The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

I cannot completely disagree with the people who have given this book 2, 3, and 4 stars. This book truly does state the obvious. I started from the introduction and Mr. Ramsey definitely highlights that a lot of what is in this book has already been preached by other "experts" and the vast majority of what he puts out there is common sense for a great many people. These are all points that have been argued by those who are not so pleased with the book. I figured it behooved me to point that out just in case anyone read my review anticipating the reasoning behind my giving this book five stars had to do with some amazing new revelation of how to save money. You could probably place me in the category of the people who know what to do and how to go about doing it, but never ACTUALLY do it. Am I uncormfortable? Not at all. I have a respectable job with very fair compensation, and my wife does well too. However, we have also done well to accumulate debts over time: many of the debts are as old as our relationship (which is pretty young...six years). It wasn't until recently that I realized something. While we have money saved aside for the imminent rainy day, we could be doing so much better if we were saving without the concern of applying those savings to our debt. Like I said, for many of you this is obvious. I was in denial for quite some time. I didn't want to admit that I was horrible with money because I didn't want to sacrifice control of my own money. When I came across this book, I did research on the author, and determined that this would be a solid investment. Upon reading the first few pages, I was immediately hooked! The part that got to me the most was looking in the mirror and realizing where our financial woes were originating from. I know, it sounds like a 12 step program: it kind of is! It's a program for binge spenders! I realized that I was financially intoxicated, or financially overweight (Mr. Ramsey correlates the Total Money Makeover with working out...pretty good tie-in considering that I need to get in shape too!). I probably could have finished this book in a day if it wasn't for my obligations to work and family. Instead it took two whole days to get this book finished! Since then (four days ago) I have already created an Excel sheet listing all our debts from smallest to largest, and have created an allocated spending plan for our upcoming paychecks in two weeks. The first step is to come up with $1,000 dollars, but we already have that covered, and are prepared to get a head start on our debt snowball by depleting our savings accounts. I have even set a target date for us to be debt free. While I read the whole book, I sometimes think I should have stopped reading at baby step 2, which deals with clearing your debt. I don't necessarily want to get ahead of myself. Anyway, the point of this review is simple: it is not so much knowing what it takes to clear your debts and live a life of financial freedom; it is about DOING what it takes with a "gazelle like intensity". Again, there are no crazy new revelations or revolutionary ideas. Mr. Ramsey makes no claims to being an expert. He simply puts out what everyone already knows. Besides, it's also good to know that he was in a position - becoming rich, filing for bankruptcy, only to become wealthy again - to employ these methods. As with any other review, take mine with a grain of salt. Determination and sacrifice will ultimately lead to true freedom in the future. "If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else." Awesome and uplifting read.

Golly, I am a bit surprised by the hostile tone of some of the negative reviews I read here. Boiled down, Dave simply says, "make your money work for you, not the other way around". My husband and I have always been cautious about money, but after listening to Dave, we actually began paying attention, paying off debts, and paying off our home. I almost feel guilty it was as easy as it was for us, after listening to other peoples' stories, but it was the repeated advice to pay attention to where our money went and to establish six months savings that finally got our ears, and I'm ever grateful it did. Yes, the advice is simplified, and is hammered home repeatedly, but look around you. Nearly everyone you know and pass in the street is living in the hole, and needs to hear this. I run a business in an inner city neighborhood, and it breaks my heart to see otherwise good people, who could be successful, living paycheck to paycheck, renting furniture, buying cars from tote-the-note lots. There are a lot of people in this world who have never been taught to handle money, and an awful lot of us who have been taught, who still don't handle it well. And there are people lining up to take advantage of this inexperience, stupidity, and laziness to make our money their own. Dave presents his material in a gentle, humble, funny and, above all, compassionate format. Some reviewers complain about his testimonials. They're there for a purpose. "Me, too!", so readers can relate, whether to Dave's own personal trials, or those of others. One reviewer commented that he had a degree in Finance, and thought the material was overly simplified. Well, sugar, yes, it IS, for the benefit of those of us who don't have that Finance degree. And I might remind you that the average reading level in the US is, what, third grade? Who cares if the book reads simply and repeats itself? The key thing is to get the material to as many people as possible, in a clear, digestible, and (dare I say?) fun format. I particularly respect Dave's consistent advice to invest in something you understand, rather than exotica, something our Finance whiz appeared to look down his nose at. I'm happy for ya, hon, but I'm happier knowing where, what, why and how my money's working for me. You can finish the race first, but I'll be finishing right on your heels, and that still puts me head and shoulders above most the population. Thanks again, Dave. Another reviewer mentions the "cultish" feel of the Dave Ramsey movement. Good grief, if wanting to support one another towards an ultimate goal of security and success in life is cultish,without trying to get someone to tout soap or long distance cards and other such dreck along the way, then give me a sip of that there Kool-Aid. All the man is asking you to do is stop and think about the dollars in your pocket. For those that feel uncomfortable with the Biblical references, I felt that way myself at first, but he never preaches, throws them in your face, or comes off as "holier than thou". I admire a man with strong beliefs, who is willing to adhere to those beliefs, even if it puts others off, or causes him to lose sales (i.e. refusing to accept credit cards on his website). Don't like the man or his principles, then don't buy the books, don't listen to the show. But, you'll be missing some solid, down home, sensible advice. 100% thumbs up from a grateful reader and avid listener.

This book really has changed my life. Before reading Dave's book I had never made a budget before and always just spent on what I wanted not what I needed. After reading this book I set a budget stuck to it and have now paid off £7000 on credit cards, have savings for the first time ever and am working on saving for a deposit on a house. I would recommend this book to everybody as I believe there isn't anybody who wouldn't benefit from reading it and using the principles in this book.

I previously read this book and followed it. Allowed me to retire early. As such - this purchase was a gift for my daughter as she starts out. Hoping she follows as well and has a great debt-free life.

one of my American is currently doing the 'total money makeover'-program and I was curious. It is a very good read and will certainly help you to look differently at your spending habits and investments. It might be wise to skip the rather long introduction because it is all repeated in the book.

This book is ideal for someone who just wants to tweak a particular aspect of their finances, or it does just as well for the person who has never learned how to manage money. You learn that money management is a skill, can be learned, and will get you where you want to go in life. The book gives you everything you need to learn the basics, and provides information on where to get the tools to do it; e.g., budget sheets. What's more, this man is you and me. He has been there and done that. For some, like Dave Ramsey, experience is the best teacher. The fact that he is able to turn it around and share it with us, prevents many of us from making the same mistakes, continually. He stops us in our tracks.

This is a great book with tons of basic ideas for taking control of your financial life. Sometimes a bit repetitive but it gets the important points across. Well worth a read for all those needing to gain control of their lives.