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catherineamerica's review
2.0
This book is full of contradictions. It’s also full of advice that doesn’t maximize your money. Call me a fool of consumer debt, but I’ve never paid interest on a credit card and the points and miles are just a boon for me. Some of the advice is sound but you have to really filter out all the BS first. It’s not worth it. I’m glad I didn’t spend my hard earned cash on this.
drbuffyfanify's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
This book is definitely dated. He recommends cash above not only credit cards, but also debit cards. Many places no longer even take cash. Moreover, most of my purchases are online from either items I cannot find in brick and mortar stores or things like InstaCart pickup to save me time in grocery shopping.
evenshadow's review against another edition
1.0
Yet another book that tells you to budget (revolutionary!), live off cash (amazing!), and just stop spending on stuff you don't need (who would have thought!), without ever trying to deal with the issues that make you overspend in the first place.
I want a book that tackles the 'why' of overspending, and doesn't just tell people to stop without giving them any alternative tools to deal with their impulses or emotions. This book is lazy, derivative, and you are better off just reading a couple 'how to budget' articles instead.
I want a book that tackles the 'why' of overspending, and doesn't just tell people to stop without giving them any alternative tools to deal with their impulses or emotions. This book is lazy, derivative, and you are better off just reading a couple 'how to budget' articles instead.
keithsdiary's review
3.0
I quite enjoyed this read. I’m a teenager with little personal expenses, but I, glad I’ve gotten ahead. I know that, as I grow older and graduate, there will be more monetary obstacles I will have to handle. I feel confident I’ll be able to after reading about the basic yet helpful tips in this book.
marginaliant's review against another edition
4.0
This is probably the most down-to-earth personal finance book I've read so far. This isn't a book for starry-eyed dreamers, it's for people who are having trouble making ends meet and living paycheck to paycheck. The only thing I didn't like is Wecks utter dismal of the concept of a monthly budget and his constant self-efacing "I'm not telling you what to do" attitude (dude, it's your book. We read it for you to tell us what to do, and we will judge for ourselves.) Otherwise, I'd recommend it (and it's free with kindle unlimited!)
keelygorski's review against another edition
5.0
This is the book I have been looking for my entire life!! LOL.
As a single mom who has lived paycheck to paycheck most of my life, I have read several financial books. None of them seemed to address my personal situation. Most of the advice given in every book is $1000 emergency fund FIRST, and then pay off debt by throwing extra cash at it above the minimum payment. But what if you don't have ANY extra cash? The option - increase your income (second job), or decrease your expenses (which are already cut down to just the necessities). While you can still find that advice in this book, there are also other tips and suggestions of what to do when you just don't have any money or are already behind on paying your debt and/or mortgage. Suggestions, I honestly never thought of and can help in those dire financial times. Erik Wecks relates, and if you find yourself trying to get into a better financial situation, and none of the other financial books seem to offer advice for your financial situation, I recommend picking this book up.
As a single mom who has lived paycheck to paycheck most of my life, I have read several financial books. None of them seemed to address my personal situation. Most of the advice given in every book is $1000 emergency fund FIRST, and then pay off debt by throwing extra cash at it above the minimum payment. But what if you don't have ANY extra cash? The option - increase your income (second job), or decrease your expenses (which are already cut down to just the necessities). While you can still find that advice in this book, there are also other tips and suggestions of what to do when you just don't have any money or are already behind on paying your debt and/or mortgage. Suggestions, I honestly never thought of and can help in those dire financial times. Erik Wecks relates, and if you find yourself trying to get into a better financial situation, and none of the other financial books seem to offer advice for your financial situation, I recommend picking this book up.
brinastewart's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book because it is different than what I am used to reading and seeing about getting out of debt and getting rich. This is get out of debt and stay in a better spot type of book..., so, realistic for real life. I think this is a good one for everyone to read because it is different from the others and set up for your average person.
estheria's review against another edition
3.0
I liked parts of this book a lot and there were other parts that felt too narrow. For example, many financial advisors, including Wecks, say your credit score doesn't matter if you already have a mortgage (or have paid it off) and aren't opening credit accounts or financing cars. But if you're a renter, new landlords might want to check your credit. If you look for a new job, potential employers might want to check your credit. Some banks want to run credit checks before you open a new checking or savings account. Credit scores aren't relevant just to credit and loans. Speaking in absolutes and imposing moral authority closes advisors off to considering life stories that fall outside their personal experience. So I ended this book feeling meh even though I think it has a lot of good stuff in it.
pretzeles's review against another edition
2.0
tl;dr live beneath your means, don't use credit cards, make a financial plan. pretty obvious. huge waste of time.
susssu's review against another edition
4.0
A more relatable approach to personal finance than all those "how YOU can also become a millionaire" guide books.