“The Total Money Makeover” is a personal finance book written by Dave Ramsey, a popular financial guru in the United States. The book presents a step-by-step plan to help readers take control of their finances, get out of debt, and build wealth. Ramsey’s approach focuses on living within one’s means, developing a budget, and using a debt snowball method to pay off debts. The book includes personal anecdotes, practical advice, and worksheets to help readers track their progress. “The Total Money Makeover” is a motivational and empowering guide that provides readers with the tools and knowledge they need to achieve financial freedom.
The main contents of the book “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey:
Introduction
Part One: The Total Money Makeover Challenge
- Denial: I’m Not That Out of Shape
- Debt Myths: Debt Is (Not) a Tool
- Money Myths: The (Non)Secrets of the Rich
- Two More Hurdles: Ignorance and Keeping Up with the Joneses
Part Two: The Total Money Makeover
- Baby Step 1: Save $1,000 in an Emergency Fund
- Baby Step 2: Pay Off All Debt (Except the House) Using the Debt Snowball
- Baby Step 3: Save 3 to 6 Months of Expenses in a Fully Funded Emergency Fund
- Baby Step 4: Invest 15% of Your Household Income in Retirement
- Baby Step 5: Save for Your Children’s College Fund
- Baby Step 6: Pay Off Your Home Early
- Baby Step 7: Build Wealth and Give
Part Three: Continuing the Journey
- The Total Money Makeover Challenge Continued
- FAQs
- Dave’s Tips for Investing Like a Pro
- The Total Money Makeover Forms
- The Total Money Makeover Recommended Reading List
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
There are several key lessons that readers can take away from “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey, including:
- Debt is not a normal way of life: The book challenges the common belief that debt is a necessary part of everyday life, and encourages readers to get out of debt as soon as possible.
- Live within your means: Ramsey emphasizes the importance of creating a budget and living within your means to achieve financial stability.
- The power of small steps: The book’s Baby Steps approach breaks down the process of achieving financial independence into manageable steps, which can help readers to stay motivated and on track.
- Emergency funds are essential: Building an emergency fund is a key step in achieving financial stability and can help to avoid future debt.
- Investing in the future is crucial: The book emphasizes the importance of investing in long-term financial goals, such as retirement and college funds, as part of a comprehensive financial plan.
Overall, “The Total Money Makeover” teaches readers to take personal responsibility for their finances and provides practical advice on how to achieve financial freedom.
Here are some great quotes from “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey:
- “The borrower is slave to the lender.”
- “Winning at money is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent head knowledge.”
- “You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.”
- “If you live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.”
- “Debt is dumb. Cash is king.”
- “The only way to get out of debt is to stop borrowing money.”
- “Your income is your most important wealth-building tool. You’re wasting it if you don’t put it to work.”
- “Personal finance is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge.”
- “Financial peace isn’t the acquisition of stuff. It’s learning to live on less than you make, so you can give money back and have money to invest.”
- “You can wander into debt, but you can’t wander out.”
Overall, “The Total Money Makeover” is filled with practical, motivational advice that can help readers take control of their finances and build a more secure financial future. These quotes provide a glimpse into the book’s powerful messages and can serve as inspiration for anyone looking to improve their personal finances.
About author Dave Ramsey
Dave Ramsey is a well-known personal finance expert, author, and radio show host based in the United States. He has authored several best-selling books, including “The Total Money Makeover,” “Financial Peace,” and “EntreLeadership,” and is the creator of Financial Peace University, a financial education program that has helped millions of people get out of debt and build wealth.
Ramsey’s approach to personal finance is based on a set of principles he calls the “Baby Steps,” which provide a clear, step-by-step plan for achieving financial stability and freedom. He emphasizes the importance of living debt-free, creating a budget, and investing for the future as key components of a sound financial plan.
In addition to his books and financial education programs, Ramsey hosts a daily radio show, “The Dave Ramsey Show,” which is syndicated to more than 600 radio stations across the United States and has a weekly audience of over 16 million listeners.
Ramsey’s practical, no-nonsense approach to personal finance has made him a popular figure in the financial world, and he is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in the industry today.
Review book “The Total Money Makeover”
“Dave Ramsey is a powerful voice in the personal finance industry, and ‘The Total Money Makeover’ is one of his most popular works. The book provides a clear, step-by-step plan for achieving financial stability and freedom, and is packed with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and motivational stories.
Ramsey’s approach to personal finance is refreshingly no-nonsense, and he challenges readers to take control of their finances by creating a budget, living within their means, and aggressively paying down debt. His Baby Steps approach is a powerful tool for anyone looking to get their finances on track, and the book is filled with practical worksheets, forms, and tips to help readers stay motivated and make progress over time.
While some readers may find Ramsey’s tone overly simplistic or preachy, the book’s straightforward approach and wealth of practical advice make it a valuable resource for anyone looking to take control of their finances and build a more secure financial future.”
Overall, “The Total Money Makeover” is a highly recommended book for those looking to improve their personal finances and build a strong financial foundation.
Global ratings
“The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey has a high rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, based on over 25,000 ratings and high rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, based on over 90,000 ratings and over 6,000 reviews. Many readers have praised the book for its practical advice, motivational tone, and clear step-by-step plan for achieving financial stability. Some readers have criticized the book for being too basic or repetitive, but overall, the book has been very well-received and is widely regarded as a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their personal finances.
Product details
- ASIN : 1595555277
- Publisher : Thomas Nelson; 1st edition (September 17, 2013)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781595555274
- ISBN-13 : 978-1595555274
- Item Weight : 1.36 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.67 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
