Like most adults, I'm in debt. Not really swimming in it like the average American, but I have debt nonetheless. Although I haven't started his plan yet, I've read the entire book from cover to cover and found that his plan makes complete sense. He basically puts information that already existed into an organized outline (Baby steps). Before reading this book, I had no idea about the differences of a mutual fund and a savings account. I was financially illiterate, but not anymore.

I've already begun making spreadsheets and a strict budget and next month I'll begin the emergency fund (baby step 1). Dave Ramsey explains how to invest and what not to invest in. He goes over a secure retirement plan and how you can have a solid savings account once you're "debt-free".

I'll be buying Suze Orman's books as well just to have more insight about financial debt and investments. Overall, this is an excellent book to help you start paying off those debts if you've already tried everything else and failed, but like Ramsey states, you MUST follow his plan with no shortcuts or substitutes.

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.

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!

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.

"The Total Money Makeover" gives specific set plans on how to build wealth by getting out of debt first. The book teaches to set a budget and stick with it. By doing this, you can see how your money can work for you in a snowball effect. It is just a common sense plan to live on less than what you make. The book includes forms to help you do just that.

While I was already doing a lot of the things mentioned in the book, it confirmed the path I was on was the right one. I found it to be very helpful. If followed, the practical guides and advice throughout this book can truly put you on the path to financial freedom.

Dave Ramsey's book taught me all the essentials of Life With Money.

Now I understand what my Dad was trying to tell me all these years!

I regard this book as totally essential for everyone.

-- thanks,

David Small

The information in this tome is by far the finest financial and lifestyle information one is likely to find in print. Forget all the CRAP get-rich-quick schemes...listen to Ramsey and build REAL wealth. Ramsey is the guy who should have been put in charge of the recent banking industry. He could have saved them without 750 billion in taxpayers dollars. He would have put them on a budget and actually made them account for their spending. In these troubled times you ignore the advice of Mr. Ramsey at your own risk. Very simply, get rid of credit cards, live a cash-only lifestyle, and quit trying to keep up with your POOR neighbors. In case you haven't noticed, many of those "affluent" neighbors have lost their homes. There is no time to waste. Read this book and LEARN something! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I found this book by Dave Ramsey a easy read with many practical and easy applications. If we are to turn America's economy around, this is where America should begin the process.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. Our incompetent government is a mirror of how we, as a people, lack any self-control when it comes to spending money. We want what we want, NOW!! Dave uses principles from the Bible (yes, that quaint old thing of our grandparents gathering dust in the attic) to reveal the myths we believe about money. Normally, when people start talking about personal finances, my eyes immediately glaze over; BUT Dave keeps it stupid simple so that even my pea brain had no problem understanding the baby steps to financial freedom and peace. I also recommend checking it out from the library, like I did, to avoid even one more unnecessary expense.

Engaging to read and easy to follow, this book is a resource that has changed my life and those of my friends. Whether or not you have debt, this book is for everyone.

I would give this book 10 stars if I could. If you are looking for money/debt information, this is a VERY powerful book. It is simple, to the point, and very easy to follow. And if you watch Dave Ramsey on TV, he writes exactly as he speaks. I have raved about this book to everyone I come across and have gotten several others on board their own "Total Money Makeover."

We fell on Dave Ramsey's broadcast on the Fox Business Network by accident and our household has never been the same since.

I was raised with no monetary education. My parents believed their finances were just that - theirs. They never taught me how to manage money, balance a checkbook, or how to budget. My adult life has been spent living paycheck to paycheck with no clue or concept of how to bail myself out of debt nor understanding just how much debt I was in!

Now, at the ripe young age of 52 (at the time of this writting) I have learned the principles that were sorely lacking in my financial life. But! It goes to prove it's never too late!

This is not some guru money management system. This is just plain old fashioned common sense that someone should be teaching our youth! If you want some fancy pants telling you some special system he's got for making money and having all your dreams come true, this is NOT that kind of book.

If you want some down to earth, practical, step-by-step advice on how to create a budget, what the chain of command is for paying what bills and why, how to negotiate with creditors, what the heck a retirement plan is and how to plan for retirement, why you need to get out of debt now, and much more, then this is the book you need!

And in the end, all your dreams will come true because there really is a life after debt! I can see it coming!

Thank you Dave Ramsey for finally putting it all in Plain English! I am now financially literate and I didn't have to get a financial planner to do it. I just met this "good ole boy" from Tennessee on the TV one night!

Buy one for yourself, buy one for your kids, buy one for anyone that will read it! We are getting a whole set for the family members for Christmas!

I just love this book and the stories from real people. I pretty much believe in what Dave is about so it was not hard to follow his advice. I think for anyone who is interested in getting out of debt this is the start. Purchase this book. He is even funny which makes for good reading.

This book along with taking the Financial Peace University courses has helped my husband and I get out of debt and begin to make much more wise decisions about our finances, retirement, giving anything and everything dealing with money. It's very understandable and very user friendly! I recommend if you're trying to get your financial stuff in order to read and follow what Dave says. It will truly change your life!

This book is a must have for everyone. It is a simple plan for becoming debt free and living like no one else. I realize that the prior sentence sounds so redundant to most folks who listen to Dave Ramsey on his week day radio show, but it is the truth. It is easy to become debt free when effort is put into the program, and results can happen swiftly for some and not so swiftly for others. Commitment is the clue.

I am debt free after using Dave Ramsey's Plan. I'm on baby step 3. Its an amazing plan but you have to be willing to do the work. If you don't do the written monthly budget you will be disappointed in the results. Its very practical but doing it is always harder then the simplicity of the plan. After all nothing worth doing is easy. Do the hard work and get out of debt.

I received this book in record time! Hoorah to the seller!! If you want to learn how to live debt free, get this book! It doesn't matter your situation, anyone can do this as long as you do it. I have been following what I have learned for the last month & have made huge leaps in my quest to become debt free! You can too!!!

This book has helped my family so much in our finances! We are now on the road to financial freedom and it feels great! The key is definitely in changing the way you think about money and taking responsibility for your own discipline or lack thereof. It has revolutionized the way we handle our money and we are on that path to truly honoring God with our finances and are living like no one else so that later we can live like no one else! I would recommend this to anyone who truly wants to live free of debt or who wants to make sure they don't end up in debt! It is very practical and if you will follow each step, you will definitely find your freedom!

A proven plan for financial fitness.
Dave Ramsey
Thomas Nelson, 2008
ISBN: 0785289089
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com, 10/08
5 stars
Dave Ramsey is the king of financial fitness. In The Total Money Makeover, he focuses on debt. He repeatedly stresses that debt stinks. He encourages readers to cut up their credit cards and stop borrowing.
My husband and I have ascribed to the Dave Ramsey way of managing money for years. It is all common sense. Too bad the government has not read his books. Perhaps we should send each Representative and Senator a copy of this book.
Ramsey has a bold, to-the-point style; he tells it like it is. Ramsey's Christian faith shines through in his message. He purports a seven-step program for debt relief and shares his own experiences in hope of helping someone else.

Well written and a very do-able guide for finding financial freedom. I would definitely recommend this to anyone!!! I have given several to family and friends!

Changed my life, my marriage, my income (X3 - straight commission job), and allowed me to live debt free including the house at 35 years of age. I also have a net worth of over 1M.

Try it - you have lived the other way too long and if you end up not liking it you can always go back into debt. Life is too short not to live like no one else...

Thanks Dave for a new life and helping me and my family understand what is truly important. I can't imagine living like we did just three short years ago, and will never go back - FREEDOM!!!!

If every American listened to Dave Ramsey and took this stuff to heart, we would not be in the economic mess we are in. This is a great basic book on how to be smart with your money. It's more directed at people with debt problems but is also motivating for those that are already on the right track. If you are struggling financially--buy this book used and then soak up the principles. Another great companion book to this one is "Get Clark Smart" by Clark Howard.

This is a very good book, I recommend it to everyone. Dave Ramsey has helped many thousands of people with his financial ideas.

Dave Ramsey walks the reader through a financial plan for success in a clear, convincing and practical manner.

The things I like the most:
1) The writing style is conversational and free of any jargon: I felt Dave was sitting across from me
2) The advice is easy to follow and Mr Ramsey takes the approach of doing one thing at a time

The only thing I dislike is:
Too many case studies randomly inserted throughout the book

Recommended without reservation!

Dave gives solid financial advice that doesn't fly "over your head." I'm not a finance type guy. But I feel much more confident and able to manage my daily finances with Dave's advice. This book is a great starting point for anyone that feels swallowed up by credit card debt.

This book is absolutely awesome. I finished reading it within a single day, and am very excited to start this plan. I highly recommend this book.

Dave gives a simple no nonsense approach to personal finances. Requires a strong commitment to paying off your debt.

dave ramsey's book was my first financial book. I was about to get married and I need fianncial help. His book helped me in my marriage. Most couple fight because of money but since following Dave's book - i never got into debt. We are on our way to financial freedom because of Dave's great book

This book contains a lot of great information for getting out of debt. The suggestions are easy to understand. I also enjoyed the testimonials.
However, for someone like me with only a mortgage (cars are paid off, no credit card debt) many of his steps are difficult to implement. I also found that he seemed to repeat himself repeat himself many times. I suppose repetition is a good thing.

Overall, good book. I would recommend it to my friends and family.

Great book. He does a nice job laying out the basics. As he says there is nothing in there you haven't heard from your Grandmother or the bible. It's not a "Christian" book, it's a get-yourself-safe from financial risk book. I highlighted it and went back and took notes to make sure I captured the data. Personally, I am not highly in debt but there was a lot of good lessons learned. This book is for everyone- young and old, in debt or not, married or single. I avoid books like this but it was recommended to me and I'm glad I took shot. Get the workbook- it helps.
Nice job, Dave. Great book.

Ramsey makes clear from the outset that personal finance is 70% behavior and only 30% knowledge. I actually feel behavior likely constitutes a minimum of 80% of personal finance. The basic principles are not complex, yet most people still fail to manage their money effectively due to lack of impulse control and discipline. There is nothing about any get-rich-quick-top-secret-never-before-revealed-guaranteed-instant-wealth systems in here, so if that's what you a looking for you should probably look elsewhere.

This book is also refreshingly free of the anti-capitalist, anti-western, left wing propaganda that so commonly afflicts books of this ilk. No need to feel guilty for living in a nation that that has scrambled it way to the top or that you and your ancestors worked hard and intelligently to get where you are today.

With the above factors in mind, I'm not quite sure why this book is being criticized as primarily motivational. Motivation is exactly what most people need to live a financially disciplined life. This is definitely on my short list of top finance recommendations.

This is a great guide book for young people. I bought one for each of my grandsons who are in their early thirties. Muriel Oehme

I read this book from front to back surprisingly. It's so great. I would try giving this book to newly married couples so they can plan now and not get into debt. Now my husband and I can continue to stay out of debt. I love the budget...I finally understood this one.

I have read a lot of books on the subject of personal finance and I am quite impressed with Dave's concepts. I have watched his show from time to time and he is truly devoted to helping people. His concepts may seem simple yet are difficult in practice to implement. The only issues I see are some of the concepts might be difficult to put into practice for someone with little or no finance background. The old adage, if the hill looks too steep, I won't even attempt to climb it. I see this happening with a lot of people when looking at his budget pages, his payment schedule on how to implement the budget. I have a heavy background in finance and if I wasn't dedicated, it would have been a huge task for me to implement in my life. Once you do what he says, the concepts become reality and his methods do work!

This book changed my life! It provided the financial framework I'd been looking for all my life. 2 years later and debt-free, I can truly say that Dave's approach works. Financial peace!

Dave Ramsey is a FRAUD. He bought and sold real estate through other people and then bankrupted on his debt. He claims to be a "Christian" yet now that he is making millions he has made no effort to pay back those he stole from when he bankrupted meanwhile he is building a mulit-million dollar home close to Nashville. He does not deserve recognition until he makes full restitution to those he defrauded!

Dave Ramsey is a FRAUD. He bought and sold real estate through other people and then bankrupted on his debt. He claims to be a "Christian" yet now that he is making millions he has made no effort to pay back those he stole from when he bankrupted meanwhile he is building a mulit-million dollar home close to Nashville. He does not deserve recognition until he makes full restitution to those he defrauded!

Yesterday, (7-25-2008) I became debt-free except for my house--no credit card payments, no car payments, no student loan payments, nothing!! I paid off $21,000 in credit card debt in three years. I don't make a lot of money, so it was hard and took me longer than most people, but it was so worth it.

Yes, this book is pretty simple and he repeats stuff. But you know what? That's what makes it such a great read. No complex math or anything to take you away from your real goal: becoming debt-free. The pro-debt people are really just sheep being led to economic slaughter. The current economic climate that tells you "debt is good--hello FICO score" is really just a sham created by people richer than you so that they can STAY richer than you.

Not me. The book is a bit preachy and a bit redundant, but it also teaches you good habits. Easy to remember steps. Easy to remember plan. There are also real-world stories of people who are in debt and climbing out and people who became debt-free. These stories were a great inspiration for me.

I shared the info and book with my teenage son. He's also on the "no debt" wagon. He never had it, never will. All because of Dave Ramsey. Dave's radio show is available as a free podcast on iTunes if you want to save your money. His radio show is a call-in show and it pretty much covers everything in this book. I listen to that daily and it's a great help to stay on top of things. He also has a talk show on Fox.

I'm glad this book finally available as a Kindle e-book version. I was able to buy my Kindle with cash (well ok, debit card) as a reward for working so hard to be debt-free.

What's in my wallet? CASH!! I lived like no one else so that now I can live like no one else. Stop listening to your broke friends. Now I go to the mall and all I see are "debt-people." Act your wage! This stuff should have been taught to me while I was in high-school. But I'm on the right path now. I'm working on my 6 month emergency fund (baby step #3), then it's on to paying off the house (I'll have it paid for in 7 years) and investing.

Read this book, take control of your finances and change your life. Save money and get it from a library if you have to, but read it today. And you know what? Even the air smells fresher now that my money stays with me rather than going to bill collectors. :)

This book was recommended by a credit counselor as as a great gift for my young adult children. They have raved about this book and have continued reading it until finished. Al have discussed various ideas they found in the book. I recommend for all ages of folks try to manage their personal finances.

it's monotonous and redundant info. he says the same things over and over. borrow someone's book or check it out from the library.

Thank you Dave Ramsey for your thoughtful insight on money and the choices we forget we have. It's amazing how not so common, common sense is. There's no big secret in this book, simply stated, you should live within your means. The many stories you'll read are encouraging and do help you face your fears and self doubt. It's good to know that financial freedom is within everyone's reach.

Dave Ramsey has changed our lives and we are now DEBT FREE!!! If anyone would rate this book negatively or find his info useless, HAS to be someone who is sooooo far in debt that they cannot even consider doing a total money makeover!

I bought this as an audio book, and it caught my attention from the get go. Ramsey uses his own sucessses and failures from personal experience to help others to see their own tendency to financial folly. He does not pull punches. If you are looking for something with "the law of attraction and such, this is NOT the book for you, but if you want a totally frank, realistic approach on how to tackle your financial problems, this is the book you want.

He explains why the consumer lending industy is nothing more than (in his words) "legalized loan sharking" and goes into detail on the subject matter. He also describes trends in behaviors and actions that can lead various people to financial disaster. The book is very well written, and easy to understand It truly offers a realistic approach to taking care of individual financial difficulties.

In one weekend, I read The Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace Revisited (Dave's other book). These are great books! I believe the information in The Total Money Makeover as well as Financial Peace (Revisited) provide a clear and concise road map to help many people get out of debt and stay out of debt. To further learn about Dave's concepts, I will be attending the Financial Peace University at a local church here in town. I believe in these concepts so much, I have begun to integrate them into my client consultations regarding refinancing or purchasing a new home.

With all of this said, I do feel the book makes some broad generalizations. First, I do not agree with Dave's assessment that all life insurance products other than term life, are bad and that no one should ever consider any life insurance product other than term insurance. This probably is the best advice for most people, including your middle-class wage earner; however, there are definitely life insurance products that may be right for some people's long-term financial objectives. I just don't believe that one investment strategy (buy mutual funds only) is applicable to all income levels. I think most would agree that investment factors such as individual net worth, annual income, cash flow needs, age, estate planning, taxation considerations, as well as other factors will help guide an individual to choose the investment that assist them in achieving their long and short term financial goals. Yes there are insurance products other than term insurance that may be prudent for someone's situation.

Dave also briefly talks (Pages 186-192) about paying off your home mortgage is always the best course of action, and that any wealth building strategy that involves maintaining your home's equity/wealth outside of the home, is a bad idea. This is probably the best advice for the average homeowner; however, this is a broad generalization. Can equity harvesting (the opposite of paying down your mortgage early) be a viable option for wealth building? Absolutely. With that being said, equity harvesting is not for everyone; therefore focusing on becoming debt-free, including paying your mortgage off early, is often times for many, the best course of action to take. Paying down your mortgage early and equity harvesting both can be viable options. It really depends on each individual's situation.

The subject of equity harvesting deserves more than a few pages written in a book. I do agree that there are many books in the market place that purely are designed to help insurance agents sell products such as EUIL policies. These books do not fully disclose the potential risk involved when strategically repositioning equity out of a home and into a life insurance product or any other investment.

When it comes to the subject of home equity and paying off your mortgage early, I don't agree with Dave's opinion that one strategy is the right way for everyone. With all of this being said, I do understand that this book was written for the average American who is drowning in credit card debt, and has no personal finance/budgeting skills; therefore, covering complex equity management strategies would be outside of the scope of Dave's book.

Two good books that are full disclosure (let you know the risk and tax laws surrounding euqity harvesting stagegies) that will give you more information regarding equity harvesting are: The Home Equity Management Guidebook and Borrow Smart Retire Rich I would NOT reccomend these two popluar books: Missed Fortune 101 and Stop Sitting on Your Assets: How to Safely Leverage the Equity Trapped in Your Home and Transform It Into a Constant Flow of Wealth and Security The latter two books don't inform the reader with full disclosure.

David Lukas, CMPS

I believe every teen and adult need to read this book, it will change
their future. The book is a wonderful tool to manage your income.

This was a plain terms, easy reading that everyone can relate to. The tools are a great place to start your own money make over that fits your lifestyle.

JB Britt

Can we say Dave is a financial genius??
Im sooo glad I found this book at 26 years old! I never had tons of debt, but I had a credit card and believed in the credit score, NOT any longer!

This book is full of wonderful information for anyone! Its easy to read, to the point, and simple steps. Dave has this book laid out for anyone to follow and it really gets you motivated! You know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

I have given this book to several friends as gifts and its been a gift that last a lifetime!

A MUST READ for anyone, no matter what your finical situation!!!

Mr. Ramsey's book provide wonderful info on building and keeping wealth. Highly recommended for those that need direction in their money matters.

Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of something, and realize that what you're living right now is a turning point in your life. Reading the Total Money Makeover was one of THOSE awesome times for me.

I was initially skeptical about this book, but last summer some girls on a mother's board I'm a member of were really excited about Dave Ramsey. So in late August I picked up a copy, and started to read. Then I picked up a highlighter and read it again. I started listening to the radio show and I dragged my husband to Dave Ramsey's 12-week financial class.

A year ago, I figured we'd be living in our tiny starter house forever and wondered how we'd be able to afford pre-school and still come up with money for a down payment for a 2nd car.

Today, in the midst of this "economic recession", we are happy, confident, and have hope about the future, because thanks to Dave's inspiring stories and simple plan, we have now eliminated all our debts, bought a house, and realized that we really can afford to send our kids to college in 16 years AND retire comfortably. We're planning to buy that 2nd car in cash next year.

You really can summarize this book in just a few paragraphs, but you can't substitute a description of the plan for the amount of motivation you can get from the inspiration that's inside.

Whether trying to get out of debt or simply not get into debt, this book is the number one answer! Dave Ramsey's advice is borne of experience in blowing a fortune, recovering it and learning his lesson. Now he passes his plan on to others in an easy-to-follow (and understand!) method that really works. Hundreds of callers have told their stories on his radio and TV shows (now on Fox Business Network) and proudly screamed "We're debt free" after applying his principles of money management to their situations, some seemingly hopeless. You CAN climb out of overwhelming debt, and this book tells you how. Not a pie-in-the-sky kind of book, but practical steps to follow that will save your marriage and your sanity as you pay back what you owe and establish a nest egg for the future.