The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

Rating:
Summary: Motivation mixed with common sense
Review: My husband and I LOVE Dave Ramsey and his 7 babystep plan! We heard about him a few years ago when Financial Peace was *the* book to read, and got very serious about getting out of debt (got sick and tired of living with it). We got ourselves on a budget, and spent the next 2 years doing his babysteps 1 ($1000 emergency fund) & 2 (debt snowball) - in other words, got focused, and got rid of over $25,000 in debt, and are now debt-free (except for the house). We are now working on babystep 3 to build our big emergency fund. It WORKS! No, he didn't invent all of the stuff in his books (he admits that openly on his radio show), but he packaged it in a way to appeal to the average person. He tells you exactly what to do and in what order. If you follow it you can't lose! The Total Money Makeover is the best book yet! It covers not only the whole babystep plan, but also spends a decent portion of the book exploding the myths most people buy into. He also has lots of encouraging testimonies to keep you motivated. Dave is a tough love kinda guy. He has the heart of a teacher and knows that while the truth hurts, it also heals. Dave, you're a winner in our home! Thanks for all you do to help people become debt-free! Keep talking!!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book for Even Moderate Income People
Review: The problem I have found with a lot of money/financial books is that they seem geared already towards those who aleady have a fair amount of money and make in excess of $100,000 a year. Financial wiz and syndicated radio Host Dave Ramsey's books is aimed at the everyman...the middle income families who struggle daily with debt.

The book offers solid advice as well as inspiration which is just as important as the advice. You'll read great stories of those who've escaped debt problems, find useful worksheets and tips for budget planning, and planning for future savings.

It's all smart advice and things that everyone can do. Stop hoping to hit the lottery and pick up DAve's book!

Rating:
Summary: Very inspirational
Review: This book is an easy, quick read with plenty of practical advise. It really does motivate you to get control of your finances and live a more peaceful life. I personally enjoyed the testimonials-it was like having a financial support group at home! It also helped me realize that it's not how much money you make, it's how you manage it. Many of the couples in the book earned a smaller household income and had bigger debt than my husband and me. They were able to reach their financial goals through Dave Ramseys's plan. That helped me realize that I need to stop making excuses about our debt with thinking that if only we made more money we'd be fine.

I only gave the book 4 stars because Dave Ramsey doesn't give a lot of practical advise about ways to save money other than having a garage sale or selling stuff. Well, my husband and I went through all of our personal belongings and the only possessions we owned that we thought would be worth something are our wedding rings! Other than that, we have old cars, old furniture, a small house, etc. So, in other words, I don't think the book gives enough advise for people who need to get out of debt who don't have giant car loans or home mortgages to scale down.

I also agree with other readers' comments that Dave Ramsey doesn't just dole out his advise for free. Everything from his books to his seminars to his workbooks, even his web-site has a fee. So just be careful not to overdo it as your're beginning his program. I haven't seen the other materials (it seemed counter-intuitive-after all, I am trying to get out of debt!) but get the book from the library and design your own workbook.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book with Two Minor Flaws
Review: This book is extremely readable and contains a tremendous amount of helpful information in the areas of personal finance and debt reduction/elimination. Dave Ramsey makes a compelling argument for the elimination of all debt by rather extreme means. He exposes the common myths spread by the credit industry and offers a solution for eliminating debt through something he calls The Debt Snowball. My only complaints center around the fact that he advocates mutual funds as a means to achieving 12% returns over the long run and that he advocates National Guard service as a means of paying for college. I'm not sure that mutual funds can be counted on for 12% in the long run, and National Guard service these days can involve exciting times in far away locations like Iraq, which make the cost/benefit analysis a bit unappealing. However, this isn't a book about investing and the college financing advice is otherwise quite helpful. I'm sold on the concept of The Total Money Makeover!

Rating:
Summary: Great... if you really need it
Review: This book would be fantastic for people who are really in debt and need a way to dig themselves out. While it contains a lot of good information, and is an easy, interesting read, if you're basically doing okay financially and just looking to do better, you won't learn much new.