The Economy of You Book Summary - The Economy of You Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

The Economy of You summary

Kimberly Palmer

Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life

3.7 (19 ratings)
11 mins

Brief summary

The Economy of You by Kimberly Palmer is a guide to establishing a successful side hustle. Drawing on her own experience, Palmer offers practical advice and inspiring stories to help readers transform their passions into profitable careers.

Table of Contents

    The Economy of You
    Summary of 5 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 5

    Going through financial struggles isn’t the only incentive for finding a second job.

    It seems like all we ever hear about is how volatile the global economy is. Since the 2007 financial crisis, many individuals have taken extra steps to protect themselves. Once thought of as a last resort, working two jobs is becoming a norm today.

    A 2012 study conducted by the University of Michigan revealed that as many as 50 percent of participants described themselves as financially worse off compared to their situation five years ago. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 percent of the working population in the United States already has at least two jobs. What’s the relationship between these two pieces of information?

    Well, it’s easy enough to assume that people get a second job because of financial struggles, be it a growing debt, increasing rent prices or mounting medical bills. But while this is logical, it’s not the whole story.

    Take Joe Cain, for instance. A former cop, Cain built the website sidegig.com, a platform where police officers and firefighters could offer additional services, such as home repair work or legal consultation. He didn’t take on his website project out of financial desperation. Rather, Cain was determined to gain new skills and opportunities.

    Cain was able to become a certified tax specialist by taking classes while still working on the police force. He had success offering his accounting services to other people, and decided to continue focusing on tax consultation. Not only did this job pay better, it also afforded Cain more time with his two children. But not wanting to stop there, Cain also invested time into sidegig.com to secure yet another stream of income.

    Cain’s story shows how motivations for finding additional streams of income can be manifold. A need to earn more money often goes alongside a desire for changes in your professional and personal life.

    Want to see all full key ideas from The Economy of You?

    Key ideas in The Economy of You

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is The Economy of You about?

    The Economy Of You (2014) is your guide to establishing and maintaining additional sources of income. From seeking out opportunities and developing networks to finding your audience and facing new challenges, these blinks provide you with the tools you need to do what you love without leaving your full-time job.

    The Economy of You Review

    The Economy of You by Kimberly Palmer (2014) is a valuable resource for anyone looking to turn their side hustle into a thriving business. Here's what makes this book worth reading:

    • Practical tips and strategies empower readers to monetize their skills and passions, providing a roadmap to financial freedom.
    • Through insightful case studies and interviews, the book offers valuable lessons from successful entrepreneurs, making it relatable and inspiring.
    • The author's engaging storytelling style keeps readers captivated, ensuring that the book is far from boring and creates an enjoyable reading experience.

    Best quote from The Economy of You

    One of the richest sources of side-gig ideas, in fact, might be your day job.

    —Kimberly Palmer
    example alt text

    Who should read The Economy of You?

    • Employees interested in entrepreneurship
    • Parents seeking to boost their financial security
    • Individuals curious about changing career paths but not ready to leave their current job

    About the Author

    Kimberly Palmer is a blogger for U.S. News & World Report whose expertise in money management has made her a sought-after guest on NBC, CNBC, CNN and other networks. Palmer has written articles for newspapers including The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

    Categories with The Economy of You

    Book summaries like The Economy of You

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    36 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Get started

    The Economy of You FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Economy of You?

    The main message of The Economy of You is that everyone can create a successful side business and achieve financial independence.

    How long does it take to read The Economy of You?

    The reading time for The Economy of You may vary, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Economy of You a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Economy of You is worth reading as it provides valuable insights and practical advice on building a side business for financial stability.

    Who is the author of The Economy of You?

    The author of The Economy of You is Kimberly Palmer.

    What to read after The Economy of You?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Economy of You, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The Value of Debt in Building Wealth by Thomas J. Anderson
    • Know Yourself, Know Your Money by Rachel Cruze
    • Makers and Takers by Rana Foroohar
    • Real Life Money by Clare Seal
    • Clever Girl Finance by Bola Sokunbi
    • The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
    • Mastery by George Leonard
    • 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life by Bill Eddy
    • The Geometry of Wealth by Brian Portnoy
    • The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer