The Courage to Be Rich: Creating a Life of Spiritual and Material Abundance

By Suze Orman

Book Overview

Explores the necessities of life beyond financial security, showing how money cannot become an end in itself.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1573221252
• ISBN13: 9781573221252
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Mixed message very depressing.

Sorry, Suze, but you mixed two books on separate subjects, and are looking at the mirror image of finance. There is nothing wrong with rehashing ideas. One does not take rating stars away from a book just because it has been said before. You will notice that this book is different from "9 Steps" if you take the time to read it. However, if this book was intended to be a purely how-to invest book, it misses the mark by a mile. This is more of a self-help book, which in the process also tries to help financially as a part of the process. It may be a great book for the spiritually depressed, but it is depressing for everyone else. If you can cut out all the sob stories and get to the point, the book may be useful. The second book in this series is the financial part. There is a redeeming side to this book. That is bringing up the point that there is more to finances than just credit and savings. The chapter on starting over was excellent, as most books stop when you stop (saving, living, or bankruptcy). The formulas and schedules are sound. Even the gifting part, which looks like it belongs in the first book, works for the second (financial book). Don't get clutter mixed up with assets. You may have meant it, but you were not clear that if you use it, it is an asset; the rest is clutter. Suze, are you saying that I could have read your book from the library and invested my purchase price so I could have the purchase price and the investment profit more towards retirement? Reiterating this is a mirror image of finance; you cannot get much nutritional value from paper money (maybe some roughage), but you get an "A life of Material and Spiritual Abundance" for this book. As was pointed out, "love of money is the root of all evil." The book is still worth reading. It is just difficult to rate because it has no focus.

One of the best financial books that I have read.

Contrary to some other reviewers, I loved the title of this book. It does indeed take courage to become rich. The title and Suzes words serves to shock you out of financial impotency and inbeds the desire, the courage to have more, to become rich.I have read other financial books including other female financial authors. Suze is the very best. Very motivating. Inspiring and educational as well. No hype, no fluff.Read this book and/or listen to the tapes of the same name and you indeed will develop The Courage To Become Rich!

Broke the credit card habit-Thanks Suze

Before reading Courage to Be Rich and 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, I was up to my ears in debt and desperately needed plastic surgery.I made a stupid mistake, getting deeply in debt with the two worst wealth busters: First USA and Providian with interest rates of up to 25% (Providian).I used the advice as Suze advised saving myself over $7,000 in interest. By following the advice as espoused by Suze, I cleaned up all three of my credit reports clearing incorrect information. I am know more financially educated and know what to look for in credit card companies and who to avoid-First USA and Providian.Thanks Suze. I'm now back on track, debt free and investing for the future.Suze's advice may be common sense, but is not common knowledge. I'm now sharing these ideas with in home clinics and produced a flyer that says "Break the Credit Card Habit."Our goal is to stamp out financial ignorance, particularly among ripoff credit card offers.

Courage to be Rich will make you rich

Suze Orman has written a excellent book. First, she focuses on the brass tacks for success---the mental state. This is much different and better than other psycho babble books about the mind(one exception is Miracle Power for Infinite Riches by Joseph Murphy) Most people are and stay broke because of what is going on between their ears. Many of the people I come across are either savers, earning less than 10% per year or spendthrifts with overactive lifestyles. Both groups end up broke.Far too many people put control in the hands of other people; brokers, financial planners, insurance agents and investment counselors. Suze puts empahasis on being your own financial planner. Great advice! I've done it and am wealthier as a result.I used to be one of those millions of Americans who couldn't wait for that once per year tax refund and felt so good about getting my own money back (interest free) from the IRS. STUPID!!! Why loan your money interest free to anyone especially the IRS? I don't anymore. That is new found money to invest in mutuals and stocks. I used to be a saver getting those impotent 2%-6% returns in "safe" places like savings accounts, savings bonds and cd's. After reading Courage to be Rich I now have the courage to invest in real investments that actually produce a profit. I also opened a money market mutual fund.I had a whole life insurance policy on myself. After careful examination, I took Suze's advice and dropped the whole life policy and switched to term. I agree 100% with Suze [now] that whole life is a rip off and only makes insurance companies rich. I also contend that most bank products are essentially dead money products (zero% checking, 2%-6 & on savings, money market accounts and cd's and are only good investments for the bank, but total ripoffs for the customer.Six months ago, I never would have said that. I was a saver and encouraged banking. I was also broke and just making the bank rich. Not anymore. Now I use a bank cheking account just as a means of transferring money to my funds and securities.I would have liked to have seen more information on investing, perhaps that will come in a future book.Nevertheless, this book turned me around. I also recommend in addition to the aforementioned "Miracle Power", Business Buy the Bible and Wall Street Money Machine. Suze has turned me into a student of personal finance and personal development. I would not recommend books by the self serving Anthony Robbins. People I have talked to who used his system said that results were both "limited" and "temporary".Start with this book. The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom is also a must read. Then Miracle Power and Business Buy The Bible and if you want cash flow, Wall Street Money Machine is excellent.

A very good book

I like the way Suzie teaches you to take control and overcome the main misconceptions of money. While parts are a repeat of her earlier work, none the less--a good book. Besides, repition is the mother of skill. I would also suggest reading, in fact they are must reading, "The Millionaire Next Door" by Stanley and Danko and "More Wealth without Risk" BY Givens. These are must reading for anybody for is serious about financial succe$$.

Common sense is not always common knowledge

A nice sequel to Suze Orman's first two books, yes some is repeated, and yes it is a lot of common sense, but common sense is not always common knowledge. I liked the way that Suze taies in the right mental attitude about financial success. Overlooked by many other authors. I have to admit, at first I was taken back by Suze Orman, my wife is one of her biggest supporters and has constantly pestered me to read her books which I NOW HAVE. I also highy suggest three other financial books; The Millionaire Next Door, More Wealth without Rsk and Financial Self Defense..