Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. His five New York Times bestselling books―Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, EntreLeadership, and Smart Money Smart Kids―have sold more than 7 million copies combined. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 8 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations and iHeartRadio.

Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

The Total Money Makeover WORKBOOK

THOMAS NELSON PUBLISHERS

Contents

1. The Total Money Makeover Challenge.........................................................12. I'm Not That Out of Shape: DENIAL..........................................................153. Debt Is (Not) a Tool: DEBT MYTHS...........................................................394. The (Non)Secrets of the Rich: MONEY MYTHS..................................................695. Ignorance and Keeping Up with the Joneses: TWO MORE HURDLES................................976. Walk Before You Run: SAVE $1,000 FAST......................................................1097. Lose Weight Fast, Really: THE DEBT SNOWBALL................................................1458. Kick Murphy Out: FINISH THE EMERGENCY FUND.................................................1679. Be Financially Healthy for Life: MAXIMIZE RETIREMENT INVESTING.............................17510. Make Sure the Kids Are Fit Too: COLLEGE FUNDING...........................................19511. Be Ultrafit: PAY OFF THE HOME MORTGAGE....................................................20712. Arnold Schwarzedollar, Mr. Universe of Money: BUILD WEALTH LIKE CRAZY.....................22113. Live Like No One Else: REACH THE PINNACLE POINT...........................................237

Chapter One

No Money ... Is No Fun

I remember the feelings vividly. For several years in my twenties, I faced the end of every month with dread. I had too much month left at the end of my money. I was not having fun.

I wasn't afraid of hard work and sacrifice. I didn't need a secret formula for making money. I didn't need a positive-thinking guru to pump me up and tell me to have a positive attitude. I was simply sick and tired of being sick and tired when it came time to "do the bills." I felt hopeless, as if I were running a financial race with no traction and no ground covered. Money came in and money went out, with nothing REAL to show for my effort or income.

What About You?

Do you feel as if you have full control over your money ... or are your bills controlling you? The amount of control you have over financial matters is often reflected in how you FEEL about money matters in general.

The same thing is true, of course, when it comes to any area of your life in which a "makeover" might be needed.

If you are in very bad health-or your physician tells you that certain numbers in your lab reports and exams are "abnormal"-you may become highly motivated to undertake a new exercise, diet, or better-health plan. If your spouse tells you the end of your marriage is on the horizon-you may become highly motivated to seek out a counselor to help you revamp the way you relate to your spouse and to improve your marriage. There's a feeling that hits the pit of your stomach when you finally wake up and say to yourself, "Something's got to change! I can't continue to live this way ... the fact is, to continue this way isn't really to LIVE. It's just to exist, to endure, to put in the time and the miles and hope I end up somewhere I like."

Before you are truly willing to embark on a Total Money Makeover, you need to face up to how you FEEL about your current financial situation. That will tell you how motivated you are to do something about changing your financial situation.

Plain and simple, if you like your current financial situation, you probably feel pretty good about money matters, and you don't need a makeover.

On the other hand, if you DON'T like your current financial situation, you probably feel pretty lousy about your finances. A makeover is for you!

Exercise #1

How Do You Feel About Money?

I challenge you to take the "Ten Situations Test" below.

Respond to each of the statements below quickly and instinctively with a simple "I like to talk about this" or "I don't like to discuss this."

LIKE to Talk: The "LIKE to Talk" category includes responses such as "I enjoy getting new ideas about this" and "I don't have anything to hide on this subject." "LIKE to talk" should reflect an enthusiasm-not a reluctance-for talking, and a willingness to be open, honest, and candid. Finally, the "LIKE to talk" category should not reflect just an "I've got a pat answer already prepared" attitude, but rather an "I think this is a good opportunity for a candid sharing of ideas and opinions" attitude.

HATE to Talk: Included in the "HATE to talk" category are responses such as "I wouldn't be caught dead discussing this" and "I'd do just about anything to avoid a serious conversation about this." "HATE to Talk" should be checked if you feel reluctance, awkwardness, or dread.

LIKE HATE to to Talk Talk

1. Someone asks, "How are you doing financially?"

2. Your spouse wants to discuss this month's budget.

3. Your tax accountant calls and says, "Let's meet."

4. Your pastor wants to have lunch with you (and you know he wants to discuss the possibility of your making a specific contribution).

5. Your child asks you to co-sign a loan (or a credit-card application).

6. The money manager in your family says, "I have some concerns about a few credit-card charges."

7. A friend says, "What do you invest your money in?"

8. A supplier or vendor asks, "Do you want this automatically deducted from your bank account each month?"

9. A loan officer says, "Tell me about your financial situation."

10. A parent asks, "Did you ever pay off that debt you had?"

Most thin, fit people ENJOY telling those who ask about their exercise routine, the diet plan that helped them shed the pounds, and other health matters. Thin, fit people are actually MORE likely to see a physician or read health-related articles than those who are overweight or out of shape.

Those who have children who are excelling, or who have marriages that are loving, usually ENJOY talking about their family relationships.

And ... those who are financially fit usually ENJOY talking about money matters and sharing their insights into money management.

Take another look at the way you responded to the situations listed above. Overall, how do you rate your willingness to face and discuss your financial situations?

Circle one of the two responses below ... and then cross through the statement that does NOT reflect the way you feel:

Response #1: Overall, I am WILLING and EAGER to discuss financial matters openly and candidly.

Response #2: Overall, I am NOT WILLING and NOT EAGER to discuss financial matters openly and candidly.

Exercise #2

Scared or Smiling?

How do you FEEL-gut-level, first response-about each of the twelve money matters below, on a scale of 1 to 4 (1 being "scared" and 4 being "Smiling All the Way")?

(1) (2) (3) (4)...