The Richest Man in New Babylon

Do you worry about money? Having enough money to pay your bills? Figuring out how to pay for your student loans? Your rent? Your next meal? Do you ever have the feeling that the financial system is overly complicated? Do you ever feel like the system is rigged? That it’s working against you? Guess what—you’re right. The system is rigged. The modern American consumer-oriented economy is extraordinarily complicated. It thrives on service charges fees penalties and interest. It is intensely data-driven capable of identifying and targeting individuals precisely. It works efficiently and effectively—to separate you from your money. Some people thrive in this kind financial world. They may be the big beneficiaries of the system getting paid so much that they don’t have to worry about money. They may be the corporate executives who earn hundreds of times more than the average employee they supervise. Maybe they’re investors who love to study financial data industry trends and they make money in the stock market. Maybe they’re comfortable taking big risks. If the finances don’t work out it doesn’t matter. Maybe they have a trust fund or something. This book is for the rest of us. Think about a worst-case scenario. No job. Lots of debt. And about the worst employment resumé you could possibly have. Most recent position? Inmate at Northern State Penitentiary. How do you get on a path to financial security when that’s where you’re starting out? The Richest Man in Babylon a collection of pamphlets written in the 1920s by George S. Clason told stories about how to manage money. The stories were set in ancient Babylon. Characters with names like Bansir Kobbi Arkad and Algamish speak in an imaginary dialect saying things like “Fillith thy purse with gold.” And yet the book was very influential in its time and it is well-remembered even today. This book The Richest Man in New Babylon builds on the principles contained in Clason’s parables. It presents them for modern readers. It reimagines and expands on these ideas in a new story set in a contemporary mid-sized city somewhere in the United States. You will meet memorable characters who introduce a set of key principles for money management—The Rules. You’ll also learn to appreciate the additional personal and social skills required for success. And as you follow one person’s journey the story offers one more vital element to help you along the path to financial security. Hope. This is a book for people who want to “keep it simple” when dealing with complex financial decisions. It’s a book for people who want to cut through the clouds of consumerism and murk of marketing. It’s a book for people who work hard and feel like they deserve to keep some of their hard-earned money. What Other Readers Say I really like this book; both the financial advice and the story. It provides actionable practical and up-to-date financial lessons presented in an engaging story. You will cheer for Jamaal as he takes control of his financial affairs and his life. Jean Abbott EdD MBA CPA; Associate Professor of Business Studies Accounting; Stockton University I enjoyed the book and found it to be an easy read. It covered the important elements of personal financial planning without overwhelming the reader with technical details. Kenneth B. Shapiro CPA/PFS CFP; Shapiro Financial Security Group Inc.; Hazlet New Jersey I just finished the book. The last part brought tears to my eyes. Seeing this young man change and grow and then come full circle to help someone else was inspiring. The rules are laid out in a way as to make them timely and accessible. Jeanne Felfe; Author and Editor; St. Charles Missouri