Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide To Money

I just finished reading this book for the second time. I had heard of Dave Ramsey and had heard good things about his material so I picked this up a while back when looking for books on finances to recommend to my daughter and her fiance. I thought it was one of the best "basics" books out there, so I purchased it for them as a starting point for educating themselves as they begin their married lives. Recently, a good friend of mine lost her husband and he had handled the money. She is incredibly bright but hasn't had a lot of experience in managing finances, so I sat down and read this through a second time to see if I thought this applied to her as well - and it did. I bought another copy as a gift to her. I actually put together a 3-book set for her, with this being the second book I recommended she read. The first one is The One-Page Financial Plan: A Simple Way to Be Smart About Your Money by Carl Richards which I like since it starts at the beginning with deciding how you want to live and the financial goals necessary to support that decision. This Dave Ramsey book dovetails nicely onto that one with more of the nuts and bolts of how to manage money. The third book I purchased is 20 Retirement Decisions You Need to Make Right Now by Ray LeVitre which I think excellent but is best utilized after you have already acquired some financial knowledge. For young adults just starting out, there is great wisdom contained in these pages which will allow the reader to avoid the pitfalls so many folks make. For people needing an overall correction after finding themselves in a place they don't want to be financially, this is also an excellent resource. From emphasizing the need for a cash emergency fund, to dumping debt, to learning how to determine where your money goes each month, he then moves onward to how to invest your savings as well as planning for the future - college funding, home purchase, etc. He also debunks some of the "conventional wisdom" myths that exist and talks plainly about things that can trip you up and send you down the wrong financial path. Mr. Ramsey states the cold, hard truth about facing facts regarding your financial life but does it in such a way as to be encouraging and supportive. He shares his own mistakes which allows the reader to understand that everyone has decisions in the past that weren't the best, but we can all do better moving forward - assuming we are willing to do what is necessary. Bottom line: An excellent book that I highly recommend for anyone interested in better understanding and taking positive action regarding their financial situation. For people who are already in decent shape, it still is very reinforcing since doing things this way can feel "out of step" and a bit odd when compared to what everyone else is doing. He validates the decision to not keep up the the Joneses and to make decisions that are good for you, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Bought this for my friend that knows absolutely nothing about finances so I figured she could use any help she could get. So far she has actually read a couple of sections and it has helped her understand some basic financial knowledge

This book is great advice for people looking to improve bad spending habits, and get out of debt. Some of his advice can be polarizing for people (example - 100% cash for a house), as it is not always realistic, but the core advice is great, and especially something people need in today's world of instant gratification and credit cards rewards. My husband and I did Dave Ramsey's financial peace university as part of our pre-marital counseling and it was so great to get us on the same page with spending. It also gives me a lot of security knowing that we have insurance and savings set aside to help us in any situation. We've probably quadrupled our salaries since we originally took the class, but the core components of this book we still follow in everyday life. Budgeting, tracking expenses, consulting each other for large purchases, no debt (other than our house). It's a great read, and can be life-changing if you're really struggling financially.

You have to want to change for this to work. If you're comfortable with excuses--don't waste your time. Your desire to change your financial future has to be your goal. You have to be ready to face family, friends and others who say "You're crazy." You have to be confident to say "No, we're not going to dinner with the family. No, we're not sending 7 year old Kyle to batting camp, or World Cheerleading finals...in Orlando, of course. You have to be confident enough to stop the things that got you in debt. There are a thousand reasons not to follow it--but the ONE reason to follow it is because YOU and your family are worth it.

This is a good read and must be read by both the husband and wife. With the team, both in the same page, you can knock off the debt, and save up for investment and retirement and create wealth. Reveals that wealth building is in your power and within reach. It's simple like your grandmother's common sense saving tips. Also reveals that true common sense is simple. Read it, but most of all, apply it. Watch out!!! This Book can help you create wealth and make you a millionaire.

Great read

Amazing book! A proven financial plan to live debt free. I'm seriously on a budget now and I know where my monet goes

Dave Ramsey's Financial University teachings are so helpful and practical. Including myself, I know many people who became debt-free thanks to his methods. I took a Financial University course that this book complements, and I highly recommend both the course and this book for anyone who wants to eliminate debt, become financially stable, and feel and be wealthier. The book is easy to read, and it has worksheets that you can use to practice and follow Dave's teachings.

I found dave Ramsey 10 years ago when I was in dire financial straights and within a year I had my debts paid off (except the house), had a savings plan with 3 months of expenses in it and a pension set up. Time passed and I forgot about the principals and find myself in the same boat again. I bought this book having forgotten who he was and was pleasantly surprised to remember! Lots of new tips and ideas and a good read. What he says is really common sense but we forget about it in this consumer culture world. A must read if you're having financial difficulties or even not. I wish I had been given this book as a teenager as life would have been so much easier! Everyone should read this!