How to Ruin Your Financial Life

by Ben Stein

This book is a laugh-out-loud way to educate yourself, your children, and your friends about how money really works...and a way to smile while you're straightening out that mess you call your financial life.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Finance

144 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Benjamin Stein is a multifaceted American figure known for his work as a writer, lawyer, actor, comedian, and commentator on politics and economics. He began his public life as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, later gaining widespread recognition in the entertainment world for his deadpan comedic style. Stein became a pop culture icon through his role as the monotone economics teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and as the host of Win Ben Stein’s Money, a game show that earned multiple Emmy Awards. He also played Dr. Arthur Neuman in The Mask and its sequel. A Yale Law School valedictorian, Stein worked as a lawyer for the Federal Trade Commission and taught law and economics at Pepperdine University.
A prolific columnist, Stein has contributed to The American Spectator, Newsmax, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. His books, often co-authored with Phil DeMuth, address financial planning and economic commentary. In 2008, he wrote and starred in Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, a controversial documentary criticized for promoting intelligent design.
Politically conservative, Stein has defended Nixon's legacy, expressed strong views on U.S. foreign policy, and advocated higher taxes on the wealthy to support military initiatives and reduce national debt. During the 2008 financial crisis, he came under scrutiny for downplaying early warning signs and misjudging the scale of the economic collapse.
Stein has also had an extensive voice acting and television career, appearing in series such as The Wonder Years, Seinfeld, and Family Guy, and voicing characters in The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, and Animaniacs. His personal life includes a long-standing marriage to entertainment lawyer Alexandra Denman and homes in California, Idaho, and Washington, D.C. Though often polarizing in his opinions, Stein remains a recognizable figure across political, academic, and entertainment domains.

Reviews

[Joseph Demakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book and its humor.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good tips shared in a hilarious way ... "Avoid shopping as an emotional exercise". "Never turn your finances over to a financial manager". "Prepare for that day when you have less strength to work as hard as you did when you were young. SAVE! SAVE!" just to name a few

[Mike Rabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with words of wisdom and a bit of humor. Some of Ben's pieces of advice are life-changing if they are taken to heart.

[Jonathan Tennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purchased this book years ago when I went to a Ben Stein reading / presentation at a university. It sat on my shelf for years and I read this as a collection (Life, Love Life, Financial Life) in a few sittings. It gets kinda dry when read this way but his points remain relevant--most people I know who are messing up their lives in some way are doing some variety of the things listed in these books. The hardest parts of the book for me were the ones that resonated most with my actions. No one is perfect and I'll be the first to admit that I am far from it.

In the end, I read it imagining what it would've sounded like if Ben had narrated it.

Enjoyable enough. Would recommend to anyone, especially if you can never get enough of "Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?"

My favorite line happened to come from the Love Life book but is applicable to these types of behaviors wherever you see them: "Remember, people do change--but only for you--and only if you love them with all your heart."

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Ruin Your Financial Life is easy and entertaining to read. Ben Stein provides many important financial principles for everyday life in a creative way. A used copy would be a great gift for high school and college graduates; however, some of the examples given and topics covered are unfortunately a little dated, since the book was written in 2004.

[Thomas Kinsfather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny and very sarcastic look at financial mistakes. Some of the advice and examples are a bit outdated, though they are still wise. You may be better off reading something more recent, like Dave Ramsey. Since this is short, it's worth reading simply for the laughs.

[Karen Hensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few people want to read financial books, and most of us do not expect it to be fun. Ben Stein has made a fun read that makes you smarter.

This book also pulls together a great deal of information into some concise ideas that you can remember.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of prudent financial advice...that I probably already knew. You might like it. It's very humorous.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A five for humor but a one for anything new and useful.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

very funny

[CJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic financial wisdom shared in Ben Stein's dry, sarcastic brand of humor. Entertaining.

[Dexter Schassberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, fast read. He reminds us of many financial concepts that we forget at our peril with his usual good humor.

[Tymikia Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand what he was trying to do with this book. If you’re in the beginning stages of your financial journey, this book can help you figure out what you’re doing wrong. But if you’re somewhat “seasoned” in the world of budgeting, saving and investing, it may not be the book for you. It was funny and a quick read.

[Rick Franklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous book with good, but basic, financial advice. Stein lists 55 ways in which you can ruin your financial life. Here are some of my favorites:

Chapter 2 - Remember that their won't be any rainy days in YOUR life.
Chapter 6 - Spend as much as you want and don't be afraid of debt!
Chapter 8 - Compete with friends to see who can spend the most.
Chapter 17 - Trust that there's always more money coming in.
Chapter 21 - Don;'t worry about retirement... it's a LOOONG way off!
Chapter 51 - Find someone with really expensive tastes and reckless financial habits and marry him or her!!!