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“A Million Bucks by 30″ Book Review and GIVEAWAY!
Imagine you look like Shaggy from Scooby Doo, just graduated college, and you got a job in the most expensive city in the country. What would you do first?
If your answer is to get an apartment at the top of your budget (if you even have a budget) in a “safe” area of the city, go deep into credit from shopping, and live it up every night in a club, well then you’re nothing like author Alan Corey.
Rather than do all those things, Alan lived in, well, near poverty. He ate Ramen, lived in Spanish Harlem, had a half-dozen roommates (at one time), stayed in a windowless office/bedroom, and got gigs on reality TV shows, but all for a single goal. He wanted to be a millionaire. And guess what. He is a millionaire now. And then he wrote a book about it: “A Million Bucks by 30” (affiliate). A very funny and entertaining book, I might add.
I want to say quickly, though, that this is NOT the same book as “Millionaire by Thirty” (you can see THAT not-nearly-as-good review here). Simply due to their similar names and subject matter, I’m going to do a few comparisons between the two books to illustrate…
Why “A Million Bucks by 30″ is a MUST BUY
First, I’ll use the following acronyms for the two books:
AMBB30 = “A Million Bucks by 30″
MBT = “Millionare by Thirty”
So the one main issue I had with MBT was that Douglas Cameron wrote it as a father highlighting his sons’ miraculous path to becoming millionaires, but without many, if any, realistic examples that a “normal” 20-something could use to pattern their own path after. But in AMBB30, Alan lays his entire post-college life out for you to see his methods to saving, investing and earning.
Now not everyone needs to live in poverty to become a millionaire by 30 (or 28 in Alan’s case), but if you’re not making much in your city, but want extra income for investments and savings, then you’ll need to cut out unnecessary expenses. Some of us can’t stand living with another person, or absolutely need a nutritious diet plan, but honestly, rich people don’t become or stay rich by blowing their money (well, unless they are super-rich).
For another comparison, in AMBB30, Alan explains how he arrived at his various decisions about real estate investments, including “lucky circumstances”, so that you can see more about how some of these seemingly amazing deals actually go down. in MBT, however, the examples aren’t very transparent and you, the reader, are often left wanting for much more information. In MBT, Douglas throws around buzz phrases and writes like a late-night infomercial while Alan is blunt, up-front and to-the-point.
Final Recommendation
If you’re in your teens, twenties, thirties or maybe even forties, I highly recommend “A Millions Bucks by 30“. The book is currently selling for only $11.xx on Amazon, which is a good bit less than MBT (but Alan recommends borrowing it from the library, of course). And even if you’re not interested in Alan’s methods (like investing in real estate), the book is at least an entertaining read. In our case, I know Stacie wouldn’t be up for renting out a room or living on Ramen (she IS a dietitian), but just reading the book helps reinforce common frugal practices, networking and basic investment principles.
So consider borrowing or buying the book, but first…
Enter to Win a Copy of “A Million Bucks by 30″
UPDATE: Contest is now closed. Thanks to the 79 people who entered! More giveaways coming soon!
Entering this contest is very simple: Leave a comment on this article by Thursday, July 10th, 2008 at 6pm Eastern.
Come back on Friday to find out if you won. Even better, you can subscribe to my RSS feed or email newsletter to find out automatically!
Contest Rules
- I will only ship to the continental U.S. states (sorry Hawaii and Alaska)
- I will ask for your name and address for shipping, but I promise to destroy the information and never sell/share it
- Void where prohibited by law
- You can only enter ONE TIME. If I draw your name and see you’ve entered already, I’ll delete your entry and redraw.
Now comment! This is the most frugal way to get this book. It’s even delivered right to your doorstep!
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Other possibly related posts:
- “A Million Bucks by 30″ Winner Drawn!
- Prizes sent, but another giveaway coming (different book)
- Book Giveaway #1: “You Call the Shots” [Enter Here]
Leave a Comment
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
Clever Dude and his bride started with $113,000 in consumer debt and in just 3 short years, it's gone!
Comment #1! GO me!
I’m interested about this book. I’m turning 22 this month, and I would like to earn a lot of money before I turn 30. This will be a very interesting read.
Comment #2!
I am 25 and beginning on a public journey myself to eliminate my debt and collect a nice amount of assets. I am posting it all on BloggingDownDebt.com
Thanks for the contest!
Great offer! always interested in learning more and teaching others
I’m only a year out of college and would love to read this book and put it into practice!
I’m interested in the sequel, “A Billion Bucks by 40″
Dude,
This is going to be a must read for y son entering college in September.
Thank you
Wow, I want to be a millionaire in three years! Put me in to win! Thanks!
Sounds like a great book – please sign me up for the contest!
Pick me, pick me!
This book sounds interesting…I’m 25 and living as frugally as possible–I’d love to read his story!
Sounds like an interesting read. Though I’m already 30, I’d settle for hitting $1M by 35.
I need to be more frugal, so I wouldn’t mind having the book.
I hope I win!
I’m 30, but I wouldn’t mind being a millionaire by 40. Oh well, if this doesn’t work out, I can always count on my lotto tickets!
You make this book sound like a must-read!
I’m well over 30, and I didn’t make my first million by then, but I’d like for my sons to read this book. It could possibly change their lives!
Oh man… I only have 5 more years to go… better ramp it up!
I guess I can try
This sounds like an awesome book! Eek my birthday’s next week and that leaves only 5 more years to get to that! I better get a move on!
Although I’m past 30 already, it would be interesting to know if I get to be a millioare before 40.
I’m 28, but I could use some inspiration to kick things into high gear.
Also, Shaggy from Scooby Doo? Must read.
Sounds like a good read. Even though I am 38 I am sure there are some ways I can apply the advice from the book into my life.
What a lovely offer, thank you! I saw this guy interviewed on CNN a while back . . . he said that Ramen noodles got old VERY quickly.
Thanks for offering the book up!
Wonderful site btw . . . i don’t comment a lot, but I do read it every day!
I’m in! Woot!
Yikes, I better get on it!
I’m 24, and would love to know how to get a million bucks by 30!
I want to win!!!
Ooooh. Pick me.
I want to win!
I love it when a book about personal finance gives real-life examples. The philosophy of saving money isn’t the same as the application. Wish I had read this book before turning 30, but I wouldn’t mind making $1million by 40!
I’m going to get this book (one way or another) and give it to my kid. I turned 30 this year…too late for me!
Add me in too!
read the amazon reviews, definetely seem like a must read
I’m 40 but maybe I can have a million bucks by 50 so go ahead and enter me for the giveaway.
Free book? Sign me up.
yea for free books! thanks for the giveaway
Yay I hope I win. I’m 22 but since I’ll probably be in school till I’m 30 anyway, I’m not sure how I’ll manage.
(yay for phd’s in chemistry)
Sign me up!
i’ll win.
I’d like to enter!
Hey, I’m 21 and I’d live to be a millionare by 30.
Any article that starts with a shout out to Shaggy from Scooby Doo is a must read for me! Book looks great. I’d like to enter.
Maybe I’ll figure out how to become a millionaire in the next 4.5 years if I win the book.
I also read this book and I loved it! (don’t want to be entered in the contest) I also reviewed Millionaire by Thirty and hated it! While I don’t plan on eating raw oatmeal, I got quite a kick out of Alan Corey’s stories….
I would really like to read this book. I am a college student and believe this book could teach me a thing or two.
Well, Maybe my kids’ll make it! Add me to the list!
Well I’m 24 right now and I think I’m doing alright, but I wouldn’t mind being a millionaire by the time I get out of grad school… another 5 years or so. That would be pretty hot!
Sounds very interesting, so this is my comment….woot
Nice article.Will definately read this book.
I think it may be good if you have just provided review, then compairing it with other book.
Although I’ve passed thirty some time ago, it sounds like an interesting read that can inspire/inform anyone of any age!
Sounds Great! Sign Me Up…
Pick me!
Alan Corey was my first friend on MySpace! I want to read this book very badly. I’ll buy even if I don’t get one for free!
I would love to have a copy of this book!
I can’t find it at any of my local bookstores!
As soon as I see one, I’m getting it!
In my early 30s so I am getting a late start, but hey, it’s better than being in my 50s before I get started, right?? Love your website!
I just turned 30! Where was this book when I was 24?! My friends and I have made a pact to get this book , read it (I heard it’s pretty funny) and at 40, we’ll be sipping our millionaire margaritas in the south of France (or is that a bad $ move, gees, we do need this book!).
Would love to get a copy of the book !
Thanks Cleverdude.
Fingers crossed
I always knew AC would make it, even though he didn’t quite make the cut on Baywatch. I do need some of his frugality, if I am to ever reach that milestone. Plus, I’m cheap, so hit me up with a free copy.
I added this to my must-read list halfway through your post — and then saw the contest! Sign me up!
While I am a little late for this goal, I think it is a great philosophy for starting our your life frugally in pursuit of a payoff later. I would love to read this and share with your friends and family.
Thanks!
I’m 24 and have nowhere near 1 million! I’d love to read it!
Sounds like a great book – I would love to win it.
Pick me!
I would like to read this book!
I’ve been looking for something that’s relatable…Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey just aren’t doing it for me. This seems like a good read. Any other suggestions?
Hopefully I’ll be a millionaire by 30…. pick me!
I just wanna say it was def. a fun read, and i’d recommend too
Don’t put me on the list to win – i already have it!
another twenty-something hoping she wins!
A million bucks sounds good, but it’s totally not worth giving up certain things for, especially in your 20′s. I’m not saying you should rack up a lot of debt or anything, but that’s the time you should enjoy yourself instead of scrimping and saving every penny. So you have a million bucks when you’re 30, but its not like you can use that to buy time back, and take those scuba diving vacations with your 20-something year old friends, or get to go out all the time and have it be ok, and generally just to live well, and not miss out on opportunities that present themselves.
I like the idea of living simply and saving money, but not saving to the point of discomfort, especially when you’re young. I’d like to think that when I hit 30, I’ll be glad that I traveled a lot, and made the most of my 20′s and still saved up some money, rather than have given up lots of things so I can be sitting on a pile of money I don’t know what to do with and can’t enjoy in the same way.
I haven’t read the book, but seriously, what do you do when you’ve hit that goal of a million? Do you start spending it, knowing that you’ve got years to make up for, or do you just continue to live far below your means and accumulate more wealth just for the sake of doing it?
I’m working on my own plan to have a million pretty soon, I would love to read about his plan of action and how he actually achieved his goal. Kudos to him!!!
Sounds interesting. Comment for the win!
Great review for a book that I really want to read.
I was at my friend’s house this past weekend to watch the UFC fight and towards the end of the night, before I left, I noticed that he had this book. I looked at the cover and quickly read the back of the book and the synopsis seemed very appealing.
I’m currently 28 and going through one of the worst times in my life. I’ve recently got laid off from work, had to file for unemployment, and to top it all off, I had to file for bankruptcy. I had started to act on my plan to start knocking down the debt, but my current situation did not permit for me to continue doing so.
I would love to read this book and get some insight as to what I could/should have been doing with my early 20′s and mid 20′s financially. I plan to learn as much as I can from my recent experiences and bounce back stronger than ever.
Thank you for giving us readers of your blog an opportunity to save some money and get this book for free.
Pick me I am old and ugly and need a million dollars or a cool book.
J Dawg
Sounds like a great book. Count me in for the contest!
Sounds like a really good book. Thanks for the review.
I would love to read this book to compare plans! I blew right by age 30 long ago – maybe I can find out what I did wrong! Thanks for offering this book contest to your readers.
I’d love to read this book. Pick me!
This book looks great, I would love to have it!
My 21 year old NEEDS this book.
I am entering my last year of graduate school, which means I have a lot of earning potential but very little hard cash. While in school I have read a ton of different books about money. Yesterday, I read Millionaire by Thirty and was gravely disappointed (I completely agree with your analysis).
This book was recommended as one that might be more practical. As a twenty-four year old, I am looking for actual plans to create financial wealth for myself and to serve as a source of financial support for my family (especially since my mother is trying to go back to college and my brother is currently in college).
I appreciate you taking the time to have this contest. I hope to have the honor of being chosen as a winner. Best of luck to everyone on the path to becoming a millionaire.
Thanks for having the contest! I won’t be a millionaire by thirty, but maybe by the time that million will be worth what $200k is worth today!
Sounds interesting hope I win because my local library has very few PF books