A Million Bucks by 30
‘œI don’t know much about being a millionaire, but I’ll bet I’d be a darling at it.’ ‘“ Dorothy Parker
If you’re a personal finance blogger, you get a lot of offers from publicists to read and review their client’s books. It’s a nice perk. In 2007, I didn’t buy a single nonfiction title, since I received about 25 for free. There was a period last summer when I was getting a book a week. I finally started declining the review copies because I couldn’t keep up.
I read about half and my three personal favorites were Brazen Careerist, One Person/Multiple Careers and The Anti 9 to 5 Guide. All happened to focus on career advice and not personal finance, but if you get the work part right then typically the money follows. Or does it?
Like most twentysomethings, Alan Corey had a crap job after earning what he describes as a ‘œuseless’ degree. He kept the crap job for a good portion of his twenties. Why? Because a paycheck was part of his plan. It’s a not-so-secret formula that he reveals in his new book, A Million Bucks by 30 and it’s the first book you should read in 2008.
Alan contacted me after he discovered that I interviewed Jai Rodriguez. He obviously was trolling the web looking for book reviewers. Alan was one of the original straight guys that got made-over on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. (Curbed, the New York real estate blog called him a famewhore way back in 2004.) Here’s what I like about him. He found me. Not his publicist (although she has my email ‘“ since I’ve made my way on the global review list). He wrote a book and wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and work hard for some added publicity.
This pretty much sums up Alan’s personality. He puts himself out there and when people do that, things happen. Even when you have a crap job.
Alan set out to be a millionaire by thirty. That’s a rock star goal and not an easy one to accomplish. But he was methodical in his approach and this is what I respect about him. Robert Kiyosaki had a rich dad and a poor dad. Alan crafts a similar tale and all the famewhoring is what gives his story some color. You see, the formula has already been set. It’s not a secret:
Spend less. Earn more.
Alan is a master at both. Now, some might argue that Alan was at the right place at the right time. He bought real estate in Clinton Hill just as Brooklyn was being dubbed the new, affordable Manhattan. The exploding market helped jump start his plan and he admits that there was some luck involved. But isn’t that the way with most success? It takes a little luck, timing and skill to thrive.
In most real estate investing books, so much emphasis is put on the buying part and leveraging what you have. But how do you get to the point of having enough for your first down payment? Alan spent half of the book talking about his thrifty ways in order to achieve this goal of buying his first apartment. His second property is an even better story. The guy wasn’t living high on the hog. He continued working his crap job, saved every penny and got creative with his living arrangements. This is why the guy was a millionaire before thirty and I admire every piece of advice he dishes out to his peers.
Plus, he’s a quirky story teller. Instead of using the f-word, he writes, ‘œWhat the Fran Drescher was happening to me?’ or ‘œThen I made him explain how Fred Savage this was possible.’ I think that’s funny. Or perhaps, I’m just a twentysomething guy trapped in fortysomething lesbian’s body where being rich and getting laid are still a major focus in my life. Alan made me laugh and he has a great money story. Who can’t learn something from that?
Alan sent me two signed copies so I have one to give away. If you want to ‘œovercome a crap job, stingy parents, and become a millionaire before turning thirty’ then leave a comment and I’ll pick the best famewhore to send it to.
This guy sounds like a trip. Put me in the drawing, will ya?
My parents aren’t even stingy, they’re just so financially irresponsible that even if I wanted them to help me, I couldn’t. But at least they gave me the 90s television vocabulary to find references to Fred Savage and Fran Drescher hilarious.
Nothing wrong with trying to famewhore.
Once upon a time, before kidlets, my partner and I had our 15 minutes of fame on E! channel’s Fashion Emergency. A free trip to Hollywood and a makeover- not a bad haul for putting ourselves out there.
I would now like to famewhore for the book copy. Put my name in the hat.
When did Alan start? I’m five years from 30 and I want to think I have a chance. Draw me.
My famewhore days are over, now that I am in a long term relationship, but that doesn’t stop me from looking for ways to get out of my nerve racking job and into multimillionaire status. This is why I love your posts and save every nickel I can! Please put my name in the drawing and have a Great new year!
I’m not into fame, but I am happy to receive good advice and maybe get to that million by forty (I’ve already passed 30). Pick me, pick me!
Why the Famke Janssen (mmm) haven’t I heard of this book before? I totally have a crap job that I’d love to be able give the old “Freddie Prinze Jr. You” to. So, please accept this as my famewhore entry. 🙂
How fun! Love the snark from all you famewhores! I’ll give readers one more day to chime in and then I’ll select a winner.
There are 2 of us here at age 25 and nowhere close to being a millionaire. Count us in as well.
Wow, I’m really interested in reading this book. I feel like I am living his story. Graduating with a crappy degree-that was supposed to be really good a couple of years ago.
Working a crappy job but have more savings than some friens that make more.
I also just discovered my passion for houses. One day I woke up (about 2 years ago) and realized how much I love houses. Initially, I thought it came from me always living in apartments but then there came HGTV. I love HGTV. Finally, I realized I love houses…
Is this the feeling of realizing your passion?
I missed the 30 mark but I’m hoping to hit a million by age 35. Maybe this book will help.
I wouldn’t call myself a famewhore per se, but I’m alway interested in learning the secrets of successful and famous people. Thanks for the tip – I’ll try to get my hands on this book as soon as I can. 🙂
I put up my I Love Queercents post before I even read this!
How ironic; I just spotted him over at Give Me Back My Five Buck’s (PF blog).
AND THE WINNER IS:
One Snarky Chica with Issues. Because Chica’s got attitude and offered to re-raffle the book off to Chica readers. That’s clever… fame that keeps on famewhoring! Gotta respect that! Chica, you may claim your prize by emailing me at nina at queercents dot com.
I appreciated all the great comments. Now go buy your own Francis McDormand copy! Thanks for playing!
I’ll be a famewhore if it’ll get me a million by 30.
Hey Nina, good to see you again. Alan Corey is a fellow author at Ballantine, and I really liked your review of his book. I’ve got a new one myself, How’d You Score That Gig? (www.scorethatgig.com) that’s in the same vein of the other titles you mentioned you liked – Brazen Careerist and the Anti 9 to 5 Guide. It sounds like you are swamped with things to review, but I thought I’d put the offer out there.
Best,
Alexandra