I’m giving away 3 copies of Quit Like A Millionaire. Read on to see how you can get yours!
A couple of weeks ago, someone trolled me on Twitter. He had seen a video of me enjoying life in retirement including spending time with my daughters. He let the hate flow:
This is entitled bullshit.
Between working and life, I don’t have time to run with my kids!
–Mr. Twitter Troll
I had three thoughts about his vitriol:
- The video didn’t show the two decades of hard work I put in to achieve FIRE. Between a demanding job and fixing up homes (live-in flips), I put in 80 hours weeks for a couple of decades. It also didn’t show some of the problems I grew up with. After only seeing the best parts, Mr. Troll had a little bit of a point. However, I wouldn’t pass severe judgment on someone after seeing 60 seconds of their life.
- When I was putting in those 80 hour weeks, I certainly didn’t have time to spew hate on Twitter. This guy should run more and tweet less.
- What about Kristy Shen (Millennial Revolution)? My life was difficult in some ways, but nothing compared to hers. Mr. Twitter Troll, you need to read Kristy’s new book, Quit Like A Millionaire.
Quit Like A Millionaire Review
Quit Like A Millionaire (QLAM) covers a lot of ground. Kristy talks about her life, investment strategies, geo-arbitrage, community, kids, health care and much more. Despite its breadth, she covers all of the points well. Kristy’s writing is efficient and clear.
But more than that, QLAM is a fun read because Kristy’s personality shines through. If you’ve met Kristy, she isn’t afraid to drop the occasional colorful metaphor (naughty word). Don’t worry, this book isn’t an Eddie Murphy-esque parade of f-bombs, but Kristy managed to write a book that covers boring territory (401(k)s, IRAs, capital gains) and make it entertaining.
Because QLAM covers so much territory, writing a review that does the book justice isn’t easy. Instead of reviewing the book cover-to-cover, I’ll mention what stuck out for me.
Upbringing (A Heavy Dose of Chi Ku)
Kristy starts by describing her childhood. She grew up in rural and very poor China. Her family lived on $.44 per day and she sourced her toys from a medical waste dump. Kristy’s dad came close to starving as a child. As an adult, he was sent to a re-education camp for a decade. Can you relate? I sure as hell can’t. This is rough stuff.
However, Kristy doesn’t have a victim mentality (take note Mr. Twitter Troll). Kristy relates her upbringing because it made her into the person she is today. Instead of complaining about what she went through, she gives thanks for her experiences because they gave her a scarcity mindset which helped her become rich.
One of the concepts I enjoyed reading about most was the Chinese concept of chi ku which translates into eat bitterness. Kristy describes it:
Eating bitterness is seen as a strength in our culture. Accepting and pushing through pain without complaining is how you build character.
It’s also how you build wealth.
While none of these ideas are nearly as bitter as Kristy’s tales, consider introducing a little discomfort into your life:
- House hacking: Young and single? Get a roommate or put an unused bedroom on Airbnb.
- Transportation: Continue to drive your old, crappy Civic with no heat and that unsightly rust spot. Would you either look rich or be rich. Or, get a bike. Wait, it’s cold where you live? Get a good jacket and knobby tires so you don’t fall on your ass in the snow.
- Hustle it up: Find a way to make some money on the side. I flipped homes.
Is that stuff bitter? Maybe. But, you’ll have extra money. Invest it and see where you are two decades from now.
Financial Information (Math That Shit Up)
Later in the book, Kristy dives into money. QLAM impresses me because it has a lot of direct, actionable information. Kristy doesn’t just mention 401(k)s and IRAs, but explains how to use them best given your income situation. She also discusses exotic strategies like capital gains harvesting and accessing tax-deferred accounts (think 401(k)s) early. QLAM is the complete investing toolkit.
One of Kristy’s gifts is how well she comes across in explaining financial concepts. Her writing is clear and lively.
Kristy also delves into other big scary issues FIREy folks frequently worry about like kids, insurance and health care. She doesn’t have kids and is Canadian, so she interviewed folks like Justin McCurry (Root of Good), Jeremy Jacobson (Go Curry Cracker), and Peter Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache).
But Wait, There’s More…
Towards the end of the book, Kristy discusses some of the other issues early retirees worry about like loss of community and identity. Again, she talks from personal experience. There’s no better person to talk about what FIRE is like than someone living it in real-time.
And this may be my favorite part of the book. While QLAM does a great job explaining money concepts, you can learn those anywhere. Money may not be easy, but it’s simple. At least compared to getting life right.
QLAM is going to inspire others to live their best life. Damnit! Stop worrying and start living!
Book Giveaway!
To win a copy of Quit Like A Millionaire, just leave a comment. I’ll pick three random comments and announce the winners next week. That’s it!
Kristy: Best of luck with QLAM. You’re going to sell a ton.
Join the 10s who have signed up already!
Subscribing will improve your life in incredible ways*.
*Only if your life is pretty bad to begin with.
I can’t wait to read this book! I also requested that my wonderful public library order it…
Millennial Revolution (their blog) was our first introduction to FIRE and has been a huge inspiration for us to change our lives (better late than never!). We’d love to get a copy of their book!
I was fortunate to pre-order it; AMZN dropped it off the day it came out, and I had it finished by 8:30pm that day. Such a great read! I’ve since lent it to a friend, and plan to get a copy or two for my nephew and godson as they’re old enough to understand it.
Looks like the dinosaurs are about to set that book on FIRE! Wait… those would be dragons. Do you also like dragons, Mr. 1500?
I’ve heard that book rocks
This Quit Like a Millionaire
Kudos, Kristy/Bryce
Oh, wait. There’s no requirement that the comment be in haiku format, is there? Dammit!
I’m a sucker for a haiku, you win! Email incoming.
It sounds as though Kristy wrote this book for me.
I am putting it at the TOP of my must read list!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS!
MR1500, I read the opening twice, took a small break to ponder, before I finished your review (I will get to that in a sec).
Sounds like a well-structured book. And I love the concept of “Eating Bitterness”, our society could use a movement like that as we give folks a path for upward mobility. The financial engineering is a must have since we all obsess on it and need skills like financial gains harvesting, thinking tax deferred and if you are not thinking about the math, your stool has only 2 legs. For me what jumps out as well is, loss of community and identity. Sounds like it could be a book onto itself. Speaking for myself: I am in a mini-retirement and am embarrassed to say, not always sure what to do with my time and when I talk to my friends who are grinding it out, we don’t always relate until we get to the market and how to save. Sounds like a great read!
Back to your opening: I can’t believe the Mr Twitter Troll’s perspective of ‘entitlement bullshit’. How great would it be for you to debate him on the topic of “Entitlement vs Hard Work, frugality and personal-tax (saving 30%, learning how to invest, foregoing the big vacation and eating out less). There’s a huge cost (and joy) to get to where you are! It needs to be celebrated, revered and taught!!
“For me what jumps out as well is, loss of community and identity.”
Yep, this is huge, but all hope is not lost. Join a local Choose FI group, go to a Camp FI, or hell, move to Longmont!
Love that Longmont is the center of the FI universe! Is there a Camp FI on the calendar for CO?
and if I didnt win this great book, what are you other recommendations to read for community?
There once was an internet troll
Who spewed hate and stupid vitriol
He worked and did life
With much inner strife
A run might help that arsehole
This. OK, book #1 goes to you. I’ll shoot you an email or send me on: mr1500@1500days.com
This one looks like a fantastic read for anyone looking for ways to invest hard work and time into getting out of the standard 9-5 lifestyle.
Stuart recently posted…Now Available: ‘Angels: A Divine Microfiction Anthology’
Especially interested in the community aspect. The financial stuff is covered in vast amount already. But how to make an impact on your local community would be an interesting read!
Marc
Agreed. Money isn’t always easy, but it’s simple (VTSAX). Figuring out life is the hard part.
Yep. I just put my money into (VFINX) and let it ride. Once you have over $100k working for you in Mr. Market, it will do all the heavy lifting for you.
Just do some million-dollar math to figure out your freedom number. Basically, you do as Kristy says in QLAM and math that shit up!
Best wishes,
Miriam aka Greenbacks Magnet
I really enjoy reading other people’s histories and how they overcame obstacles to get to their goal(s). I also think people who negatively comment need to focus their energy in other areas and stop judging others. I would like to be one of the three you pick to receive this book. But if I don’t, I will continue to read your blog which makes me laugh and learn. Kudos for staying positive.
>1 million in investment real estate? (Made it!)
Career I can look back on with pride? (Check.)
Life after career identity? (Scared silly.)
Home paid for? (Almost.)
Kids college paid for? (Um, heloc financing?)
Health care? ( Haven’t figured that out yet!)
(How do I access pre-tax $ without penalty?)
I hope to read this soon, I need guidance!!!
Deb!
Sure you get one too. Email incoming@
I’m with Joe….why no haiku fun?
Haters gonna hate
Nobody likes the process
Doers find success
Financially Fit Mom recently posted…Finding Your High
Sounds like a great read!!
I have been meaning to read her book, but can’t get myself to pay up $12 at amazon 🙂
Will hopefully win it here , or wait for the local library to carry it …
I am new to the FI concepts and enjoy reading all the blogs. Last month, I took hubby on a date night to see Playing with FIRE documentary hosted by our local FI. Looking forward to reading Kristy’s book as well. Best wishes to all!
This sounds like an awesome read! I love it when an author’s personality shines through their writing. I could use some personal finance with a side of humor.
I first heard of Kristy & Bryce over on Farnoosh Torabi’s podcast “So Money.” Episode 909 or somewhere around there. It was a few weeks ago. Kristy talked about a friend they convinced to sell their house and move to Mexico as a means of “geo-arbitrage”. I thought it was absolutely brilliant – such a different perspective and approach to money. At any rate, looking forward to working my way through their book. It’s on the list!
I really want to read this book. I grew up in Asia like Kristy!
Thanks for the review. I’d love to win a copy of this book.
I’m interested in this book. We are FIRE but have four kids who are just starting to transition to adulthood so, although they have watched what we’ve done, they seem to accept information from others easier for some reason. So we’re always watching for books that they might get some inspiration from. Thanks for the review!
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing.
This book is definitely what I need to help kick-start my path to FI!
Haven’t heard of this title. Would love to read this one!! It has a foreword by JLCollins?
Yep. And holy cow, the forward is incredibly. JL can write.
Looking forward to reading, thanks!
Twitter Trolls, the class of the internet. Can’t they find anything better to do with their time?!
Would also love to read the book 🙂
I REALLY want to read this book! Pick me! Pick me!
Been meaning to pick this up! Way to turn a negative into a positive.
Was twitter even around back when you were hustling? Yeah, we’re old. And wouldn’t “living life” include running with your kids? Her story is pretty amazing, and the scarcity mindset definitely helped her. My mo, grew up super poor, and has had a scarcity mindset and she’s invested all her life, but for me, the scarcity mindset held me back from investing (fear of losing) and unnecessary spending because “it was on sale”. Now an abundance mindset helps pass on things that are a good deal, but not a good fit for me, as well as investing even when the market is going up or down.
Great review
Forget the trolls. There will always be those who see the success of others as luck. What’s the old saying? “I worked 80 hours a week for two decades, and BAM, I ended up lucky!” Something like that.
Requested a copy at my library, but would love to have a copy to share with others!
Aww! Thanks for the heartfelt review, Carl! I’ll take you out to Chinatown for bitter melon sometime. That’s what “chi ku” legit tastes like.
I’m so glad we got to know more about each other’s backgrounds from the DocG podcast interview! As they say, tough times never last but tough people always do 🙂 *BADASS five*
Can’t wait to read it- hope the library orders it too!!
Feeling entitled, might buy the book later and if I win you can send my copy to Mr. Twitter Troll!! The book sounds great though, can’t wait to read it. Our last obstacle is healthcare for us and the kids.
Your book sounds intriguing!
I am hoping that our local library will buy this book. I have learned so much from this community and am hoping to soon follow in the FIRE footsteps!
Sounds like a page turner. Hope I win a copy. Thanks for the review. I will note it on my reading list.
Thanks for the review – I’ve added this to my reading list!
Sounds like a good read, thanks for doing this review!
I want to quit like a millionaire!
Enjoying the blog. Hope I win!
I love the idea of eating bitterness. I hadn’t heard of this before and it presents a great and memorable image.
Excellent review! I look forward to reading the book. As for the twitter troll, what else is twitter actually good for?
I also know what hard work and sacrifice looks like. My Mom raised three boys in rural Iowa and worked two jobs to make ends meet. She never rec’d any gov’t assistance or help from anyone. My wife and I have been very conservative and have saved 35-40% of our income over the last 10 years. We are debt free and very close to reaching FIRE! Actually we are there but struggling with the “doing it”. I enjoy you post and ride ragbrai every year and plan on catching up with you next year! Thank you
Nice work!
Yes, please do look us up on RAGBRAI or when you come to Colorado!
Mr 1500 – thank you for the review of this book. I also appreciate your strike back at trolls. It seems to me that people who have the time to troll could certainly spend it more wisely in helping their specific personal situation. As they say “haters gonna hate” because that is all they know.
I really avoid all social media and am so glad that I do!
Would love a copy of this book!
Pick me ?
Excited to check out this book! Your site is such a great resource for us as we pursue FI
Chi ku is great.
He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.
To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.
That which does not kill us makes us stronger. Friedrich Nietzsche
Beautiful.
Hello Mr. 1500,
I’m ready to celebrate with you and your family success! I’d love the opportunity to keep the “positive” coming and sharing with the world! OK, at least my friends and family.
Random comment.
A smart-ass! I like it. You get one.
Thanks for the review! I’m definitely interested in Kristy’s book.
Oh, I’m excited to read this. Looks great!
Kristy and Bryce got me started on my FI journey! Thanks for writing a great review for our friend.
Sounds like a great read!
Sounds great. I love her attitude about eating bitterness. Would love to read her book.
Good stuff Carl and way to go Kristy – you are really inspiring! Cant wait to read it!
You gotta play to win!
Great post! I would love to win. So many great FI books have come out recently that I have not been able to buy them all!
Great post! I would love to win! So many great FI books have come out recently – haven’t been able to purchase them all!!
Sounds like a fun read. I hope I win a copy so I can add it to the queue of books I promise myself to read but never get around to (still chewing on ERE).
Financial Velociraptor recently posted…New trades with yields up to 776%
I’ll hop on the poetry train with a limerick…
Though the trolls may try to ensnare me;
While working toward FI to live care-free,
With your blog I won’t quit,
While I math up some shit,
I need Quit Like a Mill-i-o-naire, please!
Would love a copy of this book! Thanks!
You win. Look for an email from me before end of week.
Take no notice of the trolls. I remember one personal finance blogger mentioned that he got hate mail when he debated whether Glaxo Smithkline was likely to increase it’s dividend or keep it unchanged. If people can lose their rag over something like that, it’s hardly surprising that someone will have a pop at you over financial independence.
Thanks for your words Willy. My skin has grown thicker, but I still let difficult people bother me more than I should.
I have many plastic dinosaurs who would REALLY love to read this book! Well, to be accurate I suppose I would be reading it TO them, which I would be more than happy to do. Heard about this book first on the Choose FI podcast and have been wanting to read it ever since!
OK, you speak to my heart when you mention plastic dinosaurs. You get a copy. I’ll be sending the email out soon.
Awesome!! Dinosaurs and I are doing a happy dance!
Amazing story
Thank you for sharing your knowledge created by sweat and tears of several decade.
I liked Kristy’s book quite a bit. I think not only her being open and honest, but also sharing their numbers and their mindsets made me feel that it was written and published with integrity (and written just for me?! lol, I kid, I kid..). I’ve read a lot of books FI authors have put out over the past few years and always felt unsatisfied or still confused at the end. With Kristy’s book, I felt a sense of relief I haven’t yet felt – like the door was finally opened and I could see the honesty, the brutality, the rawness of how they achieved the goal. There was no hiding. No secrets. I could replicate what she did, if I wanted, and know that for at least one person out there, it worked. So Kristy, if you read these comments, a HUGE THANK YOU for putting it all out there. I read your book once the other week and need to pick it up again from the library because it just made so much damn sense ’cause you were transparent! *fingers crossed for winning a book* because I’m too frugal to buy a brand new book… 🙂
And as for that Twitter troll..I guess if they are too busy with “working and life” to have time for their kids, why aren’t their kids part of the “life” part of that equation? Then more time is allotted for kids. It’s a shift of priorities, perhaps.
Wish i had time to troll folks on the internet or even to follow peeps on twitter
Thanks for the review
I’m new to this stuff and I’m starting slow,
But this could be brilliant stuff to know.
Hard work upfront means I may get tired,
But No Gimmicks, Luck, or Trust Fund Required,
People may troll and even swear,
But maybe I can quit like a millionaire!
The book has all of my favorite subjects: childhood, the discipline of saving, and investing. Please add me to the list.
Great review! Look forward to checking out their book!
thanks! but no way do I want that book.
I can’t imagine living on .44 cents a day and would love to hear more about Kristy’s upbringing and how she got to where she is today. I would love to hear her story, and share it with my daughter.
I have this book and love it! Would love a copy to send to my best friend who is ready to quit like a millionaire too!
show me the money….or just the book
I’d love to read the book! Thank you for reviewing it.
I would love to win this! Thanks for your informative blog and the opportunity!
Love your blog. Can’t wait for Camp in Southern California this fall!
Hey Carl! Sorry I missed you last February (Buddies Bachelor Party). Would love to meet up with you when I am in CO in the future. Maybe a potential Longmont move??? I hope so.. Thanks for doing what you do, love reading your blog. Keep up the good work, your writing matters and inspires others like me.
-Huey
Thanks for the kind words and come on out! Longmont is fantastic!
Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the review. I just put a hold on it at my library.
I’m very excited to read this book. I found your blog recently and my husband and I have been talking about the future and retirement. Thank you for being a source of inspiration.
Awesome post, looking forward to reading FireCracker’s book.
Hilarious response to Mr. Twitter Troll.
Unfortunately, yet another illustration of the success iceberg (e.g. https://images.app.goo.gl/9wh1ujpBmeoxVkxD6 ).
Am I too late for the lottery ?
PS: Hello from the Brazilian FIRE community
https://www.aposenteaos40.org/
Greeting! You are too late, sorry! The good news is that I’m having another giveaway very soon…