Dianne Nahirny's own story inspired me so much when I read it several years ago that I recently was able to buy my home for cash. And I have definitely been "low income", having just completed my university degree in my early 50s. It CAN be done, if you want it badly enough! Nahirny will tell you: Get clear on what you want, then make each purchasing choice based on whether it's going to get you closer to that goal or not. Most of us twitter away much of our money on many small things - like your $5 daily latte. But they really add up. Nahirny is the epitome of frugality where it doesn't count on her joy-radar, but spends readily where it counts - like a vacation to Europe aboard the Concorde (in the days when the Concorde still existed). In the first half of the book she tells how she retired at age 36 (not without its challenges!) and in the second half she shows you how you, too, can do it. Chapters have a summary list of main points, great ideas, or things to do. E.g. Buy goods with inherent value; it's easier to control expenses than income; sell your clutter; seek alternatives to buying; don't buy disposables; determine what you really want from a purchase; analyse and question lifestyle choices. You won't do it the way she did it - we each have our own path - but I guarantee you will have lots of your own ideas after reading it, and you'll be able to write your own plan. The most valuable single thing I learned from this book? I always thought that my costliest expense was housing. Think again! It's taxes. Now every time I get something for free or on sale, or buy something second-hand, I get a little thrill because I've also saved that much sales tax. I also learned that you don't need to have millions in the bank to retire comfortably. Having put her lessons into action over the past several years since reading an article about her in "Money Sense" magazine, as well as lessons learned from "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin, I have changed my spending habits and live a life I love. I haven't had a 'job' in 10 years. It made such a difference to me that I began to facilitate money seminars and help others get out of debt and stay out of debt. They, too, love this book! It's only too late if you don't start now. Regardless of how badly in debt you are - I was once too! - you can do it. But don't just read the book and stop there. Make a plan, find a buddy, and put your plan into action while you still have inspiration and momentum. The hardest part is starting, but if you don't, where will you be in the next 5 or 10 years? By the way, if you read "Your Money or Your Life" as well, I recommend "Getting A Life" for stories of people who put their plan into action. VERY inspiring. Remember this: It's not how much you earn - it's how much you spend!
