The Total Money Makeover A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
The Total Money Makeover A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
Radio talk-show host and bestselling author Ramsey (Financial Peace) is less a financial analyst and more of a preacher, which explains both his popularity and the appeal of this book, which just might gain a wide audience. The bedrock of his system is simple: work hard, pay what you owe and stay out of debt. His main commandment is “Pay cash.” He first exhorts the reader to take “baby steps,” which are designed to build on each other: first, save $1,000 as an emergency fund; then, pay off all debts from smallest to largest; save a larger three-to-six-month emergency fund; finally, start to save for college and pay off your home mortgage. Ramsey understands the difficulty in putting these steps into action, and therefore packs his book with personal testimonials from everyday people who have used his system and have become debt free, with obvious struggles. The key is what Ramsey calls “Gazelle intensity,” which is to live a financial life the way a gazelle saves itself from an attacking cheetah-”outmaneuver the enemy and run for your life.” While Ramsey provides some helpful charts and graphs so readers can keep track of their efforts to follow his steps, the strength of this book is that it is a straightforward motivational tool. He provides the brutally direct truth about the hard work it takes to become free of debt, and his directness is a great part of the book’s charm.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Impressive book w/ Inspiring Ideas
Thanks to Dave Ramsey and Co. for all the experience, strength, and hope. Many people have and will continue to benefit from The Total Money Makeover.
5 Stars Good information
Dave tells it like it is. Debt is dumb and the only way to become wealthy is to not have ANY debt. Good stuff.
2 Stars Now it’s critical that financial info be cutting-edge current: This book is not that
It’s not easy for a lot of people to face finances. They’d rather go to the dentist.
Dave Ramsey has packaged a lot of ideas in several books, that boil down to essentially three pages of material that may be useful to some in this new climate we are all in… Unfortunately much of the material in the book is out of date since the advantages and changes in the new federal administration (and states’ as well) has taken place, opening new programs and new helps for those in financial difficulty. For free.
Ramsey took bankruptcy (as have many other people who are various degrees of successful after dispersing debts owed to others) and essentially, his main idea philosophically is one sentence long: “If I can control the guy in the mirror, I can be skinny and rich,” he says in this book, “total money make-over”
But, Ramsey is no prophet, rather he is a producer of books, paid seminars, ongoing groups for a substantial fee. He has a radio show, and lots of expensive product ‘packages.’
For those who are strapped, and who isnt nowadays, unless you have a huge franchise of some sort… I’d suggest you take a look at this book in the library, isolate those three pages, and see if they offer what you need. Suggest too you form your own support group for rising out of debt, and not pay for one. Invite financial experts to speak who know the precise local info.
Ramsey re-iterates essentials, and these are taken from old guard principles that have been with us for hundreds of years and are in many books. They are not magic. But sensible. Like being on a diet, less food and more exercise, that kind of sense that one has to discipline oneself to follow through… although for many, following the ancient idea of ’spend only what you have and save back some’ is easier (a bit) than dieting.
Ramsey re-tells it thus…
–Pay with cash or debit card. (there are other financial people who are CPA’s and Tax Lawyers who are far more up to date about ways to pay to keep credit scores healthy… e.g., paying, for instance, with a no-interest credit card that requires payment in full each month… but that’s the issue with books that are out of date as time marches on… the ways and means to maximize one’s financial picture open and close… and to inform yourself means looking over all current books published in say the last two months or so, and remembering that it takes 12-18 months to publish a book, so even then the material may be grossly out of date or new options not mentioned at all. One of the best ways to stay current, is call your local radio financial person on air and ask your questions. It’s free. And current with the changes in laws re state and feds.)
–Pay off debts beginning with the smallest to largest. This includes trying to add a little more into your mgt payment each month, to pay down principle. However, a well trained financial advisor would tell you to weigh carefully the deduction and depreciation you are gaining for tax purposes on your home… that may be more of a boon, than paying off early. It depends, and a book cant say which you ought do. Again, listen to the local financial people on radio (and tv) and see what they say. Ask them questions. It’s free. And current.
–Create a savings account for emergencies. (other people who are CPAs might say, secure your insurances in all areas, first, if one can, for that is still ‘the first savings account’ in a way… it saves you money if there is a water, health, etc, catastrophe. But, again, a person’s larger financial picture has to be taken into account to see what’s best for them.
The material in the book about retirement funds, saving for college, etc, is in my opinion, out of date at present. Those who are at the edge financially with credit card issues, and mortgage issues MUST gain their info elsewhere. Bankrate.com is a fountain of info online on how to deal with credit card companies, how to re-negotiate interest rates on credit cards.. and mortgages… since the laws changed, state by state, just a few weeks ago. And Bankrate is free and up to date daily. You can also email the site your questions.
Ramsey gives basic info about buying new/used large ticket items, a car for instance. But far more than a basic idea of cost versus depreciation is needed, again depends on how your tax return and its deductions can be helped, remain the same, or be negatively influenced by whether you buy/ lease, timing of purchase, what the car will be used for, and etc.
Again, Bankrate.com has huge understandable sections that are CURRENT about how to figure these matters in our changing time. (I am not affiliated with Bankrate.com in any way, but just know that right now, information that is cutting edge is not likely in a book at present; things have changed and continue to change too quickly)
Ramsey also has what used to be the standard advice for life insurance, but again, it depends on a family’s big picture… whether there is a large mortgage for instance, in which case life insurance …and mortgage insurance… might be considered to pay off house (and a 7k funeral) if one parent, God forbid, should die. The cut and dried answers of this book cannot be entirely effective –or timely– without seeing/ knowing the entire picture of each family, closely.
Ramsey gives case studies throughout of people who want to be better off. However, I’d suggest too, any audio in the ‘motivational’ speakers category which are filled with stories of people who failed, or started to, and then pulled themselves up. Og Mandigo comes to mind, but there are many others. Free at the library for listening to on your way to work. The Chicken Soup for the Soul series is often on audio and for sale at Amazon “used” for very few pennies, too.
I looked in on one of the Ramsey groups advertised in this Ramsey book (actually all his books list his ‘for pay’ groups and ‘mentoring’ etc.,) ‘total money makeover’, and it is one for a stiff yearly fee on the Ramsey website. As are most other things Ramsey, expensive. It’s just my opinion, but in this difficult time, I think all info about money and how to manage debt and threat of foreclosure and loss of work, etc (though only temporary, you’ll see, hang in there; we all are) should be free to those who struggle.
And it is. Your local radio programming, your county, city and state government have advisory offices which have opened or will soon, all across the nation for people struggling in various ways right now… the library is open to you, and is filled with current info on the internet there, as well as podcasts and cd audio about all these matters. Many of the churches and temples and mosques offer serious and loving, non-judgmental programming about how to dig out… and that info is free too… and adult ed. groups and adjunct education attached to community colleges is often free.
Now is the time, regarding money, debt, financing, planning, digging out, to know the most current opportunities available. Most people have worked like dogs all their lives and deserve to be given ‘the how-to’ now. It’s all around you, and gratis. Find it. Make use of it. Make sure it’s cutting edge and up to the minute.
4 Stars Total Money Makeover
Total Money Makeover is a great book. I bought the book because I had seen Dave on TV and liked what he said. Dave shares his own story and it is very enlightening. I like the debt snow ball approach and the budget strategy. The true stories are very educational and inspriring. This is a great book for all ages.
5 Stars This book is a must!! For anyone no matter how much money you make!
This book is fantastic! I read it a few weeks ago and I recommend it to everyone!!! The person who foolishly and ignorantly gave his review and tried to sum the book up in a couple of sentences…well, he’s probably bitter and broke and mad at the world. If anyone read this and walked away feeling so negative…they are just not ready to be proactive and make a change. A wealthy person would never have picked up the book in the first place!
I am 33 years old and married with 2 children. I know that if I read this book when I was 18 years old, I would be a millionaire right now with zero debt. What you don’t know will hurt you. This book is straight to the point and the smartest book you will ever read concerning money. If everyone lived according to these principles, we would not be in an economic crisis right now. This book gives you simple, yet thorough steps on living financially free…NO MATTTER HOW MUCH or HOW LITTLE money that you make. I will buy 2 copies for my children and give it to them when they are 18 years old. If they start their adulthood with this basic and intelligent information…they will never have a financial problem in their lives. Never. The stories of real people who used this way of living were so inspiring. I feel so empowered after reading this book. I am currently living The Total Money Makeover!!!
I am so excited about being financially free. I am so excited and so empowered!
Wishing you Zero Debt and Abundance,
Tiffany
Buy this book…no matter where you are financially! You can’t lose by living according to The Total Money Makeover!
The Anti Aging Plan Strategies and Recipes for Extending Your Healthy Years
The Anti Aging Plan Strategies and Recipes for Extending Your Healthy Years
For more than 20 years Walford ( Maximum Lifespan ) has studied the effects of low-calorie, nutrient-rich diets in animals. A UCLA biogerontologist, he has opted, at 69, to follow a calorie-restricted diet. Walford began this program in 1987 after studies by himself and others had found that longevity can apparently be extended by following a regime of borderline undernutrition. The author believes that by adopting a diet that includes all the necessary nutrients but is very low in calories, one will extend life. (This dietary plan does prolong life in lab mice, but it has not been proven conclusively to work in humans.) This book, with recipes by his daughter, is designed to bring his program to the masses. Walford promises that by adopting a near-hunger diet, and using the menus and food suggestions in the book as guides, “you’ll lose weight and feel healthier, more energized . . . your resistance to diseases like the common cold will increase and your skin, if you have acne, will clear up.” One of the questions he poses is, “If you choose calorie limitation on the anti-aging plan, will you be hungry?” The answer given is, “No, at least not for long.” It’s no secret that the top three killers of adults in the United States–heart disease, stroke and cancer–are related to diet, but extending human life by under-eating still needs to be studied. While the book’s premise is a bit shaky, the recipes are good. They are low-fat, high-fiber and interesting, covering a wide range of ethnic cuisines.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Walford died of ALS
Actually, in spite of his plan to live to 120, Walford died of ALS, or Lou Gherigs disease, a genetic neuromuscular disease. No diet can counter that! But this does not discredit him at all. And no one can predict or guarantee longevity, but only attempt to maximize health and longevity. Caloric restriction does just that.
4 Stars In answer to the slanderous reviews on this page.
I researched information on Roy Walford’s health condition and found that in fact, his inability to walk and speak is not due to his diet but to an experiment in which he took part. The February 2000 edition of Discover magazine sites the following quote as the source of Walfords illness:
“A chronic nerve disorder–which he picked up nearly 10 years ago as a volunteer guinea pig in a surreal ecosystem experiment”.
Plus I was unable to find anything as reference below regarding an article published by AARP.
Please check, and double check, your facts before decrying another person’s efforts to find viable health alternatives.
1 Star Walford is Dying! — New York Times 11/23/03
In case you are about to buy Walford’s book and practice Caloric Restriction as preached by him, consider today’s (Nov. 32, 2003) New York Times article by David Hochman which reveals that Walford is dying.
According to Times story, “By almost anyone’s standards, Dr. Roy L. Walford is an old man. At 79, he is confined to an electric wheelchair and his voice is so weak, he speaks into a microphone wired to a small tabletop amplifier…Dr. Walford…is..dying…”
If you really want to retard aging and extend your lifespan, why model yourself on a failed anti-aging guru? Someone who is prematurely dying?
Don’t be conned by the uncritical reviews by Walford’s little sect of true believers.
Check out The ImmorTalist Manifesto: Stay Young & Save the World” on Amazon. This is not a diet book. But it will lead you to The Elixxir Program.
Elixxir has been called “the only anti-aging guru who has actually stayed young.” (Investor’s Business Daily)
So if you’re like me, you would rather model yourself on an anti-aging guru who’s not prematurely old and dying, but one who has stayed young!
The Elixxir Program cuts out all the needless puritanism and self-deprivation and abstinence from wine, etc. in Walford’s regimen. And leaves in what is scientific and what works.
P.S. Walford’s condition is sad and tragic. But it is absolutely unethical and probably legally liable for him to not reveal this in his books. So that you can take it into consideration. So your choice is Walford or Elixxir?
1 Star The Shocking Truth about Dr. Walford - AARP Expos
The Irish Dance Fitness Plan
Helps Improve Your: Performance, Dance Technique, Body Awareness, Muscle Tone, Physique, Flexibility, Strength and Stamina
CARDIO TWISTER
The CardioTwister TM /sup?  will have you burning fat and strengthening yourself in no time. The unique dual-drive gearbox design allows for a combination workout of twisting and bi-directional stepping to help build a stronger core. The innovative rotating handlebar will tone your obliques with a fun exercise. Help jumpstart your new workout routine with the included 5 function digital training console, meal plans, and 2 workout DVDs. 45 x 26 x 56″.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star cheap equipment
Difficult to assemble. Never functioned smoothly. I returned it and have been fighting for months to get my money back. A total waste.
1 Star Great Potential, Sad Reality
To situate the conversation, I’m 5′7″ and well under 250 lbs. I got the product for the full body aspect of it but was disappointed at the inability to adjust the handlebar height higher. I can only imagine what it would be like for someone who is over 6′. The range of motion is adjustable, however, so if you are flexible…and shorter than 5′5″ then this could potentially work for you.
Be warned that the step motion is jerky as well as loud (although I didn’t try to add lubricant to see if that would resolve the issue), important parts are easily broken (like the rear foot pad after less than 24 hours), and the machine is extremely large.
On the bright side, I found assembly pretty straight forward since all the parts were numbered and referenced in the manual. It does take twice as long than the 15 minutes mentioned in the book, however.
Assembled product dimensions are not online (or available from the phone order folks) so here it is: Height = 48′, Width = 27′, Depth = 32′ All figures are approximate but aren’t off by more than an inch. Since CardioTwister doesn’t fold, it’s not good for small spaces.
Needless to say, I returned it. Customer service didn’t try to retain me or cross sell, which is great. There was even a sticker to help speed up the process at the post office. Shipping it back to them cost less than the shipping to receive it so, happily, I’m not out that much…assuming I do get credited back in the time they promised.
So, my lesson is learned with the infomercial stuff (although I do like my Leg Magic, despite its own low handlebar issue).
A good alternative for a full body workout is a wobble board for your feet and a weighted stick (or broom stick) in your arms. Seriously.
3 Stars the positive and negative of this product…
well.. i guess you should always start with the positive. Its a good product to get a good workout on. im not to into exercising maybe a bike ride or walk or such. Im 33, just not real ambitious, i wanted somthing i would keep up with. So that being said i love this its fun and a good workout. the first week i could only do @ 15 min (thats @800 steps) which i saw as pretty good for a start. then i got up to 30 and am now doing the workout it came with. Its a good workout it works your butt and calvs, and thighs. Im 6′1 so the waist thing is wierd because i really have to lean over to turn the handlebars.. so not sure about that if your really tall like me. but the bottom half really feels it and im still on the basic level of the machiene. you can make the resistance harder if you need to. Now the bad.. we go the machiene and it came with wrong pices and the chains to make the pedals move were off and it took @ 3-4 hours for us together to get it working. If you are good at fixing stuff its no problem but if not i would probably not buy this item, being if i didnt marry my husband i would of returned the thing. It was a Mess! and it only goes to 250lbs and i wouldnt push that at all, being you will probably slip the chain agian. I keep having to re align it so im not real sure how long it will stay together??? but i do like the idea of it, so i hope it holds up. so thats my 2 cents for anyone who wants to know! =)
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The Total Money Makeover A Proven Plan for Financial FitnessThe Total Money Makeover A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness Radio talk-show host and bestselling...
