Book Review: The Total Money Makeover

Disclaimer:  All books and/or items that I review were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise.  I am not being paid to endorse any product or service that I review.  These reviews are based off of my experience and my experience only unless otherwise stated.  So now that I have that out of the way let's get into this book.

This guy is so cool.

(My Personal Background)
After months of worrying about my financial stability, I finally decided to take action and it all began with Google.  Yep, my long-time friend with whom I've discovered many unique and interesting tidbits while exploring the outer regions of boredom.  I typed in 'financial well-being' and of course good old Suze (Suze Orman for those who just came out from under their rocks) and this other fellow Dave Ramsey popped up.  Well I've heard of his radio show (never listened, yikes!) and he seemed to know enough so I sauntered over to his website daveramsey.com where I spent the rest of my day learning all sorts of useful information including the fact the he wrote a book...The Total Money Makeover.  Well it doesn't take much to convince me so I bought the book on Amazon (for download on Kindle).

(Actual Review & Gushing)
 Let me start out with THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!  Not only does it let you know how to gain your financial footing but it gives you a plan to do it.  There are steps, but not the normal crappy teeny baby steps that leave you feeling like you could have had a V8 instead...nope these steps (after completing of course) leave you feeling like you getting out of debt is simple and he explains that it is, but it is also uncomfortable.  You're going to have to give up old money habits and adopt new ones and by now we all know change is uncomfortable.  Nevertheless I love this book.  It includes success stories, helpful quotes, and financial advice that you can really use.  Dave Ramsey has been through what he's teaching and knows what he is talking about.  He didn't just learn a bunch of principles then spit them out at us expecting that we understand.  He went from bankruptcy to where he is now, he lived what he is teaching.  I would recommend this book to everyone.  It is awesome and I realize that I am a little late reading this book but it was worth it.  The information that he gives is absolutely still relevant and everyone should have a copy.  The Total Money Makeover is what you need if your financial situation is looking pretty bad (let's cut the crap you're in some deep mess) and you desire to reach financial security.  I plan to read his other books, listen to his radio show, and if my boss doesn't mind I'd like to spend 3-4 hours of my workday on his website (I'm joking). Thank you Mr. Ramsey.

Financial stability, not just the ability to buy nice things, is my ultimate goal and I feel as though this book is as good a place as any to start.  I will begin my makeover now and I hope that this book can inspire others like me to do the same.  Thanks for reading!

Poolside Classic Reading

One of my favorite things to do during the Spring/Summer is sit back and relax with a good book on my days off.  This year I guess I can add updating my blog to that list.   Now I love to read and when you like to read as much as me it's a little hard to find new things to read.  Fortunately, good books never lose adventure and no matter when they were written they always seem to keep that sense of adventure.  The last time I visited my parents I went rummaging through my mother's (an avid reader herself) bookshelf.  My mom for the same reason's as myself collects majority of the books that come into our home and they include the books we read as children.  So luckily for me I can always go back there to pick up a few good reads or just go online to Project Gutenberg (a very large resource for free books).  So this brings me to my point, today I'd like to share my current poolside/front porch/in the car/bored at work classic reading list.

1.  The Complete Little Women Series by Louisa M. Alcott

I will forever love these books and I do believe that Amazon has these books for Kindle and they are free. Check it out Little Women.








2.  All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
I remember reading this book in high school and being so caught up in it that I couldn't pay attention in class.  It's a somber tale but from a refreshing perspective.









3.  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Having read the book (and the others) before I was allowed to see the movie (thanks Mom)  I am completely enamored with the whole collection but non more so than this book.  The movie was great but the book is always better.







4.  The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection by Arthur Conan Doyle
Who loves a good mystery?  I surely do and no mystery collection is not complete without Holmes and Watson.








5.  Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbe
This was a required reading assignment when I was in middle school and for whatever reason I never really enjoyed it, maybe I was too young to grasp the novel's full concept.  Well I read it again a few years later and I regard it as one of my favorites.

Well now that you know what I'm reading.  What are some things that you all are reading?

Spring Wishlist

It's going to be Spring soon.  I love Spring and Summer, they are my two favorite seasons.  I really really do not like cold weather.  Seriously, if I could go into hibernation until Winter was over I would without hesitation.  So in anticipation of Spring I put together a tiny wishlist of things that I'm looking forward to purchasing on my next outing.

1.  The Original Blushing Cuff $50.00  (Pictured top second from the right)

Available at www.shopwithhrh.com.  Her jewelry is awesome and she also has a YouTube channel.  I briefly browsed through the pieces before picking the piece that she is shown wearing.  It just caught my eye and that's what I look for when I'm shopping online.  Something has to pop out at me.  

2.  Stay Sweet $16.50 & Viva Glam Nicki $15.00

I had Viva Glam Nicki but after leaving it at a friends house I just came to the conclusion that I would not be able to retrieve it so I'll just purchase a new one.  I heard about Stay Sweet from the Archie's Girls collection and everything I have heard has been great so I think I'll give it a go.

3.  The Kindness Handbook: A Practical Companion by Sharon Salzberg  $13.35

A coworker was raving about it so as soon as I get to Barnes & Noble I'm going to pick it put.  I mean as soon as I get in there. 

4.  The Madison Wedge  $39.90, The Braylen Wedge $29.90, & The Selena Heel $29.90

All available at www.alloy.com.  I love wedges and I need another go-to heel.  I believe the Selena comes in different colors and I'd like to get at least two.  However, the wedges are a staple.  Where are you going this Spring without them?

5.  The Molly Pintuck Cropped Pants $125, Midi Knit Skirt $69, & The Ponte Pencil Skirt $89

All can be found at Bebe.  I really liked the selection while I was browsing today so I'll be back for those items.  Today was just a very good perusing day.  Next up is shopping day.  

 How can a girl go wrong when she already knows what she wants?