You're Broke Because You Want to Be: How to Stop Getting By and Start Getting Ahead Paperback – December 30, 2008

Larry's book with hit you right between the eyes telling you all the things you have been saying for years. It is educational and stimuating giving you true examples, and great exercises to help you create change.This book is worth it to give you a chance to look at your money situation and realize quickly that you have to fix it for it to change. Brutally honest and fun at the same time. A must read and keep for anyone who cares at all about improving their life. Not only will you have a chance to gain valuable information but Larry will show you how to do something about it. An easy read for those of you (like me) who can finish a book to save your life. I found it impossible to put down and finished in just a few days.

When is the last time you sat down and read a book cover-to-cover without stopping? That is just what I did the other day when I got home and found Larry Winget's book waiting for me from Amazon. In "You're Broke Because You Want To Be..." Larry Winget uses this in your face style of self-help coaching to let you know that there is a way out of this debt hole you are in. Given the current state of the economy, this book couldn't have come out at a better time.Larry puts it on the line and basically says that all of us have the power to make our lives better and stop the financial bleeding if we want to -- and you know what he is right. He states, for example, to get off your rear end and stop watching television and take a class or learn something new to help advance your career which helps you earn more money. He's dead on in that regard -- I personally stopped watching the idiot box over 2 years ago and started taking night classes towards an MBA. It has helped me more than I could ever have imagined.The problem with this book is that most people, just as Larry says, won't want to do what he tells you to. They don't want to give up their cable TV, they don't want to get a 2nd job to pay off the bills, they don't want to stop eating out every other day. They just want a magic bag of money to drop into their lives. Well wake up folks, it isn't going to happen. The theme of this book can best be describes as "It's All About You!" -- YOU have to sacrifice to get out of the hole and if you aren't willing to or don't want to make tough choices then save your money and don't buy the book and continue living in your financial nightmare.After reading this book I got the extra "boost" I needed to continue working my 2nd job (my own small business) to help it grow even more. My goal is to be debt free by the beginning of 2009 and I know I can do it -- I got my shot of reality from reading this book. Now I'm ready to hunker down and make it happen!

This book is no different from Larry's other books. He tells it like he sees it without pulling any punches. Larry is an in your face, Dutch uncle that tells you what you know to be the truth but don't want to hear.There are no real secrets to getting out of debt and getting ahead. Just like losing weight requires you to eat less and exercise more, getting even financially requires you to spend less and earn more. It is as simple as that.If you truly want a guide to achieve a financially sound life, this book is a great start. But do not look for an easy way out or some magic bullet. Larry is a very straight shooter and does not sugar coat any of the medicine. The book gives very straight-forward steps to get control of your finances, get out of debt and get ahead.The book is well written and easy to read. He gives some very good exercises for the reader to do that will certainly get you on the road to financial freedom. However as he makes it clear very many times, it will not be easy. It probably took you a long time to get where you are and you will not get out of debt overnight. It takes work and discipline.If you truly want a no-nonsense guide to getting your financial life straight, this would be a good book for you to read and follow the instructions. If you are looking for a quick fix or a secret method, look elsewhere.Larry finishes the book by giving five examples of his friends who all started with little or nothing and made it big. There are some common threads among their stories. It is a path anyone can follow if they put everything they have into getting ahead. It is simple but not easy. As Larry points out, most people are too lazy to really follow his advice.Even if you don't have financial problems, it makes a good read and you probably can think of someone to give it to.

Upon finishing this excellent work, I'm left with the sad feeling summed up in the expression, "You can take a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."I have the impression that Larry Winget is a kind compassionate guy who wants to help others **avoid** the pain of being broke, or **recover from** being broke. According to his description, he's experienced bankruptcy and has also experienced the effort necessary to turn his life around and **recover from** bankruptcy.I agree with other reviewers who think the book is excellent. However, I'm not sure if it will actually help many people. Those people who live poorly-planned catastrophic lives and end up broke don't have the DRIVE to read Larry's book, understand it, agree with it and turn their lives around. Based on his description, Larry did, but Larry's an unusual guy.I do hope that **some** broke people will profit from it. I personally don't think many broke people will. A few, maybe, but not many.I plan to read other books by Larry Winget.

Brilliant Read

Very poorly written book. Lacks the punch in the gut writing style of Larry Winget he is famous for.A can-skip book. Nothing more what is written in 100s of money management books.

This guy is crazy!!! Cruel, ruthless and right to the point. If you want to get off the self help merry go round and start getting somewhere then this is the book to get you going. He hit me right on the head. I have been reading self-helpless and get rich books for years and now have barely got enough for next months rent. Who the hell have I been trying to kid! His head blow did not give me a concussion but instead a conclusion. Time to Shut up, stop whinning and get a life... which is actually the title of another one of his other books. Sure the truth may hurt a little more now but try denying it and see what happens down the road. The best part about this book is the fact he doesn't just kick your butt with some fancy new ideas. He also points you in the direction you need to go. Real and practical steps to get your life going. Steps that a broke victim of self help teachings can actually take. Steps that if you take you will actually see change start to unfold in your life tomorrow. Sure maybe not major change but enough to tell you that you are finally on the train and actually going somewhere! Most of the problems we are trying to solve in our lives by reading magical formula self help books could be solved with just a little clear headed thinking and action. Out of the hundreds of self help get rich books I have read this is the only one that rates up there with my other number one book. "Illusions" by Richard Bach.

Great transacation

As the title suggests being broke is a choice and something which is completley in our control to change, but that starts with making different choices with regards to your spending habits.Like all of Larry's books he doesn't pull any punches and tells it exactly as he see's it, which may upset some readers but thats the point, even if you disagree with what's being said it gets you thinking.The book itself is full of really useful tips and lessons with regards to how you should be utilising your finite amount of money and some lessons on how to teach your kids spending habits which will stay with them a lifetime.