The Total Money Makeover

This guy makes sense

I have business degrees from Wharton (BS) and Stanford (MBA), but like most Americans from middle class backgrounds, I never got much training in personal finance and always felt bewildered by it. I recently listed to The Total Money Makeover for the third time and it clicked. The first two times, I was still in school and had no income, so felt powerless to act on its lessons. Now, with a steady income (and some monstrous student loans) the lessons are relevant, actionable, and empowering.

Before, I always felt at a loss when it came to budgeting. After re-listening to The Total Money Makeover, I got a second savings account to hold my emergency fund and long-term savings, making it easier to separate between current accounts and short-term savings. Now, I have an Excel spreadsheet with a separate column for each upcoming pay check. I know how much of each paycheck will get immediately transferred into long-term savings (e.g. for a wedding in the fall), how much will go to short-term savings (e.g. for next month's rent), and how much disposable income I have in my current checking account.

Furthermore, I have a better plan for paying down my debts. If I were to approach this according to the pure net present value financial principles taught in school, I would start with my big student loan (highest interest rate), then my smaller student loan, then my car loan (lowest interest rate). After listening to Ramsey, I'm going to do it in the opposite order. Although that will cost me some in NPV, it means I can pay off my car loan in a few months (freeing up $250 per month in cash flow), and can pay off my smaller student loan in a few years. My larger student loan is the size and duration of a mortgage, and I'll treat it like it's one. If I tried to pay it off first, I wouldn't see any impact on my cash flow for probably 14 years, making it discouraging to try to find extra dollars to put towards paying down debt. Trying this the Ramsey way, I already feel like I'm making progress and am motivated to do more.

Dave Ramsey is an inspiring speaker. Although his message may come across as simple, in my opinion it does a far better job taking into account human nature than any of the sophisticated financial and economic models I spent so much money learning. I can't recommend this book enough.

234 of 245 people found this review helpful

Short and Easy Steps

Where does The Total Money Makeover rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would give a B-. Gets to the point, gives good metaphors and easy to follow.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Total Money Makeover?

Metaphors used to describe steps or missteps are very memorable and applicable to most people.

What about Dave Ramsey’s performance did you like?

Voice and diction were probably best compared to what I have listened. Would expect good performance from professional speaker. Have heard some "funny" start/stops or paragraph breaks on other books. Probably start of new session or after break. Did not hear in Ramsey's performance, however this book is shorter than most. 3+ hours

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No crying, definitely a few laughs. Mostly found myself quoting excerpts to others.

Any additional comments?

Religious overtones and bible quotes throughout book. However quotes in nature of "Saving" money and neither borrowing or lending; giving money OK. People describe me as Agnostic and this did not bother me. All in all good book, great performance. Enjoy

69 of 75 people found this review helpful

maybe the best self help book ever

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have. I am a financial advisor and every high school kid, anyone who wants to be out of debt, and anyone without 6 months savings should read this book. It teaches real money mangement.

What did you like best about this story?

The step by step process to financial stability.

What about Dave Ramsey’s performance did you like?

He is truly passionate about what he does and is a motivating leader. I do not always agree with him, but he is right when it comes to managing money.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

this is a must read and top ten book of all time for me.

25 of 27 people found this review helpful

Thank you

What made the experience of listening to The Total Money Makeover the most enjoyable?

I appreciate the insight offered in this book. The steps outlined are easy to understand. The scenarios offered were helpful.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Information available online

Total Money Makeover doesn't give any information that isn't already available on Ramsey's website. it just adds anecdotes about people succeeding with the method.

26 of 30 people found this review helpful

Brash? Yes. Honest? Absolutely.

Some people have remarked that they don't like the tone of this book. If the author seems a bit "brash", it's only because he's attempting to highlight the level of insanity with which most people approach personal finance. Take a look around you. The guy you work with who just bought a new Hummer. Your sisters' friend who just moved into a $800,000 home. They must be doing great, right? WRONG.

The truth is, they're most likely broke. They're high-income, low-net-worth people who are teetering on the edge of complete financial ruin. Rich people, don't do these things!! Well, that is unless they're really really rich.

This book will change the way you think about money. When I see the guy in the new Mercedes now, I think, "Man, that guy has nothing in the bank". This book will make you proud of your old jalopy. After all, it's better to ACTUALLY BE RICH.

Most Americans WISH for financial security and DO everything they can to make sure it NEVER happens. I think this is a level of insanity that warrants a brash tone.

If your ready to get real about your finances, this is the only book you need to read.

69 of 85 people found this review helpful

Very Motivational...

Even if you might not adhere to Dave's plan exactly, the idea of slavery to debt and freedom from it are very motivational. I feel like the examples he uses are real life people and he doesn't use terms or language that is reserved for finance professionals. It really is a good, practical plan for getting out of debt via hard work and perseverance. Even though his plan is not the best "mathematically", the point of getting some quick wins by paying off the lowest balance without regard to interest rate is a legitimate point. Honestly, you can hear most of the content of this book in his daily podcasts. I do recommend this book to people.

35 of 44 people found this review helpful

Very good, wish it was available unabridged.

This book is for those who realize that there is no "magic" in getting on top of finances. It is very practical in its approach. I'm done with the books, theories, and thinking that suggest that there are quick fixes to wealth. God, and much less, "the Universe" will not save you from your financial woes. Only hard work, serious budgeting, and self-control will.

17 of 21 people found this review helpful

Nothing but OUTSTANDING!!

It has been less than a week sense my wife and I have listed to Dave's book and it has already changed our lives and how we look at our finances forever. Within these few days we have paid off almost $3,000 in debt with money that was "just laying around the house". We had no idea how good it would feel to break free from being a prisoner to some of that debt that we have been paying on for years. It is so liberating to finally take charge of our money and actually have a plan. We have listened and read many financial books in the past but NOTHING and I mean NOTHING has gotten us this excited. It has actually given us more hope than we have ever had about changing our financial future. My wife and I have even grown closer because we are working on our finances together as a team for the first time. Every day we get more and more fired up about "The Total Money Makeover". We will never look at money and debt the same way again. If you are reading this review trying to decide if you should buy this book, DO IT AND DON'T WAIT! This book is worth every penny and then some. If you are ready to take control of your life and ?live like no one else? get started right now.

10 of 13 people found this review helpful

Do you have debt?

Great book showing a simple, common sense, approach to getting free of debt. It's not easy. You'll have to sacrifice and live like nobody else but end the end you will be able to LIVE like nobody else!

7 of 9 people found this review helpful