"The Simple Dollar" Kindle version - currently free on Amazon

[JamesAt15]

This book is probably old hat to many of those who read this forum, but while perusing Zero Cost Kindle Books, I found "The Simple Dollar" listed, so picked it up for free.

*** WARNING *** This was a time-limited offer and this book is no longer free on Amazon.

I'm just started on it and it's a good read so far.

[Shandi76]

Cool :-) Wouldn't have paid for it, but since it's free I'll have a look at it. Just got it from Amazon. Thanks for the link :-)

[kudy]

Thanks for the heads up, and the new resource (zero cost kindle books)!

[stigto]

As usual these promotions are North America exclusives, and we Europeans get shafted (they wanted more than 12 dollars from me). The solution was to register at goopping.com (free) to get a US mailing address, and then change the address registered on the Kindle to that. Then I could buy it for $0.

[Grigory]

I'm not sure how much longer that promotion will last. Usually, Kindle authors can give away their book for free only five days every three months. Unless it's some unusual Amazon promotion, it'll probably end by July 8th at the latest - I recommend getting it ASAP! :) Here is the link. (And no, you don't need a Kindle to read it - you can install a Kindle app on your phone or computer, or just use Amazon's online Cloud Reader.)

[arebelspy]

Guess I'll be the one to say: Don't Bother.

The lure of "ohh free.. shiny" doesn't make it worth spending your time reading something like that when you could go to the library and have SO MANY better books to read.

/I do own a copy of it, not acquired in the last few days
//would not recommend, given the much better alternatives
//YMMV, to each his own

[fruplicity]

arebelspy, I agree with you but would love to know which are your favorite finance-related reads?

[arebelspy]

arebelspy, I agree with you but would love to know which are your favorite finance-related reads?

That depends on the reader .. their background, experience, even interests.  What stage of finance they are at.  Getting out of debt? Looking to learn about investing?  etc.

In general I'd say there's something better for someone at any stage of that than the TSD book.  I guess thinking about it, it's fine if you're a super beginner just wanting an introduction.

I'd recommend a very different book to, say, MMM than I would my little sister in law who just graduated from college.

Did you have something in particular in mind?

[fruplicity]

I was curious to know your personal favorites for yourself, not necessarily recommendations for others.

But I do fall under the "looking to learn more about investing" with a MMM philosophy type.

[JamesAt15]

After finishing the book, I think I mostly agree with arebelspy. It's fairly light, fluffy, and feel-good and pretty sparse on any specifics. At least it is a quick read, so if it's a waste of time, it's not a waste of a lot of time.

I need to try visiting the main metropolitan libraries here in Tokyo. I've read they have some selections of books in English but I suspect they'll be on the level of books you can find in a shop at the airport. Lots of Stephen King and John Grisham novels. Hopefully I will be wrong about that, though.

[moneymohawk]

Same here. Too "duh" (to Mustuchians's at least) and "self helpy" for me to enjoy it. =\

[Zoot Allures]

The Simple Dollar is part of the Goldilocks story that led me to MMM.

First I discovered sites like Get Rich Slowly and The Simple Dollar but found them too vanilla for my taste. I liked the reader mailbag on TSD, but most of the writing there is just so insipid.

Then I discovered ERE and was fascinated but a little daunted. If I get to the point where I want to create a spreadsheet showing the depreciation of my toothbrush, I may revisit ERE.

And then I found MMM, the perfect mix of attitude, solid advice, and easy but substantial reading.

[Will]

The Simple Dollar is part of the Goldilocks story that led me to MMM.

First I discovered sites like Get Rich Slowly and The Simple Dollar but found them too vanilla for my taste. I liked the reader mailbag on TSD, but most of the writing there is just so insipid.

Then I discovered ERE and was fascinated but a little daunted. If I get to the point where I want to create a spreadsheet showing the depreciation of my toothbrush, I may revisit ERE.

And then I found MMM, the perfect mix of attitude, solid advice, and easy but substantial reading.

I would have to agree with just about everything here.  Except I found MMM before ever hearing of ERE, and after seeing the "torch was passed" I just haven't seen a need to go there.

[Grigory]

WARNING: The promotional giveaway is over and now the book is back to its original price, $8.79. For a Kindle book, that's kind of a lot. O_o (Admin/mod/whoever, maybe this thread should be deleted?)

[JamesAt15]

I put a Warning note in the original post, so I think that should help most folks avoid going to Amazon and downloading the book without realizing it is no longer listed as $0.00.

I guess the thread could be deleted as well, although I think the free Kindle books link is worthwhile for some people.