What do you think?
Rate this book
Living Debt-Free: The No-Shame, No-Blame Guide to Getting Rid of Your Debt
Get rid of your debt without giving up your life
No one wants to be in debt. But life happens and if you’ve got debt, life has happened to you. Whether you have a rolling balance of $2,000 on your credit card or an $80,000 line of credit you are positive you will carry to your grave, debt can be a huge cause of stress—affecting both your emotional and financial wellness.
After working with thousands of financial planning clients, Shannon Lee Simmons knows that your only way out of the debt cycle is to truly understand all of your spending triggers so you can shut them down for good. In Living Debt-Free, she shows you that it is possible to have a life and pay down debt at the same time. In fact, that’s the only way your debt plan will work. You will learn to take control of your finances and pay down your debt in a realistic way that will keep you motivated long enough to see it through to the end. No shame. No blame. No scare tactics.
In Living Debt-Free, Simmons focuses on creating a debt repayment plan that will motivate you for a long time, rather than an unrealistic one that’s strictly about paying the least amount of interest charges. (Collective gasp—how dare she!?) Listen, everyone knows that paying interest on debt is bad and to be avoided as much as possible, but human beings are complex. Life is complex. Debt is complex. There cannot be a one-size-fits-all plan, so Living Debt-Free will help you build your plan—the one that will help you finally put the debt behind you, start fresh and feel good about your money again.
No one wants to be in debt. But life happens and if you’ve got debt, life has happened to you. Whether you have a rolling balance of $2,000 on your credit card or an $80,000 line of credit you are positive you will carry to your grave, debt can be a huge cause of stress—affecting both your emotional and financial wellness.
After working with thousands of financial planning clients, Shannon Lee Simmons knows that your only way out of the debt cycle is to truly understand all of your spending triggers so you can shut them down for good. In Living Debt-Free, she shows you that it is possible to have a life and pay down debt at the same time. In fact, that’s the only way your debt plan will work. You will learn to take control of your finances and pay down your debt in a realistic way that will keep you motivated long enough to see it through to the end. No shame. No blame. No scare tactics.
In Living Debt-Free, Simmons focuses on creating a debt repayment plan that will motivate you for a long time, rather than an unrealistic one that’s strictly about paying the least amount of interest charges. (Collective gasp—how dare she!?) Listen, everyone knows that paying interest on debt is bad and to be avoided as much as possible, but human beings are complex. Life is complex. Debt is complex. There cannot be a one-size-fits-all plan, so Living Debt-Free will help you build your plan—the one that will help you finally put the debt behind you, start fresh and feel good about your money again.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2018
37 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Lee Simmons
4 books53 followersShannon is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Investment Manager (CIM), media personality, personal finance expert and founder of the New School of Finance.
Simmons is widely recognized as a trailblazer in the Canadian financial planning industry and an expert in Millennial personal finances and money in the digital world. She was named one of Canada’s Top 30 Under 30, the 2014 Notable Award for Best In Finance and New School of Finance recently won the 2016 Wealth Professional Award for Digital Innovation. She is a regular financial expert in the media and has a monthly column for Globe and Mail personal finance section and is the host of Coral TV’s Money Awesomeness.
Shannon has put a dollop of red nail polish on the top right of EVERY SINGLE calculator she’s ever had since high school…… why? We aren’t sure, and neither is she.
Simmons is widely recognized as a trailblazer in the Canadian financial planning industry and an expert in Millennial personal finances and money in the digital world. She was named one of Canada’s Top 30 Under 30, the 2014 Notable Award for Best In Finance and New School of Finance recently won the 2016 Wealth Professional Award for Digital Innovation. She is a regular financial expert in the media and has a monthly column for Globe and Mail personal finance section and is the host of Coral TV’s Money Awesomeness.
Shannon has put a dollop of red nail polish on the top right of EVERY SINGLE calculator she’s ever had since high school…… why? We aren’t sure, and neither is she.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 4, 2019
Excellent book about getting your debt under control - really enjoyed that it's specifically for Canadians.
January 15, 2019
I first learned about having a separate account for spending money from Shannon's first book "Worry-free money" (also highly recommended). If I hadn't, I would have learned it here. This idea was the first best thing I ever did to relieve stress about my finances. If your spending money is separate from the money to pay your bills, you'll have a better idea of what you can truly afford without accidentally spending your bill money.
In this book, the Debt Game Plan opened my eyes to how mindlessly I spend my money. Even now when I know that my bills are covered. I've been living paycheque to paycheque my whole life so I never truly learned how to save money. Now I am. Now I'll be more mindful of what I spend my money on.
And possibly be debt-free by the end of the year.
In this book, the Debt Game Plan opened my eyes to how mindlessly I spend my money. Even now when I know that my bills are covered. I've been living paycheque to paycheque my whole life so I never truly learned how to save money. Now I am. Now I'll be more mindful of what I spend my money on.
And possibly be debt-free by the end of the year.
January 9, 2019
Part financial planner, part life coach, this is motivating and emotionally intelligent read about something that triggers shame in most of us.
February 3, 2021
I laughed, I cried, I set up a short term savings account. This book is the sh*t.
January 7, 2020
I listened to the audiobook which was read by the author and I absolutely loved it! I love Shannon Lee Simmons' approach to money, and her truly non-judgemental and upbeat tone! Money is a scary topic for so many, myself included, and I really love that she addresses the emotional cost of debt in her book. Really nice that this is a Canadian book as well!
April 14, 2024
*4.5 stars
clear writing style and a good guide on how to make sustainable changes :-)
clear writing style and a good guide on how to make sustainable changes :-)
May 2, 2020
This is one of the best books I have ever read regarding finances. Told synscentically and clearly one can find many tips regarding how to spend their money. How to become debt free easier and faster. All done in a non-judgemental platform. Way to go Shannon. Thank you.
January 4, 2019
"Failure happens because life happens" - this one stuck to me the most because for the longest time I've been asking myself why I am such a failure though I know I am neither financially stupid nor broke. Now I won't be feeling guilty but instead find joy in both living my best life and tackling my financial setbacks. Love this book. I am actually reading Worry-Free Money now 👍
July 23, 2019
Add this book to your grace-based living library. Powerful strategies for real people. Shannon Lee Simmons unhooks shame from how we interact with money like Geneen Roth does with how we interact with food and Tim Kimmel does with how we parent. A new favourite author.
January 29, 2019
I found the financial advice for paying down debt was for the most part very obvious. A few of the comparisons (for instance, best case scenario versus worst case scenario for credit card balance transfers) were unfair. Even in the worst case scenario, the guy having been thrown every horrible thing that could possibly happen in the unluckiest year of his life, he managed to pay down a sizeable portion of his debt. Even with a difference of APR of 4%, before versus after, he was still (to his credit) substantially better off afterward. I liked Shannon Lee Simmons's interesting idea of 'emotional cost' in the inclusion of how to prioritize debt, as it addresses a person's motivations and ability to successfully become debt-free over a sustained period of time. Overall, this read lays out financial planning for debt in laymen's terms.
February 9, 2019
Another fantastic book by Shannon Lee Simmons. Chock full of good information and tools to help you manage debt, this book is a great place to start if you're trying to get a handle on debt repayments and what your options are. Simmons has a great attitude toward people and their finances and it makes reading her book so much more inspiring. Meant for people earning an income between $30,000 (single) and $100,000 (combined) a year for the most part, it hits a good demographic, too. Even if you aren't within this demographic, there is plenty of useful information to get you started. One of the best debt management books I have ever read - might even be THE best.
July 1, 2025
A really important book. It felt very emotionally tailored to the emotionally charged energy that is money and debt. I took so many gems from this, and will be implementing, as well as revisiting.
* areas that I thought needed improvement were the ways in which women were written to be making the financial sacrifices in relationships, a bit of social conditioning (or reconditioning might I say), that I object to. I also noticed that men were extra "cuddled" in conversations where couples were present. The differences were noticed when using a feminist lens and so I think women/ those socialized as such, should go in reading this book with this discretion.
* areas that I thought needed improvement were the ways in which women were written to be making the financial sacrifices in relationships, a bit of social conditioning (or reconditioning might I say), that I object to. I also noticed that men were extra "cuddled" in conversations where couples were present. The differences were noticed when using a feminist lens and so I think women/ those socialized as such, should go in reading this book with this discretion.
February 6, 2019
Shannon Lee Simmons is a powerhouse. Not only has she built a financial planning empire around helping thousands of clients get a handle of their money, but she writes damn good books.
Living Debt-Free is a gift to all of us. This book and her fantastic debut finance guide, Worry-Free Money, are among the best personal finance books ever written, full of fantastic wisdom, laugh-out-loud wit and practical, empowering advice that you can take and use right away. Run, don't walk, to get these books and revamp your finances for success.
Living Debt-Free is a gift to all of us. This book and her fantastic debut finance guide, Worry-Free Money, are among the best personal finance books ever written, full of fantastic wisdom, laugh-out-loud wit and practical, empowering advice that you can take and use right away. Run, don't walk, to get these books and revamp your finances for success.
February 1, 2019
Living Debt-Free has some incredibly powerful simple ideas that are logically sound. Some of the ideas might seem transgressive but the reality - that you aren't going to stop living your life while in debt - is essential to the success of the ideas being presented. Sure, it might take a little longer than if you live an ascetic hermetic lifestyle until your debt is paid off, - but it's much more likely to succeed.
February 4, 2019
Shannon has a completely honest and non-judgemental approach to tackling your debt. She brings a new and realistic way of handling finances, for both every day spending and long-term goals. I started my own debt map and monthly/annual spending as she instructed, and was amazed at how different my finances looked, and how easy it was! I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages, any one can take something away to help them.
November 12, 2019
Multiple attempts at getting out of debt were enough to make me an my husband insane. We had tried every approach possible . FINALLY a book for Canadians with variable paychecks that actually helps. Not only do we have a practical stress free plan, we actually get to have a life for the next 24 months while we carry it out. No more over thinking and no more guilt or shame. This book completely reframed our attitudes and gives us hope for the future.
January 20, 2019
I loved this book just as much as her first. Once again, Shannon takes away the stigma of discussing financial issues and debt, in this case. There’s such a strong (usually unspoken) link between our financial and mental health. I love her approach to money and I’m so glad I’ve adopted the New School of Finance’s philosophy of handling my money.
January 9, 2019
Shannon’s book is a refreshing take on getting out of debt. It’s not about blaming or shaming the reader. It’s about motivating you to set realistic goals to get yourself in a better financial position. Great read!
January 23, 2020
MUCH better than Worry-Free Money. Offers feasible solutions to debt problems, and enjoyed this thoroughly. Noticed that the "debt-stacking" method is oddly comparable to Ramsay's "debt snowball"...
December 10, 2018
*3.5 stars*
Even if you don't have debt, there's plenty of refreshing advice on how to manage your money without it managing you. It inspired me to read Simmons' first book ... review to come soon!
Even if you don't have debt, there's plenty of refreshing advice on how to manage your money without it managing you. It inspired me to read Simmons' first book ... review to come soon!
January 20, 2019
A great read. Anyone who wants to get ahead financially should definitely pick up this book. Super helpful and insightful.
January 28, 2019
Loved this, and particularly because it is Canadian and I don't have to try to apply principles from a US system into ours. :)
February 5, 2019
A plan based on daily living. A sensible approach to paying debt and have a life at the same time
February 7, 2019
This book wasn’t for me specifically but I will remember it for a time we need to go into debt. Her advice is practical and straightforward and kind and well told.
March 13, 2019
4.5 full of really useful information about how to deal with and tackle debt. Some original ideas in how to approach financial hurdles.
April 10, 2019
Some overlaps with her first book but overall I really enjoy her methods and case studies.
February 20, 2020
The best, most coherent, most useful book I've read on the topic of debt.
April 20, 2020
Thank you Shannon for your smart strategies, realistic approach, and positive cheerleading.
October 5, 2020
✨ in this house, we really love Shannon Lee Simmons & her practical & realistic money & budgeting advice. ✨
December 7, 2020
This is the most informative and realistic debt repayment book I’ve ever read!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews