The Millionaire Fastlane: Crack the Code to Wealth and Live Rich for a Lifetime [Kindle Edition]

My cynical nature is rarely disappointed. And I was prepared for this book to be more self-published non-sense. I was wrong. This book is quite good - and I was pleasantly surprised. Think of it as similar to the 'Rich-Dad' series in tone, but with all the very best stuff there in spades - and with all the filler gone. The author is both an excellent writer (again, rare) and has a knack not only for telling it like it is, but for expressing himself with analytic accuracy and striking clarity. Essentially the book helps you re-think all you thought you knew about wealth creation. It's neither a how-to-guide (i.e., buy real estate) or the 'you can do it' feel-good treatise (a la Tony Robbins). Rather, it's critical thinking at its best. He works to debunk a number of wealth fantasies sold to the masses. In many ways, it's not althogether new, but it has rarely been delivered all in one package with such clarity and panache! I'm sure I could take a few critical stabs at it, but one fact remains: it's far superior to most out there in it's genre.

This is an honest to goodness "Get Rich Quick" book. But you must understand two things. First quick is 5 to 10 years. Second quick does not mean easy. Most "Get Rich Quick" books or programs really scam people into believing there is a method to "Get Rich Easy". MJ DeMarco, the author, does an extremely good job of telling the truth about what it takes to really achieve wealth.

The book starts off by describing three different economic paths and most people follow one of these paths. The first path is the sidewalk where people are basically living from paycheck to paycheck. The second is what MJ calls the slow lane - work hard for forty to fifty years, dutifully save 10% or more in your 401K and retire with a modest sum. However there are many dangers with the slow lane method. It depends on everything going right for those 40 - 50 years - not a good bet.

Then there is the fast lane. Here you are in control of your destiny, you work extremely hard for 5 to 10 years in a business which has the chance to make big money and once you build the business to size, you have a liquidation event, generally a sale.

There is a lot of wisdom in what he says. Most people who start their own businesses violate the rules that MJ gives. Your business must fill a need. It cannot be what you love or what you are good at. The product/service must be of value in the market place. And you must be able to scale the business - either by providing massive value to a few people or providing good value to a large number of people.

You cannot scale a local sandwich shop. Any business that cannot be scaled is simply a job.

MJ takes good aim at MLM opportunities and any other "business" that you can enter by buying a $199 distributor kit. You will save yourself tons of money and energy by reading and absorbing the lessons in this book.

In addition to the business and investing lessons, there are some extremely great life lessons in the book. MJ shares a lot of the lessons he learned the hard way - lessons such as your life is a composite of all the choices you have made. "Your choices are made in a moment, but their consequences will transcend a lifetime."

He also gives some great lessons about time - how it is our most valuable/precious asset.

The book is extremely easy to read. However it will probably challenge a lot of your long held beliefs. If you are seeking some magic formula for getting wealthy without a lot of effort, look elsewhere. If you want a serious how to manual, with some raw truth told by someone who might appear to be your "Dutch Uncle" then study this book and follow his advice.

MJ does not soft pedal the facts of life about getting wealthy. He speaks from experience and gives you some great insights into what it really takes to get wealthy.

Highly recommended but only for those willing to do what it takes.

While it may be difficult to believe a book can have over 60 five-star reviews, the Millionaire FastLane is very deserving. The underlying message throughout the book is to become a producer instead of a consumer to attain wealth. My first 'aha' moment, one of many, discussed the many popular books on the market today pertaining to wealth. Do the authors of these books follow their advice, or just sell the advice and follow a different plan? Upon closer inspection I soon realized how true this statement was. Take any top selling book off your shelf and decide whether the author follows his own advice or not. The answer is probably no. This author on the other hand practices what he preaches. Anybody with an entrepreneurial mindset will enjoy this book. Anyone who is not happy about the progress they are making in life should read this book as your current belief system is obviously flawed.