Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Gary, I was born and raised in Northern California. I was fortunate in a way to enter the workforce during the Great Recession, as it caused me to rethink taking out student loans to go to Dental School! Thankfully, I opted to follow my interest of finance, and obtained a job where I learned about everything related to personal finance and eventually the FIRE movement. I love to check out new towns, be in the mountains in the summer and fall mountain biking and camping, and refine my smoothie recipes (one day hopefully I’ll run a juice bar in retirement).
This is my first and only book so far!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is Financial Fives: The Top 325 Ways to Save, Earn, and Thrive to Retire Before 65.
What inspired it was the lack of options I found in the library and bookstores for personal finance books that were full of tips, tricks, and advice, rather than fluffed up with the author’s personal stores and digressions. We are all busier than ever, and I truly feel giving readers authentic, candid, and useful advice right off the bat will help them take action rather than forget what they wrote.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm… I would say just “brain dumping” and then editing later? But I guess that’s not really unusual based on my conversations with other authors!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many! The top 3 I would say are Vicki Robin, David Bach, and David Brooks
What are you working on now?
Promoting and getting feedback on my book of course! Also, tending to my day job as a financial planner ( I can’t get enough of personal finance if you couldn’t tell). I also run a zero-waste moving box rental company, California Box Rental. Sustainability is a huge interest of mine.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I would have to say reaching out to other bloggers and writers in this space. Some of them have written books, but moreover many are interested in what their peers have to say. We are all working towards similar goals and have similar interests, so getting feedback from them is crucial. If they like it enough, they may even promote it to their audience!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure there is a market for the subject you are writing about, and get validation from others on your book idea. Everyone has their own opinion and style of writing, that’s the beauty of books. You want to make sure there is a market for it, that you can put your own unique spin/theme on it, and that you have the time it takes to promote it (Writing and publishing are only part of it!)
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everything amazing in the world we live in was created by people no smarter than you.
What are you reading now?
So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m not sure I want to write another personal finance book, however, I would like to write another book that intertwines the relationship between minimalism, zero-waste, and financial freedom. I write about this on my blog, but I also think a mindset shift can really help many in my community live a better life.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I love these questions! Really prompts some introspection.
1) Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
2) Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson
3) QBQ! The Question Behind The Question by John Miller
Author Websites and Profiles
Gary Grewal Website
Gary Grewal Amazon Profile
Gary Grewal’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile