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Money Is My Friend: Eliminate Your Financial Fears--And Take Your First Steps to Financial Freedom!
DISCOVER HOW THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE CAN HELP YOU MAKE A PROFIT, ESTABLISH A SECURE FINANCIAL FOUNDATION, AND CREATE A PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. Making money can be a fun, fascinating, creative enterprise. Phil laut, whose financial seminars have helped thousands of men and women from all walks of life dramatically increase their incomes, demonstrates how you can overcome the principle obstacles to making guilt, fear, and feelings of helplessness or pressure. Once you have made money your friend, you'll discover that increasing your income is a simple matter of using your imagination. Inside this unique book, you'll find exercises and self I tests to help you understand and utilize- The four Laws of Wealth- The helpful six step method for developing a purpose in life- The simple sevens stage plan for finding the perfect career- Twelve ideal techniques for creating a new self image- Fifteen priceless affirmations to change the way you think about money- And much more!
157 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 1990
34 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 21, 2010
This book has several common-sense notions, coupled with some equally common-sense philosophies (well, common-sense if one is of a mental bent that includes affirmation, positive thinking, visualization, and so forth), coupled with some of the worst and most dangerous advice ever. For someone with an MBA, Mr. Laut seems to be either genuinely stupid or, at the very least, out of touch with current reality.
As an example, one of his recommendations for saving money is to find a clothing store and tell them that, if they give you a discount on every purchase, you will pay them a regular amount per month (in advance of the purchases) and buy only from them. I cannot imagine any store, anywhere, that would make that sort of deal.
Another brilliant idea is to stay in touch with your creditors at all times; "honest communication" will help your credit rating stay high. On the contrary: Every time that you communicate with your creditor allows them to reset their seven-year clock. All they want to hear is, "Here's your payment, in full and on time." They will hear nothing else, and if you genuinely cannot pay your bill, you will be penalized every time you make contact with these people. Creditors apparently have a right to harass you for seven full years after the most recent contact -- so hang up the phone and throw away the threatening letters, because you'll only hurt yourself.
Mr. Laut's budget percentages are equally idiotic. Save 10% always, he says, allowing 20% for debt (at 29.99%? I think not), and 15% for housing (which means that people making $30,000/yr, which is poverty level, can only afford $375/month for housing -- good freakin' luck). There are other percentages (taxes are only 15% in his world), and nowhere does he account for mandatory auto insurance, health insurance (also soon to be mandatory), car maintenance, inspection and plates, clothing, or even the most rudimentary pleasures (I'd go for NetFlix, but that's me).
His suggestion regarding paying too much in rent is to buy a house. No, really, you should buy a house, and fix it up so that it's energy efficient, and you'll save on rent and on utility bills. The budget doesn't include the cost of these improvements, nor property taxes, nor school taxes, nor the extraordinary cost of mortgages, and nowhere is mentioned the foreclosure rate on houses these days, because maybe these things aren't properly budgeted. (And oh yes, the utility bills aren't included in his percentages; maybe his $375/mo apartment is "all bills paid." Count me in.)
I really love his suggestion that, to save money on air fare, you should "bring interesting things to sell on the plane." Even without the airport Nazis ensuring that you bring nothing with you, try selling something -- the airline will have you arrested and barred, mostly for trying to make a profit off of their services.
Even if you account for the idea that this book was the "new and expanded edition" for 1989, and that the intervening 20 years has rendered any part of his lists of costs or percentages utterly ludicrous, there isn't anything in the book of any further value. All of his approaches, his attitudes, and his advice are taken from his experience as a "highly-paid coach," which means that 15% of his income is probably McMansion-sized; the rest of us -- who, by the way, could not afford to budget for his advice in lectures, courses, and whathaveyou at his website -- can't afford to live on what we've got.
In my opinion, the man is a charlatan and a fool, and dangerous to boot. Perhaps if I had his apparent lack of conscience, I too could become rich enough to believe this drivel. Personally, I take the advice of Robert Heinlein's character Lazarus Long: "Budget the luxuries first." You'll be much happier.
As an example, one of his recommendations for saving money is to find a clothing store and tell them that, if they give you a discount on every purchase, you will pay them a regular amount per month (in advance of the purchases) and buy only from them. I cannot imagine any store, anywhere, that would make that sort of deal.
Another brilliant idea is to stay in touch with your creditors at all times; "honest communication" will help your credit rating stay high. On the contrary: Every time that you communicate with your creditor allows them to reset their seven-year clock. All they want to hear is, "Here's your payment, in full and on time." They will hear nothing else, and if you genuinely cannot pay your bill, you will be penalized every time you make contact with these people. Creditors apparently have a right to harass you for seven full years after the most recent contact -- so hang up the phone and throw away the threatening letters, because you'll only hurt yourself.
Mr. Laut's budget percentages are equally idiotic. Save 10% always, he says, allowing 20% for debt (at 29.99%? I think not), and 15% for housing (which means that people making $30,000/yr, which is poverty level, can only afford $375/month for housing -- good freakin' luck). There are other percentages (taxes are only 15% in his world), and nowhere does he account for mandatory auto insurance, health insurance (also soon to be mandatory), car maintenance, inspection and plates, clothing, or even the most rudimentary pleasures (I'd go for NetFlix, but that's me).
His suggestion regarding paying too much in rent is to buy a house. No, really, you should buy a house, and fix it up so that it's energy efficient, and you'll save on rent and on utility bills. The budget doesn't include the cost of these improvements, nor property taxes, nor school taxes, nor the extraordinary cost of mortgages, and nowhere is mentioned the foreclosure rate on houses these days, because maybe these things aren't properly budgeted. (And oh yes, the utility bills aren't included in his percentages; maybe his $375/mo apartment is "all bills paid." Count me in.)
I really love his suggestion that, to save money on air fare, you should "bring interesting things to sell on the plane." Even without the airport Nazis ensuring that you bring nothing with you, try selling something -- the airline will have you arrested and barred, mostly for trying to make a profit off of their services.
Even if you account for the idea that this book was the "new and expanded edition" for 1989, and that the intervening 20 years has rendered any part of his lists of costs or percentages utterly ludicrous, there isn't anything in the book of any further value. All of his approaches, his attitudes, and his advice are taken from his experience as a "highly-paid coach," which means that 15% of his income is probably McMansion-sized; the rest of us -- who, by the way, could not afford to budget for his advice in lectures, courses, and whathaveyou at his website -- can't afford to live on what we've got.
In my opinion, the man is a charlatan and a fool, and dangerous to boot. Perhaps if I had his apparent lack of conscience, I too could become rich enough to believe this drivel. Personally, I take the advice of Robert Heinlein's character Lazarus Long: "Budget the luxuries first." You'll be much happier.
March 7, 2019
I read this book many years ago. What I remember most about it is that it contains affirmations from Leonard Orr which can help you to double your income in 30 days. They worked for me!
Go here to read my review.
Go here to read my review.
June 30, 2013
This book isn't for everyone as it deals much more with the emotions around money than actual tips on how to handle money from a practical perspective. That's one of the reasons I've always liked it. Very different from other "money" books.
August 30, 2017
De entrada contiene afirmaciones muy útiles; en algunos conceptos o sugerencias propuestas difiero algo del autor. La última parte que viene como extra de "Vivation", puedo decir fue una de las partes o la parte que más me gustó del libro.
December 5, 2019
Just as good as when I read it 30 years ago.
February 2, 2025
EL PRINCIPIO DE SUGERENCIA
El principio de la sugerencia es preguntarse “qué pensamientos debo tener para crear la vida que me
gusta?
El Síndrome De Desaprobación De Los Padres: La esencia del
síndrome parental es la idea de que el amor es algo que obtienes
solo si lo ganas. Otra forma de decir esto es que el síndrome de
desaprobación de los padres es la creencia en límites que pueden
superarse mediante la lucha. Con respecto al dinero, es la idea de
que es necesario realizar una tarea desagradable para ganar dinero.
Las emociones son reacciones de tu cuerpo a lospensamientos que tienes miedo de conocer
VERGÜENZA POR QUERER DINERO
En algunas personas, el deseo de dinero está sujeto a un pensamiento tan
perverso y destructivo que es sorprendente que tengan algún flujo de
efectivo. La lógica perversa y destructiva es algo así: “Si quiero dinero,
debe ser porque no tengo suficiente; si no tengo suficiente, entonces debe
ser porque no soy lo suficientemente bueno o porque lo que tengo ofrecer
no es lo suficientemente bueno”.
El dinero es un tema que activa la vergüenza para todos. Las personas se
avergüenzan de tener tan poco o mucho y se avergüenzan de que otros
tengan tan poco o tanto. Cuando se avergüenza del dinero, no parece que
haya una cantidad correcta. Como se describió anteriormente, el dinero es
mucho más subjetivo y emocional de lo que comúnmente se cree.
El dinero representa la libertad y no ser controlado por
nuestros padres y figuras de autoridad sustitutas.
Es imposible resolver problemas financieros con dinero. Su
imaginación tiene la solución
A menos que tomes la iniciativa, permitirás que tu salario sea determinado por lo que estás
dispuesto a aceptar, en lugar de por lo que quieres
Dominar algo y cambiarlo por un aprendizaje nuevo es una inclinación habitual de las personas con
éxito.
NEGOCIACIÓN
Como todos los precios son arbitrarios, todos los precios son negociables.
De hecho, todo en el universo físico es negociable.
Sin un presupuesto,
sus patrones de gasto tenderán a ajustarse a los patrones de conformidad
o rebelión elegidos inconscientemente que quedaron de la infancia
El principio de la sugerencia es preguntarse “qué pensamientos debo tener para crear la vida que me
gusta?
El Síndrome De Desaprobación De Los Padres: La esencia del
síndrome parental es la idea de que el amor es algo que obtienes
solo si lo ganas. Otra forma de decir esto es que el síndrome de
desaprobación de los padres es la creencia en límites que pueden
superarse mediante la lucha. Con respecto al dinero, es la idea de
que es necesario realizar una tarea desagradable para ganar dinero.
Las emociones son reacciones de tu cuerpo a lospensamientos que tienes miedo de conocer
VERGÜENZA POR QUERER DINERO
En algunas personas, el deseo de dinero está sujeto a un pensamiento tan
perverso y destructivo que es sorprendente que tengan algún flujo de
efectivo. La lógica perversa y destructiva es algo así: “Si quiero dinero,
debe ser porque no tengo suficiente; si no tengo suficiente, entonces debe
ser porque no soy lo suficientemente bueno o porque lo que tengo ofrecer
no es lo suficientemente bueno”.
El dinero es un tema que activa la vergüenza para todos. Las personas se
avergüenzan de tener tan poco o mucho y se avergüenzan de que otros
tengan tan poco o tanto. Cuando se avergüenza del dinero, no parece que
haya una cantidad correcta. Como se describió anteriormente, el dinero es
mucho más subjetivo y emocional de lo que comúnmente se cree.
El dinero representa la libertad y no ser controlado por
nuestros padres y figuras de autoridad sustitutas.
Es imposible resolver problemas financieros con dinero. Su
imaginación tiene la solución
A menos que tomes la iniciativa, permitirás que tu salario sea determinado por lo que estás
dispuesto a aceptar, en lugar de por lo que quieres
Dominar algo y cambiarlo por un aprendizaje nuevo es una inclinación habitual de las personas con
éxito.
NEGOCIACIÓN
Como todos los precios son arbitrarios, todos los precios son negociables.
De hecho, todo en el universo físico es negociable.
Sin un presupuesto,
sus patrones de gasto tenderán a ajustarse a los patrones de conformidad
o rebelión elegidos inconscientemente que quedaron de la infancia
December 27, 2018
This was the first such book that I read, having been given a copy by a friend when I worked on a Summer Camp in upstate NY. Part of the Leonard Orr circle Jim Leonard has crafted a book that sticks to the core issues of your thoughts around money and prosperity. Many good books have been written since this one, but Jim Leonard has captured so much of what other writers on the money themes have sought to capture since.
December 13, 2019
It has some interesting exercises, but they don't seem work as good as advertised. I wrote positive affirmations every day for about a month and had no results whatsoever... At least book makes more sense than books I have read on this subject before. Unfortunately practice shows that it does not work for me.
March 7, 2025
AMAZING book on prosperity consciousness - highly recommend. It ties the reality of finances to your consciousness
April 20, 2014
This book had some finance ideas I found useful, other ideas were just the same old advice you can get from any finance book, and some ideas were just nonsense.
It was poorly written with some grammatical errors and self serving e.g. telling the reader to start their own business by selling copies of the book and telling the reader to read it, 'year after year,' but I still rated it pretty well since I found some ideas useful/inspiring.
It was poorly written with some grammatical errors and self serving e.g. telling the reader to start their own business by selling copies of the book and telling the reader to read it, 'year after year,' but I still rated it pretty well since I found some ideas useful/inspiring.
January 28, 2008
I think this book should be required reading for everyone.
Phil Laut combines metaphysical concepts to the down to earth business of money mastery. The principles that he reveals are timeless, but I notice that he now has an updated version called, Money is My Friend for the New Millienum.
Phil Laut combines metaphysical concepts to the down to earth business of money mastery. The principles that he reveals are timeless, but I notice that he now has an updated version called, Money is My Friend for the New Millienum.
April 22, 2011
All of the information in this book is GOLD. A fun read and very helpful on your path to discovering that Money is truly your friend for the New Millenium. Enjoy.
Money (That's what I want) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6xkT7...
Money (That's what I want) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6xkT7...
December 2, 2008
got everything in it. the answers to my financial problems... except that, where's my capital? hmmm... got to look for it 1st......
September 6, 2012
I read thi s years ago at a time when I really needed to think differently about money. It is a short volume with some common sense ideas about abundance.
January 5, 2022
Kniha je výborná v tom, aby ste si mentálne uvedomili, že peniaze sú vaši najlepší priatelia.
December 29, 2008
A real look at how we feel emotionallyabout money--very good book!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews