Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth: The 8 Secrets of How 5,000 Ordinary Americans Became Successful Investors -- and How You Can Too!

Good info, long book

This should be a 20 page pamphlet, if you boil down the info. Most of the book is filler, mainly interviews with people saying the same things. Some of his info is good, some of it I felt was common sense, and some of it is dangerous if applied incorrectly. It is not worth buying. Flip through it at a used bookstore, or get it from the library. There just isnt a lot of substance here.

Good Book for The Average Joe

So many people in this country love to make excuses about all the reasons they cannot save. This book shows that if that is you, you can and should change. Edelman discusses numerous clients of his that make average livings, some two income households, who have done nothing more then make sure they save every month. The end result is that they are rich and retiring comfortably. If you think you can't save or don't have any money to, read this book!

A must read!

I only wish I had read this book 10-years ago. The advice and suggestions from the book are so simple, yet effective. What I especially love about this book, is that its based on case-studies, its based on ordinary people just like me, who have achieved financial independence. For years I thought I could never be able to own my own home, this has shown me that there is a way. A way not only to owning my own home but also to secure my financial future and that of my family. Thanks very much Ric Edelman!

Solid advice

I think the investment advice and associated mathematical examples were hard hitting and on the mark. It was a good wake up call for me, and I am glad I read it (in fact, I don't think it took more than a few hours). That being said, the material could have been covered in a magazine article, or a short booklet. He added lots of quotes from people who had been successful - it was okay at first, but really dragged on (maybe he added them to fill enough pages to create a book). I ended up skipping some of it at the end. The chapter on not paying off your mortgage was good, although it contradicted something I read in another book on the same topic. At this point, I am not sure who to believe, but it is interesting that this book was before the market crash of 2000, and the other book advocating paying off your mortgage was after the crash. If you find a cheap copy (like I did), it is worth your time.

Okay, Okay. You're Right.

How would you feel if someone told you to not ever pay off your home, or to not overemhasize diversity in your retirement portfolio? Exactly. I also tried to resist some of the points made about investing in this book but it provides too much evidence for not accepting the proposed points of view. This is arguably the best book on personal finance I have ever read. It is thorough and straightforward, almost to the extent of giving foolproof advise on accumulating wealth.

Entertaining read for those who want to make money.

If you are new to investing or trying to revamp what you're already doing this is a really entertaining read. Ric's wit and wisdom is scattered throughout the book as well as personal stories from "Joe American" that grew wealth using very simple principles.

Good basic principles

When I first ordered this book, I was excited that I would read about how average Americans became millionaires. After reading the first few pages, I was dissappointed to discover that those referred to in this book are not millionaires. They are not even young. However, this book has good basic financial advice that everyone should incorporate into their lives. I especially liked the book's philosophy on home mortgages which totally differs from my parent's view.

Inspirational!

Everyone has had problems with money in the past. Either people don't have any or they don't know how to make it grow. Well, the author answers all your questions in this book. Put all other financial books aside. This one is for keeps!

A fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of Repub. party

Trent Lott chuckles warmly every time he relates the one about the junk Lindsay Graham tacked onto the Florida Everglades bill. Seems that just before he and his little band of 'Beltway Merry Pranksters,' as they fondly call one another ( Graham, Orrin Hatch, Connie Mack, Henry Hyde, and Ol' Jesse Helms), went into session to vote, they hammered out a little 'strategy' in the hideaway Congressional Lounge over some dozen rounds of friendly mint juleps ( Jesse's favorite). Only they secretly had Graham's spiked with Ouzo, a 180 proof Greek wine with an oily textural consistency, and red kool aid. Lott claims that this is the story behind Graham's only real ability: He can homicidally strangle his vowels from beginning to end, mercilessly and endlessly going on and on. 'Shux,' he grins, just a big old country boy, 'We made him the way he is today. Cain't take him nowhere, but he still votes jes' like I tell him.' 'And he knows where the big money is, that's a fact, ma'am.' spits Senator Helms in a paroxysmal semblance of a toothless grin. 'Ain't nuthin' wrong with a boy who does jes' what he's told. That damn Newt should have been like that. Big Jackass. Like t' had him killed oncet.' WHen asked why, the answer came, 'He offended me, sir, he offended me greivously. And ain't he got a sister?' But Orrin Hatch to the rescue: 'I think the good senator needs his nappie now.' Mack shoots back, 'Hell, ain't that what session is for?' They all laugh, except Hyde, who admonishes the younger men to 'remain decorous amongst these hallowed halls of history.' Mack shoots back again, 'Is that what they call havin' ta' pick your fat bloated carcass off of a underage secretary? Being decorous? Whooooeeeee! Let's all go out and get decorous tonight, boys.' And it goes on and on, something like that, all the way through the book. Makes you realize Mark Twain was right when he said that 'Congress is America's only native criminal class.'

Best of the Bunch

-- the best book that I've listened to on personal investing. It contains some excellent advice.

Fantastic reading!

A 'wealth' of information.Could not put it down.

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