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Book Review: Broken Money by Lyn Alden

In Broken Money: Why Our Financial System is Failing Us and How We Can Make it Better, Lyn Alden takes readers on an in-depth exploration of the flaws in our current financial system. She explains how money has evolved, why it no longer serves as a reliable store of value, and how various economic forces have contributed to inflation, wealth inequality, and financial instability. For anyone interested in financial independence, investing, or understanding how money works, this book provides a thought-provoking analysis.

Who is Lyn Alden?

Lyn Alden is a respected investment strategist and financial analyst known for her expertise in macroeconomics and monetary policy. She has a background in engineering and finance, which gives her a unique perspective on economic systems. Her research is widely followed by investors seeking to understand market cycles, inflation, and asset allocation. Through her work, Alden has gained a reputation for clear, data-driven insights into the global financial system.

Lessons from Broken Money

1. The Evolution of Money – Alden explains how money has transformed from commodity-based systems (gold and silver) to fiat currencies. She highlights how the transition to digital and central bank-controlled money has led to unintended consequences like inflation and financial instability.
2. Inflation and Wealth Erosion – Broken Money delves into how central banks manipulate the money supply, leading to long-term inflation that erodes purchasing power. Alden emphasizes the importance of protecting wealth through investments that outpace inflation, such as stocks and hard assets.
3. Bitcoin and Alternative Currencies – Alden presents Bitcoin as a potential solution to the shortcomings of traditional fiat systems. She discusses its potential role as “sound money” and how decentralized financial systems could provide greater financial stability.
4. Debt and Government Spending – Broken Money highlights how excessive government debt and deficit spending weaken financial stability, increasing the risk of economic downturns and crises.
5. Protecting Personal Wealth – Alden argues for diversifying investments into assets that can withstand currency devaluation, such as equities, real estate, and alternative stores of value.

Buy Broken Money on Amazon

Criticisms of Broken Money

While Broken Money offers a compelling analysis, some readers may find certain aspects lacking:

• Bias Toward Bitcoin – Some critics argue that Alden presents Bitcoin too favorably while downplaying its volatility and regulatory risks.
• Complexity for Beginners – The book is rich in macroeconomic concepts, which may be overwhelming for readers new to finance.
• Limited Practical Solutions – While Alden identifies systemic problems, some readers may feel that the book does not provide enough actionable solutions beyond investing in alternative assets.

The Book’s Strongest Argument

Alden’s best chapters trace how each new form of money solved one problem and created another: coins standardized trade, paper made large transactions practical, and digital fiat made money programmable — but each step concentrated more power in fewer hands and made the currency easier to debase. You don’t have to agree with her conclusions about Bitcoin to find the history valuable; the walk from commodity money to today’s system is one of the clearest explanations of inflation you’ll find in a popular finance book.

Her core investing takeaway follows naturally: if the unit of account keeps losing value, you want to own things that can’t be printed — productive businesses, real assets, skills. That’s conventional wisdom dressed in monetary history, and it holds up whether or not you buy a single satoshi. The full case is in the book.

Where I’d Push Back

Two honest caveats. First, the book’s Bitcoin enthusiasm deserves a discount: an asset that can fall 70% in a year is a speculation, not the stable “sound money” the theory wants it to be — at least not yet. Second, diagnosing the system is easier than fixing it, and readers looking for a step-by-step plan will find more “why” than “how.” Read it for the framework, then build your actual portfolio out of boring assets that have worked for a century.

Final Thoughts

Broken Money is a thought-provoking book that challenges readers to rethink how they view money, inflation, and financial stability. While it presents a strong case for alternative currencies and sound money principles, it may not be a perfect fit for those looking for beginner-friendly financial advice. However, for investors and those on the path to financial independence, Alden’s insights provide valuable knowledge on protecting wealth in an increasingly unstable financial system.

For those serious about long-term financial security, the lessons in Broken Money reinforce the importance of investing in strong assets, minimizing reliance on fiat money, and staying informed about economic trends. If you’re interested in personal finance, investing, or macroeconomic trends, this book is a must-read.

Buy Broken Money on Amazon

This video-interview has a great run-down on how money developed throughout history - and especially the last 15 years, where you can create and send money in milliseconds. And what that might mean for the future.

I've got skeptical about the "inflation will come because of debt" stories, because I've heard them since the 90s. But this guest (Lyn Alden) gives some convincing arguments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnpczZRBeE0

#Money #Inflation #Fiat #MonetarySystem #LynAlden #Bitcoin #Crypto #MMT #Investing

Lyn Alden On Finding Bitcoin, Skepticism And Inclusion: ‘Money Is For Everyone’

https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/lyn-alden-discusses-bitcoin-and-inclusion

#Interview #lynalden #Feature #Culture #women

Bitcoin price hits $25K in new 2023 high

https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-price-hits-25k-in-new-2023-high

#MikeNovogratz #AllTimeHigh #AllTimeLow #PriceChart #LynAlden #Bullish #Bearish #$25K #$25 #000

Bitcoin stays out of fear for 11 straight days as price tips near 24K

https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-stays-out-of-fear-for-11-straight-days-as-price-tips-near-24k

#FearandGreedIndex #TechnicalAnalysis #MarketSentiment #PricePrediction #IntoTheBlock #JoeBurnett #Glassnode #CoinGecko #BullTrap #JeffRoss #LynAlden #Greed #Fear

US institutions account for 85% of Bitcoin buying in 'very positive sign' — Matrixport

https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-institutions-account-for-85-of-bitcoin-buying-in-very-positive-sign-matrixport

#cryptobullmarket #USInstitutions #MarkusThielen #tradinghours #Matrixport #LynAlden #TechDev #Aptos