Millionaire Mission: A 9-Step System to Level Up Your Finances and Build Wealth

by Brian Preston

There’s a better way to do money. Taking control of your financial freedom is simpler than you think. In fact, your money should work harder than you do.

Brian Preston, host of The Money Guy Show and cofounder of Abound Wealth Management, lays out a nine-step system for building wealth with the money you already have.

Remember “PEMDAS” from grade school? It’s an acronym that helps break down complex math problems into simple steps. When it comes to managing your money, following a similar process—the Financial Order of Operations— will demystify your dollars and show you the way to build transformative wealth with the tools you already have available:

1. Keep Your Financial Life Out of The Ditch (Cover Your Highest Deductible)
2. Love That Free Money (Max-Out Your Employer Match)
3. The Joneses Are Broke and Miserable (Pay Off High Interest Debt)
4. Rainy Day Done Right (Build Emergency Reserves)
5. Tax-Free Armageddon (Max-Out Tax-Free Growth with Roth and/or HSA Contributions)
6. Max-Out Retirement Options
7. Building That More Beautiful Tomorrow (Leverage Hyper Accumulation)
8. Funding Abundance Goals (Prepay Future Expenses)
9. Debt-Freedom (Prepay Low-Interest Debt)

Millionaire Mission helps you account for your blind spots, overcome the fear of making wrong decisions, and take the guesswork out of what to do with your next dollar.

You can own your time and own your life. Stop worrying so much about money and start focusing on what really matters to you. Millionaire Mission will do more than help you optimize your army of dollar bills—it will motivate you to be the best version of your financial self. What do you have to lose? Let’s discover what small decisions you can make today to move you closer to your more beautiful tomorrow.

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Personal Finance, Money, Business, Self Help, Audiobook

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 28, 2024

Reviews

[Random Dude · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an avid fan of the Money Guy Show on YouTube, I found "Millionaire Mission: 9-Step System" to be a satisfying read. The book encapsulates many of the principles and strategies frequently discussed on the show, making it an excellent companion piece for regular viewers.

If you're a newcomer to the Money Guy Show or just starting to take your finances seriously, this book is a must-read. It provides a comprehensive, easy-to-follow roadmap for financial success, broken down into nine manageable steps. The authors have distilled complex financial concepts into simple, actionable advice that can benefit anyone, regardless of their current financial situation.

For those who are already familiar with the Money Guy Show, you won't find much new information here. The book covers similar ground, reiterating the key points and strategies that the show’s hosts, Brian Preston and Bo Hanson, regularly discuss. However, this doesn’t detract from the book’s value. It serves as a solid reinforcement of the show's teachings, offering a structured format that can help deepen your understanding and implementation of these financial principles.

One of the standout features of the book is its practical approach. Each chapter is filled with real-life examples, clear explanations, and practical tips that can help you navigate your financial journey. The 9-step system (FOO) is designed to be straightforward and achievable, making it an excellent tool for anyone looking to improve their financial health.

I'm giving this book 4/5 stars for the sole purpose that I personally didn't learn anything new as I am a constant listener to the show. I had hoped there would be a more personal touch, perhaps a deeper dive into Brian's life. For a newcomer however, I would say that this is a 5/5 must read if you want to start to take your finances seriously.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Millionaire Mission by Brian Preston is a practical 9-step plan (the Financial Order of Operations) to becoming a millionaire by the time you hit retirement age. Finances are something that interests me, and I've done a lot of my own research, read a lot of books, and listened to a lot of podcasts and YouTube videos. Millionaire Mission is one of my favorite books on this subject. It is a great resource for learning the basics and beyond of personal financial success, without the guilt trips, sermonizing, or get-rich-quick extremes of some of the other financial "gurus" out there. The 9 steps are simple and straightforward, although not necessarily easy. This will take work, and some discipline and sacrifices will be involved. Don't be intimidate though - there are plenty of worksheets and checklists provided to help you plan and get organized!

A variety of topics are covered, including how to handle:
-credit cards
-buying your first house (and subsequent ones)
-buying a car
-student loans (with lists of which majors are easiest and hardest to pay off student loans for)
-planning for emergency expenses
-methods for prioritizing and paying off debt
-future expense planning (529 plans, ABLE accounts, vacations, etc)
-taking advantage of various retirement accounts (401k/403b, IRAs, brokerage accounts, as well as options for higher income earners)
-and lots more

I highly recommend Millionaire Mission by Brian Preston (5/5 stars). This plan is perfect for most people most of the time - it's not overly complicated, nor extreme, and can be started at any age. Brian Preston presents this path to financial success with grace and optimism, providing an approach to finances that is reasonable, practical, and that balances saving for the future with living your life well now.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brian Preston, and BenBella Books for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. I was not required to provide a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Dale Dewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing guide to sustainable wealth. My wife and I are on the FIRE path and this book reinforces what we have done right (we are on step 6 of the FOO) From his wonderful podcast to this book Brian Preston shows that anyone can make the smart financial decisions you need to make for wealth. Nothing flashy or preachy just good solid advice.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review which was perfect in the spirit of this book as it allowed me to add to my “Army of Dollars” and read without paying for the book

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like when I listen to the podcast, I felt super motivated to keep working toward goals-financial and life. Just start with your best available plan and learn as you go. Don’t overcomplicate things. Keep the bigger picture in mind.

[Jason Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super practical, found this much more helpful than Dave Ramsey resources, which tend to have a target audience of people dealing with large amounts of debt, this is much more targeted to people who look for practical help in forward-looking financial decisions

[Connor Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve listened to the show so reading the book was a great spot to have the FOO financial philosophy laid out in a readable format. I think the book balances the emotional, behavioral, and mathematical sides of personal finance to give some really solid advice!

Quote: “Money is nothing more than a tool to help you focus on those things in life that truly matter.”

[David Ziegler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard about this book from the author’s podcast and I really enjoyed it. It gives great practical advice on financial savings. I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking to grow in financial literacy.

[Zach Nyquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're an avid fan of the Money Guy Show like I am, you may find much of the material well trodden across their nearly 20 years of podcast & YouTube content they've put out.

That being said, I can't overstate how much I appreciate The Money Guy & FOO approach and perspective. It's personal finance without resorting to shaming, fear tactics, and overly simplistic rigidity. I would highly recommend both the book, and the show to anyone in my life with a desire to grow in their knowledge about personal finance.

The book itself is a clear, helpful framework for how to approach your next dollar. Beyond that, I loved getting to peek behind the curtain and hear from Brian on his financial journey.

[Kayleigh Medhurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a very accessible approach to understanding and building finances and wealth. It was straightforward and did not drag like some other self-help books. However, I wish a few more things had been dumbed down and better explained.

[Tim Zornes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and clear roadmap for every dollar you earn.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in a day. Great insights broken down simply. Great for anyone at any stage

[Casan Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book with practical advice on personal finance. Brian has a bit more modern approach compared to Dave Ramsey, but the fundamentals are close.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. How to create a brighter and more beautiful tomorrow. Step by step how to create wealth in your own life.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a dedicated listener to The Money Guy Show for the past 3 years, I was already familiar with the Financial Order of Operations, and thus most of the book. But the book is still a great resource for newcomers and fans of the show. I owe Brian and Bo a huge debt to helping me get my financial life set for the future!

[Gabby kampman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple concepts . American economy focused. Probably would have rated higher if I haven’t been reading financial books

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essentially an improved and more detailed version of “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey, written by a qualified financial professional (CPA and CFP).

I’ve read quite a few personal finance and investing books over the past few years and am currently in graduate school for personal financial planning while studying for the CFP. I hope my opinions in this review hold some weight given my fairly strong background in the subject matter and my passion for financial literacy.

For some additional context, I’ve listened to The Money Guy Show on YouTube for nearly 4 years now, and it has been a major inspiration in my life to go into financial planning. When I heard Brian was writing a book, I decided to preorder. In addition, I listened to the audiobook while I followed along in the physical copy.

Beginning with the financial content and merit of the advice: it’s excellent. The FOO is meticulously detailed and designed. It takes Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps and adds nuance to each step while making noticeable improvements to the order of financial operations. It’s a very beginner-friendly book, focusing more on actionable steps and less on the complexities of investing and complex financial planning. Everything is presented in a manner where beginners and even more savvy financial enthusiasts can benefit from its wisdom.

As a longtime viewer of the show, I expected to already know most of the content in the book. I was correct in my assumptions, but I still enjoyed reviewing the fundamentals while appreciating the real-world examples Brian includes in each chapter. The chapters I enjoyed the most were the chapters near the end, where the author focuses more on the “why” of personal finance and the meaning and purpose behind building wealth. Building wealth isn’t necessarily about being “rich,�� but more so about having the freedom to live your life on your terms and having the resources to help others do the same.

Lastly, my favorite chapter is the final one, where the author discloses what he does with his own money. I’m a very nosy person and nerd out on personal finance, so I’m always curious what financial professionals do with their own money. Without spoiling too much, I can say I agree with his financial plan and I personally have a very similar setup (albeit with significantly less income, savings, etc.). Overall, I highly recommend this book. If most adults could simply get to steps 4-5, they would be far better off with their finances. It’s going on my bookshelf next to other great finance books like The Psychology of Money, A Random Walk Down Wall Street, and The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could recommend only one book on personal finance, this would be it.

IMO, what sets this book apart is its thoughtfulness. Brian’s goal isn’t to tell you how to get rich, but to teach you how to think about your money. That’s clear from the very beginning. The first step? Building a starter emergency fund. But how much should that be? $1,000 gets thrown around a lot, yet according to the Money Guy’s system—the FOO (Financial Order of Operations)—you should save enough to cover your largest insurance deductible. Even at step one, you’re forced to ask, “What do I need for my life situation?” Then you are forced to figure out what your insurance deductibles are, and know what you need to cover them.

That thoughtful approach continues throughout the book. Instead of focusing only on growing net worth for its own sake, Brian urges readers to consider: “How do I plan to use this money?” Money is a tool—so what do you want it to accomplish while you’re alive, and even after you’re gone?

This book is also saturated with biblical principles, though Brian never makes it explicitly about himself or his faith. — In my mind, if someone wants to get into the topic of personal finance this is the best introduction they can find.

——————————————————

What about Dave Ramsey?
I love Dave Ramsey. His teaching is likewise filled with biblical principles such as generosity and stewardship. However, his target audience tends to be people deeply in debt who need a tough coach to give them a wake-up call and a strict plan forward. Because of that, his program makes debt elimination and staying debt-free the #1 priority. Brian, by contrast, takes a more balanced, holistic approach. His system works well for people who don’t necessarily struggle with overspending and want a more flexible, personalized path than Ramsey’s Baby Steps.

Is this book worth reading if you already watch The Money Guy Show?
Maybe. Brian and Bo talk often about the FOO, so if you’ve been watching the show for any length of time, much of the content will be familiar. You’ll encounter some new personal stories, but also many you’ll recognize from the podcast or YouTube videos. As long as you don’t expect brand-new, groundbreaking material, even long-time listeners will likely enjoy the book.

[Bip Padrnos · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 stars

I love the Money Guy show and think it’s a super valuable resource, especially when compared to how horrible so much other personal finance content is online (I’m looking at you, Dave Ramsey).

However, I think Brian is suffering from a pretty unique problem here because having already made personal finance so simple and accessible for people that watch the show, most of the stuff has already been covered. Especially for us people nearer the start of our financial journeys, the advice really isn’t too complex, so it can feel a little repetitive.

That being said, I think this would be an absolutely fantastic resource for someone looking to get into personal finance and especially in the later step chapters Brian did a good job of adding an extra layer of information and complexity on top of what I’ve seen in the show.

[William Ansel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What small decision today will maximize this moment and move me closer to my more beautiful tomorrow?” This is a phrase repeated frequently throughout the book and I wholeheartedly agree. Little steps taken today with just a little bit of discipline and delayed gratification pay off in multitudes. I’m a big fan of Brian, Bo and The Money Guy Show, so I’m not surprised this book was an enjoyable read. He gives great, practical examples showing the power of the dollar and how putting it to work can grow leaps and bounds. The FOO is clear and simple in nature, and has helped many people turn their finances around. I hope to apply some of Brian’s wisdom in my own life, financially and personally.

[Jacob Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

From one of the creators of “the money guys” podcast. This book is full of very informative financial advice. It gives you a breakdown into the knowledge of a cpa but Brian tells the story in a way that I feel even the beginner financial person can still understand. Following his FOO (financial order of operations) sets up a great path to wealth building.

This is the kind of book I would give to any kid graduating high school. Love it!

[Joshua Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate the simple, realistic advice given in this book. I don’t think I could ever load up the amount of wealth written about in here due to my faith, but it has definitely given me a practical framework to think about both intentional personal savings and even how to save and create income for the specific purpose of extra generosity.

[Josh Hollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian, I loved this book. I came across your content from my brother-in-law and then you simultaneously went on the Personal Finance Podcast that I listen to all the time. I’ll be subscribing to the Money Guy Show podcast too. I’m not quite to the messy middle, but my wife and I find ourselves doing the mental gymnastics all the time about is pain today worth a better tomorrow. We certainly come close to being financial misers instead of money masters as you put it. Thank you for the encouragement and the simplicity in which you wrote this book. I can tell you spent a lot of time writing this and I love how you took us readers behind the curtain of your personal finances at the end of the book. I certainly could see my wife and I utilizing the services of Abound Wealth Management or something similar in the future. Thank you for generously sharing your time and wisdom with readers.

[Emily Duernberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

good explanations about how to create smart financial decisions for retirement with great life lessons and honest advice that didn’t feel like he was trying to sell me something! practical knowledge i feel i need and we all need

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

heavily enjoyed. provided very basic definitions of complex topics and i really like the “financial order of operations” approach bc a lot of ppl throw out a bunch of different things that you “need” to do to be rich but don’t explain when you should do them and in what order

[Cody Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book start to finish. I’ve read several other financial books and this was by far the best one. It is written in a very simple, easy to understand way and the FOO is outstanding. I have started teaching my 7 year old about saving and investing.

[Sophie Bruns · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good, wish it had more definitions of basic financial terms bc I had to look a lot up. Overall really got me interested in personal finance, encouraging me to make some financial changes in the near future in terms of investing, credit, and savings.

[Riley Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only financial book you’ll ever need. Follow the steps provided in this book and you’ll be set for life. My favorite personal wealth book I’ve read. Even better, they have a youtube/podcast! Worth the read!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

These simple financial steps have the potential to bring financial security and a life of fulfillment. Highly recommend!

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book from a great author. I’ve been a huge fan of Brian and the Money Guy Show on YouTube for several years

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love u Brian please don’t get cancelled