The Wealthy Barber Returns [Paperback]

 

 

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I'm a personal finance author ("The Friendly Banker"). I've never met Dave and I know him only as most other Canadians do, as the author of an iconic masterpiece.

While I love to write, to sit down and actually read a book is a chore for me. Few books do a good enough job at capturing my interest to get me past the first few pages, let alone the first chapter. I`m a lousy reader. Yet, I read this book, cover to cover, in three nights with the television on and the sound muted, a miracle for me. I even missed a good portion of Monday Night Football. Need I say more? Well, I`m going to anyway.

The "The Wealthy Barber Returns" is written in a relaxed, humorous, conversational style that I found very appealing. It begins with some sage advice on the pitfalls of over-borrowing, describing the forces that draw us into debt traps and the basic human weaknesses that drive us to keep up with others in the quest to accumulate things that, in the end, are of little enduring value. I agree that the false sense of security provided by an abundance of available credit forms a dangerous mindset that can lead to disaster, especially when that credit line is represented by a mortgage on the home. For most people the concept of a Home Equity Line of Credit is too much of a temptation, leading to the illusion of short term gain followed by the reality of long term pain. Dave even takes a couple of refreshing swings at the banks for their tendency to want to lend us up to our rooftops. He recounts one story where a woman he sent to the bank to get a very modest secured line of credit was immediately up sold to the max despite her history of debt accumulation. I'm sorry to report that this is not uncommon. I was a consumer lender for 25 years and it was my job to maximize profit within a consumer loan portfolio. I was paid to lend as much as possible at the highest possible rate without causing losses and not to share that philosophy with my customers. My paycheque depended on it.

Once the notion that we must curtail spending in order to have any hope of saving is successfully driven home, Dave very effectively shows us how we can best turn that 10-15% of gross income (or more if we've started late) into a comfortable lifestyle in retirement. He delivers investment advice in a manner that is easy for most anyone to understand and his command of the subject truly inspires confidence.

Throughout this book I was struck by its honesty. Time and time again I was stopped in my tracks by things such as Dave`s description of his own lifestyle as well as his many insights into The Wealthy Barber and some of the experiences that came his way as a result of it. It takes an honest author to take a look at his own work years later and admit to a change of heart about certain things, especially when that work impacted so positively and so significantly on more than two million Canadians.

We live in difficult times. In my view, Dave has always expressed a deep and abiding concern about the financial well being of Canadians and the consequences that could follow if we do not change our habits. Thus, he`s given us another book, just at the right time, that will help us all reflect on the changes we need to make to secure a decent financial future.

Jim Rohn once said that we must all suffer one of two pains; the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. I prefer the former. It's a choice. What's your choice? Whatever it is it should be a conscious one and I`m confident that "The Wealthy Barber Returns" will help you make it.

OK, I have to admit, I do not read many books, but I have read The Wealthy Barber and now The Wealthy Barber Returns (in 4 days!!). I really enjoy David's writing style, he makes it an interesting read and funny. I would recommend this book to anybody who is looking for ways to get ahead financially, which I would assume is everyone!! This book is not advanced, it may be basic for the advance financial guru, but for the average Joe or Jane it is perfect.
Thanks David,

I received this book from my teenage daughter for Christmas and just finished it. Something tells me she is going to regret it.
I am now an "expert" on her spending habits and, admittedly, her parents as well. I am now also anxious to take a closer look at our investments and really enjoyed the way Chilton covers off each of the fundamental Financial issues that we all should be aware of.
Both my wife and I feel pretty good about some decisions we made about our home renovations we did (decided not to do what many have - over utilize Line of Credit). This is a book that I enjoyed reading and know I will be referencing numerous times again.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good book despite not much new information
I enjoyed this book more than the original despite it not offering much beyond what virtually every other financial book I've read has already said (save more, pay yourself first,... Read more

Published 9 days ago by crono_

4.0 out of 5 stars refresher
The book is a very easy read, makes you want to keep reading. Is a good refresher of all I should know, but don*t necessarily put in practise. Read more

Published 11 days ago by karen

5.0 out of 5 stars FABULOUS READ
I bought this book for my husband for Christmas (truth: he threw it into the cart at Costco and said this is from you to me for xmas). Read more

Published 15 days ago by Pat

5.0 out of 5 stars A convenient truth
A gift for yourself and those important to you (trust me I have bought 11 so far). This is likely the most relevant and practical assembly of Canadian financial concepts available... Read more

Published 17 days ago by ETG

5.0 out of 5 stars Money Well Spent
I read The Wealthy Barber and like millions of others, enjoyed it. I just read The Wealthy Barber Returns and am transformed by it. Read more

Published 19 days ago by Benedict

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book by a Master Communicator
I loved this book. I just saw Dave speak this week in Toronto and was mesmerized by his quick wit, obvious intelligence and his ability to convey a sometimes complex message in an... Read more

Published 19 days ago by C Roberts

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible Finance Book
Please please please don't waste your money on this book. I just finished reading this book and have concluded it's three things:
1. Bad dry humor
2. Read more

Published 20 days ago by meggslynn

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Canadian should read this book!
I loved the book " The Wealthy Barber Returns". It answered some of my questions that I could not get financial advisors or planners to give me answers to. Read more

Published 23 days ago by A Wealthy Barber fan

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wealthy Barber Returns
Well, normally I'd rate reading a book about personal finance up there with cleaning out the fridge in terms of excitement and entertainment value. Read more

Published 28 days ago by Lee

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book!
Well, as a health care professional, what can I say?. I am very well educated in my field, but in the financial sector I was quite lacking in knowledge, this book helped me a... Read more

Published 29 days ago by Dr Nim K

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