Book Review: You Deserve To Be Rich by Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings

You Deserve To Be Rich is a personal finance book by Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, the duo behind the popular podcast Earn Your Leisure. Known for their engaging approach to financial literacy, especially within the Black community, Bilal and Millings aim to break down complex money topics into accessible advice. This book is part motivational, part educational, and seeks to shift readers’ mindset about money before diving into practical strategies for building wealth.

If you’re someone who’s just starting your financial journey or you’re looking to strengthen your money mindset, You Deserve To Be Rich could offer the spark you need to think differently about your future.

Who Are Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings?

Rashad Bilal is a financial advisor and Troy Millings is a former educator. Together, they created Earn Your Leisure, a multimedia platform focused on financial education, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building, especially for underserved audiences.

Their podcast has featured celebrity guests, business leaders, and finance experts, helping listeners learn about everything from investing and real estate to credit and entrepreneurship.

Their real-world experience and conversational approach have made them trusted voices in the personal finance space, especially among younger, diverse audiences looking for a relatable entry point into financial literacy.

Lessons from the Book

Your Money Mindset Matters
One of the strongest messages in You Deserve To Be Rich is that building wealth starts with belief. The authors argue that without the right mindset, even the best financial strategies won’t stick. They explore how limiting beliefs, generational trauma, and cultural norms can hold people back from achieving financial success.

Financial Education Is Key
Bilal and Millings emphasize that self-education is critical. They encourage readers to learn about credit, investing, budgeting, and how money really works—especially through books, podcasts, and mentors. They recommend using tools like budgeting apps to monitor spending and highlight the importance of building good financial habits early.

Invest in the Stock Market and Yourself
You Deserve To Be Rich advocates for investing in assets that grow over time, especially the stock market. While it doesn’t go into deep technical investing strategies, it champions consistency and long-term thinking—principles aligned with investing in something like an S&P 500 index fund. The authors also highlight the value of entrepreneurship, side hustles, and building multiple streams of income.

Representation Matters
One powerful theme throughout You Deserve To Be Rich is representation. Seeing people who look like you succeeding with money can be a game changer. Bilal and Millings want readers to feel empowered to take control of their financial future, regardless of where they’re starting from.

Criticisms of the Book

While You Deserve To Be Rich is inspiring and easy to read, there are a few drawbacks:

• Light on specifics: Some readers may find the advice too general. If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to budgeting, investing, or debt payoff, this book may leave you wanting more.
• Heavy on mindset, light on mechanics: Much of You Deserve To Be Rich is about motivation and mental framing rather than practical how-tos. That can be a plus or a minus, depending on what you’re looking for.
• Not a one-size-fits-all solution: Readers who already have a strong handle on personal finance basics may not find much new here, though they might still appreciate the motivational tone.

Should You Buy It?

If you’re new to personal finance or you’re struggling to feel like wealth is possible for you, You Deserve To Be Rich is a strong pick. It’s particularly valuable for readers who have never seen themselves represented in traditional finance books and want to feel empowered to claim a more abundant future.

On the other hand, if you’re already budgeting, investing regularly in something like the S&P 500, and working toward financial independence, this book might not add a lot of new strategies. But it could still serve as a refreshing reminder that wealth is not just about numbers—it’s about mindset, identity, and long-term vision.

Final Thoughts

You Deserve To Be Rich is more than a financial book—it’s a cultural message wrapped in personal finance advice. Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings use their platform to lift up voices and perspectives that are often missing in money conversations. While it may not offer a deep technical dive into investing or budgeting, it delivers on its promise to shift the way you think about wealth.

For readers just beginning their journey to financial freedom, You Deserve To Be Rich can help plant the seeds for change. Pair it with a high-yield savings account, a solid budget, a few S&P 500 index fund investments, and a good dose of self-discipline, and you’ll be well on your way to building a more secure financial future.