#1 Amazon Bestseller

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#1 Amazon Bestseller
The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom 
A Guide To Building Wealth And Independence
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A portion of all proceeds benefit Cancer for College
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Simple enough for your first job. Powerful enough to reset your money at any stage.

During their years of friendship, Mark and Steve often discussed the need for greater financial literacy—especially for young adults, recent graduates, and those new to the workforce. They noticed that many books were either too technical or too superficial, leaving people without a clear path forward. By combining the expertise of a longtime financial advisor and a corporate executive, they created a practical guide that bridges both perspectives.

Mark Schlipman brings over 25 years of experience as a financial advisor, while Steve Short, with his knack for simplifying complex ideas, offers valuable real-world insights. Together they make personal finance simple for young adults and beginners, breaking down money in a way that’s easy to follow and act on—making the lessons in this book accessible at any stage of life.

This #1 Amazon Best Seller, The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom, is widely recognized as one of the best personal finance books for recent graduates and young professionals. It covers essential concepts like our 50/20/30 budget model (savings before wants), practicing delayed gratification, and taking advantage of “free money.” These strategies are designed to help you start building wealth early, whether you’re beginning your first job, new to the workforce, or simply ready to take control of your money at any stage of life.

We call it “simple” because the steps are clear—and, surprisingly, you don’t need to save a million dollars to accumulate a million dollars.
The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom
A Guide To Building Wealth 
And Independence
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Simple enough for your first job. Powerful enough to reset your money at any stage.

Too many people live paycheck to paycheck simply because no one taught them another way.

We wrote The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom to change that — turning complex money topics into a clear, actionable plan you can actually follow.

With Mark’s 25+ years as a financial advisor and Steve’s experience leading billion-dollar divisions, we created a roadmap that helps you reduce stress, build confidence, and start building wealth — whether you’re landing your first job or hitting the reset button mid-career.

Inside the Book, You’ll Discover:

    • ​​How to Master the 50/20/30 Budget Rule – our twist on the classic model that puts savings first so you start building wealth right away.
    • ​The Power of Delayed Gratification – why small money choices today create lasting financial security and independence.
    • ​Beginner Investing Made Simple – clear steps for 401(k)s, IRAs, and HSAs so even recent grads and first-time investors gain confidence.
    • ​How to Unlock “Free Money” – from employer matches to hidden benefits that accelerate your savings automatically.

    Inside the Book, You’ll Discover:

      • How to Master the 50/20/30 Budget Rule – our twist on the classic model that puts savings first so you start building wealth right away.
      • ​The Power of Delayed Gratification – why small money choices today create lasting financial security and independence.
      • ​Beginner Investing Made Simple – clear steps for 401(k)s, IRAs, and HSAs so even recent grads and first-time investors gain confidence.
      • ​How to Unlock “Free Money” – from employer matches to hidden benefits that accelerate your savings automatically.

      Here's What Readers Are Saying On Amazon…

      Jared

      "I only made it to page 30 before I had to stop, why? Because I was already fired up to take action, and I didn’t want to go any further without talking to my wife about this book… It’s written in a way that’s easy to digest, engaging, entertaining, thought-provoking, and... surprisingly... emotional."

      Collin R.

      "Where was this book when I graduated college? Thank you for making financial concepts easy to understand. I also appreciate that you did not try to sell me a financial product. Excited to gift this book to my kids who are in their first jobs out of college."

      Kindle Customer

      "With this book as my roadmap, I paid off over $10,000 in debt in 3 months. Having a clear plan and benefits laid out was a huge motivator. Highly suggest this for anyone who doesn’t love learning about finances but wants real results."

      Amazon Customer (Community Bank CEO)

      "As a community bank CEO, I come across a lot of young people who are innately curious about the best methods to accumulate future wealth. Mark and Steve have given them the roadmap in this book."

      Allie

      "Love this book, was so helpful with graduating college and entering work force! Great, quick applicable advice!"

      Patrick M.

      "The genius inherent in this book is its ability to take an overlooked and frankly intimidating subject like financial freedom and make it not only seem simple but also relatable to readers who may not know where to start or what their next steps should be."
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      Here's What Readers Are Saying On Amazon…

      Want to help your Colleagues or Students get 
      on the Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom?

      We’re here to help! Many companies and universities have benefited from our presentations and the Simple Road Volume Pricing Program—and yours can too.

      For more details, click below or email us at: info@simpleroadbook.com

      Bonus with Purchase

      Every copy of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom includes a free bonus: our Annual Review Checklist. In just 10 minutes once a year, this print-ready PDF helps you review your savings, catch “free money” from benefits, and keep spending in check.

      Annual Review Checklist

      How to Claim Your Bonus After Ordering the Book:

      1

      Order your copy of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom below.

      2

      Grab your order number and come back here to claim your bonus.

      3

      Fill out the form below to claim your bonus!
      Disclaimer: By providing your email, you agree to receive occasional updates and offers. You can unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy and will never sell or share your information. This offer is intended for customers in the United States and Canada.

      Making a Difference With Cancer For College

      Our goal with this book is not only to educate readers but also to give back. That’s why we’ve partnered with Cancer for College, an organization that provides need-based college scholarships, medical debt relief, and educational experiences for cancer survivors.

      A Preview of Will Ferrell's Foreword:

      Hello readers! You might be wondering why I’m writing the foreword to this book. It’s a great question. One of the reasons is that I’ve known one of the authors, Steve Short, for over 35 years. Steve and I have had a great friendship, and I’ve watched him go on to have an amazingly successful career in business.

      The other guy Mark… I met once. Seemed like a nice guy, but who knows??? It doesn’t matter. What matters is these guys wrote a fantastic book! And I’m sure it was more Mark’s idea than Steve’s.... (click here to purchase…)

      ~ Will Ferrell

      5x Emmy Award Winning Actor and Producer

      Meet The Authors

      Steve Short

      Steve Short is a corporate business leader turned co-author of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom. He guides young adults and those new to the workforce on building wealth early through budgeting, delayed gratification, and long-term planning.

      Mark Schlipman

      Mark Schlipman is a longtime financial advisor and co-author of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom. He helps recent graduates and young professionals simplify money with practical strategies across benefits, HSAs, and investing basics.
      For feedback or for partnership opportunities with the authors, please email: info@simpleroadbook.com

      Get The Book

      The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom: 
      A Guide To Building Wealth & Independence 
      The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom is an essential read for anyone looking to gain practical insights and strategies for achieving financial success and building wealth. It offers a clear, straightforward path to reaching your millionaire milestone and beyond. It’s the perfect gift for a recent graduate entering the workforce!

      Grab Your Copy & Your FREE Gift TODAY!

      Jared

      "I only made it to page 30 before I had to stop, why? Because I was already fired up to take action, and I didn’t want to go any further without talking to my wife about this book… It’s written in a way that’s easy to digest, engaging, entertaining, thought-provoking, and... surprisingly... emotional."

      A Preview of Will
      Ferrell's Foreword:

      Hello readers! You might be wondering why I’m writing the foreword to this book. It’s a great question. One of the reasons is that I’ve known one of the authors, Steve Short, for over 35 years. Steve and I have had a great friendship, and I’ve watched him go on to have an amazingly successful career in business.

      The other guy Mark… I met once. Seemed like a nice guy, but who knows??? It doesn’t matter. What matters is these guys wrote a fantastic book! And I’m sure it was more Mark’s idea than Steve’s....(click here to purchase…)

      ~ Will Ferrell

      5x Emmy Award Winning Actor and Producer


      Collin R.

      "Where was this book when I graduated college? Thank you for making financial concepts easy to understand. I also appreciate that you did not try to sell me a financial product. Excited to gift this book to my kids who are in their first jobs out of college."

      Kindle Customer

      "With this book as my roadmap, I paid off over $10,000 in debt in 3 months. Having a clear plan and benefits laid out was a huge motivator. Highly suggest this for anyone who doesn’t love learning about finances but wants real results."

      Amazon Customer (Community Bank CEO)

      "As a community bank CEO, I come across a lot of young people who are innately curious about the best methods to accumulate future wealth. Mark and Steve have given them the roadmap in this book."

      Allie

      "Love this book, was so helpful with graduating college and entering work force! Great, quick applicable advice!"

      Patrick M.

      "The genius inherent in this book is its ability to take an overlooked and frankly intimidating subject like financial freedom and make it not only seem simple but also relatable to readers who may not know where to start or what their next steps should be."

      Want To Help Your Colleagues Or Students Get 
      On The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom?

      We’re here to help! Many companies and universities have benefited from our presentations and the Simple Road Volume Pricing Program—and yours can too.

      For more details, email us at: info@simpleroadbook.com

      Bonus with Purchase

      Every copy of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom includes a free bonus: our Annual Review Checklist. In just 10 minutes once a year, this print-ready PDF helps you review your savings, catch “free money” from benefits, and keep spending in check.

      Annual Review Checklist

      How to Claim Your Gift After Ordering the Book:

      1

      Order your copy of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom below.

      2

      Grab your order number and come back here to claim your bonus.

      3

      Fill out the form below to claim your FREE gift!
      With every book purchase, a portion of the proceeds goes to Cancer for College, helping fund scholarships for cancer survivors pursuing higher education. Your purchase not only enhances your financial knowledge but also supports a meaningful cause, making a difference in the lives of those overcoming adversity.


      Making a Difference
      With Cancer For College

      Our goal with this book is not only to educate readers but also to give back. That’s why we’ve partnered with Cancer for College, an organization that provides need-based college scholarships, medical debt relief, and educational experiences for cancer survivors.

      Meet The Authors

      Steve Short

      Steve Short is a corporate business leader turned co-author of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom. He guides young adults and those new to the workforce on building wealth early through budgeting, delayed gratification, and long-term planning.

      Mark Schlipman

      Mark Schlipman is a longtime financial advisor and co-author of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom. He helps recent graduates and young professionals simplify money with practical strategies across benefits, HSAs, and investing basics.

      Get The Book

      The Simple Road Toward
      Financial Freedom: A Guide To
      Building Wealth & Independence
      The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom is an essential read for anyone looking to gain practical insights and strategies for achieving financial success and building wealth. It offers a clear, straightforward path to reaching your millionaire milestone and beyond. It’s the perfect gift for a recent graduate entering the workforce!

      Grab Your Copy & 
      Your FREE Gift TODAY!

      Simple Road, LLC. © 2025
      All Rights Reserved.
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      DISCLAIMER: The individuals providing the endorsement statements are not former or current clients of Mark Schlipman or Cetera Advisor Networks LLC. No direct or indirect compensation was received for the endorsement statements. Endorsements are not a guarantee of future performance or investment success and may not be representative of a client's experience. For additional background on Mark Schlipman, This site is published for residents of the United States only. Financial Professionals of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC may only conduct business with residents of the states and/or jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Not all of the products and services referenced on this site may be available in every state and through every advisor listed. For additional information please contact the advisor(s) listed on the site, visit the Cetera Advisor Networks LLC site at www.CeteraAdvisorNetworks.com

      At the time of the Simple Road to Financial Freedom's publishing, Mark Schlipman is registered to offer investment advisory services through CWM, LLC., an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. He is also a Registered Representative offering securities through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. However, The Simple Roach Toward Financial Freedom is not a product of CWM, LLC., and opinions expressed by the author and contributors may not be representative of CWM, LLC. or Cetera Advisor Networks LLC. Content is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual, nor is it intended to provide specific legal, tax, or other professional advice. For a comprehensive review of your personal situation, always consult with a tax or legal advisor.

      Securities offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC is under separate ownership from any other named entity.