My favorite books on how to escape the rat race and earn financial freedom

Why am I passionate about this?

Leaving the Rat Race behind was not easy and it took 15 years but it is so worth it. Unfortunately, many people are just like me in that they don’t even know they are trapped in the Rat Race running faster and faster. I want to highlight the Rat Race and What it takes to get out as life is so much better when you are not trapped.


I wrote...

One Rental at a Time: The Journey to Financial Independence Through Real Estate

By Michael Zuber,

Book cover of One Rental at a Time: The Journey to Financial Independence Through Real Estate

What is my book about?

One Rental at a Time is simply the story of a busy couple who starts investing in real estate after suffering huge stock market losses. We share the good and the bad of our 15-year journey that rides the wave up and the epic crash called the Great Recession. We include our keys to success and lessons learned to help others get started and avoid our errors.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Rich Dad Poor Dad

Michael Zuber Why did I love this book?

Without Rich Dad Poor Dad I may have never learned that I was trapped in the Rat Race. You can’t escape something if you don’t know you are in it. I have read this book that I have read any other book as it was simply a shock to my understanding of the world and how each individual can control their future.

Rich Dad Poor Dad changed my family's life and for that I am thankful. However, it is not a story or a journey of starting from nothing and accumulating assets over 15 years. As I wrote my own books I wanted to credit Rich Dad Poor Dad but also highlight everything that happened after reading it.

By Robert T. Kiyosaki,

Why should I read it?

10 authors picked Rich Dad Poor Dad as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

It's been nearly 25 years since Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad first made waves in the Personal Finance arena.
It has since become the #1 Personal Finance book of all time... translated into dozens of languages and sold around the world.

Rich Dad Poor Dad is Robert's story of growing up with two dads his real father and the father of his best friend, his rich dad and the ways in which both men shaped his thoughts about money and investing. The book explodes the myth that you need to earn a high income to be rich and explains…


Book cover of The Millionaire Real Estate Investor

Michael Zuber Why did I love this book?

I needed to find a book that got down to the process of becoming an investor. Gary does an excellent job of breaking down the components of becoming a good real estate investor. In addition to the blocking and tackling Gary included a bonus section that I simple loved because I was hungry for stories of success. At the end of Gary’s book, Gary included a list of investors who successfully completed the journey. Those pages kept me engaged as the first few years of real estate investing are slow and those stories got me through.

By Gary Keller, Dave Jenks, Jay Papasan

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Millionaire Real Estate Investor as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"This book is not just a bargain, it's a steal. It's filled with practical, workable advice for anyone wanting to build wealth."-Mike Summey, co-author of the bestselling The Weekend Millionaire's Secrets to Investing in Real Estate

Anyone who seeks financial wealth must first learn the fundamental truths and models that drive it. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor represents the collected wisdom and experience of over 100 millionaire investors from all walks of life who pursued financial wealth and achieved the life-changing freedom it delivers. This book--in straightforward, no nonsense, easy-to-read style--reveals their proven strategies.

The Millionaire Real Estate Investor is…


Book cover of Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win

Michael Zuber Why did I love this book?

As a real estate Investor it is very easy to fall back and blame others for this or that. This book helps you appreciate that that is not helpful and leads to bad outcomes. Instead, you need to take ownership of all outcomes and learn from them. Real estate investing has many twists and turns and many of them are negative. You can either blame others or you can learn the lesson and move on.

By Jocko Willink, Leif Babin,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Extreme Ownership as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Highly decorated Navy SEALs, now successful businessmen, show readers how to lead and win in business and in life with principles learned on the battlefield. In Extreme Ownership, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin share hard-hitting, Navy SEAL combat stories that translate into lessons for business and life. With riveting first-hand accounts of making high-pressure decisions as Navy SEAL battlefield leaders, this book is equally gripping for leaders who seek to dominate other arenas. Jocko and Leif served together in SEAL Task Unit Bruiser, the most highly decorated Special Operations unit from the war in Iraq. Their efforts contributed to the…


Book cover of Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

Michael Zuber Why did I love this book?

Can’t Hurt Me is a book about becoming mentally tough. As a real estate investor bad things happen all the time and it helps to understand that and almost build a mental callus so it doesn’t impact you. Without the ability to move on from evictions, breaking water heaters, plumbing issues, etc. you can go nuts and not accomplish your goals.  

By David Goggins,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Can't Hurt Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

New York Times Best Seller

Over 4 million copies sold

For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare -- poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outside magazine to name…


Book cover of The 10x Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure

Michael Zuber Why did I love this book?

Something I struggle with is thinking big. You see I live in a world of daily execution and getting one percent better. The 10X Rule gave me permission to think bigger and to really stretch myself. I still have work to do but I am learning and trying to bring the 10X framework and ideas into my life, my business, and my portfolio.

By Grant Cardone,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The 10x Rule as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Achieve "Massive Action" results and accomplish your business dreams! While most people operate with only three degrees of action-no action, retreat, or normal action-if you're after big goals, you don't want to settle for the ordinary. To reach the next level, you must understand the coveted 4th degree of action. This 4th degree, also know as the 10 X Rule, is that level of action that guarantees companies and individuals realize their goals and dreams. The 10 X Rule unveils the principle of "Massive Action," allowing you to blast through business clich s and risk-aversion while taking concrete steps to…


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Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

By Joy Loverde,

Book cover of Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

Joy Loverde

New book alert!

What is my book about?

Everything you need to know to plan for your own safe, financially secure, healthy, and happy old age.

For those who have no support system in place, the thought of aging without help can be a frightening, isolating prospect. Whether you have friends and family ready and able to help you or not, growing old does not have to be an inevitable decline into helplessness. It is possible to maintain a good quality of life in your later years, but having a plan is essential. Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old? Equips readers with everything they need to prepare on their own:

Advice on the tough medical, financial, and housing decisions to come Real solutions to create a support network Questions about aging solo readers don't know to ask Customizable worksheets and checklists that help keep plans on course Guidance on new products, services, technology, and resources

Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

By Joy Loverde,

What is this book about?

For those who have no support system in place, the thought of aging without help can be a frightening, isolating prospect. Whether you have friends and family ready and able to help you or not, growing old does not have to be an inevitable decline into helplessness. It is possible to maintain a good quality of life in your later years, but having a plan is essential. WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF ME WHEN I'M OLD? equips readers with everything they need to prepare on their own:

* Advice on the tough medical, financial, and housing decisions to come
*…


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