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The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey(2014-04-29)

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,410 ratings

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  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,410 ratings

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Dave Ramsey
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Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He’s a #1 National bestselling author and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. Dave’s eight national bestselling books include The Total Money Makeover, Baby Steps Millionaires, and EntreLeadership. He has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people take control of their money, build wealth, and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO of Ramsey Solutions.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,410 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides good information and advice for improving their financial situation. They appreciate the different perspective and concrete plan it provides for beginners. The book is straightforward and simple to read, with a concrete plan that works well if adhered to. Readers describe the author as witty and matter-of-fact, not sweet-talking them. They find it an inspiring and helpful guide for young people starting out and newlyweds.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

182 customers mention "Information quality"179 positive3 negative

Customers find the book provides good information and advice. They say it's a great guide to get motivated. The book covers the basics of knowledge, but the insights and examples are inspiring. Readers appreciate that the purpose of the book is to provide a foundation for change.

"This is by far the BEST financial book I have ever read. It was completely eye opening...." Read more

"...If you want some down to earth, practical, step-by-step advice on how to create a budget, what the chain of command is for paying what bills and why..." Read more

"...By following Dave's common-sense, no-magic-formula principles, we're on the way to "Living like no one else!"..." Read more

"...Makeover as well as Financial Peace (Revisited) provide a clear and concise road map to help many people get out of debt and stay out of debt...." Read more

172 customers mention "Financial advice"167 positive5 negative

Customers find the book helpful for getting out of debt and onto a better financial footing. They say it gives them a different perspective on finances and helps them learn to have true financial peace. The book tackles a variety of personal financial issues and breaks them down into baby steps. Readers are seeing great results and not under as much stress about money. They find it creative, informative, and relatable.

"...Only three months in and we have paid off all credit cards and closed the accounts, we haven't had any fights about money because we know exactly..." Read more

"...Ramsey gives you a good picture of life with money that isn't just a big house or fancy cars...." Read more

"...Well, it was like a splash of cold water in my face, waking me up from financial laziness and busting so many money myths that I didn't even realize..." Read more

"...(the opposite of paying down your mortgage early) be a viable option for wealth building? Absolutely...." Read more

92 customers mention "Ease of reading"87 positive5 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They appreciate the straightforward approach and concrete plan for beginners. The book is well-written with helpful tips and real-life examples.

"...It's an easy read and only takes a few days to finish, and have a highlighter handy!..." Read more

"...The book is also an easier read than I had originally thought. It didn't bore me to death, as I originally thought it would...." Read more

"...The other good thing about the book is that it's easy. It's an easy plan, that you can follow without having to turn your life upside down...." Read more

"...Dave has a really simple, easy to follow plan to 1) get out of debt 2) save for retirement and 3) have financial freedom...." Read more

14 customers mention "Effectiveness"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's method effective if they stick with it. They appreciate the results and simple advice.

"This system works. We have used it for ourselves. It allowed us to retire debt free...." Read more

"...method that really works...." Read more

"...Excellent program and excellent results." Read more

"...This method works like a charm if you stick with it, achieving measurable results in even a short span of time...." Read more

12 customers mention "Humor"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's humor engaging and witty. They appreciate the straightforward approach that helps them get out of debt. The material is presented in simple terms and keeps their interest.

"...You get some tough love from him and some good laughs. (I dunno why he makes me laugh, but I cracked up reading the book :)...." Read more

"...The examples that he presents are inspiring, witty, and matter of fact...." Read more

"...Ramsey gives a great plan to get out of debt, stay out of debt, and build welth...." Read more

"I really like Dave's writing style. He's humorous and by using analogies of real life and financial decision making were helpful...." Read more

9 customers mention "Gift value"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good gift for young people starting out and newlyweds. They say it's a must-have for every household.

"...This has been a great gift for young people starting out as they learn to live independently and for others who have been living on their own for a..." Read more

"...the people who have been married for several years, it is a must have for newly weds...." Read more

"This book is a must for every household. Good Christmas present!" Read more

"Great Item for gift" Read more

Great book with great advice.
5 out of 5 stars
Great book with great advice.
Love this book. I read it on the hoopla app and had to have the book to reference back to. I purchased a used copy and it is like new.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2016
    This is by far the BEST financial book I have ever read. It was completely eye opening. I didn't relive how much debt my husband and I had until we sat down and wrote it all out and started a budget. Only three months in and we have paid off all credit cards and closed the accounts, we haven't had any fights about money because we know exactly where it's going, and we are on track to pay off our house as well in almost 10 years or less now.

    This book has changed our financial life and improved our marriage. We are now both on the same page and excited each time we get to cross off a debt that is gone forever.

    It simply states in his book the seven baby steps you need to follow and in the exact order he says. No other books tells you the exact steps to take, they always give you bulls*** common sense but no physical step by step plan.

    If you have credit card debt, student loan debt or even just want to take control of your money and strengthen your relationship then buy this book and read it. It's an easy read and only takes a few days to finish, and have a highlighter handy!

    It took a few weeks to get my husband to read it but in order to BOTH be successful and be on the same page it is inevitable you both read it. We sit down for about 30 minutes at the end of each month and create our budget and it's fun! No arguing just making compromises on what's important that month.

    It forever changed my life and I am forever grateful to Dave Ramsey and the baby steps. On baby step number two and not stopping anytime soon!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2008
    We fell on Dave Ramsey's broadcast on the Fox Business Network by accident and our household has never been the same since.

    I was raised with no monetary education. My parents believed their finances were just that - theirs. They never taught me how to manage money, balance a checkbook, or how to budget. My adult life has been spent living paycheck to paycheck with no clue or concept of how to bail myself out of debt nor understanding just how much debt I was in!

    Now, at the ripe young age of 52 (at the time of this writting) I have learned the principles that were sorely lacking in my financial life. But! It goes to prove it's never too late!

    This is not some guru money management system. This is just plain old fashioned common sense that someone should be teaching our youth! If you want some fancy pants telling you some special system he's got for making money and having all your dreams come true, this is NOT that kind of book.

    If you want some down to earth, practical, step-by-step advice on how to create a budget, what the chain of command is for paying what bills and why, how to negotiate with creditors, what the heck a retirement plan is and how to plan for retirement, why you need to get out of debt now, and much more, then this is the book you need!

    And in the end, all your dreams will come true because there really is a life after debt! I can see it coming!

    Thank you Dave Ramsey for finally putting it all in Plain English! I am now financially literate and I didn't have to get a financial planner to do it. I just met this "good ole boy" from Tennessee on the TV one night!

    Buy one for yourself, buy one for your kids, buy one for anyone that will read it! We are getting a whole set for the family members for Christmas!
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2016
    If you can get past his tone (he can come across as a bit arrogant and belligerent), it's a great book. It has greatly helped me start to shape up with my financial habits. You get some tough love from him and some good laughs. (I dunno why he makes me laugh, but I cracked up reading the book :). The book is also an easier read than I had originally thought. It didn't bore me to death, as I originally thought it would. A word to non-religious folk or those turned off by works peppered with religious dictum: do not be dissuaded from reading his material. Though he does weave into his writing biblical principals in which he believes, he's not preaching at you. He's sharing his knowledge and understanding and words of wisdom that have been around for ages. Bottom line: I unreservedly recommend for those seeking to make a real change in their lives financially. What he proposes is simple, but it will greatly challenge you; and I have to say it's so worth it. I have already paid off debt in the double digits in less than six months' time by putting stuff I learned from him into practice. I gotta tell you it's hard, but it'll really get you to another level. I read the book cover to cover and feel this book is a must have for everyone. I've found it so valuable that it's become my gift of choice as of late to friends and family. Give it a go. I'd be hard-pressed to believe you'd regret it.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2007
    The 2 things I liked most about this book are that Ramsey gives you a picture of _why_ you're doing all this saving and paying off debt. Most finance books just assume you're doing it because "it's the right thing to do" or they just let you assume, like me, that you're paying off debt to have more money to spend on more goodies or toys. Ramsey gives you a good picture of life with money that isn't just a big house or fancy cars.

    The other good thing about the book is that it's easy. It's an easy plan, that you can follow without having to turn your life upside down. Some people do turn their lives upside down, and his zeal for the plan might inspire that in you, but you don't have to.

    Ramsey is a devout Christian and honestly that almost turned me off the book. I hate when Christians feel the need to preach to everybody or fill their books with pointless religiosity but I never felt that way about this book. If you don't enjoy the proselytizing or Jesus references every other paragraph of other books written by devout Christians, don't let that get in your way of reading this.

    This plan isn't for everybody but I encourage you to check it out if you want to get out of debt and as Mr. Ramsey says 'Live like no one else'.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Cheryl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Useful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 2, 2024
    I watch the YouTube channel but bit was helpful to have it in printed format too.
  • teamwinner
    5.0 out of 5 stars This books method actually works!
    Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2021
    I have given away at least three copies of this book because the methods in the book really do work. I am now totally debt free and loving it!
  • Frances
    5.0 out of 5 stars Money stuck?
    Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2019
    Bought it as a gift. Delivered to their door. Read the book and recommend it to anyone wanting to get their finances in order.
  • wong
    5.0 out of 5 stars Get a new life without debt.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2017
    If you are fed up with being in debt all the time.This book has many stories of people who are doing the steps to encourage and inspire.It is not easy to change behaviour but that is why so few truly are debt free for life.He explains why credit options can tear away wealth.It is only for those who are not into quick fixes,no excuses,make a budget,spend less than you earn,change your thoughts,work the 7 steps.Americanised book e.g.Dollars but you can interpret them into English eg.Roth accounts could be ISA's.The basic principles is what is important.Some steps may take you a while I.e. months or years but it would be worth it.My copy was hard backed with no cover,everything intact,delivered quickly,highly recommend book.it is more than debt, budgeting but about what do you need up to retirement,also to be able to contribute and give.not only become richer but help others too.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars simple as falling of a log.
    Reviewed in Canada on September 20, 2019
    Cant argue with Dave. Follow the plan, get ahead......simple as falling of a log.