Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
I've heard A LOT about Dave Ramsey. Everyone in the saving money/personal finance world talks about him. I wasn't particularly interested, but I thought I should give him a try to see what all of the fuss was about. I didn't like this book. [Although, amusingly, during a tv interview about my compulsive shopping, I found myself quoting one of his good sound bytes.] Mostly, it had a lot of clever phrases. While I enjoy clever phrases, I also want more than that.
Quite simply, I don't like his payoff plan. I understand the idea of paying off the smaller debts first, but I personally prefer paying off the highest interest rate first, regardless of the balance. I am also not in a position where I can run out and get a part time job during the evenings or weekends. My primary job requires that I be available during those hours when needed. My performance at my primary job is far more critical to my income than the income that would be generated from working part time for minimum wage somewhere.
Ramsey is not for me. I can understand why others may like his writing. I don't plan to read his other books.
The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches by Jeff Yeager
I read this book on the plane on my way home from Jersey. I loved it. I am not the Ultimate Cheapskate, but I like him. I like his tips and I like his writing style. I am not the type to do everything that he says, but I like the idea of taking the time to cut back on spending. He had some good ideas. While I'm not aiming to make "enough," and to retire early, cutting back on my expenses will be key to helping me reach my savings goals.
Have I mentioned that he curses? Let me tell you, that was a relief. Everyone in the personal finance world seems a lot more serious than me. I don't know if that is good or bad. It's different. I'm not trying to be like everyone else. But let's face it, I'm a wound-up ball of snark and I type bad words. So does Yeager. He also made me laugh, which was no small feat since I had three hours of sleep before my flight.
I highly recommend this book. It was really enjoyable and I think there are tips that everyone could benefit from.
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth by T. Harv Eker
When Dr. Dean and I first entered our Money Coach/Money Minion relationship, he told me to read this book. Holy crap, Dr. Dean is a genius at figuring out what I need to crack through my thick skull. This book talks a lot about money blueprints. More importantly, it shows how poor people versus rich people behave.
I behave like a poor person, so it is no wonder that I am broke. Let me say it here: that nonsense is done. Money is not the devil. I am no longer of the mindset that I don't need or want to be rich. I do. I want to make money and pay off my debts. I want to own my house. Actually own it. Without a mortgage. I want to have a lot of money saved for my retirement so that Brian and I can travel and do all of the things that we've always dreamed about.
This book is a must read. An absolute MUST READ. Go get it. (I got mine at the library, so do the same unless you are already rich.)
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I’m bummed that you didn’t like Total MoMa. Sounds fashionable now, doesn’t it? I first thought I didn’t have time for a second gig — and I’ve been doing insane litigation the last three months, for my supposedly great lifestyle non-profit law job, easily putting in 80-100 hour weeks — but I’m finding time. Babysitting. Etc. That’s what’s helped me save my thousand bucks. Your mileage may vary.
We get quarterly bonuses based on the amount of hours we bill, after we hit a certain threshold. It is far more profitable for me to work my butt off to hit that threshold so that I can get the quarterly bonus, which can range from $2-6k. That is why I’d rather put the extra evening and weekend time toward putting extra hours in at the regular job. (Although my December was shitty because I was off for two weeks, so I am going to need to bust ass for January and February to hit my billable requirement.) Fortunately, I am absolutely slammed at work right now, so I am going to have a lot to do and should have no problem hitting an easy 200 hour month. Then it just needs to continue into February. (Hmm, this is probably the most I’ve revealed about work.)
Hi Danielle -
Glad you enjoyed my #&%@* book. It’s my first book, and I’m really proud of it. My next – “The Cheapskate Next Door” – is due out in June of this year.
Stay Cheap!
-Jeff Yeager
Author, The Ultimate Cheapskate’s Road Map to True Riches