Money for Nothing - Book Review

Entertaining, honest, and enlightening are but a few attributes that Money for Nothing contains. After reading, the first few pages Mr. Ed Ugel brought such anger in me, I was tempted to throw the book against the wall, thinking, "What sort of person takes advantage of reckless, unsuspecting people and then writes about it?" Kudos for him, he managed to redeem himself to me. He ultimately emerges a hero, but not before selling his soul to the devil, in this case "The Firm" a company that buys people's long term annuities, which many states use as a means to pay the winners.  Either way, even after winning millions people still manage to get into trouble, and this is when they seek a quick fix and call "The Firm".  

He is frank about his circumstances at the time he starts working for the firm he still lives with his mother, and as many young adults today, "was still weighing his options" and the opportunity to work for "The Firm" came along. Although, no actual amounts are mentioned, it is understood that the winners only get but a few cents on the dollar.

Mr. Ugel eloquently and without malice surfaces the underlying implications that state lotteries and gambling in general have on certain groups of people. However, his explanation about the government encouraging and promoting gambling upon an unsuspecting society is completely mind blowing.

Money for Nothing has a unique flair for stirring mixed emotions upon its readers. The humor that Mr. Ugel injects into his writing manages to appease his own guilt about having to take advantage of desperately miserable lottery winners.  I found it not only fascinating but also, informative besides making me aware of a new and if not careful can be frightening experience with the lottery.  On a positive note - I now have a clear plan for my winnings before I buy my lottery tickets.  I refuse to be another casualty of "it is my money, and I need it NOW!"