Two years ago I was 39 years old had no plan for retirement and I was FAT- 220 lbs. I decided I needed to change my life because I wanted to live a long healthy time in my retirement. I started a diet and it was going very well for the first year (lost 55 lbs) when I started thinking more about retirement. I got your book The Automatic Millionaire and as I was reading I started to cry. You see, at the end of that first year, I realized that I had more money that I normally did in my checking account – like $4000 more! Thanks to your book I know that it was my latte factor! I bought coffee and a muffin for breakfast every day at work ($5 and 500 calories), had a candy bar for a snack ($1 and 275 calories)etc, etc. After reading your book, I increased my 401k payments to 12%, and I have a 5% match. I also started a high interest savings account, and I just opened a Roth IRA. I’m 41 now, I’ve lost a total of 80 pounds, I’m healthy, and I’m set to retire at 62 with $1.5 million even if I never get another raise.

My lesson to myself- convenience foods will get you conveniently broke and FAT!