How listening to our honeybees helped us increase our net worth by 300% in 3 years.
It happened totally by accident. While working with my bees one day I started to think about some of the rules they have about life. How they make decisions that are best for survival and making more money (honey). As I learned those rules, I started to apply them to my investing. I couldn’t believe how easily the lessons from the hive translated to successful investing. In just 3 years guided by these 10 rules, we increased our net-worth 3X’s. Not only that, monthly cashflow surpassed anything I had made annually, in my working life. The lessons although simple, relieved me of the stress and anxiety of knowing when and how to invest.
Here’s an example. The property was 95 acres ocean side in Nova Scotia Canada. At one point in 2021 it had been listed for $399,999. We watched and waited. Recently it was listed for $107,000 and we were able to purchase it for just $95,000. The deal closed in May of 2023.
I listened to the bees and assessed the likelihood that the property would be of less value than the $95,000. Would I be able to survive and recoup my investment if things go bad? Survival is everything for bees and investors. After learning that splitting the land into two lots, leaving 90 acres for nature still left 2 building lots valued at $300,000. I was 99% sure that I would recoup my investment or do much better than that. We could help nature by restoring the 90 acres, plus realize a great return on our investment. That’s another rule from the beehive. Take action to increase wealth that also helps the environment.
We wrote this book for our grandchildren so that they will be money smart, invest wisely and take care of the environment. We want them, and now you as well, to experience great success by listening to the honeybees. It’s what I learned from them, a true gift to my and your future generations. What a sweet gift from our bees!
What Grandpa Learned From His Honeybees – The Little Book to be Smart with Your Money and Help the Environment
Book Bio
Henry and Mary Svec are in the process of converting their 50 acre farm into a nature and honeybee sanctuary. Mary is a Servant Beekeeper and photographer for wildflowerbeefarm.com. Henry is also a Servant Beekeeper, author, value investor and former psychologist, now retired.
Book Reviews
Loved it! 😍
This highly readable, easy to understand book shows you how to BEE smart with your money today so you don’t have to worry about the future
SYNOPSIS
Honeybees have 10 rules that they live by, and these rules, when applied to your life, will make you smart with money and a great investor! Discovered by accident, the authors learned that many of the rules are similar to those of great investors such as Warren Buffet, Benjamin Graham and Mohnish Pabrai.
Each book chapter starts with a Bee Story where a honeybee rule or habit is discussed. Next, the Smart Money Lesson takes that rule and applies it to everyday life. Finally, in each chapter, the Investment Example will give you an idea of what type of investment is best using that rule. When finished, you will not only know more about honeybees, but also how to be smart with your money and make great investments.
What Grandpa Learned From His Honeybees: The Little Book to Be Smart with Your Money and Help the Environment may seem like a mouthful. It may also seem like an unusual combination of topics. But Henry and Mary Svec make it work. Using clear, easy-to-understand language and real-life examples, the Svecs guide you through smart money strategies intertwined with lessons learned from bee life. It’s amazing!
The authors begin by telling us how they turned their fifty-acre farm in Canada back over to nature to create a honeybee sanctuary. Along the way, they share lessons learned via five years of observing and working with honeybees. After all, “honey is money” to bees.
Using that as a springboard, they dive into “how a successful hive is very much like someone who is smart with their money.” And they show you exactly what that means – and how to get there.
This includes explanations and examples of how to save, invest, not spend foolishly, and have reserves for the future. But that’s not all. “Being smart with your money means you invest in ways that are also accidentally good for the environment,” like the manner in which bees “accidentally” pollinate flowers.
It’s So. Darn. Clever. And timely.
Ten thoughtful chapters outline lessons from bees that you can put to use right away and help the environment at the same time. Each chapter includes three sections: The Bee Story offers a bee example you can use to be smart with your money today. A Smart Money Lesson provides practical solutions and applications. An Investment Lesson offers additional ideas and brings the honeybee lesson into your investment portfolio.
Smart money strategies include asking yourself questions: Do you really need that new phone or new clothing item? Can you recycle or repurpose instead of buying something new? Also living in the right place. Effective strategies for combatting FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). The “30% rule” related to your personal residence. How little things become big things over time. Understanding the difference between value and price.
Upbeat, energetic, and down-to-earth, this helpful little book is written in “lay terms.” You don’t have to be a financial wizard to grasp the principles laid out here. The writing style is straight-forward, informative, and engaging. It’s easy to follow and understand. (Bonus: You learn a lot about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of bee behavior. Fascinating.)
It’s all designed to help you learn how to accumulate enough wealth “to live stress-free since you will always be able to pay your bills.”
In other words, What Grandpa Learned From His Honeybees shows you how to BEE smart with your money today so you don’t have to worry about the future.
This book is an excellent resource, especially in these uncertain times. I’d grab a copy now ‘fize you.
REVIEWED BY
Library Board Member. Communications & Marketing Prof’l. Interests incl: Historical, Christian, Literary Fiction. Action/Adventure/Outdoors. Children’s & YA books. Select Non-Fiction. A frank but fair reviewer, Kristine averages 300+ books/year in a wide variety of genres on multiple platforms.
Henry and Mary Svec’s personal finance primer finds inspiration in beehives – Kirkius Reviews
Beehives have served as a metaphor for capitalism and industry for centuries, and the authors lean into the comparison in this book, intended for parents and children to share. Writing from the perspective of a grandfather imparting wisdom to his grandchildren, the Svecs draw 10 lessons from his hives and show how they apply to the world of personal finance (“Being smart with your money means you have a system in place to take care of all those money problems that cause you stress. Like the healthy beehive, you thrive, are sustainable and can independently take care of your money needs”). The lessons include “Focus, Specialize and Be Efficient,” “Recycle,” “Be Strong, But Fight Only When Needed,” and “Know the Probability of Success.” Each chapter opens with a story from the world of bees, introduces a “Smart Money Lesson,” and concludes with an investment tip (Although the authors discuss specific companies they have invested in, they emphasize that the goal is for readers to understand the logic behind their choices, not follow them as an investment plan.) The beekeeping stories are scientifically sound, grounded in observation and reflecting the reality of the honeybee life cycle. They serve as effective illustrations of frugality, efficiency, and resourcefulness, and the Svecs draw clear links between what the bees do and how humans can employ similar tactics in building up savings, choosing a place to live, and developing specialized skills. However, some of the book’s assumptions about economic behavior seem to favor idealism over reality; the authors repeatedly warn against living in expensive urban areas but do not explore how the town of 4,000 they suggest as an alternative might serve the same needs. Readers in the United States may be surprised by the book’s Canadian focus, which comes up frequently in the text, but aside from a few items, like the details of government-backed bonds, the book’s financial advice is broadly applicable to readers in all parts of the world.
A mostly solid introduction to financial topics through the lens of honeybees.
Where to Buy
What Grandpa Learned from His Honeybees is available in print, e-book and audible formats on Amazon.
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