I just got this from the library and agree that it's an excellent book. A lot of the material will not be new to readers of MMM, but it is written clearly and concisely.
Here are some things that set this book apart, in my opinion:
- The chapter on the ACA explains how premium credits work better than anything I've read to-date.
- The authors lived through the 2008 crash (they were retired) and have written on how to survive a downturn.
- They present what I would call a "realistic" view of job/career. They advise re-tooling (not necessarily going back for more degrees) to a career that will allow you to accumulate retirement savings and have some flexibility should you need to return to work. (His wife re-trained as a nurse.) I have "lived" this... from 24-30 I did different things with a business management degree (and a master's I never used directly) trying to fit like a square peg in a round hole. When I was 33 I took more accounting courses (heavily subsidized by the college my husband worked for) and sat for the CPA exam, then began my career in accounting and financial management. I have steadily progressed and we've been able to save much more money in these last ten years than we would have otherwise.
I don't love my job, but I don't loathe it either. Most days are pleasant. This is the point the authors make -- a "career" isn't the rest of your life. You're looking to find something to get you through 15-25 years, in a reasonably tolerant fashion. Plus, you're looking for a job that you might be able to pick up later, if you need to earn some extra income. As an accountant, for instance, I could work a tax season, or take temporary assignments. So, I think it's a good choice.
