Rise to the 1% by Sharan Hegde PDF Download

 

Rise to the 1% by Sharan Hegde PDF

First, let's talk about first impressions. In this, I'd especially like to comment on the book's title and cover. The first thing you notice is that Sharan is trying to make the term "1%" his own. Just as the 1% Club belongs to Baba, some people make a single term their signature—like "Epic" or Mark Manson's "F" brand. Such a signature is built gradually over 5–10 years and increases your recall value.

The book's cover is white and gold—shiny, glossy, and quite premium-looking. It reflects wealth and ambition. The good thing is that if you pick this book up, it doesn't feel like a book from an earlier era. For example, Running Behind Lakshmi—which chronicles the past 20 years of the Indian stock market—doesn't feel as relatable in today's times.

That's why the first good thing about this book is that it's written about today.

What I Liked About the Book

This book is written in the context of 2025. It has chapters on topics like taxes, health insurance, FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). It's a practical guidebook on what to do and how to do it, based on the current tax slabs, policies, treatments, and rates.

Not only the content, but the language is also very simple and conversational. It feels like you're sitting in a cafe and chatting with a friend. Sharan Hegde's humor is also good. For example, on page 160, there's a chapter titled "Built on Borrowed." It starts with a funny line and then explains how, if you plan your taxes correctly, you can save up to ₹2 lakh—compared to Netflix, a gym membership, or a trip to Goa. The chapter ends with a golden rule: "If you need a loan to go to Goa, you can't afford Goa."

If you're a personal finance noob and need to understand things from scratch—without heavy jargon like RBI rates, currency flows, and oil trade balances—this book is useful. It answers the questions that a salaried person has in mind: how much tax to pay, how to pay it, whether to take a loan for an iPhone, etc.

Another good thing is that this book isn't entirely Sharan's. It's a consolidation of the knowledge of several of his expert friends—some are tax experts, some are credit card gurus. He gives credit at the end of each chapter, which is a good and honest approach.

Third, and my favorite, are Chapters 9 and 10—Wealth Begins in the Mind and When Wealth Finds Its Purpose. After discussing taxes, loans, and FIRE, the sudden transition to chapters on purpose, charity, and philanthropy is commendable. When everyone is flaunting the next iPhone, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community and society is rare in personal finance books.

What I Didn't Like About the Book

Now, three things I didn't like at all.

The first complaint is about the index. Looking at the index, it's hard to understand which chapter is on which topic. The chapter titles are creative, but it would have been better if the topics were clearly written alongside them.

Secondly, the book is written entirely in prose. Doodles, charts, tables, and infographics are very helpful in personal finance books, but they are missing here.

The third drawback is the worksheets and exercises. If there were form-filling or scale-based questions after each chapter, this book could have been more than just a read, but also a practical one.

Is This Book for You?

Finally, the question: Is this book for you?

It depends entirely on your stage in your personal finance journey. If you're a complete beginner—a first-timer or just starting out—this book is for you. Sharan himself clearly states at the beginning who this book is for.

If you're at an intermediate or advanced level, you can probably skip this one. But if you're still confused about home loans or taxes at 50, some chapters may still be useful.

For more such book reviews—everywhere.

This was Karan Rana, signing off.

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