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925 Ideas to Help You Save Money, Get Out of Debt and Retire a Millionaire So You Can Leave Your Mark on the World!
925 Ideas to Help You Save Money, Get Out of Debt and Retire A Millionaire So You Can Leave Your Mark on the World from the author of the highly acclaimed book, Your Mark on the World, is a collection of articles about family financial planning that originally appeared at FamilyHow.com.
925 Ideas... is an easy and readable guide to help your family find financial peace. Author Devin D. Thorpe explains:
1) how you and your spouse can find agreement on money matters,
2) how to teach your kids about money,
3) how to pay for your children's college education,
4) how to live like a millionaire
5) how to come up with $25,000 in a crisis
6) how to make ends meet on one income
7) how to get out of debt and stay out of debt
8) why home ownership should be your family's top financial priority
9) how to ask your boss for a raise
10) how to use your finances to do more good in the world.
And much more!
925 Ideas... is an easy and readable guide to help your family find financial peace. Author Devin D. Thorpe explains:
1) how you and your spouse can find agreement on money matters,
2) how to teach your kids about money,
3) how to pay for your children's college education,
4) how to live like a millionaire
5) how to come up with $25,000 in a crisis
6) how to make ends meet on one income
7) how to get out of debt and stay out of debt
8) why home ownership should be your family's top financial priority
9) how to ask your boss for a raise
10) how to use your finances to do more good in the world.
And much more!
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2012
2140 people are currently reading
2579 people want to read
About the author
Devin D. Thorpe
20 books29 followersDevin Thorpe thinks he is the luckiest person alive. After being “let go” from the best job he’d ever had—as the Chief Financial Officer of the multinational food and beverage company MonaVie—he and his wife ended up living in China for a year where he wrote Your Mark On The World and embarked on the career he’d always wanted and hadn’t dared dream.
Now, as an author and blogger for Forbes Devin writes about the things that inspire him, mostly stories of people who are making a positive difference in the world and how we can all be more like them. His current life isn’t much like his past. As an entrepreneur, Devin ran—at separate times—a boutique investment banking firm and a small mortgage company. He served as the Treasurer for the multinational vitamin manufacturer USANA Health Sciences years before becoming CFO for MonaVie.
Devin squeezed in two brief stints in government, including two years working for Jake Garn on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee Staff and another year working for an independent state agency called USTAR, where he helped foster technology entrepreneurship during Governor Jon Huntsman’s administration.
Devin is proud to be a Ute, having graduated from the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, which recognized him as a Distinguished Alum in 2006. He also earned an MBA at Cornell University where he ran the student newspaper, Cornell Business.
Today, Devin channels the idealism of his youth, championing social good, with the loving support of his wife, Gail. Their son Dayton is a PhD candidate in Physics at UC Berkeley (and Devin rarely misses an opportunity to mention that).
Now, as an author and blogger for Forbes Devin writes about the things that inspire him, mostly stories of people who are making a positive difference in the world and how we can all be more like them. His current life isn’t much like his past. As an entrepreneur, Devin ran—at separate times—a boutique investment banking firm and a small mortgage company. He served as the Treasurer for the multinational vitamin manufacturer USANA Health Sciences years before becoming CFO for MonaVie.
Devin squeezed in two brief stints in government, including two years working for Jake Garn on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee Staff and another year working for an independent state agency called USTAR, where he helped foster technology entrepreneurship during Governor Jon Huntsman’s administration.
Devin is proud to be a Ute, having graduated from the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, which recognized him as a Distinguished Alum in 2006. He also earned an MBA at Cornell University where he ran the student newspaper, Cornell Business.
Today, Devin channels the idealism of his youth, championing social good, with the loving support of his wife, Gail. Their son Dayton is a PhD candidate in Physics at UC Berkeley (and Devin rarely misses an opportunity to mention that).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
March 3, 2014
I give up. This book is obviously not aimed at me (I'm not a girl obsessed with shopping, I'm not a dad who plays golf, and I'm not scandalised by the thought of driving a second hand car).
I don't know now how rich you need to be before "try not going to the opera for a month" is actually helpful advice, but if I had that much money I would not be reading this book.
I just. Wow. Do people like this even exist?
I don't know now how rich you need to be before "try not going to the opera for a month" is actually helpful advice, but if I had that much money I would not be reading this book.
I just. Wow. Do people like this even exist?
August 12, 2014
This is a good book for beginners. Personally, I was only able to take away some good tips in the last chapters of the book, when the author talks about preparing for retirement and investments. As for the rest, I have learned most of what Devin suggests via my parents, reading and experience.
This is good information, but because I have been reading books on this subject for a while, I find this book highly derivative and for personal finances learning beginners. One excellent (unexpected) tip was about loan consolidation: I agree with the author, do not consolidate. This will only lead to a lazy attitude toward eliminating debt by taking away the right amount of pressure that we need to motivate us for paying off our debt.
This is good information, but because I have been reading books on this subject for a while, I find this book highly derivative and for personal finances learning beginners. One excellent (unexpected) tip was about loan consolidation: I agree with the author, do not consolidate. This will only lead to a lazy attitude toward eliminating debt by taking away the right amount of pressure that we need to motivate us for paying off our debt.
April 12, 2014
Very good ideas on managing your money and teaching your children the value of money.
Something that deeply touched my heart was,
“Don’t let financial considerations determine how many children you have, let the number of children you plan to have guide your financial planning.”
“Money will never buy happiness, but managing your money well can provide the peace of mind that will allow you to focus your family on what matters most.”
“When you have been blessed it is your great opportunity to become a blessing to others.”
Be ready or be sorry!
[It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.]
Something that deeply touched my heart was,
“Don’t let financial considerations determine how many children you have, let the number of children you plan to have guide your financial planning.”
“Money will never buy happiness, but managing your money well can provide the peace of mind that will allow you to focus your family on what matters most.”
“When you have been blessed it is your great opportunity to become a blessing to others.”
Be ready or be sorry!
[It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.]
April 5, 2015
I'm not exactly sure why this book exists. I was hoping it would be a simple motivational guide to personal finance I could recommend to others who struggle which the subject, but it wholly misses that mark.
The advice is disjointed, at times badly misguided (see the investing section), and seems like a random grabbag of mostly unrelated ideas. Pass.
The advice is disjointed, at times badly misguided (see the investing section), and seems like a random grabbag of mostly unrelated ideas. Pass.
January 10, 2013
This is probably the most comprehensive book I have ever seen concerning finances. The author is completely practical, real, comprehensible, and furthermore, he speaks with true integrity. I did not realize until I was part of the way through the book that he wrote another fantastic book: "Your Mark on the World." This book does somewhat cross over to that book in a few areas, but mostly, this is a book that can help you get your finances in order.
I was most impressed with the organization and the practical advice he gave. This book is not a book that you would sit down and read from cover to cover. Find the area where you are struggling, and check it out. Most of his ideas are common sense ideas, but quite seriously, we sometimes don't follow through with things that are so simple and easy to implement. Having a knowledgeable person give us solid advice is very often what we need to get us going. In fact, there is a website I have tried to use before, and I didn't understand the significance of it. He has explained it so well that I think I might just go back to his chapter on it and walk through the process.
If you are making a resolution to get your finances under control (or you want to do it or know you should do it), I invite you to check out this book. It will be a reference you will turn to again and again.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
I was most impressed with the organization and the practical advice he gave. This book is not a book that you would sit down and read from cover to cover. Find the area where you are struggling, and check it out. Most of his ideas are common sense ideas, but quite seriously, we sometimes don't follow through with things that are so simple and easy to implement. Having a knowledgeable person give us solid advice is very often what we need to get us going. In fact, there is a website I have tried to use before, and I didn't understand the significance of it. He has explained it so well that I think I might just go back to his chapter on it and walk through the process.
If you are making a resolution to get your finances under control (or you want to do it or know you should do it), I invite you to check out this book. It will be a reference you will turn to again and again.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
June 10, 2018
This is a pretty horrible book to be honest. I grabbed this book so I could get some new ideas on what to do. I read a book a long while back called "1,037 Ways to Make or Save Up to $100,000 This Year Alone" and was hoping for an up to date version of something along those lines.
First, I don't believe there were 925 ideas even if you included the fact that several of them were repeated several times. There were no fewer than half a dozen references about buying a used car without a loan. Almost as many included buying a house.
Most of this involved spending money and not saving it.
There are also a few typos... but since it is a self published book, this should not surprise anyone. (Hint, a dog is not pure bread. They might be purebred though.)
First, I don't believe there were 925 ideas even if you included the fact that several of them were repeated several times. There were no fewer than half a dozen references about buying a used car without a loan. Almost as many included buying a house.
Most of this involved spending money and not saving it.
There are also a few typos... but since it is a self published book, this should not surprise anyone. (Hint, a dog is not pure bread. They might be purebred though.)
December 6, 2012
Just finished this book.
It is a compilation of smaller articles written for Forbes magazine. As such, there is some repetition in ideas from one chapter to another. Which I actually liked, it made the ready quick, enjoyable and really helped to hit home the key 'secrets' for success.
Nice, tactical and do-able recommendations.
Really enjoyed the simple breakdown of investment language which the scientist in my struggles with (I do chemical reaction rates not bank statements!)
I can't wait to share it with my 17 yr old nephew who dreams of being a millionaire. We'll get him started on that road now!!
It is a compilation of smaller articles written for Forbes magazine. As such, there is some repetition in ideas from one chapter to another. Which I actually liked, it made the ready quick, enjoyable and really helped to hit home the key 'secrets' for success.
Nice, tactical and do-able recommendations.
Really enjoyed the simple breakdown of investment language which the scientist in my struggles with (I do chemical reaction rates not bank statements!)
I can't wait to share it with my 17 yr old nephew who dreams of being a millionaire. We'll get him started on that road now!!
May 8, 2015
3.5 stars. The book contains a wealth of information. I wish I had read this book when I was much younger. The author kept saying we need over a million dollars when we retire. I am in such trouble! The book was very comprehensive and written in an understandable format. The author had many personal finance tips. I noticed in most chapters he advised to keep your car for a long time! I didn't understand a lot of the advanced stock tips, such as short selling, but I didn't understand that before I read the book either. I do believe that save, save, save, not spending is the answer, however most folks I know want things NOW, not later.
Read
July 25, 2013Hahaha, it's a cheesy title but I appreciate any advice that could help me save money. Not that I have to become a millionaire, but anything that helps create a stable financial situation and helps to bring big financial goals (owning a house) into focus is worth reading!
To be fair, I skimmed some parts of this book since they don't really apply to me (no family members to help shape the daily budget with, no golf expenses which seem to be a favorite hobby example of the author's).
To be fair, I skimmed some parts of this book since they don't really apply to me (no family members to help shape the daily budget with, no golf expenses which seem to be a favorite hobby example of the author's).
May 2, 2018
So repetitive and so many typos. My favorite was something along the lines of how volunteering at an animal shelter will make you less likely to spend money on a "pure bread dog". Poodles made entirely of French toast are my favorite.
September 28, 2014
I gave it 1 star because it was free. Otherwise it was redundant and sometimes contradictory.
December 30, 2019
Answers to your money questions…and then some
Save, be frugal with debt, get your books from a library, earn 5 % on your savings, or invest wisely as my mayor told me, and don’t dine out so much. Familiar lessons…. Don’t buy $5.00 coffees. And blah, blah, blah...
Some advice such as jog instead of bike for exercise is dopey, since you can buy a used bicycle for a hundred dollars and resting pulse rate is the objective. And, besides, jogging will eventually give you gimpy knees… or replacements. The pain can be excruciating.
Saving for college is baffling, since I find it difficult to turn $1.00 into $15.00 in twenty years. At 5% the dollar would equal $2.65 and $4.66 at 8%. 12% will only get your dollar up to $9.64 in twenty years, boys and girls!
To get 12% you will need to risk your shirt in equities or invest in payday loans or whorehouses or something. Maybe, you sell vaping supplies to teenagers...
The magic annual interest rate is between 14 and 15%.
Does the thought of making 20% a year excite you? You bet your sweet bippy! Invest wisely to exceed inflation!
I can tell you for a fact that, from the time I got my B.A. to the time my daughter entered a state college, the price of a college education had gone up ten times!
The credit card chapter, however, should be read several times.
Page 106 is a bit puzzling, however. According to statistics available in 2012, the average high school graduate earned $31,000 a year and the average college graduate $57,000. According to stats.Indiana.edu the per capita 2013 Hoosier gross was $38,612. And, that is the way statistics go. The average 2013 Indiana public library director (master’s degree) grossed $50,200 and very few teachers, at least in our corporation, made that much.
Seven years later: The alleged 2019 salary for Indiana teachers is $49,000 to $64,000 and the circa 2018 average Indiana library director grosses $62,840.
Although the reader was encouraged to save for retirement, it was rather obvious most readers are not going to make the big time retirement extravaganza.
Overall, a better than average read and worth your time…as long as you keep your brain open.
You had better vote for candidates who plan to maintain Social Security and pensions.
Save, be frugal with debt, get your books from a library, earn 5 % on your savings, or invest wisely as my mayor told me, and don’t dine out so much. Familiar lessons…. Don’t buy $5.00 coffees. And blah, blah, blah...
Some advice such as jog instead of bike for exercise is dopey, since you can buy a used bicycle for a hundred dollars and resting pulse rate is the objective. And, besides, jogging will eventually give you gimpy knees… or replacements. The pain can be excruciating.
Saving for college is baffling, since I find it difficult to turn $1.00 into $15.00 in twenty years. At 5% the dollar would equal $2.65 and $4.66 at 8%. 12% will only get your dollar up to $9.64 in twenty years, boys and girls!
To get 12% you will need to risk your shirt in equities or invest in payday loans or whorehouses or something. Maybe, you sell vaping supplies to teenagers...
The magic annual interest rate is between 14 and 15%.
Does the thought of making 20% a year excite you? You bet your sweet bippy! Invest wisely to exceed inflation!
I can tell you for a fact that, from the time I got my B.A. to the time my daughter entered a state college, the price of a college education had gone up ten times!
The credit card chapter, however, should be read several times.
Page 106 is a bit puzzling, however. According to statistics available in 2012, the average high school graduate earned $31,000 a year and the average college graduate $57,000. According to stats.Indiana.edu the per capita 2013 Hoosier gross was $38,612. And, that is the way statistics go. The average 2013 Indiana public library director (master’s degree) grossed $50,200 and very few teachers, at least in our corporation, made that much.
Seven years later: The alleged 2019 salary for Indiana teachers is $49,000 to $64,000 and the circa 2018 average Indiana library director grosses $62,840.
Although the reader was encouraged to save for retirement, it was rather obvious most readers are not going to make the big time retirement extravaganza.
Overall, a better than average read and worth your time…as long as you keep your brain open.
You had better vote for candidates who plan to maintain Social Security and pensions.
September 9, 2018
http://imeducatingmyself.com/925-idea...
This is book does have appealing title, but it’s mostly oriented through planning your retirement; and it doesn’t go deep into “how should you create plans and put those plans into use”, book only contains general information.
Book is compilation of tips on how you should start preparing yourself for retirement.
To be honest I was thinking to rate this book between two and three stars; because, at least to me, there are so many common sense stuff written in this book. Then I realize, that in today’s time, so many people doesn’t have common sense; and they could use information share in this book.
That’s why I’ve decided to rate it with three stars.
Another complain is that, there are so many things that keep repeating itself.
Since I’m single, not married, and don’t have family – many tips from this book doesn’t apply to me; but it’s not bad to know them.
All information can be found for free, and I think this book is just compilation of different blog post. Then again, I did get this book for free on Amazon; and I don’t get to complain about paying for it.
Since everything can be found online, even if this book stop to be free, I wouldn’t pay more than $1 for it. I don’t mean to disrespect author, but it is a simple book, with simple tips.
Like I’ve had said before, everything inside is just common sense.
This is book does have appealing title, but it’s mostly oriented through planning your retirement; and it doesn’t go deep into “how should you create plans and put those plans into use”, book only contains general information.
Book is compilation of tips on how you should start preparing yourself for retirement.
To be honest I was thinking to rate this book between two and three stars; because, at least to me, there are so many common sense stuff written in this book. Then I realize, that in today’s time, so many people doesn’t have common sense; and they could use information share in this book.
That’s why I’ve decided to rate it with three stars.
Another complain is that, there are so many things that keep repeating itself.
Since I’m single, not married, and don’t have family – many tips from this book doesn’t apply to me; but it’s not bad to know them.
All information can be found for free, and I think this book is just compilation of different blog post. Then again, I did get this book for free on Amazon; and I don’t get to complain about paying for it.
Since everything can be found online, even if this book stop to be free, I wouldn’t pay more than $1 for it. I don’t mean to disrespect author, but it is a simple book, with simple tips.
Like I’ve had said before, everything inside is just common sense.
May 20, 2018
Talked about money, i have a new concept about money,You can control it instead of being slave of money.it requires knowledge about money to use it and this book is in good position to teach it.
I've learnt many thing in this book many types of savings(retirement,children,school),investment(cash,bond,..) and to be a good entrepreneur.
Not a good book that i can recommend someone but after reading many books about money you can add this one.
I've learnt many thing in this book many types of savings(retirement,children,school),investment(cash,bond,..) and to be a good entrepreneur.
Not a good book that i can recommend someone but after reading many books about money you can add this one.
July 31, 2018
Practical, down to earth advice
Although a lot of the content only applies to USA financial system, there's a lot of good advice and insight that applies globally. I live in Chile and think I could put into practice many of the tips to save money. I like that the author is very direct and doesn't sugarcoat things. That makes you give some serious thought about savings, insurance, college fund, retirement, etc.
Although a lot of the content only applies to USA financial system, there's a lot of good advice and insight that applies globally. I live in Chile and think I could put into practice many of the tips to save money. I like that the author is very direct and doesn't sugarcoat things. That makes you give some serious thought about savings, insurance, college fund, retirement, etc.
November 7, 2019
Very Useful
I learned a lot about saving money and making my money grow. This book was straight up about what my retirement was going to look like. The part about investing my retirement was the most helpful and gave me lots of helpful advice. I also was impressed with the chapters on giving to charity and the importance of volunteering, also " What should I do with 50,000$ , I liked this book.
I learned a lot about saving money and making my money grow. This book was straight up about what my retirement was going to look like. The part about investing my retirement was the most helpful and gave me lots of helpful advice. I also was impressed with the chapters on giving to charity and the importance of volunteering, also " What should I do with 50,000$ , I liked this book.
February 3, 2020
This book is a compilation of articles written over a period of time. It provides some good, basic financial advice for various stages of life and for planning for children's college, retirement, investments, eliminating debt, etc. Many of the chapters are focused for specific stages of life. Because it's a compilation of articles on specific topics, there are some which have repettive information. For my needs, the investment, entrepreneur interests, and retirement planning were most valuable.
January 16, 2022
It was a big book, but it was a good refresher and reminder about making smart money moves. Much of it seemed irrelevant to me, and perhaps a little dated. I mean, I agree it's typically better to be debtfree. But say a car dealership offers zero percent interest for X months, you can make small monthly payments while keeping most of your money. You can even make money if you're making interest on it. So its good debt.
April 1, 2021
Very comprehensive
There was a lot of great information for making your money and income work for you but unfortunately a lot of it was USA-centric so not applicable to me. It did make me look at my own banking, tax & investment regulations to see how I could make them work for me.
There was a lot of great information for making your money and income work for you but unfortunately a lot of it was USA-centric so not applicable to me. It did make me look at my own banking, tax & investment regulations to see how I could make them work for me.
November 26, 2017
Great for beginners
It’s a great book for people that are just beginning to get their finances in order. For people that are already started, this doesn’t book doesn’t provide any new information.
It’s a great book for people that are just beginning to get their finances in order. For people that are already started, this doesn’t book doesn’t provide any new information.
December 16, 2018
Decent Basic Info
The book is decent, and very introductory. If you are new to personal finance, this book is a decent starter read. If you have some experience, move to a more detailed or advanced book.
The book is decent, and very introductory. If you are new to personal finance, this book is a decent starter read. If you have some experience, move to a more detailed or advanced book.
April 25, 2019
Got very good at the end
I like investment strategies and last few chapters on giving and donating. Good insight to living a prosperous life. Teaches how to be comfortable not rich,which is realistic.
I like investment strategies and last few chapters on giving and donating. Good insight to living a prosperous life. Teaches how to be comfortable not rich,which is realistic.
February 2, 2020
Lots of good practical ideas
The title says it all, the book was easy to read, and gave good ideas. Nothing new, secret, or groundbreaking per se, but does reinforce the importance of following important financial fundamentals
The title says it all, the book was easy to read, and gave good ideas. Nothing new, secret, or groundbreaking per se, but does reinforce the importance of following important financial fundamentals
July 1, 2020
I knew this book was not for me as soon as it started with ways to teach your children about money. The author has too much faith in mortgage brokers. Also, the investing advice is out of step from other personal finance books.
August 22, 2020
Not for me
Doesn't make it a bad book, I tried to read it as the author intended but it didn't catch me and once I put it down I didn't go back to it. It didn't pull me. Just my opinion.
Doesn't make it a bad book, I tried to read it as the author intended but it didn't catch me and once I put it down I didn't go back to it. It didn't pull me. Just my opinion.
December 30, 2024
The book was repetitive, but I feel a younger person can gleam some important information on saving. It does reference retirement and some of the suggestions made are valid. Since I've been retired for more than twelve years I wish I had read the many years ago
April 1, 2025
Meh
Ok so there were a couple of good tips and I liked seeing that I'm already doing some of these but there was alot of repetitive paragraphs going on where I was left hmm ok... 🤔 but it did motivate me a little more so 🤗
Ok so there were a couple of good tips and I liked seeing that I'm already doing some of these but there was alot of repetitive paragraphs going on where I was left hmm ok... 🤔 but it did motivate me a little more so 🤗
May 16, 2017
Great read
Very informative covering a wide range of subjects. Practical and deliberate information. Gives the good and the bad. Quite helpful and a great reference book as well
Very informative covering a wide range of subjects. Practical and deliberate information. Gives the good and the bad. Quite helpful and a great reference book as well
Read
April 10, 2018Nice Read
The book is filled with good information and helpful tips. I definitely will use some of the advice given. The author hit on most issues that all of us face dealing money.
The book is filled with good information and helpful tips. I definitely will use some of the advice given. The author hit on most issues that all of us face dealing money.
July 13, 2017
Little bit of good info
Most of the book is irrelevant for the majority of people . If I want to save money why would I ever invest it
Most of the book is irrelevant for the majority of people . If I want to save money why would I ever invest it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews