Book Review: The Total Money Makeover

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I know it's late, but I just finished reading The Total Money Makeover, and I had to share.

Even if you've never read a single book on personal finance, the first thing you should know is that Dave Ramsey is your friend. Your older, more financially successful friend who can help guide you out of a tight financial spot, or at least keep you from making the same mistakes as your friends. You will get a good idea of what modern financial resources can help your case and what are worth avoiding. Who hasn’t taken a loan at least once, to deal with unexpected expenses? And yet, few of us have invested in our financial education.

I loved the book because it helped me break down my goals into manageable chunks. It also helped me set up a specific plan for each month that made sense with my budget and lifestyle, so I wasn't constantly feeling like I was missing out on "fun stuff."

I highly recommend it!

Release: 2003

Page Count: 237

Format: Print Hardcover, audiobook and ebook

Synopsis:

This book provides a simple, actionable framework for getting out of debt and building up savings. It starts with the big picture: imagining what it would be like to become debt-free and develop the habits needed to get there. Then it breaks down the process into achievable chunks, making it feel possible. And then it gives you specific steps to take to develop these habits and reach these goals. It even provides a step-by-step budgeting guide to get started right away.

But what really makes this book absolutely special is that it's not just a manual on how to save money—it's a deep dive into the psychology of why we spend money in the first place. It doesn't just describe how to go about getting out of debt, but analyzes why people go into debt in the first place so that they can overcome those mental hurdles and avoid falling back into old patterns.

Non-Spoiler Review

I'll admit, when I first picked up Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover, I was skeptical. I thought, "How can this guy tell me anything I don't already know? I went to school, I read plenty of self-help books, and I'm in good control of my finances!" But what The Total Money Makeover did for me was simple: it showed me how wrong my own thinking had been in some cases. It helped me identify the gaps in my own knowledge and financial health, mainly because of how he's organized the book.

Each chapter is divided into three parts: "What?" (what you need to know to understand the topic), "So what?" (why you should care about it), and "Now What?" (a step-by-step guide on how to implement what you learned). As someone who loves making lists and checking off items, this format really helped me focus on one thing at a time and gave me a sense of accomplishment when I finished each section.

My favorite part is that Ramsey understands how difficult it can be to begin the process of getting organized, especially if you're drowning in debt. He encourages readers not to panic, but to take things one step at a time. The key, he says, is just to get started—and then to stick with it. This is something that I've tried to do over the years with varying levels of success, and his book has inspired me to start again!

If I were to talk about what I didn’t really like, the language feels a bit preachy. But then again, I mainly read fiction and my taste buds in terms of reading have felt the difference. Overall, it doesn’t detract one from the valuable information presented in the book.

Dave Ramsey knows what he’s talking about, as evidenced by his success and his career as a financial advisor and coach. His story is relatable to many readers, including myself. His parents went bankrupt, and he grew up without much money. The book details his own mistakes with money, and how he eventually got out of debt himself. This book is a result of those experiences, and his desire to help others achieve financial freedom as well. You have the chance to learn from the best in under 250 pages.

Best wishes on your life full of adventure,

Madame Writer