The Money Tree: A Story About Finding the Fortune in Your Own Backyard
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The Money Tree: A Story About Finding the Fortune in Your Own Backyard Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Chris Guillebeau (Author, Narrator), Penguin Audio (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 479 ratings
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From best-selling author of The $100 Startup and Side Hustle comes Chris Guillebeau's engaging story about the power you have to create your own financial destiny.

Like financial classics The Latte Factor and The Richest Man in Babylon, The Money Tree uses a compelling story with captivating characters to share its core insight: You are never at the mercy of fortune as long as you have an appetite for hard work and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.

Jake Aarons is in trouble. He's being evicted from his apartment in less than 30 days, the bill for his $50,000 in overdue student loans is almost due, and the digital marketing agency he works at just implemented a new military-style grading system that might cost him his job. To top it off, Jake's new relationship with Maya was going so well...but with everything else falling down around him, he might lose her, too.

In search of answers, Jake reluctantly attends a weekly group meeting at the invitation of a coworker. Everyone in the group is trying to create a lucrative side hustle with one key requirement: They can only spend up to $500 before earning a profit. Over the course of several weeks, Jake undertakes a series of challenges, first learning how to make $1,000 in a single weekend, and ultimately how to discover the untapped skills he needs to take control of his finances - and his life.

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  1. Listening Length
    6 hours and 14 minutes
  2. Author
    Chris Guillebeau
  3. Narrator
    Chris Guillebeau
  4. Audible release date
    April 7, 2020
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Penguin Audio
  7. ASIN
    B0815TSB7F
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 6 hours and 14 minutes
Author Chris Guillebeau
Narrator Chris Guillebeau
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date April 07, 2020
Publisher Penguin Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0815TSB7F
Best Sellers Rank #130,637 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#870 in Entrepreneurship (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,100 in Business Motivation & Self-Improvement (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,721 in Leadership (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
479 global ratings
You can do more than you think.
5 Stars
You can do more than you think.
Chris Guillebeau knows how to write a captivating story. This book is for anyone that has doubts about their ability to succeed in this harsh world we live in. Jake had almost everything against him in the beginning of the book. After reading the story, you will find the path that Jake goes down is a simple but revolutionary one that can help you change your own course in life for the better. Highly recommend this book.
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Top reviews from the United States

Thomas Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars Entrepreneurshp Professor's Response
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
I don't know what to say about this book. I mean, you've already seen the 5 stars at the top, so the end result will be a recommend to read, at least for some of you. But I'm not used to reading things like this, even from this author.
The cynical side of me says the actual usable information embedded in this would fit on an index card. And while that may be true, especially if you are used to making information packed business cards to pass exams, it's not the point. As a matter of fact, that there isn't a lot of 'new' in this book IS kind of the point. Entrepreneurship need not be complicated to be effective. And the principles demonstrated in this book are very likely to be very, very successful in creating a lifestyle business for all but the most unfortunate of individuals.
More importantly, the ideas are packaged in a story and emphasized over and over so that if you read the book you won't need the note card. It would be hard to read this book once and not internalize the key messages.
It's an enjoyable read, not a lot of surprises or drama, but enough to keep the pages turning. I finished it in two sittings, separated by a couple weeks. It was engaging enough that I wanted to get right back to it, but my day job required reading lots of student papers, lots of Zoom meetings, and entering of grades between sessions.
If you're truly confused about starting a side hustle, probably pick up 'Side Hustle' by the same author instead. But if your problem is more motivation or belief, this is a better choice. And if you're either hustling or trying to start pick it up. Reading it just makes me feel better. It might make you feel better too.
3 people found this helpful
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Mary Lou
5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun, inspiring read- definitely a fan of all of Chris Guillebeau’s work!
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2020
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I discovered Chris Guillebeau only in the last 2 years or so, but I’ve read all his books now. I’m also about 1/3 of the way through his enormously entertaining and informative daily podcast. This new book is different in that it’s a fictional story rather than a non-fiction help book, so it’s a slight departure for him.

That said, having gotten to know a bit of his history, it’s overall great good fun. The Money Tree definitely has tinges of clever autobiography and is a good story. It’s a pleasant, easy read, but it’s also inspiring and makes you want to follow its tips and start your own side hustle to create your own financial freedom.

Chris’ easygoing style makes his writing very approachable. I think that quality makes it more likely to make an impact. There’s humor woven into all his writing, too. Of course, this book complements his general message and is interwoven into his overall business, but it’s ok because he really does seem genuinely committed to helping people obtain financial security.

If you’re looking to change your life, read Chris Guillebeau, follow him on social media and dig into his Side Hustle School podcast. You’ll become a fast fan like we did. Can’t recommend it enough- I literally never ever write reviews 😁
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M K Temple
5.0 out of 5 stars Chris Guillebeau uses the power of fiction to create his best book yet
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2020
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Chris Guillebeau's latest book isn't just a "novel of ideas." THE MONEY TREE provides real ideas about how anyone can make money, but it's also a real novel, with likeable and believable characters (even the villains are entertaining), nonstop action and plot twists.

The book opens with Jake Aarons in a worst-case scenario which isn't too much worse than many people's reality. His job is in jeopardy because of a "merger" (hostile takeover), his student loans are due, his rented condo is being sold out from under him, and he's so preoccupied with all of the above that he neglects the best girl he's ever met. His brother is also in trouble. Zack has left his job on the maximum-security campus of IT firm "Titan" for a start-up data-mining service disguised as social media, or vice versa, "Buzzard" (whose self-designated "Founder & CEO & COO" doesn't know his birds from his bees). (You know the real-world names of these companies, of course.) The sagas of Titan and Buzzard aren't just comic relief. They're pictures of the "two ways" most people are trapped into making a living: slave-laboring for conventional, top-down megacorps or investing time and money in overextended and unmanageable start-ups.

Thanks to a friend, Jake finds "The Third Way," a group of people who need more money than their paychecks provide, and who also want work that makes a difference in the world. Through the tantalizing hints of the leader and the tough but supportive critiques of the other members, Jake begins to learn how to solve his problems on his own, step by step, using the methods Guillebeau teaches in his nonfiction. If you want more details, or just more evidence that you can do this thing, consult Guillebeau's other books, especially THE $100 STARTUP (true success stories from 2009, the last big crash before the present meltdown) and SIDE HUSTLE (the 27-days-to-business-launch plan), but THE MONEY TREE is a stand-alone resource that you can use immediately to teach yourself how to make life-changing amounts of money.
3 people found this helpful
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Michael Lyons
4.0 out of 5 stars great was to get started
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2023
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I enjoy the authors work and I like the use of a story to teach lessons and techniques. This is a good starting point book.
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Book Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and practical
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2020
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Guillebeau tells a story to get across his side hustle philosophy and how to get started. It really resonated with me.

It looks to me that done right, having a money making side project will be a cornerstone to a successful, satisfying life--financially, emotionally and creatively. For me, the biggest plus is the sense of security it provides. Selling is always a reliable way to pay bills and get rid of debt.

It also gives me a reassuring sense of power. I hate feeling powerless and paralyzed in the face of unexpected money woes. Using the general guidelines repeatedly mentioned in the book, I can set up a side hustle to give me a way to take small, actionable to increase my income.

The book also emphasizes the importance of giving back and connecting with other people interested in side projects.

I loved the book. I highly recommend it to anyone on the fence about a side hustle, fearful or just confused about how to do it.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Daniel Urrea Quintanilla
3.0 out of 5 stars Bueno
Reviewed in Mexico on February 2, 2024
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Bueno
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Martin
3.0 out of 5 stars ótimo autor, boas lições mas leitura que se arrasta
Reviewed in Brazil on March 16, 2022
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Gosto muito do autor, e tem boas lições nesse livro, mas tem que ser garimpadas, procuradas e é bem cansativo. Li esse livro em 2020 em pleno início de pandemia e agora leio de novo, mas a leitura é arrastada, chata, cansativa.
O autor tem muito conteúdo e se tivesse escrito um livro dele mesmo conversando ou expondo essas idéias acho que seria melhor. Ao invés disso ele resolveu escrever uma história, tipo uma novela, tem o personagem principal, um caso de amor frustrado, um C&O maluco e o Clarence, o mentor, tipo um sr. Miyagi das finanças. Os personagens são muito chatos, rasos e clichê. A leitura fica muito chata e cansativa por causa disso.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A game changer
Reviewed in Canada on November 8, 2021
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I loved how the book was wrote in story format which made the sharing of the key principles and ideas much easier to absorb. The story was compelling and I couldn’t stop reading, I read it entirely in one night! I’m inspired, motivated, and I have new ideas (or ones that have been brewing for awhile ) are now making more sense and have more substance to them , just as Jake needed to do with his ideas. We all have the ability to create our own money tree, I see I’ve been doing that all along at the bare minimum but I haven’t developed my ideas further, and during the reading of this book I’ve had a lot of realizations on how to expand and step out of this comfort zone that really is not comfortable at all anymore…..I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for a way to create meaningful work that helps yourself as well as others.
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Roberto Chimento
5.0 out of 5 stars A great short story with practical life lessons...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 20, 2020
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A great short read that tells you the story of someone you might resonate with yourself if you’re in a similar situation in life of wanting to start a side project but not knowing where to start. Or have a large amount of personal debt to pay off etc. Everything can be figured out and this book is a reminder that you are in control of your life no one else. You you can become unstuck even if you feel very stuck right now.
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Kai-Owe
5.0 out of 5 stars What an inspirational and emotional touching book - Ein super inspirierendes und berührendes Buch
Reviewed in Germany on April 11, 2020
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"You can do more than you think" - That's the biggest message I got out of this highly inspiring book. Besides it gave me several great ideas to develop further for starting my own side hustle...Couldn't stop reading it until it was finished due to the exciting stories about protagonist Jake who was struggling with his life and his job and found a great mentor who helped him to find a "third way". A must read for anybody who wants to start a side hustle. Thank you so much Chris!

"Du bekommst mehr hin als du glaubst" - das ist nun das vierte Buch von Chris Guillebeau, was ich gelesen habe und die Story hat mir einige tolle Impulse gegeben, Ideen für ein zweites Standbein zu finden. Schon während des Lesens habe ich mir einige Notizen gemacht und habe das Buch erst zur Seite gelegt, nachdem ich die letzte Seite "verschlungen" hatte. Wer sich ein Zweiteinkommen verschaffen möchte, bekommt hier viele Anregungen, die Mut machen, es einmal selber auszuprobieren. Vielen Dank dafür Chris!
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