Richard Paul Evans possesses the ability to simplify important ideas to make them easy to understand. He applies that ability to the lessons that he has learned over the years about creating wealth. Evans has also demonstrated the ability to clearly tell a story and that ability is also applied to the subject of creating wealth. The result is the very informative and easily understandable book, “The Five Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me.”

This is a good self help book about some basic principles of creating wealth and what to do with it once it has been created. Evans introduces the topic with some personal stories from his childhood and how the lessons affected his attitude toward building wealth in his life. The next five chapters reveal the five lessons that he learned about wealth building, lessons which Evans wishes to pass along to others.

One of the teaching techniques in the book that I appreciated was Evans’s wise choice of quotations from noted wealthy people. The quotes were used to introduce topics that Evans wished to discuss and also to create a conclusion to topics that were well covered.

Evans talks about the creation of and growth of a nest egg throughout the book. I enjoyed the way he solidified the concept when he suggested that a person should purchase some precious metals such as silver or gold coins. The lesson is that the physical possession of these precious metal pieces keeps a person focused on their progress toward their financial goals.

The longest chapter, which has also proved to be the most popular chapter, is the chapter about the concept of winning in the margins. Evans does not define the concept but illustrates it with a handful of real life stories that are very effective. In this chapter Evans talks about four different mindsets that help to focus one’s mentality toward wealth. Evans also talks about his favorite question, seven golden words which helps to create a winning margin in many financial transactions; “Is that the best you can do?”

One of my favorite sentences in the book comes during a discussion of the idea that sincere gratitude for what one has will serve as an antidote to the problem caused by our tendency to over consume. Evans says, “Those who forget to be grateful for what they have often waste their lives and wealth looking for more.”

Evans concludes the five lessons with a discussion of the opportunity that the creation of wealth provides for us to give back to others. Evans says, “Ultimately, the most honorable and enjoyable use of money is in serving others.” He wisely says, “Hoarding wealth will make your life small and cold. Giving will warm and expand it.”

Evans includes a call to action by challenging the reader to teach the five lessons to someone they know within 24 hours and to share the book with others. When it comes to creating wealth and sharing it, Evans points out that it is never too late to start.

“The Five Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth” by Richard Paul Evans, published by Aurcadia Press. ISBN 1-930817-16-9.