Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Lifetime Money: Preparing for Your Future by Lee Jae Kwon is a guidance manual with the intent of assisting readers who might feel stunted in their work-life balance, earning potential, quality of life, and professional development. Broken down into three interconnected parts, Kwon covers multiple areas such as the concept of positive vs negative pain and the reality of what a reader on the safe path can expect in retirement in part one, Lifetime Money. Part two, Lifetime Money Thinking, scratches deeper below the surface with how modern corporate culture sees little value in employees beyond being performance-drivers, the fault in this unbalanced dynamic, and the carving out of a reader's ability to deduce and harness their value with the end game being the taming of their personal, elusive wolf. Finally, part three, Achieving Lifetime Money, delves into the parameters of achieving one's LTM potential as a master of their own destiny. “Ideally, individuals will enjoy their work whilst they make value for others; however, they are not given money for their enjoyment – they are given money for the value they provide.”

Lee Jae Kwon is clearly a seasoned professional and a natural motivator, and I'm surprised my first introduction to his work is through this book, Lifetime Money. From a literary standpoint, the narrative and quality of writing are massive, a masterful feat with a guide that is uniquely short. A testament to his capacity to move and inspire is that he is able to accomplish exactly this by way of crystal clear articulation, a purpose-driven presentation that slices through all the unnecessary fat, and that gives readers what they have come for: results. Further to this, Kwon's message embodies the lost art of integrity, not just in how we behave ourselves but also what we should expect from others. Namely, our employers, until we can transcend working for others and ultimately work for ourselves. My favorite chapter is seven, Easy Money Does Not Exist. Kwon espouses the hardships overcome by successful individuals who appear to have had success plopped on their laps. The majority “did their time” and put in the work, regardless of how effortless their journey looks from the outside. Kwon is a wildly talented author, a prime mover, and a professional of distinction that deserves all of the accolades given. Very highly recommended.