Rich Like Them: My Door-to-Door Search for the Secrets of Wealth in America's Richest Neighborhoods – A Complete Review

Introduction: Why This Book Matters

Everyone dreams of financial freedom, but few people ever get close to understanding how the wealthy think and live. Ryan D’Agostino’s Rich Like Them: My Door-to-Door Search for the Secrets of Wealth in America's Richest Neighborhoods offers readers a rare peek behind the closed doors of America’s most successful individuals.

Armed with nothing but curiosity, courage, and a notebook, D’Agostino knocked on doors in the wealthiest zip codes across the United States. His mission? To ask rich people how they got there and what they did differently from the rest of us.

What came out of this journey is a mix of stories, lessons, and practical wisdom that can change the way you think about money, career, and success.

➡️ Get your copy of Rich Like Them on Amazon here

About the Author: Ryan D’Agostino

Ryan D’Agostino is a journalist and editor, known for his work at Esquire and Popular Mechanics. With Rich Like Them, he takes on a unique project: blending investigative journalism with personal finance.

Unlike many financial gurus who preach from theory, D’Agostino built his book on real conversations with real millionaires. His style is approachable, witty, and refreshingly honest, which makes this book stand out from the crowd of generic wealth-building guides.

The Premise of the Book

The book’s concept is deceptively simple but incredibly bold: walk through wealthy neighborhoods, knock on doors, and ask the residents what they did to become successful.

Instead of relying on surveys or statistics, D’Agostino collects first-hand advice straight from the source. These are not celebrities or hedge-fund billionaires, but rather “quiet millionaires” — doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and executives who built wealth steadily over time.

The Main Lessons From Rich Like Them

1. Success Takes Discipline and Consistency

One of the strongest themes that emerges is the importance of showing up every day and doing the work. Wealth wasn’t built overnight. Many of the people interviewed stressed that their riches were the result of small, steady actions compounded over decades.

2. Risk is Necessary — But Calculated

Almost every wealthy person D’Agostino spoke to took risks. But these weren’t reckless bets. Instead, they were calculated moves, often based on deep preparation. Whether it was starting a small business or investing in real estate, they understood risk as a stepping stone, not a gamble.

3. Long-Term Thinking Over Short-Term Wins

Unlike the average person focused on quick rewards, the wealthy consistently emphasized long-term vision. They invested in careers, relationships, and assets that would grow over time rather than chasing trends.

4. Work Ethic Still Matters

This book isn’t about lottery winners or overnight dot-com millionaires. It’s about people who put in the hours. Many successful individuals stressed the value of hard work, punctuality, and reliability — traits that are often underestimated in today’s fast-moving culture.

5. Attitude Toward Money and Failure

Perhaps the most striking lesson is how differently the wealthy view money. They don’t see money as a trophy but as a tool — a resource for building freedom, security, and opportunities. Likewise, failure wasn’t feared but embraced as a learning step.

Chapter-by-Chapter / Theme-by-Theme Summary

Instead of a strict chapter-by-chapter breakdown (which could spoil the entire book), let’s look at the key themes D’Agostino uncovers in his journey:

Career Focus: Most millionaires didn’t jump careers impulsively; they stuck to their path and worked their way up.

Entrepreneurship: A fair share of created businesses, but always with strong foundations rather than chasing fads.

Smart Investing: Real estate, stocks, and retirement funds — they invested patiently, not dramatically.

Frugality: Surprisingly, many of the rich weren’t flashy spenders. They lived in nice homes, yes, but they valued saving and reinvesting over wasting.

Networking & Relationships: Success was rarely a solo act. Many credited mentors, partnerships, and networks for their financial journey.

Writing Style & Accessibility

Ryan D’Agostino writes like a storyteller. The book reads less like a financial manual and more like a series of engaging encounters. Each door knock is a mini-adventure, filled with unexpected conversations and lessons.

For readers intimidated by finance, this is a breath of fresh air — you don’t need an MBA to understand the lessons.

Who Should Read This Book

Aspiring entrepreneurs looking for inspiration from everyday millionaires.

Young professionals who want to understand how long-term career planning leads to wealth.

Readers of personal finance classics like The Millionaire Next Door.

Anyone frustrated by get-rich-quick schemes and looking for practical, grounded advice.

Comparison to Similar Books

If you’ve read books like:

The Millionaire Next Door (Thomas J. Stanley)

Think and Grow Rich (Napoleon Hill)

Rich Dad Poor Dad (Robert Kiyosaki)

…you’ll find Rich Like Them fits right in, but with a journalistic twist. Unlike heavily theoretical books, this one is based on real people’s lived experiences, making it both credible and relatable.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

✅ Unique concept: real door-to-door interviews with wealthy individuals

✅ Engaging storytelling style

✅ Practical, relatable lessons on money and career

✅ Combines inspiration with actionable wisdom

Cons:

❌ Some advice feels “common sense” (though it’s still powerful when applied)

❌ Focuses mostly on millionaires from traditional careers, less on modern tech wealth

❌ Not a step-by-step financial manual — more mindset-oriented

Why Rich Like Them Is Still Relevant in 2025

Although the book was published in 2008, its lessons are timeless. In today’s economy, where social media pushes “overnight success” and crypto-millionaire stories, Rich Like Them is a refreshing reminder that true wealth is built through consistency, patience, and mindset.

With the rise of AI, gig work, and financial uncertainty, the advice from America’s millionaires is perhaps more relevant than ever: focus, work hard, think long-term, and use money as a tool — not a goal.

Final Verdict

Rich Like Them is not just another financial book — it’s a fascinating experiment in curiosity and courage. Ryan D’Agostino brings us the voices of America’s millionaires in their most natural setting: their homes.

The wisdom he uncovers is practical, timeless, and surprisingly attainable. If you’re tired of hype-driven financial advice and want insights grounded in reality, this book is worth your time.

➡️ Order your copy of Rich Like Them: My Door-to-Door Search for the Secrets of Wealth in America's Richest Neighborhoods on Amazon today