At long last, three years in the making, my book is finally published and available:
Whew!
I can’t tell you how thrilled (and relieved!) I am. Thanks to all of you who offered support and encouragement along the way. It made all the difference.
**BTW, because there is a very successful author of business books named Jim Collins, for this book and the blog I am transitioning to JL Collins to avoid any confusion.**
I sincerely hope you read it. Personally, I’d march on down to my local library and ask for it. But if you want to buy it, that’s OK too. Here you go, click on this:
I’m terrible at social media, but you are very likely a master. Please spread the word on your Facebook and in your Tweets, or whatever else you prefer. Besides, it sounds better coming from you than me anyhow.
Do you have a podcast, radio or tv show? I’d love to be your guest to talk about the book or anything else I cover here. Those I’ve done so far have been a blast!
At the risk of sounding immodest, I think this is an important book that has the potential to make people’s lives richer, better, freer and more dynamic. We in the FI community already get this. But I’d like to see the message reach beyond to those who, perhaps, need to hear it most. This is a key motivation behind the time and effort I put in to creating it. If you agree, I hope you’ll help spread the word:
- Put up a review on Amazon. I’m told this is critical.
- If you have a blog, please write a post review and send me a link. I plan to put up a post highlighting the best these.
Not a book reader? Want the content in a 97-second video? Here you go:
(Not work or kid friendly)
For some less profane videos, and a couple of upcoming live webcast Q&As, check out the end of this post!
Finally, and no less fun for me, tell me what you think in the comment section below. Here’s what others have said so far:
Praise for The Simple Path to Wealth
“Let’s face it: Most investment books are boring. Dull. Uninspired. This book brings managing your money to life. JL Collins offers a one-two punch: a simple, effective message told in a visual, funny style. If you think ‘investing is boring’ or ‘investing is hard,’ read this. You’ll never say those lines again.”
Paula Pant: Affordanything.com
“For most, investing is both intimidating and complex. JL Collins, in his patented no-frills and often humorous style, makes it both approachable and simple. And powerful. Every investor should read this book and absorb its wisdom.”
Jesse Mecham: Youneedabudget.com
“The media claims stock investing is no better than gambling. Wall Street pros claim investing is so complicated you need to pay THEM to guide the way. Collins cuts through the crap. He demonstrates a simple, level-headed way to wealth that will lead you to a richer life.”
J.D. Roth: moneyboss.com
“In the dark, bewildering, trap-infested jungle of misinformation and opaque riddles that is the world of investment, JL Collins is the fatherly wizard on the side of the path, offering a simple map, warm words of encouragement and the tools to forge your way through with confidence. You’ll never find a wiser advisor with a bigger heart.”
Malachi Rempen: itchyfeetcomic.com
“It’s rare to find a book that truly changes your life, but JL Collins’ common-sense explanations allowed me to see clearly what was previously so muddled. All the stress and indecision I previously felt with investing has melted away and, for the first time, I feel 100% confident in my strategy. I am forever in his debt and have become an evangelist for his approach.
“If you’re serious about your financial life, you need to read this book!”
Brad Barrett: richmondsavers.com and travelmiles101.com
“This is the ‘START HERE’ book I recommend to everyone interested in investing. An amazing overview of everything you need to know. This is easily the best foundational investing book available. If you’re thinking of investing, this book will radically increase your confidence. If you’re already an investor, this book will help you optimize your investing strategy to get better results. These simple principles are astoundingly effective. I followed his guidance and went from zero to a six-figure investment portfolio in less than five years.”
Hahna Kane Latonick: hahnakane.com
“JL Collins is the consummate expert on sane, rational investing methodology and he has a knack for explaining the underpinnings of the stock market in a straightforward, approachable manner. Collins’ writing is thorough, informative, and best of all—effective. Most importantly, he’s one of the rare financial experts who isn’t trying to sell you something or rip you off.”
Mrs. Frugalwoods: frugalwoods.com
“Jim takes a topic that is often complex and sometimes intimidating, and shares it in way that anybody can understand. Finally there is a book I can recommend that explains how to become wealthy in a way that is both easy to understand and easy to implement.”
Jeremy Jacobson: Gocurrycracker.com
“Investing doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it’s much better when it’s not and the people who try to make it complicated are often the ones hoping to move your money into their pockets. The Simple Path to Wealth contains everything you need to know to become a successful investor so read it, ignore all the other nonsense, and one day you’ll have more money than you know what to do with!”
The Mad Fientist: madfientist.com
“The Simple Path to Wealth provides a refreshingly unique and approachable take on investing. It’s not only about reaching financial freedom, it’s about building a better life. It’s not about finding the next hot thing. It’s about sticking to the small number of time-tested principles that actually work and anyone can implement. If you’re looking for a way to use your money purposefully and intelligently to create a life you enjoy, this is it.”
Matt Becker: momanddadmoney.com
“Personally, I don’t follow the strategy laid out in Collins’ book. But then, I have spent years of work and study developing and managing my own. For those who don’t want to do this, I’d recommend this book. If your goal is financial independence, you’re going to need strategies that are optimal for your skills, talents, and temperament. Those in The Simple Path to Wealth will serve you well.”
Jacob Lund Fisker: earlyretirementextreme.com
“Hey Millennials, listen up. The Simple Path to Wealth is an essential addition to your financial library. Sure, you could probably figure this out on your own, but why reinvent the wheel? It’s everything you should’ve been taught about investing and finances in high school. With funny personal anecdotes and a ton of valuable lessons, you can’t afford to not buy this book!”
Gwen: fierymillennials.com
“Whenever I think about writing anything on investing, I recall JL Collins’ insight and logical advice in The Simple Path to Wealth, marvel at its brilliance, then dramatically pluck a piece of paper from my typewriter, crumble it in resignation and go learn another recipe from my mom. I cannot improve upon the best.”
Anita Dhake: thepowerofthrift.com
“JL Collins has the gift of making boring financial concepts funny and interesting. He makes complicated subjects simple and easy to understand. The Simple Path to Wealth is the first book I recommend to people curious about financial independence.”
Mike Moyer: mikeandlauren.com
“There are loads of books on investing. This is the one to get. It is smart, thorough and accurate; and sometimes even funny. It is no understatement to say that his principles changed the way I invest and made me wealthier in the process.”
Mr. 1500 Days: 1500days.com
“It doesn’t read like an investment advice book, but it gives more bang for the buck than any other investment advice book ever could.”
Steve Fallert, Senior Director of Contracts:
From one of the Big Five Book Publishers
“If your goal is to gain financial independence, without carelessly gambling along the way, this is your book. Dig in as deep as you want; you’ll never find bad advice. The ideas here are practical, easy-to-understand and backed up by statistics. You’ll also laugh a lot along the way, especially if you share Mr. Collins’ dry sense of humor.”
Todd Froemling: stockchoker.com
“JL Collins’ blog is where I send those wanting to learn about effective investing. Now, in this book, he has managed to take all the confusing investing knowledge of our age, and condense and clarify it into something anyone can understand. Despite the simplicity of the message, the outcome is powerful: the most effective investing strategy one can implement, whether beginner or expert!”
Joe Olson: adventuringalong.com,
Chief Moderator, http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com
“The Simple Path to Wealth is really about choosing a lifestyle – one that embraces a simple three-step philosophy that will change the way you view life, and how you live it: spend less than you earn, invest wisely, and avoid debt. The book includes simple parables that untangle unnecessary complexity and show how the power of compound interest can provide you with the wealth of freedom. The writing is straightforward and colloquial, and powerful points are highlighted in a way that is easy to grasp. Reading this book can be a wise investment in your future, as well as a clear reminder of what is really important in life.”
Tom Mullen: roundwoodpress.com
“JL Collins takes the old style of investment book writing and disregards it completely. Instead of esoteric equations about measuring a stock’s alpha and comparing it to its beta, he lights up the campfire and starts telling stories. Stories that just happen to be about exactly what you wanted and needed to learn about your money.
“I have found that the road to a wealthy life really is simple and quite enjoyable to follow, so it only makes sense that a book about it should have those same fine traits. This one does.”
Peter Adeney: mrmoneymustache.com
“The Simple Path to Wealth is the investing book I always wished I’d read. Collins breaks down otherwise-daunting concepts and terminology to make learning the world of investing easy and enticing. He tells you everything you need to know to get started and to continue on with success. This is the only book on wealth and investing that you need to read.”
Julie Morgenlender: Nest Egg Chick
“Based on JL Collins’ excellent blog Stock Series, this book deserves to become a “go to” resource for investors. He cuts through all the spin, complexity and jargon of Wall Street and makes investing simple enough for anyone to manage their own portfolio. Crucially, JL Collins covers the mental and emotional aspects of investing as well as the technical aspects which is rare amongst investment writers.”
The Escape Artist: theescapeartist.me
“Jim enjoys a financially independent lifestyle while sharing money and life lessons through his blog. His Stock Series introduced passive index investing to a wide audience. Now you can get the same wisdom, distilled in book form. Jim tells you how to avoid common investing fears, misperceptions and mistakes. He teaches about diversification, asset classes, asset allocation and the best way to use retirement plans. This is a simple, proven path to investment success from a guy who actually did it. If you’re new to investing, don’t miss this crash course in the essentials!”
Darrow Kirkpatrick: CanIRetireYet.com
“I came of age in the midst of the Great Recession. Like many of my peers, I developed an unhealthy fear of the market. By the time I finally realized investing was one of the best ways to build wealth while beating inflation, I had no idea how to do it. Then I started reading JL Collins. This book makes one of the most overwhelming financial tasks not just simple, but exciting. While time has taught us that the market doesn’t always go up in a perpetually straight line, Collins has taught us how to invest so the ups and downs don’t hurt so badly. And he’s taught us how to do it without getting a headache.”
Brynne Conroy: femmefrugality.com
“A brilliant collection of practical, personal finance advice that produces extraordinary results for your financial happiness. JL Collins has a knack for fact driven investment ideas that you can learn from to strengthen your financial muscle. A masterful must-read for anyone who expects financial peace.”
Shilpan: streetsmartfinance.org
“As small business owners, our biggest fear is always about how we plan for retirement. Collins removes the mystery and nonsense surrounding investing. We feel much more confident about how we invest our money. We love our business, but love even more that work is becoming a choice, not a requirement.”
Jay Dedman and Ryanne Hodson: scavengerlife.com
“This book should be required reading for any new investor! In it you’ll find comprehensive investing information, along with some neat tips and interesting twists to help make the most of your money. The JL Collins common-sense approach to building wealth makes it easy for anyone to be successful.”
Mindy Jensen: BiggerPockets.com
Vicki Cook: makesmarterdecisions.com
Video Series with Mike & Lauren
A couple of years ago, when I naively thought it would be out much, much sooner, I sat down with Mike and Lauren of YouTube fame to shoot a bunch of video surrounding the concepts in my book.
Since then, they have been crafting this raw footage into a series of short (>5-minute) videos. There should be 10-12 when the series is done and you can see their intro and the first here:
The others will follow weekly on that same channel. In addition, we plan to do a few live broadcasts where I’ll take questions and expand on the subject of the most recent video. We’re not sure how many of these there will be, but the first is Monday, June 20th @6 pm EDT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwZBBk382Mo
It is always great time with these guys, and I hope you’ll join us!
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LIVE Webinar Q&A hosted by Hahna Kane Latonick
Hahna and I had a blast doing our interview for her Master Your Money Summit, and this Q&A was even more fun. Hope you’ll listen!
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So Money interview with Farnoosh Torabi
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Mad Fientist Podcast interview
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In the comments below, reader FIRECracker weighed in. This is she:
And this is her video. Watch it.
Nothing to do with my book, but watch it.
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