Dave Ramsey knows what it's like to have it all. By age twenty-six, he had established a four-million-dollar real estate portfolio, only to lose it...
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Apr 13, 2011
Chad
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Some of my friends are Dave Ramsey fans. The 2 main things I knew about him were his envelope system of budgeting, and his anti-debt stance. I thought I'd find out about these by reading The Total Money Makeover. That book covered his anti-debt stance, but didn't cover the envelope system, and it also contained many references to this book, Financial Peace. So although this book was published before The Total Money Makeover, I read it second. The 5 Baby Steps briefly mentioned in this book serve
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Mar 12, 2008
Liz
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If someone is in dire straits financially, this book is invaluable for tips, strategy and plain common sense for savings and dumping debt. His baby steps for financial peace are applicable to anyone in any circumstance, especially the emergency fund in a money market account and the debt snowball. However, I do believe that he is legalistic in some of the minute details of those steps. For someone who has never paid a penny of credit card interest in 12 years, but who enjoys free money from t
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May 20, 2008
Jared
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There are few books that are as straight and to the point about money, and getting out of debt as this one. I read A LOT of books on how to get out of debt, but honestly, this is the only one that worked.
More importantly, Dave Ramsey has the personal experience in applying what he teaches, and although there aren't any "smoke and mirrors," if you do what he says, I think you will agree that this is by far the best book on building wealth, paying off debts AND living on a More...
More importantly, Dave Ramsey has the personal experience in applying what he teaches, and although there aren't any "smoke and mirrors," if you do what he says, I think you will agree that this is by far the best book on building wealth, paying off debts AND living on a More...
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Jan 22, 2009
Cathy
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Should be read by every person in high school. Plain, upfront knowledge for everyday living regarding money. Completely changed our lives.
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Jun 23, 2011
Jenny
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I didn't like this one as well as Total Money Makeover, it was a much slower read and just not as "hands-on" applicable information for finances, but I did learn a couple things, these are the notes I jotted down as I read:
-page 30 (haha, not sure what it was, but if I ever need to reference it again...at least I'll remember the page!)
-sinking fund: payments in reverse (p. 118)
-3 to 6 month emergency fund
-Proverbs 21:20 "There is treasure to be More...
-page 30 (haha, not sure what it was, but if I ever need to reference it again...at least I'll remember the page!)
-sinking fund: payments in reverse (p. 118)
-3 to 6 month emergency fund
-Proverbs 21:20 "There is treasure to be More...
May 31, 2011
Sarah
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If you've spent much time around me lately, you may have noticed my recent infatuation with Dave Ramsey. When I first happened to catch his radio show about a year ago, I scoffed. He sounded like my dad's financial planner on steroids. But in these difficult economic times, his no-nonsense approach to personal finance is a welcome return to simpler times when everything under the sun wasn't sold for a low monthly payment.
Financial Peace was the first book Ramsey wrote after saving h More...
Financial Peace was the first book Ramsey wrote after saving h More...
Apr 07, 2011
Anastasia
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I just finished reading Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace. I have always enjoyed his television and radio show. If you don't know...He was a real estate agent who ended up in huge amounts of debt. Losing his car and almost his house. He pulled himself out of debt and is now debt free. (To be fair, it doesn't hurt that he make s a lot of money hosting his TV show, radio show, writing numerous books and selling his Financial Peace University course) But at one point he was a regular guy.
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May 25, 2010
Kyle
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Since I've been in the middle of a lot of money trouble, a friend of mine lent me this book as well as a little cash to make it through my next set of bills. I figured I owed him enough to at least read the book.
I can't tell you how annoying it was to read this thing, which is clearly just a collection of transcribed parts of Ramsey's seminars and radio shows from the 1990s. So he gives us some moderately sound financial advice: Get out of debt, or better yet, don't go into it. Save where More...
I can't tell you how annoying it was to read this thing, which is clearly just a collection of transcribed parts of Ramsey's seminars and radio shows from the 1990s. So he gives us some moderately sound financial advice: Get out of debt, or better yet, don't go into it. Save where More...
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Apr 16, 2010
April
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This one does NOT get five stars for writing style or organization--it gets it for PARADIGM SHIFTING. I was rather annoyed with it part of the time, but by the end of it, I was so full of ideas and energy around finally getting my financial crap together, it's like a religious conversion. Or is it like a fad diet? All enthusiasm for a week or a month, to be followed lamentably by a quick regression to former habits? I hope not--one of his recommendations is to get a Financial Sponsor (cf. Alcoho
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Jan 26, 2012
Rachael
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I can't help it. I love personal finance books. There's a reason I love them, though. They make me feel strong, motivated, and inspired. Ramsey is really good at this. While reading his books, I feel like I can take on the world and really accomplish my dreams.
I read Total Money Makeover about a year and a half ago and I got a similar boost from that. After reading, I built up an emergency fund and paid off my car a year early. However, I then bought a house. That is not part o More...
I read Total Money Makeover about a year and a half ago and I got a similar boost from that. After reading, I built up an emergency fund and paid off my car a year early. However, I then bought a house. That is not part o More...
Sep 09, 2011
Alia
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When my teacher told me that I had to read this book for her class, I didn't think I was going to like it at all or have struggles with finishing it because of the subject of finances. I haven't even heard of Dave Ramsey until I picked up this book to read.
What made me really enjoy this book was how simple everything was in explaining things. Dave did a really good job of letting the reader know about what could happen if you take things too fast with dealing with money and debt. I More...
What made me really enjoy this book was how simple everything was in explaining things. Dave did a really good job of letting the reader know about what could happen if you take things too fast with dealing with money and debt. I More...
Apr 14, 2011
Megan
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As a Dave fan, the info is nothing new to me. I like Dave's principles and I think this was the first book he published so I wanted to read it. In my mind, he's best at convincing people to change how they thing about money - if he wasn't, he wouldn't have the huge following he does. Americans tend to buy too much "stuff" and he's good a showing how "stuffitis" can hinder a person's ability to get ahead financially.
I'd probably recommend Total Money Makeover More...
I'd probably recommend Total Money Makeover More...
Nov 29, 2011
Spencer
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There are few people in the world who are in a situation where they can truly teach others about money. It is such a sensitivity topic, but Dave Ramsey has been to broke and back more times than anyone else ever hopes to. His in sites on having peace not only in your finances, but your entire life causes the reader to sit back and reflect on what ways their life could be more peaceful.
Dave expounds on 37 ways to take control of your money and your life. Personal favorites include:
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Dave expounds on 37 ways to take control of your money and your life. Personal favorites include:
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Aug 08, 2011
Candice
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I took the Financial Peace class years ago, while Dave and I were still dating. It's something I definitely recommend, especially young couples. Dave and I learned so much, it's probably the reason we aren't crazy in debt right now.
After getting this book back from a friend I loaned it out to, I decided it was time to read it again.
I'll admit, I had forgotten most of the book. But it was interesting to see which concepts Dave and I are still using in our budget today. Overall More...
After getting this book back from a friend I loaned it out to, I decided it was time to read it again.
I'll admit, I had forgotten most of the book. But it was interesting to see which concepts Dave and I are still using in our budget today. Overall More...
Oct 22, 2010
Mandy
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Dave Ramsey has sound advice regarding financial matters. His big push is to get out of debt, build up savings, get wealthy and give it away. I always feel motivated after listening to him on the radio or finishing his book, but unfortunately that motivation dissipates about 30 minutes later--especially when I start thinking about a budget. Ramsey knows that this is where a lot of people get hung up, and he says you can call it a budget or a cash flow plan...the later sounds less restrictive
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Sep 28, 2010
Andy
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Borrowed from a friend (there's some saving money already) and a fairly quick read. Some good advice in this book - especially if you are REALLY struggling to make ends meet. The first tip is to save $1000 as an emergency fund and then there are 6 more steps. Personally I think the biggest thing to do is budget - and stick to it. There are some good tips on doing this and some good advice on getting everyone in the family on board with the budget.
Some of the numbers seem (already) to More...
Some of the numbers seem (already) to More...
Aug 15, 2011
Kelly
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This is a dated version of the book. Ramsey has since come out with *Financial Peace Revisited* which is the one that goes along with the class these days, but we used our aged materials instead of buying new ones. It's good. It's useful (practical). I don't know what the new one is like. This book follows along very closely with the lectures. One issue I had, which they may have fixed, is that the workbook recommends you do the reading after viewing the corresponding video, but for me it is bet
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Jan 17, 2010
Belinda
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I thought I was doing OK with managing my finances, but this book (along with the 13-week course) really helped me to regain disciplines that I had let slide - like writing a budget and actually updating it, planning how my income is to be spent rather than trying to work it all out in my head, learning to say "no" or "not yet" to myself in favor of paying off debts. I'm now free of debt and building up my savings. I'd recommend the book to anyone wanting to take control of
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May 19, 2011
Craig
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Dave Ramsey has taken a tested and true set of principles, threw some scripture quotes in, and called it "Financial Peace." And that's fine, because if it helps to get people to get their cash flow under control, more power to him.
As a representative of the genre this book belongs to, it really is not bad. Usually in books of this nature the author will attempt to establish his credibility by telling you, in 1/2 the book, his story. (For extreme examples of this, please see More...
As a representative of the genre this book belongs to, it really is not bad. Usually in books of this nature the author will attempt to establish his credibility by telling you, in 1/2 the book, his story. (For extreme examples of this, please see More...
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May 25, 2010
Tonya
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This one is hard for me to rate. I'm so saturated in Dave Ramsey's teachings that it didn't blow me way. However, any lessons he provide are really, really great.
I think it is a must read for everyone ... though I'd give you The Total Money Makeover as the first book to read so you can implement the plan ... and then follow up with this book to reinforce why you are working the plan for financial peace. I know that seems backwards ... but I get anxious to start making change.
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I think it is a must read for everyone ... though I'd give you The Total Money Makeover as the first book to read so you can implement the plan ... and then follow up with this book to reinforce why you are working the plan for financial peace. I know that seems backwards ... but I get anxious to start making change.
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Mar 03, 2009
Janet
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I've had several friends tell me about radio talk show host and Christian financial fitness guru Dave Ramsey in recent days so when I found 2 of his books at our local Half Price this morning I figured that God must be encouraging me to take a tighter hold on the tiller in these high winds of financial change and struggle. Financial Peace offers a basic overview of average American financial problems (lack of discipline) and simple steps to take to overcome them (eliminate debt, frugal is fun, s
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Apr 12, 2011
Karina
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Another great one. I actually think this book should be read before his other one. This one is more of a general book, whereas his other one is a specific plan on getting out of debt, and then investing in your future. This one has more info on types of investments and different things. I really have like what I've read from Dave Ramsey, but I did also read he may not be the best person to go to for investments. I hear he is great helping people pay off their debts, but as far as what comes afte
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Jan 14, 2011
Melissa
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I read this to remind myself to manage my money better and keep trying to get out of debt. I had already read The Total Money Makeover, that book it MUCH better than this one. This book was mostly worthless to me. It was fine, but I didn't feel like it was encouraging me to do anything different. Also, I wish that Dave Ramsey talked about what to do when your debt is not Consumer debt and you don't have extra boats and stuff to sell. What if you are in debt because it costs 12,000 to go to
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Oct 08, 2011
W
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This was actually my second time through this book. I read it the first time several years ago. It was well worth the time and is actually a fairly quick read. The principles in the book are rock solid, though they do take discipline (which comes and goes in my case) to maintain. I did love reading his negotiating chapter, and cringed as I read his wise advice and techniques, my thought however often being: "I could not do that..." Yes, alas I just suck at bargaining and always will
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Dec 20, 2009
Katherine
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As you read this book you'll think, "Well that's just common sense!" The kicker is, even though it's common sense we tend not to practice this stuff! Dave Ramsey puts it in a way that makes you feel like an idiot (in a good way) for not doing so! You will come away from his training with a better understanding of your faults and a determination to make positive changes in your financial life. This book was amazing but even better, sign up for the class. It was probably the most va
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Feb 20, 2011
Travis
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It was refreshing to read a book that took on some complicated topics of finance without making them boring. I liked Mr. Ramsey's approach to finance, particularly to debt. It struck me that this was a financial diet book, and just as our country is getting fatter and fatter physically, our debts are getting fatter and fatter financially. The book was full of straight-forward financial advice, and things that I could begin applying immediately. This was the kind of book that I'll recommend t
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Apr 13, 2011
April
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When my sister, who is an accountant, said you should read this book, I thought, I'm great with our finances, how on earth will this hokey book help me? I am so glad I read it. His take on debt is very different from what I grew up with, and I'm going to use his snowball method to pay my debt off. I feel like an idiot that I didn't think of it. His ideas for getting your financial house in order are simple, realistic and do-able. I've revamped my 2011 budget to follow many of the suggestion
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Jun 27, 2010
Scott
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I got some solid personal financial advice from Dave Ramsey's book. His "Seven Baby Steps" approach takes the very abstract concept of long range financial planning and makes it simple and concrete.
Dave's advice on budgeting and saving money were quite good. He also dealt with financial issues in the context of real life relationships (marriage, singleness, etc.) with some good tips on how to navigate those waters. His advice on investing was not quite as sound, in my op More...
Dave's advice on budgeting and saving money were quite good. He also dealt with financial issues in the context of real life relationships (marriage, singleness, etc.) with some good tips on how to navigate those waters. His advice on investing was not quite as sound, in my op More...
Apr 13, 2011
Jered
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Financial Peace
by Dave Ramsey
This is a great overview book on putting your financial house in order.
He goes through the basics, and ends most chapters with “peace puppies” – if you get them in control while young, it is better then an old disobedient dog.
Peace Puppies:
1) Avoid “Stuffitis”, the worship of stuff
2) Plant seeds – give money away to worthy causes
3) Develop your own “power over purchase”
4) Find where you are naturally gifted More...
by Dave Ramsey
This is a great overview book on putting your financial house in order.
He goes through the basics, and ends most chapters with “peace puppies” – if you get them in control while young, it is better then an old disobedient dog.
Peace Puppies:
1) Avoid “Stuffitis”, the worship of stuff
2) Plant seeds – give money away to worthy causes
3) Develop your own “power over purchase”
4) Find where you are naturally gifted More...
