Dave Ramsey's Toal Money Makeover

I finally got to read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, which was suggested by Even Steven Money and multiple other bloggers. After reading the book, I understand why it is a necessary read for anyone with an interest in financial independence and debt reduction. It has fundamental concepts that are embraced in one way or another by almost every blogger. Ramsey admits that his concepts are not new or completely original, but the titles and his analogies have been popularized.

Ramsey used Baby Steps toward financial independence and retiring with dignity. The first is to save a small emergency fund (between $500 and $1000 depending on income). 

Secondly, is the Snowball Method, which is to start reducing debt based on the lowest amount owed no matter what the interest or the type of debt. After debt is paid off, one is to return to the emergency fund and save three to six months' income. The last steps include saving (investing) for retirement and children's education. 

These steps aren't quite "baby" in the amount of sacrifice and time it may take to achieve all of them. Overall, he sets a standard operating procedure for acquiring wealth and independence. He encourages readers to be very strict when following the steps (ie. Not saving for retirement without first paying off debt), but through multiple testimonials he shows that this process truly works. 

My English Major self does also want to critique his writing style. I found his mixed metaphors to be annoying and confusing. In one paragraph he used his gazelle like intensity analogy along with a logger trying to bring longs to the sawmill down stream all in the goal of completing the snowball method of reducing debt. See how this could get messy? 

Also, this is a typical convention for motivational speakers/writers, but I found his catchphrases to be underwhelming and also annoying. After hearing people in their success stories say multiple times that they are "sick and tired of being sick and tired", I knew this was one of his phrases. I've read other reviews commenting on the repetitiveness in regards to similar phrases in his radio show. 

Even English Major Maggie would suggest reading or skimming this book. It is referenced by (pretty much) the whole financial blogosphere, so it's best to start where it came from. Whether you take his strictness with a grain of salt like I do or follow it catch phrase for catchphrase, his methods are quoted for a reason.

Find it here or even better at your local library for free.