Book · 2019
Quit Like a Millionaire
by Kristy Shen
Kristy Shen argues "follow your passion" is bullshit, then explains how to buy your freedom from a career you merely tolerate.
What does Reddit think of Quit Like a Millionaire?
Thirty mentions, twenty-five of them in r/financialindependence, and it consistently shows up as a second name rather than the first. One commenter (↑147) pairs it with Simple Path to Wealth as "better choices" than Rich Dad Poor Dad. Another list (↑14) ranks Simple Path first as "more concise, digestible" and doesn't mention this book at all in the top slots shown. Where it does get its own space, the framing is specific: one reader (↑31) singles out Shen's rejection of "follow your passion" in favor of a tolerable, well-paying career you exit once FI or CoastFI hits. Another (↑12) credits it with catching a "rookie portfolio mistake" after a decade already spent pursuing FIRE, which is a concrete, self-correcting kind of endorsement. One commenter is more lukewarm (↑14): finishing it despite not normally following the authors' blog, calling it "worth a free read from the library." Not everyone here is enthusiastic.
Community feedback & reader fit
Themes
- · Rejecting "follow your passion" for pay-then-exit career advice
- · Consistently ranked second to Simple Path to Wealth
- · A library-worthy read rather than a must-own
- · Catching portfolio mistakes even after years on the FIRE path
Common praise
- + One reader credits it with exposing a portfolio mistake made after more than a decade already pursuing FIRE, a specific correction rather than vague inspiration (↑12).
- + Gets singled out for Shen's blunt take that "follow your passion" is bullshit, replaced with pay-well-and-tolerate-it advice until you can buy your freedom (↑31).
- + Named directly as one of two "better choices" than Rich Dad Poor Dad in a comparison thread (↑147).
Common criticism
- − One reader finishes it while admitting the authors' blog "hasn't really ever resonated," calling it just "worth a free read from the library" rather than a must-buy (↑14).
- − In head-to-head reading lists it consistently loses top billing to Simple Path to Wealth, described elsewhere as the more "concise, digestible" pick (↑14).
- − Thirty mentions across seven years, mostly clustered in one subreddit, is a small enough sample that its second-place status could just reflect who happened to post.
Who it's for
Sick of career advice telling you to chase passion instead of a paycheck? Shen's argument, cited directly in r/financialindependence, is the opposite: get paid well, tolerate the job, then buy your way out. Been doing FIRE for years already and assume you've got the basics locked? One reader here found a real portfolio mistake in it after a full decade on the path, so seniority isn't a reason to skip it. If you're choosing one FIRE book to actually own, the data leans toward Simple Path to Wealth getting named first more often; treat this one as the strong second pick, or a library checkout if you're not ready to commit to owning it.
Mentions over time
Top subreddits
Which Reddit comments matter for Quit Like a Millionaire?
The most relevant excerpts across the subreddits where this book is mentioned — opinionated, argued takes first, then top-upvoted mentions. Click through to read the full thread.
“Simple Path to Wealth or Quit Like a Millionaire would be better choices. Rich Dad Poor Dad might be a bit simplistic in regards to real estate, but it really is market-dependent. Some places (and in some times, like 2005-2008 say) it makes more sense to rent. When I purchased my mortgage+HOA+taxes…
“Take your pick - I did enjoy The 4 Pillars of Investing - some history thrown in and very detailed explanation of different asset classes and how to build a strong portfolio. - If You Can: How Millennials Can Get Rich Slowly – an excellent free 15 page PDF by William Bernstein: [DOWNLOAD LINK](htt…
“You might enjoy the book *Quit Like a Millionaire* by Kristy Shen. She takes the view that "follow your passion" is bullshit. She more or less advocates for pursuing a career that pays well and that you can tolerate. *Then*, when you're FI or CoastFI, buy your freedom--or some measure of freedom--a…
“I've read 100+ books on personal finance and investing over the last 15 years, many are listed here by others. I really liked: "The safe investor" - Tim McCarthy [Taught me the biggest risk is not investing, but also how *not to lose* money] And "Quit like a millionaire" - Kristy Shen [The b…
“Finished reading "Quit Like A Millionaire" last night. Full disclosure I don't normally read their blog as it hasn't really ever resonated with me which is odd considering they are really just a few years younger, but it is worth a free read from the library I think still. She has a pretty awesome s…
“1. **Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins** 1. A more concise, digestible version of #2, imo 2. **The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John C. Bogle** 1. Likely be of interest to you as a finance major after finishing #1 3. **Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin** 1. Understanding…
“**Rookie Portfolio mistake** This is a ‘did you know’ post… I have been on the way to FIRE for more than a decade now and thought I knew the basics down pat… Now reading a FI book (Quit like a Millionaire) and just realized a major goof-up in my portfolio… In my single-minded focus to save save sa…
“Air quotes on "retired" because they are still working. They have written multiple books Quit Like a Millionaire: No Gimmicks, Luck, or Trust Fund Required i…
“I read Quit Like a Millionaire. I’d only recommend this for the young audience, maybe college aged or just out of college. Those in early stages seeking to learn about FIRE and wondering how to do it, particularly with average / low income, etc. Even then I’d still recommend to “chase it” with …
“Quit Like a Millionaire is so good! It made my husband believe in FIRE. Because you know, why listen to your wife \*shrugs\* lol! Definitely a great book. Also looking forward to reading Simple Path to Wealth.
“I liked RD,PD too mostly bc it was the first personal finance book I read back in middle school. As others have said there’s better. Just finished reading Quit Like a Millionaire by Kristy Shen. Good narrative and all about FIRE. I do have to respectfully disagree that you’re only FI if you have you…
“Depends if you want to retire early and what kind of retirement you want. Honestly, you're crushing it in my book and if you kept pumping your retirement at that rate you could probably retire in your 30s. I've been shilling it a lot lately, but you should read *Quit Like a Millionaire* by Kristy …
“Low cost Index funds are so much more chill than real estate. Recommend reading some books about financial independence such as The Simple Path to Wealth, Quit Like a Millionaire etc. Hope for appreciation is not a very optimal strategy
“Congrats! Interesting to read the comments. I think the “retire and reevaluate every year” can work just fine for you. You seem like a go getter so I’m sure you will make some (or even a lot) of money doing something you are passionate about in the future. You should read “Quit like a millionaire”…
“These books were my favorite on the subject. I already know most of the things that this community preaches, but I use the books to stay motivated (and I'm a personal finance nerd). It's worth the $10 or $15 dollars a couple of times a year for me. The Simple Path to Wealth -JL Collins (Best IMO) …
Convinced? Pick up Quit Like a Millionaire
Readers also mention
Books that share discussion threads with Quit Like a Millionaire — counted from the comments, not curated.
Quit Like a Millionaire — frequently asked
Is Quit Like a Millionaire better than Simple Path to Wealth?+
Not according to this data. One reading list (↑14) ranks Simple Path first, calling it "more concise, digestible," and a comparison thread (↑147) lists both as better options than Rich Dad Poor Dad without ranking one above the other. Quit Like a Millionaire shows up consistently, but rarely as the top pick.
What does Quit Like a Millionaire actually argue, according to Reddit?+
That "follow your passion" is bad advice. A r/financialindependence commenter (↑31) summarizes Kristy Shen's position directly: pick a tolerable, well-paying career, then buy your freedom once you hit FI or CoastFI. It's presented as a specific counter-argument, not generic motivation.
Is Quit Like a Millionaire useful even if I've already been doing FIRE for years?+
One reader thinks so. After more than a decade on the FIRE path, they credit reading Quit Like a Millionaire with catching a "rookie portfolio mistake" they'd made without realizing it (↑12), suggesting it's not purely a beginner's book.
Is Quit Like a Millionaire worth buying or just borrowing?+
The data leans toward borrowing. One finished reader who admits the authors' blog "hasn't really ever resonated" with them still calls the book "worth a free read from the library" (↑14), a lukewarm endorsement rather than a must-own recommendation.