Live Rich, Die Broke by Stephen M. Pollan

A decade after their original publication dates, these two self-help books by 'America's most trusted financial adviser' aren't exactly still 'hot' - yet despite the details which date them, Stephen M. Pollan's financial advice ultimately remains pertinent today.

I made a mistake when I tackled Stephen M. Pollan's duo of financial advice books - I read the sequel, 'Live Rich,' before the original, 'Die Broke.' This is because I'd (somewhat understandably) imagined 'living' occurred before 'dying.'

As it turned out, it didn't really matter. Although ostensibly offering advice on two different facets of your financial affairs, the advice contained within 'Live Rich' is pretty-much paralleled word for word in 'Die Broke'.

'Die Broke' is a straightforward guide to getting the best out of life while you're still alive. Summed up, it simply advises readers to spend their kid's inheritance - so a family can enjoy that money together, instead of only after their parent's death.

The best line of the book (easily worth the purchase price) is this mantra: "The last cheque you write should be to the funeral director - and it should bounce."

'Live Rich,' the sequel, has more practical financial advice. Much of it is rehashed from 'Die Broke' - such as cutting up your credit cards, paying cash where you can and forgetting about the concept of 'retirement.' It adds a new dimension, though, with Pollan's advice to 'quit today.'

That shouldn't be taken literally - he doesn't advise readers to hand in their two weeks notice - but he does suggest that they abandon the obedient 'worker bee' mentality and treat their job like a temporary assignment, rather than a career.

It's a 21st century alternative to a 19th century work mentality and neatly mirrors the way corporate America has similarly abandoned the concept of employee loyalty.

The bulk of both books is taken up with a glossary of advice, which is where the age of the books is most noticeable. Pollan advices his clients to get a pager, recommends the fastest modem available (a whopping 56.6k) and ponders if cell-phones will be a technology that catches on.

But despite some aspects of these books being obviously dated, the advice contained within them is sterling stuff. I'm not going to suggest reading them will 'change your life' but it'll certainly change your preconceptions.

My only advice? It's really not necessary to read both - 'Live Rich' is more of an updated version of 'Die Broke' than a follow-up - so you'll get the gist of Pollan's pragmatic advice from reading that edition alone.

Christmas in America

It's not quite Christmas yet - but it is the time when many families undergo a uniquely American tradition and take their Christmas Pictures.

Mini Militant's Christmas photo from last year!

In the United States, people tend not to buy generic Christmas cards with pictures of Santa and snowflakes on. Instead, it's much more popular to take personal photos of the family to send in the form of a card. It allows friends and family to see how the kids are growing up - and offers an excuse to express yourself:

A Young Republican Christmas

Being a somewhat snobby Brit, I was originally pretty skeptical of the holiday photo phenomenon - but couldn't help but get swept up into it when Mini Militant was born. After all, it's only once a year and as cheesy as it might seem, it's a lot of festive fun.

Some Christmas pics are just plain creepy.

Christmas Videos are also becoming more popular on video sharing websites - but sometimes I think all this Christmas Sharing is not without cost. Below, I present some holiday pictures that perhaps should never have been.

Screaming babies!

I'm an Atheist, but even I take offense to this!

Can't. Find. The. Words.

Snow? Check. Beer? Check. Unconscious baby? Check. BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!

Santa is creepy.

More Ginger Discrimination from Britain

"Santa loves all kids - even GINGER ones!"

So boasts a new Christmas Card from British supermarket chain Tescos - replete with a picture of a grumpy Santa tolerating a freckle-faced redhead sitting on his lap. The Daily Mirror have the story here.

Redheaded mum Davina, and her three ginger tots.

Tesco has been blasted for selling a Christmas card which pokes fun at ginger kids. The card has left the mother of three red-headed children fuming after she spotted it while shopping.

"I've shown it to a lot of friends and they're disgusted by it. I just don't find it funny at all."

"I have never seen anything in my life promoting making fun out of people with ginger hair. Maybe I am just being naive but they shouldn't be able to make fun of ginger children like that."

The redhead mother, Davina Phillips, might never have seen anything making fun of ginger kids before, but I certainly have. Remember this ad, with a happy ginger family and the slogan 'There are some things in life you can't choose?'


I find it deeply disturbing that Britain's sinking deeper and deeper into a sort of 'politically correct' fascism, in which you can't say anything remotely negative about somebody's race, sexuality, disability or religion - yet it remains 'open season' on redheads.

The inimitable Mycroft emailed me today with a quote from urbane American Reginald D. Hunter, who announced on Have I Got News For You that the Brits couldn't even get racism right:

"You try, of course - but you just don't get it right... Take Ginger people. They aren't even a race and you give the guys hell..."

He's absolutely right, of course. Prejudice against redheads seems to remain a uniquely British - and uniquely stupid - phenomenon.

Badass Baby

So in keeping with a baby who carries himself with such distinguished style and grace, has a collection of hip and stylish dinky toys.

Here they are:

From left to right, a lime-green '68 Citroen DS, a '64 Mini Cooper S, a '78 Pontiac Firebird, a '70 Chevy Nova, a Land Rover Defender 110 and a Triumph TR6.

As I said earlier, the kid's got style...