How Not to Get Rich: Or Why Being Bad Off Isn't So Bad

by Robert Sullivan, Scott Menchin (Illustrator)

In the tradition of James Thurber and E.B. White, How Not to Get Rich is a timely spoof filled with witty instructions on how to avoid the perilous path toward millionaire-dom.

"Large numbers of Americans are becoming rich every day, and by rich I mean loaded, as in loaded to the gills. You could soon be one of them. On the other hand, you might not be one of them, for a number of reasons, including the odds, which are weighted heavily against you. Because while large numbers of Americans are becoming rich every day, even larger numbers of Americans are not. How does not getting rich happen? At what point in your life do you become rich or not rich? Is it fate or hard work that decides whether you go onto a life with several homes and a yacht or several credit cards and a second mortgage?"

In this book, Robert Sullivan, an expert in the art of not getting rich and staying that way, shows us some simple, quick ways to cultivate a basic day-to-day attitude that will lead to not getting rich, as well as a few long-term strategies that will help you stay that way. For instance, a good well-rounded education is a must if you are planning on working your entire life and ending up with little or nothing. Choose a field of study that will be personally rewarding but has no apparent application in the real world, such as medieval literature or traditional music. And by all means choose an investment strategy that will definitely not get you rich, such as following the herd. Along the way, spend your money unwisely, read novels and books, marry for love, and waste otherwise money-making hours throwing a Frisbee in the park and playing with your kids, becoming the kind of role model that will never be featured on Forbes 's list of the wealthiest people in the world. Sharp, funny, and ultimately comforting, How Not to Get Rich is a guide to happiness without wealth―probably not worth the price, but what is?

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

96 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Robert Sullivan is the author of Rats, The Meadowlands, A Whale Hunt, and most recently, The Thoreau You Don’t Know. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, New York magazine, A Public Space, and Vogue, where he is a contributing editor. He was born in Manhattan and now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/robert...

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the Reggie Watts of books: I was pleasantly surprised as I expected this to be just another piece for grazing. Yes, true, the substance might be lighthearted (or is it?), but I would argue that the execution is pretty genius. I would invent some sort of new stylistic category to place it in- the sentences fold over themselves and the train of thought zigzags in such a unique way- it is intelligent chaos which requires some concerted effort since it’s an exercise as much as it’s entertaining. I praise Sullivan for his unique style and actually consider the writing itself quite a literary feat (How easy is it to develop such an strikingly individual voice?) Admittedly this style might appeal mostly to a very specific target audience (let's say medieval poetry-George Carlin (especially the books)-Mark Twain-buffs). If you are in that group you will find it perfectly endearing, and if you are not you might just find it annoying. Still for my taste I would say it deserves special recognition for refreshing contemporary lit a bit in a discretely sophisticated way.

[Kevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know if this book is supposed to be a joke (it isn't funny) or a parody of get-rich books (moderately successful at that, I guess), but I found it crass and poorly written. I had high hopes, as I like Robert Sullivan's other books, and thought this might be some kind of philosophical look into affluenza and the benefits of a moderate life. Alas, being bad off may not be so bad, but this book is. One of the worst books I've read in a long while.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a lifestyle parody. Or a a jab at the "Get Rich" books and everything by charlatans like Dr. Phil. Doesn't leave me with much though. What he's trying to instill is the idea of living a good life rather than living for money. And that's great. But I'd rather read the more concrete versions by a guy like Tom Hodgkinson Oddly, this was written by the guy who wrote Rats

[Amir · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a funny little book. I liked it.

[Beth Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly/fun/ridiculous (*and slightly dated) book by Robert Sullivan, whose prose I would follow anywhere.

[lyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clever satire of the how to get rich books that popped up when I tried to search for this one. A very few people, if any, who read this will really be searching for ways not to become wealthy, but most others who pick it up without this intention will discover, as the title says, why being bad off isn't so bad, a modern revival of Thoreau's basic message. The author is witty and, like many people who are not forcefully goal-directed, is typically in no hurry to get to the point, another endearing quality of those not seeking to become rich. You won't reach wealthdom reading this book, but you may well enjoy the ride to wherever you end up.

[Nick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bailed about half way through. It simply wasn't funny enough to get over not being informative.

[Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

A bunch of random rather obvious complaining, written in a humorous fashion. It got a few chuckles from me here and there, but I was expecting something with a little more meat or depth.

[Alecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very tongue-in-cheek satirical & laugh-out-loud funny at times. A fun, yet possibly worthless, read - which is exactly what I think the author was trying to achieve! ☺️

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

...as if I needed advice on the topic!