I wrote Money’s Dirty Little Secrets because I believe in making things simple—money, success, life. Too many so-called experts, authors, and teachers make everything more complicated than it needs to be. They dress up basic principles in fancy words, pile on jargon, and act like financial success is only for those with MBAs, insider connections, or sheer luck.

That’s nonsense.

I don’t buy into the idea that understanding money and success should be difficult. If something is too complicated to explain in plain English, it’s probably useless—or worse, designed to keep you dependent on someone else’s expertise.

My entire life, I’ve worked to break things down into simple, practical, no-BS lessons—not just for myself, but for my family, my friends, and now, for my readers. I believe it’s my obligation to do this. Simplifying success isn’t easy—it takes experience, years of trial and error, and a relentless focus on what actually works. But once you strip away the fluff, what’s left is something anyone can use to build real wealth and freedom.

That’s why I wrote this book.

You are already successful, and I couldn’t be prouder. I know you’ve built your own paths, made your own decisions, and worked hard to create the lives you have.

But here’s something you may not know: I spent years figuring this stuff out on my own. I didn’t grow up with financial wisdom passed down to me. I had no roadmap, no mentors explaining the rules. I had to learn the hard way—through mistakes, failures, and hard-won victories.

Now, I want to make sure you never have to struggle the way I did. I want you to know exactly why I made certain decisions, how I built what I built, and how you can take these lessons even further. More than anything, I want this book to be something you can pass down—to your children, to anyone who needs it—so that they, too, can learn these lessons without wasting time on trial and error.

You are still young, and life is wide open in front of you. Right now, money might not mean much to you. It’s just something adults worry about. But someday, you’ll start making choices that will shape the rest of your life.

When that day comes, I want my voice to be there with you. I want you to have this book—not just as a collection of advice, but as a conversation between us. You may not realize it yet, but the decisions you make about money—how you earn it, how you spend it, how you invest it—will determine your freedom, your opportunities, and your ability to live life on your own terms.

This book is my way of reaching you—not just today, but years from now, when you need it most.

I know some people will pick up this book out of curiosity. Others might criticize it for being too blunt, too direct, or too simple. That’s fine. I didn’t write it to sound impressive—I wrote it to be useful.

I’m not here to sell fantasies. I don’t believe in get-rich-quick schemes, and I don’t sugarcoat reality. Money is a tool, and if you don’t learn how to use it, you will always be at the mercy of those who do.

My goal is not to impress you—it’s to wake you up. To make you question everything you’ve been told about money. To show you how to play the game in a way that puts you in control. If you’re looking for excuses, this book won’t give you any. But if you’re looking for a straightforward guide to taking charge of your financial future, you’re in the right place.

I didn’t always understand money. I thought success came from working hard, being responsible, and doing what you’re "supposed" to do. That’s what everyone tells you, right? Work harder, save more, and eventually, you’ll be financially secure.

Except that’s not how the world really works.

I remember sitting at my desk one night, exhausted, staring at my bank account, and wondering why I was still stuck in the same place. I had done everything right—worked long hours, stayed disciplined, avoided reckless spending. And yet, I still wasn’t financially free.

That’s when it hit me: I was playing the wrong game.

I realized that most people—including me—were following rules that kept them dependent. They weren’t designed to build wealth; they were designed to keep us all working, spending, and hoping for security that never really comes.

That moment changed everything. From that day forward, I made it my mission to stop following the rules that kept me trapped and start playing by my own.

Everything I learned from that moment on is in this book.

• Money isn’t complicated—people just make it seem that way. Learn the fundamentals, and you’ll have the power to control your future.
• Success isn’t about luck—it’s about learning and adapting. If you understand the system, you can stop working for money and start making money work for you.
• Your financial future is YOUR responsibility. No one is coming to save you—not your employer, not the government, not a financial advisor.
• If you don’t take control of your money, someone else will. And they will use it to their advantage, not yours.
• Wealth isn’t just about having money—it’s about having options. The freedom to live on your own terms is the ultimate goal.

I believe that simplifying success is hard work—but it’s necessary. I could have written a book full of complicated theories and financial jargon, but what good would that do? If knowledge isn’t practical, it’s worthless.

I have spent decades breaking down money and success into clear, simple, actionable steps—not just for myself, but for you. I consider it my responsibility to share what I’ve learned in a way that actually helps people.

If this book makes even one person—my child, my grandchild, my reader—take control of their financial future and live a better life, then it was worth writing.

Money is not the goal—freedom is.

I don’t want you to spend your life worrying about bills, debt, or whether you’ll have enough to retire. I don’t want you to waste years trapped in a system designed to keep you running in place.

I wrote this book to give you a shortcut. To give you a way out.

This is my gift to you—a way to ensure that my experiences don’t fade with time, but instead become a foundation for those I care about most.

Take what you can from it, apply it, and pass it on. Because knowledge—especially knowledge about money—is the greatest inheritance I can leave behind.

With the best intentions and a healthy dose of attitude, JCK