Stop Working . . . Start Living: How I Retired at 36

by Dianne Nahirny

By 36, with fewer advantages than most, Dianne Nahirny achieved early retirement without compromising her middle-class lifestyle-and on an average yearly salary of under $20,000. In Stop Working . . . Start Living, Dianne covers financial concepts through humorous anecdotes of her family's influence on her money-handling skills. Stories about her jobs, her investments, homes, and extravagances demonstrate her finesse and her blunders. Each chapter concludes with a point form summary. Dianne reveals the way to achieve financial freedom in a proven "do as I do" and not a "do as I say" format. Dianne tells readers how to customize and achieve "the plan." She watches her expenses, sometimes spends lavishly, and owns her own home. Dianne is living her dream. Whether you want to retire very early, early, or late, Stop Working . . . Start Living provides the tools and the advice-from someone who has done it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Personal Finance, Biography

250 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Debra Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really like this book and have lent it out a few times already. I bought the book directly from the author based on an article read in Moneysense magazine years ago. The Moneysense article and the book was the catalyst for retirement planning and early retirement for my husband and. There's a lot of common sense written here and the basic premise is living within your means or better yet, living below your means.

[Miklos Galata · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on how to quit the rat race early and to enjoy life afterwards. The principles listed in this book are timeless: "My money philosophy also includes the necessity of delayed gratification and tolerable employment to produce my ideal lifestyle. Ironically, if I'd allowed instant gratification financed by debt, and pursued a profession after years of expensive education to achieve an acceptable, it's unlikely that I would have had the quality lifestyle by the time I reached my 40s or even 50s that I was already enjoying by age 30." You can still buy a house in Southern Ontario for the amount she paid for hers like 30 years ago. Real Estate prices keep going up if you consider long term.
Don't waste your life away slaving for some rude boss surrounded by idiot co-workers. Set yourself free as soon as you can afford it.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are single and with no kids then this book is for you. plus she had her father's help in real estate advice and property. but its still a decent read with the frugal tidbits and advice.

[Nissan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nahirny has got to be the Miser Queen. If you're looking for a book on how to save money, this is the one.

[S.P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. Basic common sense really - if you want to retire young then key is not to spend money! Shock, horror. In this case the author is very frugal and is lucky enough to have help from the family so is able to live on a relatively low income. Kudos.

Not an inspiring book however as Narirny can be a bit smug, a little repetitive and I can't help feeling throughout that the sales from the book kind of make up for the low earnings elsewhere! That said hints and ideas about how to reduce expenditure are sensible and obviously well practiced. I seem to recall a similar process when money was tight in this household.. Maybe I'll dust off my own spreadsheet and give some of it a go - think I might be a couple of years behind her...

[Will Jeffries · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's fun to read for about a few chapters - then you go find another book to read.