From Monk To Money Manager Book Review

A Former Monk’s Financial Guide to Becoming a Little Bit Wealthy

.... and Why That’s Okay

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am not good with words... especially big words. I have trouble saying them, reading them and understanding them. I enjoy reading (and writing) as much as the next person, but when a book is written using big words, is hard to comprehend, or goes too deep, I zone out. Most financial books have me never finishing them. But not this one, - this one I got! 

This book is good. I love the way the author provides easy to comprehend words, sound practical advice, and a down to earth, relate able, and compelling story. 

The author makes a strong ethical case for striving to be "a little bit wealthy" by stepping off the treadmill of mindless consumerism (excessive unnecessary spending) and managing money more effectively to accumulate wealth over time. After all, it's up to us to take care of our financial health, which ultimately is a part of our total health.

The difference between rich people and wealthy people is that rich people have lots of money but blow it on stuff. Rich people often end up poor when they are older, their businesses hit hard times, or when they retire. On the flip side, wealthy people may not have lots of money but they invest what they do have. Wealthy people live below their means, save for a rainy day, and have some investment options. 

"There is nothing inherently virtuous about poverty." Money is not evil. Some of the ways people use money is evil. If everyone became a little more wealthy, the world would be a better place. Don't shun money. Rather, use your money for good so you don't end up having to have someone else suffer by supporting you.

"But just because corrupt people are sometimes wealthy doesn't mean wealth makes you corrupt. Wealth alone does not corrupt the soul. A lack of ethics does."

My Grandpa was living proof of this - he was wealthy, a multi millionaire, a farmer, preacher, missionary, and successful business owner. He enjoyed a great lifestyle and traveled all over the world, but he also used his wealth to help others.

It is one of the reasons that we chose to partner with Shaklee for our business. We want to help others live their dream! - To be happier, healthier, and a little bit wealthier. To make money, do good, be sustainable, and truly be blessed. To build a better financial future for ourselves, for others and the world. 

"Providing a healthier life for everyone and a better life for anyone." 

I was intrigued when I read the title, but I liked what I read inside even more. While I am not catholic, nor do I agree 100% with the authors beliefs, I do believe that if we can be a little bit wealthy, not only can we be free to more fully live out our personal values, but we can also be of greater service to others - the most reliable way to achieve fulfillment and a rich and meaningful life. 

The first wealth is health! 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the book review blogger's program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

he difference between rich people and wealthy people. Rich people have lots of money but blow it on stuff. Rich people often end up poor when they are older, their businesses hit hard times, or when they retire. On the flip side, wealthy people may not have lots of money but they invest what they do have. Wealthy people live below their means, save like monsters, and have some sort of stock options. Another key takeaway from this book is that there are stocks called ESG stocks that are environmentally sustainable and governable. Index funds in ESG stocks will invest in companies that recycle, help the environment, and do good in the world. ESG stocks exclude companies that involve drugs, weapons, cigarettes, adult entertainment, etc. Best of all, ESG stocks perform on par, if not better, than standard stocks. These ESG companies aren't all environmental companies. They can be mainstream companies that simply have sustainable practices and have no bad ethics. I will take the lessons from this book and hopefully make myself a little more wealthy. As Lynam points out throughout the book, money is not evil. Love of money is evil. If everyone became a little more wealthy, the world would be a better place. Don't shun money. Rather, use your money for good so you don't end up having to have someone else suffer by supporting you.
he difference between rich people and wealthy people. Rich people have lots of money but blow it on stuff. Rich people often end up poor when they are older, their businesses hit hard times, or when they retire. On the flip side, wealthy people may not have lots of money but they invest what they do have. Wealthy people live below their means, save like monsters, and have some sort of stock options. Another key takeaway from this book is that there are stocks called ESG stocks that are environmentally sustainable and governable. Index funds in ESG stocks will invest in companies that recycle, help the environment, and do good in the world. ESG stocks exclude companies that involve drugs, weapons, cigarettes, adult entertainment, etc. Best of all, ESG stocks perform on par, if not better, than standard stocks. These ESG companies aren't all environmental companies. They can be mainstream companies that simply have sustainable practices and have no bad ethics. I will take the lessons from this book and hopefully make myself a little more wealthy. As Lynam points out throughout the book, money is not evil. Love of money is evil. If everyone became a little more wealthy, the world would be a better place. Don't shun money. Rather, use your money for good so you don't end up having to have someone else suffer by supporting you.
he difference between rich people and wealthy people. Rich people have lots of money but blow it on stuff. Rich people often end up poor when they are older, their businesses hit hard times, or when they retire. On the flip side, wealthy people may not have lots of money but they invest what they do have. Wealthy people live below their means, save like monsters, and have some sort of stock options. Another key takeaway from this book is that there are stocks called ESG stocks that are environmentally sustainable and governable. Index funds in ESG stocks will invest in companies that recycle, help the environment, and do good in the world. ESG stocks exclude companies that involve drugs, weapons, cigarettes, adult entertainment, etc. Best of all, ESG stocks perform on par, if not better, than standard stocks. These ESG companies aren't all environmental companies. They can be mainstream companies that simply have sustainable practices and have no bad ethics. I will take the lessons from this book and hopefully make myself a little more wealthy. As Lynam points out throughout the book, money is not evil. Love of money is evil. If everyone became a little more wealthy, the world would be a better place. Don't shun money. Rather, use your money for good so you don't end up having to have someone else suffer by supporting you.