The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (2003, Hardcover)

This book is outstanding. I sell apartment buildings for a living and recommend this book for those that ask me how to get started in investing. First things first, you need to get your current financial matters in order before you start to invest in anything. Even though I was never drastically in debt, this book taught be a lot of principles that I still follow today. I learn about Dave Ramsey while flipping through my Sirius Sat radio channel lineup and have been hooked ever since. His show is on Sirius Sat stream 117 between 2pm and 7pm weekdays. Or, you can listen to archieves of his radio show on his website. His radio show is excellent and features many of the principles that he writes about in his book. His book will teach you on how not to worry yourself to tears because of how much debt your in, but to instead take an objective look at where you are, what size of hole (debt) you're in, and what kind of shovel (income) you have, and then formulate a plan of action that involves snowballing the erosion of your debt.

We received this book as a gift, and it is probably the best gift we could have gotten!!! Dave Ramsey gives the average consumer EXCELLENT step by step plans on getting out of debt and building wealth. This is easy to follow once you commit to the plan. It provides for you to have fun money and also be able to give so it is easier to commit to and there is no "falling off the wagon." I wish my parents had taught me the things in this book!! I am incorporating Dave's teaching with my children so they will be better prepared when entering into the "real world". A must read book that definately should be taught in every school! You'll be glad you bought this book!!

Hi -- The original version that I wrote of this guide was on August 12, 2007. It's now October 29, 2007 and in the last two months of practicing the information outlined in this book so much has happened to us besides paying off large amounts of debt, cutting up credit cards, and really started to learn how to live within our means. The first step we did was to make a list of all of our debt with the smallest one on top of the list and ended with the largest amount on the bottom. Rather than debt consolidation, we started paying off the smallest one first while paying the minimum on the others. I must say that this list made me fill with dispare over the fact that it was smack in my face what huge amount of debt we accumulated and the fact that we really couldn't pay the minimum on each bill. I'm not totally sure how we managed to make this happen but we did. One month we had 5 pay checks instead of 4 weeks. We had tax rebates come back in. We made a grocery list and stuck to it. Actually I do think this was the biggest help and the hardest accomplishment. Because the only way we could make this happen was to make a menu for the week and then a list of what we needed. O.K. so I know that this is the obvious solution but lets face it, when you get to the grocery store there is always something that you forgot to put on the list or it looks good. Here is the hard part --- Only bring cash. No checkbook, No credit card, No ATM or Debt card. Just cold hard cash. Thats your budget and no going over or you have to put it back. It certainly makes you evaluate necessity of what in your cart. We never when hungry for one meal ever using this method but talk about trimming the fat out of a diet. It took me about 3 to 4 weeks to not squirm at going to the grocery store using this method. I truely believe that this was a major part in coming up with the cash we needed to pay our bills. We are now on the 4 year plan to pay off all debt, not including the mortgage. Dave recommends 2 years or less and to sell off things if you have too. Right now we are living in our means and snowballing the amount to pay off. 2 years here we come! FREEDOM! I hope this helpful.

August 12th version:
I love this book. Dave Ramsey is helping us get out of debt because we are following this book step by step. We have already paid off $1000 of dollars of debt by following his easy to understand steps. We already have financial freedom by having a good solid plan and made changes in our life style to make this work. This is not a get rich quick book or gimmick. I found a review under someone's eBay guides and reviews they had wrote about and then decided to buy the book. This book has been one of my best investments ever because we were ready for a change.Do you have debt? Are you willing to change the way you live in order to make that happen? Do you want prosperity and happiness for you and your family? If you are willing to make these changes, you will reach your goals to financial freedom and Dave Ramsey will map it out for you step by step! If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, this book is for you. Dave Ramsey has helped us pay off $1,000's of dollars of debt and live a happier well managed life. As Dave puts it in his book "You will learn to live like no one else and you will live like no one else." Are you ready to have money in your pocket and be debt free? Then this book is for you.

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A friend of mine bought one of Dave Ramseys books, when she and her husband were drowning in debt, and after reading it and applying some of his concepts, she was totally hooked and she kept singing his praises on every occasion she could find. I finally got to wondering what all the hoopla was about, so I picked up a book also, although I didn't think I was in financial trouble. It was a curiosity thing for me, when I bought his book. I left it laying around for a month and finally one day aI got bored and set down to read it. ZI couldn't put it down, it was so interesting to me. I soon found out, that although I was not drowning in debt, that I needed his advice as much as she did. I am totally hooked on Dave Ramseys teaching materials. Very informative. Whether you are a young person starting out or a person in your 50s, there is plenty in this book that we all need to know. Dave speaks to all of us, with good solid financial advice! I only wish I had his materials when I was 18 years old and just starting out in life. I have bought plenty of financial books over the years and due to my financial situation, they weren't of really any help to me, because they wanted you to start investing big money when I didn't have big money. I was always left thinking, "Okay Einstein, but how do I get the money to do these things? That's where Dave Ramsey books come in, he actually gives you the advice about how to get your financial house in order, so that you can start building that retirement nestegg. Doesn't matter if you make 20,000 a year or 150,000 a year, he can get you there! Not only that, but he gives ya good solid advice about how to handle divorces, so that you aren't left making costly mistakes that can haunt you for the next 30 years. He speaks to a lot of lifes problems, that everyone needs to know about, such as prenuptial agreements, loaning money to relatives, where to invest your money when you get it, to get it to make you the most bang for your buck, the importance of giving back to your community and many more things. Daves books and other teaching materials are worth far more than he charges for them!

I have been a Dave Ramsey fan/follower since before he ever hit the mainstream. Dave has a gift and a message for every Man, Woman, & even child! I truly believe that anyone who puts into practice these very simple truths he lays out will be in control of their finances instead of the other way around. Dave has seen highs and lows with his own journey and from that God has given him the vision to stay in control of what we are blessed with! I've seen in my own family amazing change in the way we handle our money, we now no longer worry about how the bills are going to be paid! His advice is simple, it's the same type of advice your Grandma would give you, only he keeps his teeth in. I can assure you this book will change your life! I recommend it for anyone with money problems, or even if you think you're doing ok Dave can help take you to the next level!

The man who manages my employer's retirement plan lent me this book and I LOVED it! I think Dave's plan for a total money makeover is so simple and straightforward and actually ACHIEVABLE that I decided to buy a copy for myself for reference as I work the plan. I found a copy on ebay for $11 with shipping included, and it's the best $11 investment I ever made. I finally have hope about being debt-free someday-- and I hadn't even realized exactly how hoepless it was for me before having the plan. I have recommended this book to everyone I know-- whether they seem to be financially distressed or not.

we really enjoyed this book and got many positve ideas from it. Dave does not overwhelm you with charts and graphs, just real life stories from real life situations. many of us have been there and see ourselves in his narrative and also see a way out.. we highly endorse this book and the ideas in it. buy it, read it and share it with someone you care about..

I bought this book after hearing Dave Ramsey on the radio in August 2006. Less than a year later, we have paid off over $13,000 in credit card and student loan debt, and WE ARE DEBT FREE! I can't believe how good it feels! Dave's book is easy to read, easy to understand, and most importantly, easy to put to use right away! Now we get to refinance our home to a 15 year fixed mortgage and soon we will not even have a house payment. WOW! You HAVE to give this book a try. It really does work. And be sure to listen Dave on the radio - or download the free podcast from his website. He is hilarious and SO RIGHT ON TRACK! He is changing America! GO DAVE!
Tracy in Raymore MO

Following his best selling book Financial Peace, Dave Ramsey introduces The Total Money Makeover; a more indepth guide on how to, as Dave so often says, "live like no one else so that later you can live like no one else." It is an absolute must read for anyone who lives paycheck to paycheck because of overwhelming consumer debt, or the debt free individual who just wants to spend, save and invest their money more wisely.

I found this book to not be boring, CPA lingo that was difficult to understand. Dave Ramsey speaks directly to the common man (without talking down) with straight talk in plain English. While being entertaining, this book is also a great motivator for everyone!

This is an incredible book that has changed our family's financial future!!. It was an easy, quick read. We have since bought six more copies to loan or give to friends and family. This book has practical information on personal finance and how to make changes using baby steps. We are doing it and WE LOVE IT! This is good for anyone from high school to retirees. BUY IT, READ IT and then start your makeover!

This book is excellent motivation to someone who already understands that debt is ridiculous and that we need to rid ourselves of it. For someone who doesn't understand that yet and still thinks that "debt is OK", this book is even better! The Total Money Makeover exposes so many myths about debt. I recommend it to everyone!

Ramsey gives you practical financial advise, and backs it up with proof. It is biblical advise, whether you are a Christian or not, read this book!! In this day and age it is just what the doctor ordered. We as a nation have financially gotten way out of control, thanks to the credit readily available to us, along with a brilliant but destructive advertising plan, at an unimaginable cost. The credit card companies and banks are getting rich due to our lack of knowledge. Ramsey has the knowledge, and the cures!

Dave Ramsey is an excellent author. This book shows 7 'Baby Steps' on getting out of debt and on your way to having financial peace. This book is for everyone... all ages, in debt or not... (Preferably, don't wait until you are in debt until you read this book!) I read this book and am starting to follow the 'Baby Steps'. (Some of them don't apply to me... I am not in debt!) Reading the success stories in this book, I am sure that this will work for EVERYONE if they just work hard at it with 'gazelle intensity' as Dave Ramsey puts it. READ THIS BOOK!!! It will change your life!

Dave Ramsey is a Christian and teaches Christian values along with his message on debt. "Getting-out" of debt is not about finding ways to avoid paying it--like so many scams on the market today! "Getting-out" of debt is--YOU taking responsibility for your actions of creating the debt and deciding to really do something about getting it PAID-OFF in FULL.
Buy this book today! You can even start working on the strategies before the book arrives. Begin by NEVER borrowing money again -- do this today! That includes credit cards, family & friends, the pay-day loan store, home equity loans, debt consolidations, even CAR loans -- all designed to keep you strangled by debt! And begin to work on putting $1000 in the bank as your "emergency fund", today.

Once the book arrives, you'll be eager to begin your journey to financial freedom. This book teaches things that I've never heard anywhere else. I'm living "Debt-Free"; except for a small amount remaining on my mortgage which I should be finished paying in about 2 years. And the money is building up really fast in my retirement plans! Life couldn't be better! Thanks Dave!

Honest,fast, prompt, good book. We love it and have learned so many good things that we give it out to friends and family for gifts.

I really like the Total Money Makeover. I would suggest not buying this book until you are really ready to make some sincere life changes. I thought I was ready when I first started reading it, but didn't realize how different things would have to be. I thought I could make some minor changes here and there and that things would be all good. Boy was I wrong. My budget never seemed to work and I couldn't figure out why. THe truth is I knew why. I was doing one thing on paper, but something totally different with my real money. I had a decision to make. Either I wsa going to really get on board withthis plan or I was going to keep getting frustrated every month trying to figure out why my money ran out before the end of the month leaving several bills unpaid. Once I did make up my mind that I had to make a change and had to do it immediately, I was able to follow along with the plan a lot better than I could the first time I "tried". I am still working on it and haven't mastered it yet, but I see things really starting to change for me and the change feels good.

This book should be a REQUIREMENT for every high school student, every couple that contiplates marraige, for any one going into business; it should be a requirement for EVERY single person to read! It is so easy to read and understand and put the principles to work for you.
I purchased the book because I had been listening to the Dave Ramsey show and wanted to find the peace that he speaks about every day. Dave Ramsey should be awarded the highest honor given. His down to earth and humorous approach to becoming finacially free, makes his approach to money matters almost easy, as you learn how to turn your life around.

I LOVE this book. It is very smart financial planning. It really works. I highly recommend everyone read this book! I have seen it work. Excellent choice of reading. Even my financial advisor purchased one once I adviced him and he loved it. It is common sense philosophy and once you read it you realize you can take control of your finances! It will make a difference in your life!

The TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by Dave Ramsey, is easily the only non-fiction book in years that I've been totally absorbed in! The full title is the TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER A PROVEN PLAN FOR FINANCIAL FITNESS, and that's what it's message is, financial fitness. Dave Ramsey does not preach any kind of fast money, get rich scheme, but with his "debt snowballing" and "baby step" he will help you get out of debt and show you the way (by "living like noone else")to build wealth. Let me just say, his steps work! My husband suggested to me that I read this book and I was very resistant, being a fiction only reader. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER, but we have given several as gifts & recommended it to others.

If you want to learn how to get and stay DEBT FREE, I highly recommend this book!

Dave provides simple and common sense steps to help anyone start on the path of becoming debt free. We live in a materialistic society where most people buy just about everything on credit and live above their means. They wake up one morning and their world falls apart because they can't pay the bills. It's time to wake up and smell the coffee. Do you want to get out of debt? Get this book, read it 5 times through, and apply the principles. You will not regret it. Thanks, Dave. In the 2 months we've paid off $5,500 in debt and plan to be debt free, aside from our mortgage, in less than 12 months.

Bought this book for my newly married daughter and her husband.Although much of what he writes seems to be plain common sense and things that I have spoken of to my kids over the years, the book puts it in simple language and gives some very good and even startling examples of how easy it is to get into a financial bind.Hopefully, they will take the information available to them and use it to lead a financially safe and secure life.

This is a great book. I bought it because I was not handeling my money in a responsible way and I was ready to admit that I was in trouble. I have listened to Dave Ramsey on the radio for a while and knew he was offering very useful advice. His book is also full of helpful advice and easy to understand plans to get rid of debt and work toward the financial security we all wish for, but don't know how to achieve.

Starting with baby steps this book has many success stories about getting out of debt, living life and maximizing retirement investing. He refers to over 800 scriptures that deal with money and God's ways of handeling money. He also addresses many Money Myths and gives logical reasons why they do or don't work.

I highly recommend this book and I think everyone would benefit from reading it.

liked dave's straightforward manner of speaking.
gave us practical tools to get our finances in line.
wish someone had given me this book 15 years ago.
my children WILL BE TAUGHT THIS.
we are in the process of becoming the stewards of our finances that GOD wants us to be. life is not just for our own personal pleasure and consumption. same with our finances. at 40, i wish we were in a better financial postion that we are now. but we will begin NOW and get it right this time.
buy this book and allow God to show you the areas HE would like to see changed in the way you view and manage what HE has allowed you to have financially.