Brandon Carter: "4 Books That Made Me Rich"

You need to start reading more books.

I love learning from books VS online sources because books are significantly more trustworthy.

Crappy information on the internet is common, but a best selling book by a world renowned author with millions of 5 star reviews? That’s hard to replicate.

I know that if I’m going to spend the time reading one of these books, I know I’m going to learn something insanely valuable.

And ALL of this information is just right there for the taking. That’s the crazy thing.

And yet so many guys refuse to read more.

My advice? Next time you’re sitting around doing nothing, pick up a damn book and learn something.

Here are 4 of the greatest books I’ve ever read that will teach you the core principles of being rich.

“Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki

"Rich Dad Poor Dad" literally tells you how to use debt as money.

This is what almost EVERY rich billionaire like Elon Musk does. They essentially take out HUGE loans and use the loans as money, paying less interest than they would on income.

It’s a lot easier said than done though, and it helps to be born into money with some of the techniques he talks about.

But it’s important to learn, because it’s literally exposing how rich people pay less in interest AND less in taxes than poor people do.

Here are the key concepts of the book that helped me make more money:

1. The Importance of Creating Assets Throughout the book, Kiyosaki reiterates that accumulating assets is crucial. Assets are things you buy that generate MORE money in your pocket later, such as a real estate investment.

   By turning their “liquid” money into assets, rich people can avoid income taxes and take out even more money in loans “against” the assets.

2. The Importance of Financial Education: Kiyosaki points out that our educational system teaches us little about money management, investing, or wealth creation.

   And in my opinion, it’s because the government wants us all to work for money instead of having money work for us.

   He advocates for self-education, learning through books, real-world experiences, and provides various other resources where you can learn the key money-making principles of the super rich that you don’t learn in school.

3. The Rich Don't Work for Money: One of the most striking lessons is the concept that the rich don't work for money, instead, they make money work for them. 

   In the book you’ll learn how the super rich take out huge loans against their assets and basically use the loans as spending money since it has less interest than income taxes.

Impactful Numbers and Statistics

• The majority of individuals spend 40 hours a week working for someone else, dedicating another 10-20 hours on commute and job-related stress, yet they spend little to no time managing their own finances.

• He notes that the real estate investment strategies discussed in the book helped him grow his asset column to the point where he could retire at the age of 47.

• The book emphasizes that the rich are those who have their assets earn for them, illustrating this with Kiyosaki's own story of generating over $10,000 per month in passive income from his investments, far exceeding his living expenses.

Applying Kiyosaki's Principles

To apply Kiyosaki's principles in your life, start by analyzing your own income and expenses.

Identify your assets and liabilities. Focus on increasing your assets column through smart investments.

Educate yourself on financial literacy through books, workshops, and other resources. Consider real estate as a long-term investment strategy, and don't shy away from learning about the stock market and other investment vehicles.

Embrace the mindset that you should work to learn, not just to earn. Look for opportunities that will teach you new skills, especially in sales, marketing, and managing finances.

"The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life" by Mark Manson

In "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" Manson argues that the key to a good life is not caring about more things, but rather, caring intensely about a few things that truly matter.

It's about focusing your efforts and resources on what genuinely improves your life's quality, rather than chasing every opportunity or societal measure of success.

Key Concepts

1. Choosing What to Care About: Manson emphasizes the importance of selective focus. In the context of wealth, this means prioritizing investments, financial decisions, and pursuits that align with your core values and long-term goals, rather than getting distracted by short-term gains or societal pressures.

2. The Value of Struggle: Manson suggests that struggle and suffering are essential components of success and happiness. When it comes to wealth, the journey is full of challenges and setbacks.

   Embracing these struggles, rather than avoiding them, is key to building resilience and achieving lasting success.

3. Failure as a Path to Growth: The book highlights the importance of failure in personal development.

   Financially, this translates to learning from investment losses, business failures, and poor financial decisions, using these experiences to make smarter choices in the future.

Applying Manson's Principles

Practice saying no to opportunities and expenditures that don't contribute to your long-term happiness or financial well-being.

That could be frivolous purchases, spending too much on women, or even just wasting your time sitting in an office all day working for someone else.

Because if you truly want to make money and be happy, you’ll not give a f*ck about anything that doesn’t serve you.

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie's timeless masterpiece, "How to Win Friends and Influence People," is like a book of cheat codes for social interactions and building meaningful relationships.

Its principles can easily be applied in business and personal finance too, as it will teach you how to make more money by making people like you.

Key Concepts

1. The Importance of Interpersonal Skills: Carnegie emphasizes that success in any field, including finance, is largely dependent on our ability to deal with people.

   Whether negotiating a raise, pitching to investors, or networking for opportunities, how we interact with others can significantly impact our financial success.

2. Building Strong Relationships: The book outlines strategies for building rapport and trust, such as showing genuine interest in others, remembering people's names, and listening attentively.

   In finance, strong relationships can lead to insider knowledge, better deals, and preferential treatment.

3. Influencing Others: Carnegie provides tactics for persuading people and winning them over to your way of thinking without causing resentment.

   This skill is invaluable in negotiations, sales, and any situation where you need to secure a favorable outcome.

Applying Carnegie's Principles

Implementing Carnegie's principles in the context of financial growth involves leveraging your social skills to expand your network and open up new opportunities.

Attend networking events, industry conferences, and social gatherings with the goal of learning about others and offering value, rather than what you can gain from them immediately.

When it comes to negotiations, whether for salary, investments, or business deals, use Carnegie's advice to empathize with the other party, understand their needs, and present your case in a way that highlights mutual benefits.

"Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" is more than just a book; it's a philosophy for achieving success that has influenced millions worldwide.

Based on Hill's study of over twenty years, researching the lives of individuals who had amassed personal fortunes, this book offers timeless insights into the psychological foundation of wealth.

Key Concepts

1. Autosuggestion: This principle focuses on influencing the subconscious mind through directed thoughts and affirmations.

   By regularly feeding your mind positive affirmations about your financial goals, you align your subconscious with your conscious efforts toward wealth.

2. Specialized Knowledge: Hill emphasizes that generalized knowledge is not as valuable in the accumulation of wealth as specialized knowledge.

   However, it's not just about possessing the knowledge; it's about effectively applying it to achieve your financial goals.

3. Imagination: According to Hill, imagination is the workshop of the mind where all plans are created.

   He distinguishes between synthetic imagination (arranging old concepts into new combinations) and creative imagination (connecting with the 'infinite intelligence' to receive new ideas).

4. Decision: The mastery of procrastination and the ability to make decisions promptly are highlighted as traits of the wealthy.

   Hill notes that people who accumulate wealth make decisions quickly and change them slowly, if at all.

Applying Hill's Principles

Seek out specialized knowledge in your area of financial interest, whether that's real estate, the stock market, or entrepreneurship. Consider forming or joining a Master Mind group to benefit from shared knowledge and support.

Most importantly, practice persistence. Success in finance, as in any area of life, often requires sustained effort and the resilience to bounce back from setbacks.

The BMM Takeaway

There are some absolutely amazing books just sitting out there waiting for you to read them.

Many of which will literally reveal how to get rich.

I gained probably over 90% of my knowledge on building wealth through books like these. And I trust them because they’re written by the most successful people in the world.

Don’t get all of your info from YouTube, TikTok, or articles online. Get some real books by some real authors. These authors have already made millions or billions of dollars, and now they’re sharing their story with the rest of us.

So why not read them, learn the secrets, and use them yourself?