Product Description

The success stories speak for themselves in this book from money maestro Dave Ramsey. Instead of promising the normal dose of quick fixes, Ramsey offers a bold, no-nonsense approach to money matters, providing not only the how-to but also a grounded and uplifting hope for getting out of debt and achieving total financial health.

Ramsey debunks the many myths of money (exposing the dangers of cash advance, rent-to-own, debt consolidation) and attacks the illusions and downright deceptions of the American dream, which encourages nothing but overspending and massive amounts of debt. "Don't even consider keeping up with the Joneses," Ramsey declares in his typically candid style. "They're broke!"

The Total Money Makeover isn't theory. It works every single time. It works because it is simple. It works because it gets to the heart of the money problems: you.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #129 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-06
• Released on: 2007-02-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Radio talk-show host and bestselling author Ramsey (Financial Peace) is less a financial analyst and more of a preacher, which explains both his popularity and the appeal of this book, which just might gain a wide audience. The bedrock of his system is simple: work hard, pay what you owe and stay out of debt. His main commandment is "Pay cash." He first exhorts the reader to take "baby steps," which are designed to build on each other: first, save $1,000 as an emergency fund; then, pay off all debts from smallest to largest; save a larger three-to-six-month emergency fund; finally, start to save for college and pay off your home mortgage. Ramsey understands the difficulty in putting these steps into action, and therefore packs his book with personal testimonials from everyday people who have used his system and have become debt free, with obvious struggles. The key is what Ramsey calls "Gazelle intensity," which is to live a financial life the way a gazelle saves itself from an attacking cheetah-"outmaneuver the enemy and run for your life." While Ramsey provides some helpful charts and graphs so readers can keep track of their efforts to follow his steps, the strength of this book is that it is a straightforward motivational tool. He provides the brutally direct truth about the hard work it takes to become free of debt, and his directness is a great part of the book's charm.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
"Winning at money is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent head knowledge." So states Ramsey, author and radio show host, offering a comprehensive plan to get out of debt and achieve financial fitness. Our current financial position represents the sum total of the decisions we've made to this point, he tells us, and we must take personal responsibility for our financial problems. His seven-step plan includes paying off all debts except the home mortgage at an accelerated speed, creating a financial safety net that covers three to six months' expenses, investing 15 percent of income in a retirement fund, and saving for children's college expenses. He effectively shows how regular people can rid themselves of debt and grow their wealth using current income. While many of Ramsey's concepts are not new, his simple approach and client testimonials will resonate with a broad range of library patrons. This is important information in a society buried in debt, with unprecedented numbers of people facing bankruptcy. Mary Whaley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Finally the answer! - Simplistically!
This is a great book on financial fitness for those struggling in the money area - but also emcompasses some great ideas for those of us who thought we were relatively fiscally fit and smart about money. Everyone will learn something - Great read - great book - apply the principals and we won't have the economic issues we have in the US today!

A Top-Notch Book for People Serious About Money
Where do I begin? So many people have written stellar reviews for this book; mine will be just my experience in reading and living the book.
I used to be terrible with money. I would spend every paycheck, living and anticipating for the next one. I had many, many things, most of which are now sold. It's a nasty habit, spending money you don't really have. I got huge into credit card debt (not too huge, though). Even buying such frivolous things as a Starbucks beverage or music CD became the norm for me.
Until I lost my job.

After undergraduate school, I was out of a job for three months. During that time a friend loaned me this book, and it was a good thing because I had been wanting to read it for quite some time.
Once I started applying Ramsey's methods after the 2nd chapter, I already noticed a change. After I was hired at my current job, I started to see each paycheck as a step in Ramsey's direction; each check was a part of the Baby Steps, and each step was towards wealth.
I'm only three months into Ramsey's methods, but already I feel the change of habit. I no longer find interest in things I used to buy, and I only pay for things I can afford in cash.

Like Ramsey said, it's not about head knowledge (though it could help), but a change in character.
This book is recommended to anyone wanting to break free from constantly being in debt. As a person living out the beginning of his wealthy life, I will honestly say it's tough, but I know it's going to be worth it.
It already is.

Financial Fitness Program, Not a Scheme
This book is not a "get rich quick" scheme. It is a "financial fitness" program meaning that it will take time. In fact, this book outlines a life style that will help you trim fat (dept) and eat healthy (sound financial advise). This book has much of the same adivse that your grandmother would give, except that it has steps called "baby steps" which help make advice become a reality.

This book is a realistic approach to avoiding dept and building wealth. This book promotes setting a clear goal, sacrafice, giving, and staying on path. If you follow this path it will not be easy, but it will be worth it. This book is hardly boring and contains real-life success stories.

Everyone should read this book because Dave Ramsey really believes in helping others. And instead of just giving all his money away, he gives advise so that you can manage and build your own wealth and in return, pass it on.