The Richest Man in Babylon

by George S. Clason and George Samuel Clason

Book Overview

The secret of the rich isn't a secret at all.The Richest Man in Babylon has been a favorite of Dave Ramsey's for years. Set in ancient Babylon, this book is an inspiring collection of stories about... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451205367
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Berkley
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 0.6" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Great book, poor order filling.

Bought two copies. Paid $10 for a hardcover, $5 for a paperback. Received 2 paperbacks.

Love the short stories about money

I love how it has short stories to teach the value of money and how money works in order to increase your wealth. It made the visuals detailed without being boring and I loved the overall aesthetic it provides.

A finance classic

I would recommend this book to students in high school and college. Even Adults of any age group. Many would agree the knowledge provided is most beneficial from an early age and if applied can have amazing effects in financial life. It’s a classic and a must have for your bookshelf. Feel free to re read or skim once a year. It’s a short book. Best

Good way to begin on a financial control journey.

This book is a really good read. Understanding the principle of paying yourself first, having low to no debt, and letting money work for you. I would advise anyone that wants to be in my control of their money or understanding money in a responsible way.

LifePlan

I bought these as gifts for high school graduates. If you follow the plan it works every time!

Sometimes we just need a reminder...

...of the blindingly obvious. Amidst the complexities of adult life it can be hard to see the wood for the trees and get a grip on your attitudes to money and financial planning. Clason uses his faux-Biblical parables to set down some very simple guidelines for financial health. 'The Seven Cures for a Lean Purse' are worth the entry fee alone. Spend less than you earn. I'll be using this with kids that I teach and if I'm really brave I will get a grip on the bank accounts. Well worth a read.

Classic, classic, classic

I have read a lot of finance books by a lot of different authors: Bach, Chatzky, Orman, Kiyosaki just to name a few, but the "Richest Man in Babylon" is the simplest, most clear cut. It also has the least ego (thank you Eckhart Tolle). Simple is good in my case. I don't like a lot of fancy words clouding my understanding of finance. Clason repeats what a lot of other finance experts say, but the difference is that Clason said it first. So he wins. And the book is short. The "Thou"s and "thy"s are a bit silly and annoying, I admit--but you get used to it and after a while--it's fun. The financial basics told thru parables (i.e. bible-esque tales). I read a few parts out loud to my husband and he was cracking up. Richest Man in Babylon in a Nutshell: Pay yourself 1st: Save 10% of your income. Pay your debtors: 20% of your income Live off 70% of your income. 7 Cures for a lean purse: 1st CURE: Start thy purse to fattening. Save 10 % of what you earn. 2nd CURE: Control thy expenditures. Budget your income. 3rd CURE: Make thy gold multiply. Invest 4th CURE: Guard thy treasures from loss. Study your investments to reduce risk. Make sure you are FDIC insured. 5th CURE: Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment. Own your home. 6th CURE: Insure a future income. Invest for old age. 7th CURE: Increase thy ability to earn. Acquire education and experience to increase income. Fave quote: A part of all I earn is mine to keep. If you loved it: Think and Grow Rich, The Automatic Millionaire If you hated it: Rich Dad Poor Dad

Don't judge this book by it's size

When I first was introduced to The Richest Man in Bablyon, I was initially taken back by it's small size and wierd story. In fact, I didn't see any benefit to wasting my time with this, what appeared to be, novel by Mr. Clason.I was at a free enterprise seminar that day where the book was being offered. At the seminar I met a very interesting individual who was touting the merits of this book. He told me that this book, The Richest Man in Bablyon was a must read for anyone who wants financial success and peace of mind.He talked about tithing. I didn't understand tithing at that time. I felt that I was the one who needed to recieve money, not give it. This man told me that the more I gave away, the more that would return to me. Try it, he said.So I tried it--tithing. I increased my contributions to my churchand I came across a girl scout selling girl scout cookies. Normally I would have refused this young lady, this time I didn't. I also began investing the first 10% of my income and paid myself first. What happened.At first nothing. But shortly afterwards opportunities started to come to me. I went from deeply in debt to out of debt. I went from a 4 year old Ford Pinto to a new Mercury Monarch. I increased my tithings. 3 months later my business had grown even more and now I was driving a Lincoln Mark V (this was in 1977)The principles in this book work. Don't let the size of this book fool you. Great book that really works--if you use it.