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The Debt Escape Plan: How to Free Yourself From Credit Card Balances, Boost Your Credit Score, and Live Debt-Free
Advice on how to liberate yourself—and take control of your financial future—from the author of Confessions of a Credit Junkie. Winner of the American Society of Journalists and Authors Outstanding Book Award, Self-Help category If you’re in credit-card debt and you’re tired of being told that all you need to do is give up your daily latte—and cut up all your credit cards—this is the book for you. Former credit junkie Beverly Harzog racked up thousands in credit-card debt during a decade of overspending. When she decided she wanted to break free from debt, she found that conventional personal finance advice didn’t work for her. So she created her own unique debt escape plan and succeeded in paying off more than $20,000 in credit card debt in two years. In The Debt Escape Plan, you’ll find easy-to-follow advice, often laced with a touch of Southern humor, to help you conquer—and stay out of—credit-card debt. You’ll Why a one-size-fits-all approach to credit card debt doesn’t workHow to use the Money Personality Quiz to customize your own debt escape planThe nine biggest debt mistakes and how to overcome themSeven secrets for giving your credit score a quick boostHow to overcome the hardships of medical billsHow to debt-proof your future so this never happens to you again!
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
81 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 24, 2015
I mostly skimmed this one, because I only really needed the budgeting and goal setting sections. That said, this is a really nice secular alternative to Dave Ramsey without focusing too much on women's money issues and without um...sugar-coating anything. I liked the tone. The advice seemed quite sound. Readable.
March 1, 2017
This started off interesting, well as interesting as a finance book can be, but ultimately dragged and lost ground.
How? By pretending to be so great that she never explained the plan to get out of debt. There were several times when the author stated that she had gotten out of a large amount of debt but, I never saw a personal plan that people could follow.
It was rather disappointing bc she had some good points but all in all the delivery just wasn't for me. Thank goodness this is a library book.
How? By pretending to be so great that she never explained the plan to get out of debt. There were several times when the author stated that she had gotten out of a large amount of debt but, I never saw a personal plan that people could follow.
It was rather disappointing bc she had some good points but all in all the delivery just wasn't for me. Thank goodness this is a library book.
December 15, 2018
Useful!
I like the straightforward way that this book is laid out,and the useful high level goals. I especially love the downloadable spreadsheets that help you figure out current debt etc. It's not a be all end all plan, but helps you on your way with valid tips and tricks.
I like the straightforward way that this book is laid out,and the useful high level goals. I especially love the downloadable spreadsheets that help you figure out current debt etc. It's not a be all end all plan, but helps you on your way with valid tips and tricks.
December 3, 2016
Overall solid and useful information on how to extricate yourself from, manage and remain free from credit card debt. Was a bit annoying with the excessive anecdotal evidence and editorializing.
March 1, 2015
An invaluable guide to do it YOUR way!
Many people write books and blogs about paying off stupefying amounts of debt. Ms. Harzog herself eradicated $20,000 in credit card debt and then took her experience a big step further: She became a nationally known consumer credit expert who has helped thousands of people learn about personal finance and become debt-free.
The author's bestselling book, Confessions of a Credit Junkie, focused on the ins and outs of the mysterious world of credit scores and cards. Her latest, The Debt Escape Plan, takes a more personal approach. She openly discloses her path in and out of the debt dungeon. It's an encouraging book for anyone drowning in their own debt quicksand. Of course there is no quick and easy way out, but you can gain insight into how you got there, what keeps you stuck, how to escape, and how to stay out of debt permanently.
But there's so much more!
The author offers her version of a "money personality" quiz. She pairs it with another quiz about how you synthesize new information. Do you learn best if you read or watch a video? Based on the outcomes, she suggests debt repayment strategies that would be consistent with your attitudes to money and your motivational style.
As for the nitty gritty of debt payoff, financial experts strongly advocate one of two methods: The Debt Snowball and the Debt Avalanche. The first directs you to pay off the debts with the lowest balance first so that you'll get a psychological boost from wiping them out sooner. Advocates of the other approach point out that you'll save money in the long run if you pay the accounts with the highest interest rate first, regardless of the amount due.
Ms. Harzog offers a refreshingly unique strategy. It's a combination approach that she dubs the "Debt Blizzard." To get the emotional lift of early accomplishment, you pay off the smallest balance account first. Next, you devote yourself to polishing off the debts with highest interest rates.
Even while offering this innovative method, the author doesn't take a rigid stance that it's the only way. Instead, she suggests the payoff strategies that align with your psychology. It's clear that your chances for success are much greater than if you force yourself to take an unnatural approach.
This easy-to-read book is full of encouragement, and there's no scolding. Jam-packed with information about many personal finance-related topics, it's a must-read if you're struggling with debt and want a custom tailored payoff plan. You can do it!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Many people write books and blogs about paying off stupefying amounts of debt. Ms. Harzog herself eradicated $20,000 in credit card debt and then took her experience a big step further: She became a nationally known consumer credit expert who has helped thousands of people learn about personal finance and become debt-free.
The author's bestselling book, Confessions of a Credit Junkie, focused on the ins and outs of the mysterious world of credit scores and cards. Her latest, The Debt Escape Plan, takes a more personal approach. She openly discloses her path in and out of the debt dungeon. It's an encouraging book for anyone drowning in their own debt quicksand. Of course there is no quick and easy way out, but you can gain insight into how you got there, what keeps you stuck, how to escape, and how to stay out of debt permanently.
But there's so much more!
The author offers her version of a "money personality" quiz. She pairs it with another quiz about how you synthesize new information. Do you learn best if you read or watch a video? Based on the outcomes, she suggests debt repayment strategies that would be consistent with your attitudes to money and your motivational style.
As for the nitty gritty of debt payoff, financial experts strongly advocate one of two methods: The Debt Snowball and the Debt Avalanche. The first directs you to pay off the debts with the lowest balance first so that you'll get a psychological boost from wiping them out sooner. Advocates of the other approach point out that you'll save money in the long run if you pay the accounts with the highest interest rate first, regardless of the amount due.
Ms. Harzog offers a refreshingly unique strategy. It's a combination approach that she dubs the "Debt Blizzard." To get the emotional lift of early accomplishment, you pay off the smallest balance account first. Next, you devote yourself to polishing off the debts with highest interest rates.
Even while offering this innovative method, the author doesn't take a rigid stance that it's the only way. Instead, she suggests the payoff strategies that align with your psychology. It's clear that your chances for success are much greater than if you force yourself to take an unnatural approach.
This easy-to-read book is full of encouragement, and there's no scolding. Jam-packed with information about many personal finance-related topics, it's a must-read if you're struggling with debt and want a custom tailored payoff plan. You can do it!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2015
Straightening out finances can be fun
It's pretty exciting when you see all the options presented here. This book shows ways of tackling debt I haven't seen before and i thought i had heard it all. A very useful tool.
It's pretty exciting when you see all the options presented here. This book shows ways of tackling debt I haven't seen before and i thought i had heard it all. A very useful tool.
June 4, 2015
Beverly Harzog has written an outstanding, common sense approach to getting yourself out of debt no matter what your financial situation. She's been through it herself and knows what she's writing about. A conversation with the author is available at http://dougmilesmedia.com/?p=1442.
March 21, 2015
Enjoyable read, with good recommendations. Didn't include tithing or any other type of giving, but I would guess that would come after getting and staying out of debt!
April 25, 2016
After reading this book, I have a written plan and I will become debt free in 3 years. Wish me luck!
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March 8, 2019I didnt learn anything new
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews