The Money Tree

A Story About Finding the Fortune in Your Own Backyard

By: Chris Guillebeau

Narrated by: Chris Guillebeau

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.

©2020 Chris Guillebeau (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Not only will you tear through the pages of this well-told story, but it'll light a spark in your quest to build the free and prosperous life you've always dreamed of." (Derek Sivers, author of Anything You Want)

"Chris Guillebeau has always been one of our most inspired business minds - teaching us about everything from traveling the world to building a side hustle. Now, with The Money Tree, he shows he's also a terrific storyteller. If you're hoping to make a living and make a life, this book is an essential read. (Daniel H. Pink, author of When and To Sell Is Human)

"Ever wondered why some people seem stuck, stalled, or unable to launch - while others have identified the unique gift they can share with the world? This book holds the answer." (Marie Forleo, author of Everything Is Figureoutable)

Great book

Hey Chris great book thanks for all you do and keep it up love the pods too

good book

this is a good book, it tells the right story and I liked listening to it

Totally recommend it !!!

This is the perfect book for anyone feeling stuck, powerless, or looking for a change in how they are living their life and managing their finances. There is so much value in those words and the storytelling is great ! A book that reminds us that we are in control.

Fun Listen

Very much enjoyed listening to this audiobook. Clever way to present entrepreneurial ideas and advice.

You can do more than you think

I wasn't quite sure what this book was about, but have followed the author on his podcast SideHustle School and knew he was generous in sharing knowledge and nuggets to solopreneuers and anyone who wanted to turn a hobby into a money making vehicle. Jake had a rough start, which laid the foundation of his journey to many levels of self awareness for his life. I learned from this book that even though you have problems (which we all do) to focus on what's in front of you, be open to wise counsel, reflect on what God has given you in the form of talent or gifts and be willing to work hard. Lastly, you can do more than you think. Thanks Chris! Homerun!

A great lesson learned

Written as fiction, this book is really a learning experience. For anyone wanting to find a way to make a second income (or more), this book is a great guide to helping you realize you can find your own path, and move away from total reliance on the limited income from your regular job. Gives you hope that there are other possibilities to create income and feel valued.

A Must Read - Beautiful Work

This book has been an absolute life changer - and really helped me connect a lot of dots with my own journey into entrepreneurship, along with how powerful it is to connect with others so we can go forward further than we thought.

The characters and their motives are well defined - and the main character Jake is the perfect any man audience surrogate, that really helps you understand the hidden meanings of the lessons in building a successful business - even if you have never attempted. I have been into passive income for a long time, and could see many plot points coming, but it was just such a relief and validated of where I am now that I could see it.

If you are into being self reliant, and building a legacy - this book is for you. Starting a business whether new, “trying again”, or transitioning- this book is for you. Looking for meaning in what you bring to the world - read this!!

I cannot express how grateful I am that Chris wrote this book - the characters are so relatable, and it is truly something I wish I had at 19 so I could have side-stepped a lot of backtracking haha!

I will be recommending this book to all of my friends, and make it a staple in any mastermind I’m part of - the insights are that good. It’s clear the Chris really gets what it takes to live a fulfilled life, and his wonderfully relatable characters represent many paths - I almost felt like I was in the story myself!

Another great listening from Chris

100$ Startup was the first book I’ve read and it changed my, one of those “aha” moments.
This book is another level: great storytelling, listened it as a whole through one evening. Though, I’m not in US and some of the references are not applicable (no student loans and no such a problem here in Russia) I already started to think how can I grow my money tree with my knowledge and how this knowledge can help other people around the globe :)
Opportunities come from different directions, so it’s important not to lose the moment. Thank you, Chris!

Another great book by Chris!

I think I've read all of Chris' books so far and this is another great

Good book full of interesting ideas.

I heard about this book and author from the Dave Ramsey Show. I enjoyed the interview and decided to check out his story. Now that I've finished it I want to listen to it again. The ideas and lessons taught in this book are simple, often overlooked, and doable for most of us. I especially enjoyed the story about going to Ethiopia. Having recently returned from Guatemala on a missions trip, I can relate to how something as simple as a soccer ball, can change lives for a day, and bring joy, but effective ways of developing commerce can change the lives if a community forever. im looking forward to re-listening to this book soon.