The incredible secret money machine
by Don Lancaster · first published 1978
73% recommend27% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Short, contrarian take on bootstrapping a small business without outside money, valued for its practical tips on staying lean, avoiding distraction, and keeping focus; suited to hobbyists and solo founders.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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I've read a huge pile of books on this topic, but there's only one that I actually found worth reading. As a bonus, it's short. The Incredible Secret Money Machine, by Don Lancaster. It's short, easy to read and understand, and when I look back on all of the various business mistakes I've made over the decades, for every one I can find a place in that book where…
on “Ask HN: What are your recommended reads for bootstrapping a business?” ↗…able to get big-name backers. Losing years of your life learning painful lessons but nothing else to show afterward, is itself a kind of debt, no? Over a decade ago, Don Lancaster wrote a book titled "Incredible Secret Money Machine" and aside from the off-putting title, the central thesis is still solid as a rock. It's a free PDF on his website.
on “Live in BFE and need funding advice” ↗The book "The Incredible Secret Money Machine" (ISBN 0672215624) is my resource for bootstrapping advice. And I have to agree with Don Lancaster: try to bootstrap without early investment. The case of Everpix is a great example. With an early investment…
on “Bootstrapping Your Startup: Do You Really Need Early Investment?” ↗Oldie but goodie. A contrarian view of business from a prototypical hacker, Don Lancaster. I re-read this every few years to regain perspective. The Incredible Secret Money Machine http://www.tinaja.com/ebooks/ismm.pdf more of Don: http://tinaja.com/ -G
on “Ask HN: What are your recommended reads that are available for free?” ↗I think the book 'Incredible Secret Money Machine'[1] by Don Lancaster is one of the best startup books related to this. For example this strategy: 'strategy secret - have: 0.834 employees'. Of course this book might be the half truth, but imho it…
on “You Don’t Need a Master Plan, You Just Need to Start” ↗…management was essential, and through a couple of years of experimentation, I settled on this as a balance that worked well for me. "Pay yourself first" is something I stole from the classic book "The Incredible Secret Money Machine" by Don Lancaster. That, by the way, is the only business book I've read that I found real value in.
on “Ask HN: How do you manage your finances?” ↗…needs. This is a huge advantage because you aren't wasting time fixing a feature that only 2-3 people use, or making sure you don't break that one feature that 2 people use.) - Look at books like "The Incredible Secret Money Machine" by Don Lancaster or "Start Small, Stay Small" by Rob Walling. - Read through (and watch) a lot of YC material about starting a business. Although it isn't focused on solopreneurs, a lot of the concepts…
on “Ask HN: Solopreneurs, how did you come up with your idea?” ↗Don't forget the Incredible Secret Money Machine :-) He also corrected my pronunciation of "tinaja" when I called him.
on “Don Lancaster's Guru's Lair Home Page” ↗I always like the book The Incredible Secret Money Machine very much. The first rule for making money: never do it for the money. A free download is available: http://www.tinaja.com/ebooks/ismm.pdf
on “Golden Rules for Making Money (1880)” ↗Also The Incredible Secret Money Machine, which may be more relevant to this audience.
on “Don Lancaster Has Died” ↗In the Incredible Secret Money Machine, one of his tips was to cut off the power cord to your TV. (Pre Internet era!) The solid advice to not let yourself get distracted is invaluable. And harder than ever in today's world. He also welcomed…
on “Don Lancaster Has Died” ↗Another luminary passes. Thank you, Mr. Lancaster. Although I was introduced to him through his electronics books, I think it's no exaggeration to say that of all the books I've read, it was "The Incredible Secret Money Machine" that had the largest influence in my life. Too many years ago, when I was getting ready to start my new business, I read pretty much every business book I could lay my hands on. Although easily the…
on “Don Lancaster Has Died” ↗Kevin Kelly recently published a link to "The Incredible Secret Money Machine" which is about making a sustainable (but not massive) living from your hobbies. Might be of interest to somebody: https://www.tinaja.com/ebooks/ismm.pdf
on “Turning My Passion/Hobby into a Business Made Me Hate It” ↗…of this anywhere. I'm talking about Don Lancaster of TTL Cookbook fame, and yes of Guru's Lair.[1] The quote, or perhaps the more PG version "don't mess with the eagle", appears in his later book The Incredible Secret Money Machine. That one is more of a philosophy of life book, it's much different than his technical books. IIRC (it's been many decades since I read it) Don expounds on that theme, it's not just a random quote. E.g.…
on “Malware and Hacking Forum Darkode Is Shut Down; Dozens Arrested” ↗while i don't agree with your characterization of Ulbrict, Don Lancaster seems like an interesting thinker. Checked out his website earlier and I am now planning on checking out The Incredible Secret Money Machine. Do you have any recommendations for books/essays of his that are not technical manuals? Is this book worth a read/relevant as it was penned in the 70s/80s? +1 Thanks.
on “Malware and Hacking Forum Darkode Is Shut Down; Dozens Arrested” ↗