Happier Than a Billionaire: Quitting My Job, Moving to Costa Rica, and Living the Zero Hour Work Week
Nadine Hays Pisani
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Happier Than a Billionaire: Quitting My Job, Moving to Costa Rica, and Living the Zero Hour Work Week Paperback – July 3, 2011
by Nadine Hays Pisani (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 906 customer reviews
Book 1 of 3 in the Happier Than a Billionaire Series
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Editorial Reviews
Review
As Profiled on CNN.com
"One point Nadine learns from her experience is that we are all allowed to choose how we ingest what life deals us and I thank her for reminding me. And her humor! If she ever wants to look for a second occupation, she might want to consider 'stand-up comic'" Tony Ortez, Howler Magazine
"They knew there was more to life than simply earning money to spend it on material things." Natalie Sisson, SuitcaseEntrepreneur.com
"Reading this book is worth many, many laughs and is a welcome break from typical every-day life in the US." Heather Hill, heather-leigh-hill.blogspot.com
About the Author
Nadine Hays Pisani is the host of the popular blog www.happierthanabillioanire.com. She lives in Costa Rica with her husband and the occasional iguana that sneaks into the house. She enjoys traveling, writing, and prefers to have a commute that ends with sipping a pina colada on a tropical beach.
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ME Painter
4.0 out of 5 starsBack Up PlanNovember 24, 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
My goal isn't to quit my job and move to Costa Rica. My dream is to actually quit my job, buy a sailboat and go live in the Caribbean. Last year, my wife and I traveled to Ecuador for our 25th anniversary. The trip awakened my mental memoirs and I fondly remembered my traveling exploits in Europe and the Mediterranean from my early twenties. Once again, I was bitten by the travel bug (or tick) and it had firmly latched ahold. So, for the past year I've been reading the tomes of various writers who have literally jumped ship from the daily grind and started living once again. I first read this book last November when I picked up the kindle edition. I immediately felt a kinship with Rob as my employment can appear like a lifeless, soul sucking, vampiric succubus as well.
I was intrigued as much by the decisions made to simply pick up and just leave everything behind as I was of the recounted new Costa Rican adventures (or perhaps misadventures might be more appropriate). I was pleasantly captivated enough to finish the book in one setting.
In the past year I've read a myriad of books with regards to ex-pats pulling up stakes and moving everywhere from Argentina to Zimbabwe (I know, who moves to Zimbabwe? But they're out there). However, this is the book that continued to pop up during conversations about the subject at my place of employment (amongst those longing for a remodeled life).
Is it the next great American (Costa Rican) novel? No, but it is a fun read. While, it doesn't cover the logistics of moving to Costa Rica it managed to pique my interest enough that Costa Rica is now my back-up plan if my sailing adventure fails to catch wind.
After a wonderful Thanksgiving meal today with my family. I retired to the couch, kindle in hand, for another subliminal getaway. This book appeared at the top of my reading list. My travel desire rekindled, I fondly began to reread the novel while enviously yearning to live my life more fully.
5 people found this helpful
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Gail
5.0 out of 5 starsWhat a surprise!July 19, 2017
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I chose to read this book because of the subject matter. Relocating to another country and travel stories interest me, I love to hear stories of other traveler's experiences and find it fascinating how other people view different cultures. I did not expect to be laughing out loud while reading this. I absolutely love the way she writes. We had traveled to Costa Rica and Panama ourselves and so much of what she described in her travels were things that we saw and experienced. It was fun to re-live some of our trip. I can't wait to read the second book!
5 people found this helpful
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Diane
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat Insight, Great HumorMay 14, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
One of the funniest books I have ever read. I mean, it’s been along time since a book, or anything else humorous, caused tears to run down my face, and my belly to ache. I enjoyed every minute of this book. It was a quick read, because I couldn’t wait to see what was coming next. When I completed the book, I immediately ordered the “Sequel,” because I wasn’t yet ready for the adventure to end. I was so anxious for more, I forgot to check the price and just hit “1-click ordering.” My husband and I talk about moving to Costa Rica in retirement, so I appreciate the insight into what it’s really like to live there. To the author: thank you for sharing your adventure with us.
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Leo
5.0 out of 5 starsWhat a Story!November 28, 2018
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This book is very inspirational. As a blossoming day-trader, I wanted to find a paradise such as Costa Rica to call home. I am not there yet, but this book demonstrates, with a bit of patience and perseverance, that it can done. Thank you Nadine for writing this masterpiece. And for all the people wondering if there's something better out there than our materialistic, self-obsessed country, spend the few bucks and get this book NOW! It would be unimaginably difficult to regret it.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsNadine has a sense of humor like I doFebruary 16, 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I have never laughed so hard when reading a book! Nadine has a sense of humor like I do! I could see myself in her shoes while reading this book. I am so glad I have been at home while reading her books because I would have not been able to ready this book while in public because of my out bursts of laughter! I am currently reading her 2nd book right now and I am trying hard not read it so fast because I don't want it to end..... Thank you Nadine for making me laugh, I will definately recommend it to all my friends. Just so you know, I found this book by seeing her Facebook pictures & posts on a friend Facebook page.
We recently vacationed in Lahina (Maui), Hawaii and would love to retire in a few years to an island or at least a year around warm climate, we are tired of the midwest weather, however, I am not brave enough to move to another country that speaks a different language! I admire your strength and humor! I hope you are planning on writing another book soon!
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Scott
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat Read Naturally Talented WriterFebruary 27, 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I call "Happier than a Billionaire" the "laugh out loud book." I live in Costa Rica, and have been associated with the country for over 20 years, work here and have had a love affair with this country through the great and the tragic. There has been plenty of both for me so even though I heard of this book a while ago, I thought there would not be much in it that would surprise me or it would be a raw raw just don't say anything bad about Costa Rica sales book like so many are. I was right and wrong. None of the events surprised me, though they most likely will surprise someone who has never been here, and I was wrong about it being a sales book. But this is the part that was very surprising: the writers voice and wit. The word "Hilarious" is often over used, but not in this case. The laugh out loud moments will make you feel like a high school kid again. As I said the content is average, but the style, wit and writer's voice are naturally excellent! These are things that cannot be taught. Nadine is gifted. I give it 10 stars for humor.... if you want a light fun read about Costa Rica and some things a newbie would find interesting than this is it. Nadine, after reading your book I became an immediate huge fan. I have sent your link to several dozen people. You deserve success and thanks for the laughs.- Phil Baker - Costa Rica Businessman and author of Costa Rica Now Costa Rica Now.
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Ashley Breanna
5.0 out of 5 starsFull of Laughs!March 23, 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I have never laughed so much while reading a book. It was so funny, that I would read a line or paragraph, & re-read it out loud for my boyfriend to hear. This happened about every other sentence, so I pretty much read the book twice. I started reading it a couple weeks before our trip to Costa Rica, & while in Costa Rica. Nadine's sense of humor aligns so perfectly with mine. I just love it. I immediately purchased the sequel. I highly recommend!
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Vicki H.
5.0 out of 5 starsThis Series is a Treat!!June 27, 2018
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Funniest Book Ever! I am now on Book 3! This series had me hooked by the first page. I love the author's ability to tell a good story and describe situations with accuracy, enthusiasm, and emotion. That she throws sarcasm in there too makes her stories first person, yet multi-dimensional. Love'in this series and I hope my Super Hubs and I can rent a few nights in their guesthouse the next time we visit CR!
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Steven
5.0 out of 5 starsFANTASTIC BOOK! Could not put it down! Nadine is very informative and a great story-teller!June 9, 2015
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I finished reading this book about a week ago on my Kindle and absolutely loved it! I simply could not put it down and it only led to me buying (and also really enjoying) Nadine’s second book, (“The Sequel”) and third book (“The Escape Manual”.) I would read the book at night before bed after a long day of work and would find myself fighting to stay up later to try and get deeper into the book.
To give you an idea of just how much I loved this book, I am literally typing this review right now from a bed and breakfast just outside of the San Jose airport in Costa Rica as I landed here late last night. I did not choose to read Nadine’s book because I was thinking about calling Costa Rica home. I came to Costa Rica because a friend suggested that I read “Happier than a Billionaire” and I connected so much with Nadine and her husband, Rob’s, story that I decided to come here to explore it as a place to call home in the near future.
Nadine is a fantastic story-teller. She is hilarious, with a great sense of humor, but she does not sugar-coat anything. She is direct and to the point about the challenges of Costa Rica including pot holes and road issues, dealing with the complexities of moving to a new country and the specific challenges that the Costa Rican government and culture present in terms and how they are constantly on “Tico Time”, etc.
I am inspired by Nadine’s resolve despite the issues that she and Rob have faced in Costa Rica. They realized that the “life” of a big house, nice cars, etc. they were living in the United States wasn’t doing anything but literally sucking the “life” out of them and that regardless of what adversity they faced, they are going to make it work and carve out their own piece of paradise together.
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Matt B
5.0 out of 5 starsInspiring and entertaining!February 3, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I found Happier than a Billionaire while researching my own escape from the US to Costa Rica. The wisdom and wit contained in the text really helped prepare me for the move, and kept me entertained! Some times hilarious, sometimes moving, the author's style is easy and engaging, and the anecdotes are highly amusing. It's a great read for anyone looking into different approaches for living life, or just looking for a few laughs 😉.
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