Book Review: Twenty Good Summers

Author: Martin Hawes

I first read ‘Twenty Good Summers’ while on an adventure holiday in New Zealand almost ten years ago.  It is one of my personal favorites and the book I would normally recommend to friends who want to change their personal financial habits.  To my mind any book that can remain in publication and updated for ten years has to be a good read.

On the cover of his book Martin Hawes says ‘ Work less, live more and make the most of your money’.  This is a great philosophy for anyone.  The important issues with personal finance is to work out the balances and priorities for money now and money later.  Martin will take you through all the issues you need to consider and process.  He does not have a preferred investment style.  He simply tells you the pros and cons and lets you decide what is going to suit you.

Although Martin lives and works in New Zealand, the messages in the book are universal.  Taxation and retirement rules may be country specific, but this book works on a different plane and not relevant. 

While Martin has written many books, I would also recommend a more recent book called ‘The Money Map – Achieve financial freedom with your personal wealth plan’.  This will give you more detail on investments types. 

This book was reviewed by Glenis Phillips F Fin.

Disclaimer: Financial Mappers does not have an Australian Financial Services License, does not offer financial planning advice and does not recommend financial products.