fixed their mindset. Sincero is pretty funny though, she keeps it entertaining.
It's all about the way you think of things, and what you put out into the universe. The universe listens and provides. So make sure to be sending out the right messages you want.
I mean this was a decent book, just not for me.
July 24, 2017
First of all, I love her personality. I spent a lot of my time laughing while listening to this book. This book had definitely changed the trajectory of my life and I have caught the entrepreneurship bug.
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