Note: This is the second in a series of book reviews about books that inspire, that offer practical tips about goals, habits, productivity, simplifying, frugality and more. This series should run every few days or so, and it will cover some of my favorites in this fairly large genre.

Overview
Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence, by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin, is absolutely one of my favorite books ever and perhaps the best book on personal finance ever written. It changed my life.

That might sound like a pretty rave review, but it’s genuine, and I believe it’s justified. If you’re expecting a typical book about personal finance — investing, saving, budgeting, etc. — you’ll be surprised. It has those elements, to be sure, but it approaches everything with a refreshing perspective: life isn’t worth wasting away by working 40+ hours a week for the rest of your life, just so you can have enough money to buy material possessions. Once you realize this, you realize that you can live on less, and retire early.

That’s right: live on less, and retire early. Simple yet brilliant. You’ll love this book. Read on for more. » More »