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I checked out this book because I’m teaching Dave Ramsey’s FPU next month and have been working through the course material. This book is a FAQ for Dave Ramsey’s advice.
Each Q/A is a couple pages long and the book is a fast read. There is nothing in this book that you can’t learn by Googling for the information. The questions range from “what is a debit card?” to “My spouse and I have separated and I’m terrified he will bankrupt me. What do I do?”

All of the teaching points and anecdotes from Dave Ramsey’s course are in this book. If you’re teaching the course (and do so frequently) then look at buying a used copy of this book. Otherwise, you would do better to check this book or Total Money Makeover out from the library and use them instead of paying full price for his course. If you’re engaged or newlywed, check out Matt Bell’s Money & Marriage as it’s the same information and advice.

The thing I like least about Ramsey is his investment advice not including investing in index funds. Just signing up for a mutual fund, even a no-load fund, is going to result in higher fees and results that are repeatedly proven over time to be no better than an index fund. An index fund isn’t available, however, if you want to invest socially or avoid certain companies. This book does contain a couple of alternatives if that’s your thing.

He is also pretty nonchalant about finding a second job to make ends meet when trying to pay down the debt of past mistakes. There are quite a few people for whom it’s not that easy, and they don’t need the guilt trip.

My experience qualifying for a mortgage with no credit history also differs from what he claims is reality. The world is different than it was 10 years ago.

He misunderstands giving 10% as a biblical mandate and rips some scripture out of context. He’s a (non-licensed?) financial adviser, not a theologian.

There are some nuggests of wisdom and factoids worth repeating:
“Only contentment brings peace.”

70% of households live paycheck to paycheck.

“Laziness is a sickness, and it will get you absolutely nowhere in life….You need to learn from your mistakes or you--and your children-- will be doomed to repeat the cycle.”

“The German root word for ‘debt’ is the same as for ‘guilt.’”

“Many a man has failed because he had his wishbone where his backbone should have been.” - Ronald Reagan

“A little bit of controlled pain when you’re six will change your life when you’re thirty-six.”

“A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” - John Maxwell

“We do make enough to save money; we just aren’t willing to quit spoiling ourselves...to have enough left to save...It just has to become a big enough priority for you.”

3 stars out of 5. ( )

This was a short book with little detail, but provided for a nice quick read on financial wisdom. The book is nicely set up for discussing short little lessons with others. ( )

I regard this book as a collection of philosophical snippets worth reviewing to help people stay focused on getting or staying debt free. Yellow "Money Action Steps" pages draw attention to the "Baby Steps," "The Debt Snowball,"
"My Hope Sheet,"A Very Basic Budget," and more. A useful used book pick-up at your Barnes & Noble. I believe the title has been re-released with a new introduction or such under a different cover and almost no updated content save the location of the quotations used throughout the book so don't pay an extra couple of bucks for it. ( )

The Money Answer Book by Dave Ramsey.
Great books for all ages. I requested this book because I have heard Dave Ramsey on the radio and I have seen him on the Fox Business Network.
A short but simple book on managing your money and how to do it. Follow the money rules and you should be able to make it. Dave Ramsey is against spending more than you have and does not like the use of credit cards.
There are chapters for debt, saving and investing, automobiles, insurance, college, real estate and more.
The author uses quotes from the Bible as well as many known and (to me) unknown people. Some quotes: "More people talk themselves into failure then talk themselves into success" Zig Ziglar, "Well done is better well said" Benjamin Franklin, "Many a man has failed because he had his wishbone where his backbone should have been Ronald Reagan and "Those who work hard will make a profit, but those who only talk will be poor" Proverbs 14:23.
This is an excellent book for a wedding present but better yet, one to give as a shower gift. It would also be a good graduation present for a high school or college graduate.
As far as Dave Ramsey is concerned, you should start young to begin to learn how to use your money and he has topics for parents.
He has a list of web sites in the back of the book for additional resources.
Everyone will learn something.
Leona Olson
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book reviewers program. The opinions are my own. ( )