Been patronizing our local Goodwill here a lot lately, and had to snag a few books that were looking a bit lonely and needing a new home ;)
Maybe you can offer a safe and comfortable place for them? Or know of a friend who could cherish them and improve their lives at the same time? They would make great stocking stuffers for someone, if you ask me…
Here are the three books – just shout in the comments or email me if you want any of them!
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“The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo
From Amazon (as if you didn’t already know what it’s about ;)):
Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you’ll never have to do it again.
Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo’s clients have lapsed (and she still has a three-month waiting list).
With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house “spark joy” (and which don’t), this international bestseller featuring Tokyo’s newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home—and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.
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“The Automatic Millionaire” by David Bach
One of my favorite finance books, and one of my favorite authors – especially after meeting him after a night of partying once and seeing how gracious he was chatting and laughing with all us drunks ;) In fact, it’s very possible he was drunk too! Haha…
But the book is one of those classics that I’ve been recommending for years… And this one in particular comes with some fun doodles from the prior owner who listed out his goals circa 2004, so you get some nice voyeuring in too! :) I wonder if he ever accomplished them?!
Summary from Amazon:
The Automatic Millionaire starts with the powerful story of an average American
couple–he’s a low-level manager, she’s a beautician–whose joint income never exceeds $55,000 a year, yet who somehow manage to own two homes debt-free, put two kids through college, and retire at 55 with more than $1 million in savings.Through their story you’ll learn the surprising fact that you cannot get rich with a budget! You have to have a plan to pay yourself first that is totally automatic, a plan that will automatically secure your future and pay for your present.
What makes The Automatic Millionaire unique:
- You don’t need a budget
- You don’t need willpower
- You don’t need to make a lot of money
- You don’t need to be that interested in money
- You can set up the plan in an hour
This one little book has the power to secure your financial future. Do it once–the rest is automatic!
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“The Four Tendencies” by Gretchen Rubin
Now this one I haven’t read fully, but I have perused it over the years as well as taken her personality quiz which was a fun rabbit hole to go down (I’m an “Upholder” as it turns out, and not the “rebel” I thought I was!)
You can read our post about it here – Which “Tendency” Are You? – but here’s what Amazon has to say about the book for anyone new to Rubin’s work:
During her multibook investigation into understanding human nature, Gretchen Rubin realized that by asking the seemingly dry question “How do I respond to expectations?” we gain explosive self-knowledge.
She discovered that based on their answer, people fit into Four Tendencies: Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels. Our Tendency shapes every aspect of our behavior, so using this framework allows us to make better decisions, meet deadlines, suffer less stress, and engage more effectively…
With sharp insight, compelling research, and hilarious examples, The Four Tendencies will help you get happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. It’s far easier to succeed when you know what works for you.
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Want one of these?
Tell us which one, and why, in the comments below or via email and you’ll be automatically entered to win. U.S. only though please as the shipping will already cost more than the spare change I ponied up for these suckers ;)
We’ll let the giveaway go until the end of the weekend, and then randomly pick the winners shortly thereafter…
Good luck!! And happy early Christmas!
UPDATE: Giveaway now over! Congrats to the following winners:
- Magic of Tidying Up: Miss Jacques
- Automatic Millionaire: Rachael
- Four Tendencies: Donna D.
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PS: If you’re wondering why there’s a keyboard in all those pics in front of my laptop, it’s because my dang “y” and “t” buttons stopped working which is apparently needed for every other dang word in the English language, haha… Haven’t had the time to check how much it’ll cost to repair (anyone have an idea?!), but in the meantime my wife gave me the good idea of just using an external keyboard and so there we are! Looking like a big dork at the coffee shops daily, haha… but at least it works!
*Links to books above are Amazon affiliate links
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The automatic millionaire please!
After reading your description, I am interested in seeing how that works. I’m always reading about how people manage to become successful
I’m a huge Gretchen Rubine fan and would love to have the Four Tendancies on my bookshelf. I’ve read it from the library, but would like to own it.
Always good to have books you love in your personal library for future refreshers :)
Yes!!! I would luv these books as stocking stuffers…MINE…& yes, I’ll pay it forward & pass them on to my adult children who could also still learn a thing or two
Haha…
Can only pick one though! Which does your stocking want the most?? :)
I’d like “the life changing magic of cleaning up” because honestly my life is a disorganized mess and it stresses me out so much. I’ve always been this way but sometimes it feels like it’s spiraling out of control. Maybe this book would help.
I bet it would!! It’s helped my organizing a lot and I’m already decently organized! Helps with your mindset more than anything…
Marie Kondo please!!! I checked it out from the library last year but could only take pictures of memorable pages and those are now lost in a million pictures of the last year on my phone. Would love to be able to pull out the book and show my SO how to properly fold the dish towels so they fit in the drawer!
Haha… you’re now entered for it!
And good idea with the pics :)
I really need to change my mindset for sure! I hope I win!
Ha! I’m pretty sure that Kondo’s book would burst into flames if it crossed the threshold of my house. :)
Let’s try it and see what happens :)
I would love “The Automatic Millionaire” by David Bach please. I keep hearing about this book and would love to read it. Especially since I need all the help I can get with my finances
The Automatic Millionaire!
I love all things money related and the fact it says on the book “Do it once the rest is automatic”…..What!!!! This book seems like a good time
It’s a classic! You need to snag it at the library if you don’t end up winning it :)
4 tendencies please. I would like to know my personality type based on her assessment!
Just wondering if you already tried some canned air to clear those keys. Probably won’t work with a Apple but can’t hurt. Anyway, The Automatic Millionaire peeks my interest but at age 60 it maybe a little late for practicality. Still better late than never to find a better way. I won’t be retiring till 70, gotta wait on the wife
Love the blog and emails, keep it up.
Glad you’re enjoying the blog!
Haven’t tried the canned air actually yet – will pick some up at amazon the next time I shop there (ie every day, lol…) thx!
Would love to read The Automatic Millionaire!
:)
I’d love Automatic Millionaire please! I’ve been wanting to read it for quite awhile, but my library does not have a copy. It would be wonderful to win something, especially something I”d love to have. Thank you so much!
I would love to have The Automatic Millionaire. I put away money each month but I’m never sure if its enough. I’d also like to pass it on to my best friend’s daughters (17 & 14) after I’m done with it. I know I’d be a millionaire by now (42) if I had only started sooner!
You’re a busy man, I’ll be brief.
My apartment is a literal dumpster fire, and I desperately need “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo.
Thanks for your time.
Haha… i’ll put in a good word with the random winner generator for you ;)
I would love the Gretchen Rubin book, it sounds interesting and I’ve been meaning to read some of her stuff (not just because of the great last name). 2nd choice would be the Automatic Millionaire book, clarifying goals for 2020 would be a great headstart!
Great finds!! How do you choose just 1??? If I had to it would be The Automatic Millionaire. I’ve been wanting this book for awhile and just haven’t bit the bullet and bought it.
I’d also like to put my name in for the Marie Kondo book. I’ve been meaning to read it after doing my own Kondo project in spring.
I would love all or any of these!! And I will pass them on after reading—If I can’t find anyone that wants to read my books I’ve finished, I have a “little free library” in a park by my house that I frequent :)
Love those!!
You can only choose one though – which would you like me to put you down for?
The automatic millionaire would be great! I checked it out from the library years ago, but that is definitely one that can rest on my bookshelves for eternity!
I would love the four tendencies by Gretchen Rubin. I am still young at 21 and have talked to some peers who say this helped them with self understanding.
21!!
And reading $$ blogs!!!
You make me so proud!! :)
I would love the Marie Kondo book. I have heard a lot about it it and it sounds like it would be interesting. Plus, I’m terrible at keeping my house in order so anything that could help with that would be awesome!
I would like the Automatic Millionaire. I’m tweaking my automated savings strategy and am open to any and all assistance!
I don’t need the books, but there is a keyboard replacement program for MacBooks with butterfly keys: https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks You might get it replaced for free.
Ahhh this isn’t a mac unfortunately, but thank you for taking the time!
Oh okay! I do have a friend that replaced their own keyboard. I don’t think it was hard, but I did hear there were a lot of screws. :)
I would love The Automatic Millionaire to see how to better my finances.I enjoy your site!
Thank you, Marcia! So glad to hear it :)
I have heard / read your first two but this is the first time I cam across “The Four Tendencies”. I would love to add this to my collection.
Thanks!
S
Morning J! I would love any of them…I’m kind of a neat freak and my wife, well not so much. Marie Kondo has been on my radar for a while.
Any of the finance ones would be great as I just got a job offer that is a 61%,(YES 61% increase!!) that I start in Jan and I’m officially a member of the 6-figure salary club (if there is such a thing).
Time to kick it into gear and sock it away!
Nice, sir!!!
What a great way to start the new year – congrats!
I’ll put you down for the Kondo one since you can only choose one and it’s been on your radar for a while :)
All I want for Christmas is: The Automatic Millionaire
Why?
1. I hate budgets
2. I hate budgets!
3. I’m a single mom without a very high income……especially living in CA!
4. If I can set up a plan in an hour, I’m down!
5. I want to set a great example for my son.
All great reasons – you’re entered :)
Hi J. Money, I’m open to any books–they all seem like they would be helpful–but I’m going to pick “The Four Tendencies” if I have to go with one. Reading up on some relationship psychology would definitely be nice as we head into the holidays. Already butting heads with my mother!
Automatic Millionaire because the description sounds like me, no willpower, bad a budgeting, not a lot of money & some interest in money. Thanks.
Hi J. Money!! Could you please put me in the Automatic Millionaire drawing? If you recommend it, it must be good! (been following you for years!) All the best!
Thanks for reading for so long!! You’re now entered for it! :)
I pick Automatic Millionaire! David Bach is one of my favorite teachers of all things finance.
I’d love to read the Four Tendencies. I’ve hear lots of great things about this book and it seems like it would be a good read.
Hey J — I don’t need any more books, as I’m trying to KonMari my condo into a “less is more” setting! But, I did do the Four Tendencies quiz… and, I’m a REBEL! Now I’ll need to read more about it. Hopefully it’s a good thing.
Haha… well, it’s always more fun to say you’re a rebel more than the other ones ;) So congrats!
The Four Tendencies is likely a terrific book. I read the precursor, Better Than Before ,and identifying my tendency has had more impact than any other personality quiz or insight. Highly recommend!
J — I’d love to read The Automatic Millionaire, sounds like there’s some great tips and ideas in there!
Good finds! I would like The Automatic Millionaire if I get picked! We are about to have our fifth kid and live in San Francisco “Automatic” sounds like a great word to apply to our lives right now.
Play the keyboard thing off like you’re a tech engineer or something -they always have multiple keyboards/monitors haha
5 kids!! you are my hero!!
The Four Tendencies sounds really interesting, and someone I know recommended it ages ago… then I immediately forgot the name of the book until I saw your picture of it ;)
Must be a sign ;)
I would love the copy of the Gretchen Rubin book! I’ve read a couple of her books during my “52 book challenge” this year, and would love to read more of them.
Great finds! I love library used book sales for browsing, and ThriftBooks.com for buying specific used books.
52 books – that is a challenge! You gonna complete it in time?!
I actually did last month! working on number 60 right now…
Damn you’re good.
i would love to check out the four tendencies!
Thanks for offering these! I could really use the Marie Kondo book to help counteract my hoarding tendencies…
Oooo-ooo-ooo, I want The Automatic Millionaire!!! Come on… maybe this will be my lucky week!
j-money
ill take the auto-millionaire for my xmas present.
4 Tendencies please!! I’m a rebel, and I need reminding of ways to keep myself motivated sometimes!!
Haha, rock on…
Hard choice but think I would love Automatic Millionaire.
FYI, if you haven’t already checked sure there is not something stuck under the T& Y keys, like a old staple. Thank you
Yup! Gonna try air spraying it all soon and shaking a bit and see if that gets me lucky at all ;)
The automatic millionaire please! Would love to read a book by David Bach :)
Marie Kondo changed my life! I’ve planned my first day of “staycation” over Christmas to having a little Marie Kondo reboot! And I love Gretchen Rubin too! I hope my fellow Sexy Budgeters enjoy reading them!
Woot woot!!!
Work it!
I read Kondos book to see what all the fuss was about and it’s actually kind of helpful. I didnt end up finishing it but in the year since I tried to read it I’ve definitely purged and consolidated a lot of stuff to make my condo more livable. The storage unit is basically empty and my pantry isn’t overflowing anymore.
I’d say that’s a win! :) Some of her ideas can be pretty “out there” for sure, but you usually come away with some nugget or two that inspires action afterwards. I’m always re-picking it back up over the months to get re-inspired again.
The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach sounds very interesting!
If you have a MacBook Pro of a certain year there could be a recall on the keyboard. My n key stopped working and it was driving me insane. They replaced it free of charge bc everyone was having an issue with it but it would have been $400 without the recall. I had a 2016 model.
Nicely done!
Not a mac unfort, but it’s making me want one a lot more ;)
We coulda, woulda, shoulda been millionaires already if we hadn’t made so many dumb/uninformed/uneducated money decisions. There is still hope, and The Automatic Millionaire sounds like just the book to help us finish well.
***GIVEAWAY NOW OVER***
Congrats to the following winners:
Magic of Tidying Up –> Miss Jacques
Automatic Millionaire –> Rachael
Four Tendencies –> Donna D.