The Total Money Makeover : A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
New York Times Bestseller with Over 10 Million Copies Sold
Dave Ramsey, an eight-time #1 national bestselling author and host of The Ramsey Show heard by more than 18 million listeners weekly, delivers a simple, no-nonsense approach to money that actually works. Forget the get-rich-quick schemes and empty promises you've heard before. This book provides practical, long-term help based on real results.
Inside, you'll learn Ramsey's famous seven Baby Steps, a straightforward system designed for everyone regardless of income or age. You'll design a sure-fire plan for paying off all debt, recognize the 10 most dangerous money myths, and build a solid nest egg for emergencies and retirement.
The Total Money Makeover motto says it all: Live like no one else now, so later you can live like no one else.
The book includes over 50 real-life success stories from ordinary people who followed these principles and won with money for the first time.
Stop living paycheck to paycheck. Start your Total Money Makeover.
Interesting Facts
The Snowball Method: Dave Ramsey popularized the debt snowball method in this book, where you pay off debts smallest to largest regardless of interest rates. The psychological wins keep you motivated.
Over Five Million Copies Sold: This 2003 book became one of the bestselling personal finance books ever written. The book appeared on The Wall Street Journal bestseller list for over 500 consecutive weeks. It also became a New York Times bestseller that continues to help millions develop money-saving habits.
The Seven Baby Steps System: The book teaches seven sequential steps to financial freedom. They start with saving $1,000 for emergencies and end with building wealth and giving generously.
Average Debt Payoff Takes Two Years: Using the proven plan outlined in the book, most people complete their debt payoff journey in about two years. The timeline varies based on income and intensity, but consistency matters most.
Born From Personal Bankruptcy: Dave Ramsey wrote the book after his own financial collapse in 1988. Ramsey built a million-dollar real estate portfolio in his twenties, then lost everything. He filed for bankruptcy at age 28 and rebuilt from scratch.
80 Percent Behavior, 20 Percent Knowledge: The book emphasizes that personal finance is 80 percent behavior and only 20 percent head knowledge. This philosophy drives the entire approach to changing financial habits.
Cash Envelope System: Ramsey advocates using physical cash in labeled envelopes for budget categories. When the envelope is empty, you stop spending in that category.
Famous Motto Included: The book features the memorable motto: "If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else." This reminds readers that temporary sacrifices lead to future financial freedom.
Real Testimonials Throughout: The book includes dozens of real stories from families who followed the plan. These makeover stories show ordinary people eliminating massive debts.
Attacks Financial Myths: Ramsey dedicates chapters to debunking common money myths. He argues against car payments, 30-year mortgages, and keeping credit cards for emergencies.
Radio Show Companion: The book grew from Ramsey's radio program, which began in 1992. His show eventually reached over 18 million weekly listeners across hundreds of stations.
Quotes
"Winning at money is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent head knowledge. What to do isn't the problem; doing it is." - Dave Ramsey
"Earning a lot of money is not the key to prosperity. How you handle it is." - Dave Ramsey
"You’ve got to tell your money what to do or it will leave." - Dave Ramsey
"It is human nature to want it and want it now. It is also a sign of immaturity. Being willing to delay pleasure for a greater result is a sign of maturity." - Dave Ramsey
"We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like." - Dave Ramsey
"Act your wage." - Dave Ramsey
"You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you." - Dave Ramsey
"Pray like it all depends on God, but work like it all depends on you." - Dave Ramsey
"A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went." - Dave Ramsey
"Savings without a mission is garbage. Your money needs to work for you, not lie around you." - Dave Ramsey
"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’t win until you do this." - Dave Ramsey
"Debt is not a tool; it is a method to make banks wealthy, not you. The borrower truly is slave to the lender." - Dave Ramsey
"If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else." - Dave Ramsey
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