Whenever I tell people that I’m a big fan of Tony Robbins, I get one of two reactions: Either the person I’m talking to agrees and a big smile comes to his face, or he squints his eyes and then says something about how Mr. Robbins must be a fake. Usually the people who find him suspect have never really listened to his presentations — perhaps they saw short clips of him firing up a crowd with his perpetual energetic delivery, or a brief appearance on the “Today” show — but little else. After reading “Money: Master the Game,” a monster at 616 pages, I will once again reiterate to anyone who will listen: Tony Robbins is the real deal.
There is really no way to break down the blueprint for financial freedom in a single blog post, and to try and do so would only do the book an injustice. However, my feelings on whether you should plunk down $28 for the book (probably $15 or less online) can be summed up from the following passage:
I was working as a janitor, and I needed extra money. A man my parents knew, and whom my father had called a “loser,” had become quite successful in a short period of time, at least in financial terms. He was buying, fixing, and flipping real estate in Southern California and needed a kid on the weekend to help him move furniture. That chance encounter, that fateful weekend of working my tail off, led to an opening that would change my life forever. His name was Jim Hannah. He took notice of my hustle and drive. When I had a moment, I asked, him, How did you turn your life around? How did you become successful?”
“I did it,” he said, “by going to a seminar by a man named Jim Rohn.”
“What’s a seminar?” I asked. “It a place where a man takes ten or twenty years of his life and all he’s learned and he condenses it into a few hours so that you can compress years of learning into days,” he answered.Wow, that sounded pretty awesome. “How much does it cost?” “Thirty five dollars,” he told me. What!? I was making $40 a week as a part-time janitor while going to high school. “Can you get me in?” I asked. “Sure!” he said. “But I won’t — because you wouldn’t value it if you didn’t pay for it.” I stood there, disheartened. “How could I ever afford $35 for three hours with this expert? “Well, if you don’t think you’re worth the investment, don’t make it,” he finally shrugged. I struggled and struggled with that one — but ultimately decided to go for it. It turned out to be one of the most important investments of my life. I took a week’s pay and went to a seminar where I met Jim Rohn — the man who became my life’s first mentor. — Tony Robbins, Money: Master The Plan (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2014), 260–261
Is your financial freedom worth at least $30? If so, and if you are generally in the dark about how to properly save and invest for your retirement, then you should read “Money: Master the Game.” The information inside it can literally translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars (perhaps millions?) during the course of your life. It can be the difference between having to take a job as the Walmart greeter when you’re 70 years old, and sipping drinks on a beach in Florida.
I do not say this lightly: I am extremely grateful to Mr. Robbins for writing this book. It came around at a time in my life when I had to finally start getting serious about planning my family’s retirement, and before I was even half-way through with the book I was taking advantage of the knowledge imparted within. After finally getting my financial affairs in order I circled back with two close friends who are excellent with money, and they said I made the right moves.
If you’ve ever felt like money controls you — and you’d like to be the one controlling money — then I can’t suggest Mr. Robbins’ book enough. He (and some of the most brilliant financial minds alive) give advice that is essential to securing financial freedom. I do have a few issues with the book (which I’m happy to expand upon in the comments section), but in general it’s a fabulous tool to have at your disposal.
Buy “Money: Master the Game” today and we’ll talk about it on a beach in Florida in 25 years.
Douglas Ernst Blog 