These are some books that changed my life and financial thinking, I was raised in a poor family, and now I have more then I ever could imagine at this age.

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy, It discussed the thought process and daily life of millionaires. Which Is a completely different picture than one that is glorified in our daily media experiences.

After talking to some people, and taking what I learned from this book and applied it to a book I read a month or so ago

" I Was Blind But Now I see" By James Altucher.

It has had a life changing impact on how I see the world. Things aren’t as they seem at all.

We are so caught up in society’s expectations all the time, which they blind us. We know no other method or pathway. We all know what we “want” but only a few know how actually to get it. There are more opportunities for growth than ever before.

But the struggle is sorting through and picking out the right opportunities and risks to get effectively what we want.

Some of the hardest working people don’t have wealth. They aren’t using their money effectively, Or they aren’t generating enough income.

Growing up in a low-income family, while my dad runs his own contracting business and works very hard. We were raised being taught to live within our means If we want something larger or expensive. Like a new car, we set that money aside until we have enough or take out a loan.

According to my parents, Investing was something way out of reach, for those people who are “geniuses”. Although If you look at other people, we know, They are doing much better than us. And my parents are consistently insulting them. In the Book "A Millionaire Mind" By Harv Eker

He emphasizes that your brain DOESN'T want to become, What you continuously insult and criticize. Many people make fun of Rich people; They are clearly jealous of the person's wealth. And when you do that, You won't ever become rich. This is something I learned In the book by Harv Eker.

Whenever we’d go out to eat or go to a store, My uncle who is a pilot and his family was always buying generic and spending rather conservatively. We’d go out to eat, and they would share a meal or order something cheap off the menu. My parents used to get upset at this, saying that they could “afford better.” They also claimed that members of my family were "Cheap and Greedy" for always trying to save money When they are "already Rich."

As a kid I didn’t understand, but when I got older and started looking into a college education. I began to see how expensive it was. My Aunt and Uncle paid 100% of their daughter’s college tuition and she got a bachelor’s degree. My parents again insulted my cousin for this that she had her whole education handed to her on a “silver platter”. I was expected to pay 100% of my college costs.

I Would come home from my two jobs exhausted, immediately starting on piles of homework. As my mother sat on the couch all day eating fast food, drinking expensive coffees and watching T.V. All day long. My dad would also come home tired and exhausted, Working almost 12 hours a day and receiving no help with bills and having no money for retirement.

Having a wife that refuses to have a job, Even though all of her kids have grown up. As the youngest child, my mother was spoiled her parents gave her everything. As a result, she has no motivation to work and she expects people to do everything for her.

This was when I began to admire my aunt and uncle. Living a conservative lifestyle, while having a good quality life. Who would have thought you can have both of those! They are healthy and have time for their kids. As well as yearly vacations, my parents have never been on vacation; They are unhealthy and overweight. They leave the house only to pick up their daily pack of cigarettes, Expensive coffees, and daily gas station sodas. When there are cheaper alternatives.

This prompted me to learn about different types of cheapskate methods of obtaining what I need for free or for cheap. I’ve studied the minimalist lifestyle and learned tips from other frugal people. Dumpster diving, Thrift Shopping, Taking inventory of what you own, Cashing in recycling, receipts and other things that you find on the ground for an easy buck. Instead of eating out I taught myself how to cook, All of my food is cheap and homemade. I even add up the cost of portions, so I can be mindful as I’m eating, To how much money I’m eating out of my paycheck.

At 20 years old I started investing in stock, Learning about peer to peer lending, I opened a retirement account, and I save 15% of each paycheck. I was able to learn so much that Instead of working two jobs and going to school, I can work one part time job and pay for my tuition and all of my living expenses while building an investment portfolio.

Even though at 23, my life goals have changed. I have dropped out of college. I no longer have a job. Instead, I am comfortably self-employed. I continue to invest, In stock, Peer to peer lending and now a bit of cryptocurrency. I still hold the same standards about

• Saving money
• Living minimalist
• Being super cheap.
• Working hard
• Cooking my own meals

The sacrifices were hard at first, But its peaceful. I can enjoy the items I do own and not worry about the clutter of having extra. Being financially stable is a much better feeling, Then having that fast food that just makes you unhealthy.

The Millionaire Next Door confirmed a lot of what I already know, but it also made me realize that I should be thankful, Even though I wasn’t raised in the ideal environment the fact I have never received financial help has created a motivated, Hardworking and opportunity seeking woman.

If I had money handed to me, I may of turned out to be a UAW, (Who earns to spend), When you need to spend more you need to earn more.

But instead it created a PAW, This book had incredible statistics that were also very inspiring.

“1 out of 30 nonaffluent people have a chance of being a millionaire.“

While Affluent people have a “1 in 8 chance” of having their children grow up to make millions.

Millionaires tend to teach their children the correct way to handle finances. Something that is denied to lower income families. They don’t know about it, So they don’t teach their children.

“Work a job for the great company and rack up the years so you’ll have job stability.”

Is what I was taught. Many of these millionaires hold only high school education or undergraduate degrees! In James Altucher’s book, it discussed the value of being an Entrepreneur and finding your own opportunities; You don’t have to stick to the conventional way of life!

We are brainwashed into believing that we must follow the steps that everyone else does, when it doesn’t have to be that way. The Millionaire Next Door Confirms this.

We see wealthy as having a mansion, spending freely, Driving fancy cars. Having everything made out of pure gold. The book highlighted jobs that may require you to play the part and spend more of your money, Such as an attorney, Doctor, etc. I was surprised that Teachers are wealthier, while they work long hours and make little.

They are smarter about how they spend their money and can easily live a more modest lifestyle.

Many millionaires shop at Walmart and Target, as well as J.C. Penny,

They look at price as well as durability. If they made a T.V. Show about how millionaires are, People might not care to be a “millionaire” as much; They may get bored by how long they spend planning finances and searching for nicely priced items.

On the T.V. show “Extreme Cheapskates” some of these people are millionaires. I enjoyed seeing how they were in real life. One lady had the same beat up $ 2,000 car, and she refused repairs on it.

“ I bought a crappy car, So I wouldn’t have to spend money on it,” She said.

Instead of Tuna, She’d eat cat food, because it was cheaper. She wouldn’t even flush the toilet. She’d pee in a jar only to dump it outside in her compost.

While these methods are extreme even for typical Millionaires. Every expense and penny add up. Cutting down one mini cost like flushing your toilet may not make a big difference, But cutting down a ton of mini costs, like not flushing, re using water, Not using lights can add up very quickly. In a place where you have so many extreme consumers, you can sometimes get many necessities for free. Some of the standard statistics of Millionaires they outlined were,

-Male, Middle-aged
-Don’t have multiple marriages
-Live well below their means
-They believe in financial independence being better than displaying high social status.
-They choose the right occupation
-Adult children are financially independent
-Self-employed people makeup less than 20% of the workers in America but account for 2/3 of Millionaires.
-80% are the first generation
-Paws are builders of wealth; The book spends a lot of time comparing the mindset and the finances of these people.

Many “rich” who show high social status on their sleeve are not wealthy. The people who are wealthy could live anywhere, even next door. These people are typically goal oriented. PAWS love to work,

Because they are usually doing something they enjoy, While UAWS only work a lot because they must support their massive consumption habits.

This book helped me realize that even though I haven’t been perfect with finances, within the time I am capable of getting what I want out of life. I can be financial independent. My knowledge is getting better every day as I dedicate at least an hour a day to nonfictional reading, on subjects such as finance, Entrepreneurship, Being frugal, and living a minimalist lifestyle.

At 22, I had my first retirement account set up, and I understand it enough to have correctly it set up, I own a little stock, and I invest in peer to peer lending. I’m currently looking into bonds and learning about more investment strategies. I was also building my credit score at this age.

Now at the age of 23, I am happily self-employed. I have added Cryptocurrency to my investments. I have decided not to do bonds, because of the lack of interest made. I figured I should take more risks while I'm young. I am making all of my dreams come true, One by one.

This book was motivating and enjoyable; I wish they required this book in jr high or high school. It has invaluable information that should be considered more important in society. If you haven't read it yet, You may want to take a look.

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy