HOW TO GET YOUR DREAM CAR ON LESS THAN .15 CENTS A DAY

A self-help guide to entrepreneurship, personal finance and family life.

Lessons in acquiring a dream car (in Fermon’s case, a 2008 Hummer H2) take up only a few pages in this book, which straddles the line between memoir and business advice. He brings a wide range of experience to the table, drawing on his time in the Air Force, his work in IT and the cellphone industry, and his development of a streetwear label—not to mention his brief modeling career. Fermon’s childhood and family life also make frequent appearances, as he reflects on his inner-city upbringing, his complicated relationship with his wife and his children’s successes. There are no bullet points or formulas here; Fermon’s advice is more about understanding the psychological relationship between people and their money. His career decisions, for instance, are based as much on what’s best for his family as they are on the career move’s financial or professional implications. He purchased the titular car after analyzing not only his direct costs, but also his commuting habits, gas price trends and the statements his past cars seem to have made about him. By drawing from his own history but refraining from telling readers to make the same decisions he did, Fermon’s book offers a jumping-off point instead of a road map. Many of the book’s anecdotes are amusing, inspiring or motivating, but the text is at times unorganized. The final chapter’s title, “Random Thoughts,” is an apt description: The stream-of-consciousness narrative makes its way from the nature of fame to a collection of Fermon’s tweets, with stops along the way for President Barack Obama’s election, the 2008 financial crisis, why Michael Jackson matters and how to improve the U.S. Postal Service. Also featured is an introduction by Fermon’s sister, journalist Amy Alexander.

A unique, often engaging contribution to the field of practical financial advice.