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Your Money Or Your Life
368 pages, Paperback
About the author
Vicki Robin
22 books197 followersVicki Robin has lectured widely and appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows, including "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Good Morning America" and National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition" and "Morning Edition." She has also been featured in People Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Woman's Day, Newsweek, Utne Magazine and the New York Times. Vicki has helped launch many sustainability initiatives including: The New Road Map Foundation, The Simplicity Forum, The Turning Tide Coalition, Sustainable Seattle, The Center for a New American Dream, Transition Whidbey and more. In the 1990s she served on the President's Council on Sustainable Development's Task Force on Population and Consumption. Born in Oklahoma in 1945, Vicki grew up on Long Island and graduated cum laude from Brown University in 1967.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 23, 2025
It wasn’t as mind blowing as the author promised, I mostly use the same principles my whole life, but some reminders were actually nice and right in time.
This book will be perfect for people who’s in hate-love relationship with money and need more structure in their lives
If it’s your first self-help finance book, you’re gonna love it
This book will be perfect for people who’s in hate-love relationship with money and need more structure in their lives
If it’s your first self-help finance book, you’re gonna love it
April 17, 2026
The majority of this book walks readers through a very specific plan. If you're into that, this is a great book for you. As someone who is already debt free and saving and investing a large amount of my family's income, I probably could've skimmed over more. It does seem that more than I expected holds up eight years after this revised edition.
I have been grappling with questions like what is enough and what would I do to feel fulfilled and full of joy if I didn't have to work to financially sustain myself and my family, so I appreciate the focus on those big questions.
The parts about treating ourselves to rewards for working jobs we hate spoke to me. In recent years, I've been thinking more about that. Doesn't it make more sense to forego working the job I hate and then not feel the need to reward myself?
Thinking about choices I make with money to relieve boredom is something I would like to think about more. At this point in my life when my daughter will soon be beginning her own life independent of her dad and me and I am realizing I don't really have work goals to achieve any longer, I am asking myself more about how I want to spend my time and resources. Unfortunately the profession I chose and have worked in for about 25 years, one I thought would fulfill some sense of purpose, has not for the most part. So I am now thinking about how to find that elsewhere.
P. 183 specifically asks questions about if freedom means more time to travel, what lies behind that desire? Since I have lived in the same city for twenty years and seen and done a lot of amazing places and experiences during that time, I do feel compelled to travel farther to find novel experiences. However, much of what I enjoy about traveling has less to do with where I am than I previously thought about. After reading this page, I am thinking more about how much joy I find in the stimulation, getting out of routines, idleness, learning, meeting interesting people, new food, being unavailable, etc. How do I achieve these same desires without being on vacation?
I learned more about the history of American society and work pre and post industrial revolution and the Great Depression in chapter 7. I didn't previously know as much about the New Deal emphasizing employment and consumption over leisure. It is fascinating to think about how leisure used to fulfill more of our needs than work and work defines for us more often who we are, our sense of purpose, and where and to whom we belong. As explored beginning on p. 215 and as I have learned, there is no Job Charming. A job will not fulfill our needs and inspire us to greatness. We have been conditioned to expect too much from our jobs. As discussed on p.217, I do feel underemployed with my time at work filled with unchallenging tasks that call forth very little creativity or intelligence. Moving on in the chapter, questions about what is the purpose of work are further investigated. If I accept that the purpose of paid employment is to get paid, I can think about how to fulfill other purposes including socializing, feeling part of community, service, and learning outside my paid employment. The author bolds this sentence, "growth potential, communication channels, interest in work, and recognition make a job satisfying - not pay" (p. 220). Oof! I realize I have none of that and have rarely received any of those things during my 25 years of professional employment. Pages 224-225 ask the reader to rethink defining who we are while recognizing the incongruity between our inner self and our outer presentation if our work is not what we hoped it might be. Are we just what we do to make a living? Lastly, I appreciate this chapter giving voice to "there is no guarantee that you will find someone to pay you to do what you feel called to do...By giving up the expectation that you will be paid to do the work you are passionate about, you can do both things with more integrity" (p.232).
I have been grappling with questions like what is enough and what would I do to feel fulfilled and full of joy if I didn't have to work to financially sustain myself and my family, so I appreciate the focus on those big questions.
The parts about treating ourselves to rewards for working jobs we hate spoke to me. In recent years, I've been thinking more about that. Doesn't it make more sense to forego working the job I hate and then not feel the need to reward myself?
Thinking about choices I make with money to relieve boredom is something I would like to think about more. At this point in my life when my daughter will soon be beginning her own life independent of her dad and me and I am realizing I don't really have work goals to achieve any longer, I am asking myself more about how I want to spend my time and resources. Unfortunately the profession I chose and have worked in for about 25 years, one I thought would fulfill some sense of purpose, has not for the most part. So I am now thinking about how to find that elsewhere.
P. 183 specifically asks questions about if freedom means more time to travel, what lies behind that desire? Since I have lived in the same city for twenty years and seen and done a lot of amazing places and experiences during that time, I do feel compelled to travel farther to find novel experiences. However, much of what I enjoy about traveling has less to do with where I am than I previously thought about. After reading this page, I am thinking more about how much joy I find in the stimulation, getting out of routines, idleness, learning, meeting interesting people, new food, being unavailable, etc. How do I achieve these same desires without being on vacation?
I learned more about the history of American society and work pre and post industrial revolution and the Great Depression in chapter 7. I didn't previously know as much about the New Deal emphasizing employment and consumption over leisure. It is fascinating to think about how leisure used to fulfill more of our needs than work and work defines for us more often who we are, our sense of purpose, and where and to whom we belong. As explored beginning on p. 215 and as I have learned, there is no Job Charming. A job will not fulfill our needs and inspire us to greatness. We have been conditioned to expect too much from our jobs. As discussed on p.217, I do feel underemployed with my time at work filled with unchallenging tasks that call forth very little creativity or intelligence. Moving on in the chapter, questions about what is the purpose of work are further investigated. If I accept that the purpose of paid employment is to get paid, I can think about how to fulfill other purposes including socializing, feeling part of community, service, and learning outside my paid employment. The author bolds this sentence, "growth potential, communication channels, interest in work, and recognition make a job satisfying - not pay" (p. 220). Oof! I realize I have none of that and have rarely received any of those things during my 25 years of professional employment. Pages 224-225 ask the reader to rethink defining who we are while recognizing the incongruity between our inner self and our outer presentation if our work is not what we hoped it might be. Are we just what we do to make a living? Lastly, I appreciate this chapter giving voice to "there is no guarantee that you will find someone to pay you to do what you feel called to do...By giving up the expectation that you will be paid to do the work you are passionate about, you can do both things with more integrity" (p.232).
June 4, 2026
Similar to other books I’ve read and some parts a bit dated even though this is the updated version but the idea is good to think about
February 6, 2025
I this is the financial advice book I have been looking for my whole life. It is extremely targeted at at an American audience, but it still has a lot of practical information and it spans from saving every penny to stay afloat all the way to investing for early retirement and financial freedom.
I feel like a lot of financial books tend to assume you have a degree of excess money and your goal is to make as much out of it as possible. This book assumes you have none and feel chained to a life you don't enjoy because of it. It gets you consider all the ways you spend money to make money and how you can creativly cut those costs so you actually get more out of your paycheck. It goes through the basics of making a financial plan and how tracking your spending can make a big difference in money leakage. It gets you to think about money goals and how you could/should be starting to save towards them. And how can you get that saved money to work for you so eventually you can live off of it and be free from the neccesity to work. This book runs the gamut from bartering to stocks and makes financial literacy accessible to any average person.
This book maybe isn't for every one. If you are already money savvy, then this is probably not new information and you might find it boring. I think a good deal of the book were things I already knew and am practicing, but I still found some small new insights throughout that I think reframed my view on some things. My only criticism on the book is it is extremely American and a lot of the financial pitfalls discussed are unheard of in a lot of other places.
I feel like a lot of financial books tend to assume you have a degree of excess money and your goal is to make as much out of it as possible. This book assumes you have none and feel chained to a life you don't enjoy because of it. It gets you consider all the ways you spend money to make money and how you can creativly cut those costs so you actually get more out of your paycheck. It goes through the basics of making a financial plan and how tracking your spending can make a big difference in money leakage. It gets you to think about money goals and how you could/should be starting to save towards them. And how can you get that saved money to work for you so eventually you can live off of it and be free from the neccesity to work. This book runs the gamut from bartering to stocks and makes financial literacy accessible to any average person.
This book maybe isn't for every one. If you are already money savvy, then this is probably not new information and you might find it boring. I think a good deal of the book were things I already knew and am practicing, but I still found some small new insights throughout that I think reframed my view on some things. My only criticism on the book is it is extremely American and a lot of the financial pitfalls discussed are unheard of in a lot of other places.
May 15, 2026
Really good book overall. I'm not sure I'll do the full 9-step process, but certainly planning to implement certain ideas and techniques. I normally would not read a book all about money, but this one is specifically targeted to people who don't want to just mindlessly accumulate wealth just for the heck of it (or because of the addiction to wealth). It helps you figure out how much is enough for you and helps you get there with a combination of frugality and increasing your income through non-sketchy means.
April 3, 2025
I picked this book up thinking it’d give me some practical budgeting tips—nothing too deep. But halfway through, it flipped the script and hit me with something way more profound: the connection between money and life. Not just how we spend it, but how it shapes us, drives us, and reflects what we truly value. And honestly? That realization changed everything.
It’s not a quick-read type of book, and it definitely moves slow in parts, but it peels back the layers of your mindset—especially the unhelpful beliefs we carry about money. What really stuck with me was the idea that money is just energy: your time, your effort, your life force in dollar form. Once I saw it that way, I started valuing my time and money differently.
This book isn’t about getting rich fast. It’s about slowing down and rethinking what really matters. It’s a guide to building financial independence in a way that feels personal, grounded, and freeing. I'd recommend it if you’re ready to get real about how money is running your life—or how it could be serving it instead.
Looking for new energy for the Spring? This is it!
It’s not a quick-read type of book, and it definitely moves slow in parts, but it peels back the layers of your mindset—especially the unhelpful beliefs we carry about money. What really stuck with me was the idea that money is just energy: your time, your effort, your life force in dollar form. Once I saw it that way, I started valuing my time and money differently.
This book isn’t about getting rich fast. It’s about slowing down and rethinking what really matters. It’s a guide to building financial independence in a way that feels personal, grounded, and freeing. I'd recommend it if you’re ready to get real about how money is running your life—or how it could be serving it instead.
Looking for new energy for the Spring? This is it!
May 21, 2026
Your Money or Your Life gave me some new perspectives on what it means to invest responsibly and build financial independence with intention. I appreciated how the book challenged the idea that our identity should be tied to our careers or income and instead focused on aligning money with personal values and fulfillment.
At the same time, many of the core principles around financial independence, tracking spending, increasing savings, and investing consistently are concepts that have remained timeless. While I found the framework valuable, I personally thought Die With Zero offered a more compelling perspective on actually enjoying your wealth. Its emphasis on spending money on meaningful experiences while you’re healthy and able bodied, as well as giving to others when they can benefit from it the most, added an important layer to the conversation about money and purpose.
Overall, Your Money or Your Life is still a thoughtful and influential read for anyone pursuing financial independence, especially if they want to rethink their relationship with work and money beyond just accumulating wealth.
At the same time, many of the core principles around financial independence, tracking spending, increasing savings, and investing consistently are concepts that have remained timeless. While I found the framework valuable, I personally thought Die With Zero offered a more compelling perspective on actually enjoying your wealth. Its emphasis on spending money on meaningful experiences while you’re healthy and able bodied, as well as giving to others when they can benefit from it the most, added an important layer to the conversation about money and purpose.
Overall, Your Money or Your Life is still a thoughtful and influential read for anyone pursuing financial independence, especially if they want to rethink their relationship with work and money beyond just accumulating wealth.
July 9, 2026
This was an intriguing book -- the concepts, anyways. The writing was rough. I was very bored and had a hard time getting through different parts of it.
It is a description of a lifestyle that has bigger principals surrounding a lot of very meticulous mindfulness. I think one of the problems I have about it is that the author launches the reader into a series of very complicated, time consuming, and impossibly specific series of activities and doesn't tell the reader the point until partway through the paragraph or near the end.
If I had been her editor, I would have advised her to tell the reader upfront what the point of the activity is (what the goal is) and how the activity will foster or nurture that goal, BEFORE describing the activity.
It is a description of a lifestyle that has bigger principals surrounding a lot of very meticulous mindfulness. I think one of the problems I have about it is that the author launches the reader into a series of very complicated, time consuming, and impossibly specific series of activities and doesn't tell the reader the point until partway through the paragraph or near the end.
If I had been her editor, I would have advised her to tell the reader upfront what the point of the activity is (what the goal is) and how the activity will foster or nurture that goal, BEFORE describing the activity.
January 10, 2026
Overall a good read with great advice. The best part is chapter 9. Prior to then, it's dragged out too much. I would have rated this book a 2-3 if it wasn't for chapter 9 tying everything together nicely. In my opinion, step 1 is a waste of time. There's no point to tracking lifetime earnings, just understand your current situation and move forward. I read this book with a lot of prior knowledge which may be why the beginning feels so long, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone new to personal finance.
July 9, 2025
This probably would have been better to read versus listen to, but we are where we are at this point. Her suggestions/recommendations were valid in theory, but I’m probably much too lazy to do the very hard work involved to benefit fully from any of them. First of all, I simply have way more shit than I have time to go to through—and if time is life’s true currency that’s not how I plan to spend mine…for now. Perhaps ever! 🤷🏽♀️
May 22, 2026
Not life changing for me because I pretty much practice all these things anyways. Less consumerism, appreciating what you have, figuring out what actually brings you joy and is worth your life energy, frugality, investing, etc...
The book is well written though. The last update was around 2018 before Covid and since the financial/economic landscape has changed dramatically since then, it could use another update.
The book is well written though. The last update was around 2018 before Covid and since the financial/economic landscape has changed dramatically since then, it could use another update.
July 8, 2026
The main concept is that you trade your life energy for money, hence you should spend your money very carefully.
That you should consider all expenses for your job (commute, winding down after stressful day, clothes needed for job etc. ) when you calculate your hourly wage was eye opening for me.
That you should consider all expenses for your job (commute, winding down after stressful day, clothes needed for job etc. ) when you calculate your hourly wage was eye opening for me.
August 31, 2025
A decent entry into personal money management and taking a hard look at your relationship with money. It's a little preachy in parts, and doesn't have anything new to say, but for someone just starting to look into the topic, it's a solid read.
June 19, 2026
Originally written in the 90’s and while it has been revised it still feels a bit outdated to me. There was a level of zeal for some odd aspects of financial independence that didn’t jive for me. I appreciated some of the authors points and experiences but it’s not a book I’d likely recommend.
July 3, 2026
“The affluence that surrounds us has been called the American Dream, and with good reason: We’ve been asleep. We wake up by questioning the dream.”
Great read for anyone questioning their relationship with overconsumption and consumerism.
Great read for anyone questioning their relationship with overconsumption and consumerism.
October 4, 2025
I would definitely recommend adding this layer to foundations from other personal finance reads. Appreciate that this one culminates with the Crossover Point for specifics in achieving FIRE.
October 22, 2025
Incorporating fulfillment, satisfaction, and value in proportion to life energy spent.
One’s really in following the nine steps; financial independence is within its grasp.
One’s really in following the nine steps; financial independence is within its grasp.
January 24, 2026
Interesting ideas , don’t think I’ll do all steps just not for me
Read
January 28, 2026Mostly personal stories, skimmed through
February 4, 2026
Great for internalizing the concept “time is money”.
March 28, 2026
MOTIVATED AF. I'm making sure my kiddos read this book. Highly recommended.
April 24, 2026
At this point these ideas have been replicated elsewhere, but worth a skim to get the concepts!
April 26, 2026
Definitely a good entry for personal finance. Really helped you wrap your head around money and what you need to do to have a healthier relationship with money.
Did Not Finish
May 19, 2026Typically I love finance books but I just couldn’t get behind the ideas in this one.
June 28, 2026
A manifesto on knowing when you have 'enough' and dedicating your time, money and energy to what really brings fulfillment, like community, connection, and contribution.
July 7, 2026
Good book, would recommend everyone gives it a read and takes from it what you want to lead a more fulfilling life.
October 11, 2025
A truly transformative way to think about personal finances. Two powerful ideas really struck a chord. First, thinking of money as the equivalent of life energy, because every penny we spend has to be earned with time dedicated to work, which is taken off the finite supply time we have in our life. The second, later in the book, is the acceptance of the sobering realisation that the only purpose of paid employment is precisely to earn money - period. All other aspects we associate with work are independent of making money, whether they be personal fulfilment, expression, service to the community etc. Consequently, separating in our thinking our purpose-driven pursuits from the necessity to make a living results in quite a radical freedom: our employers lose all power over our happiness, while our bank account balance may cease to be held back by inadvertent self-judgement and self-sabotage.
Only one star off for the sometimes repetitive writing and the organisation of the information that was somehwat confusing in some chapters.
Only one star off for the sometimes repetitive writing and the organisation of the information that was somehwat confusing in some chapters.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews