I have this issue. (Don’t we all?)
My issue is that I must read every single book or website I can find on a topic I’m interested in. I’m an information junky!
This is as true today as it was in 2003.
At that time, I began looking at my financial situation seriously. I was still married and we were used to a certain level of comfort. We went from a couple who made almost 6 figures combined to a family of three with only one working adult. And we did this with little preparation or thought.
Admittedly, I was the one who wanted it that way. My then-husband would have been fine whether I worked or I stayed home. Rather than going about this logically and working at our debt for a year before I stayed home we followed my emotions and I quit shortly after having my first child.
I read book after book trying to get all the information I could on how to fix our financial health. I learned a great deal, I didn’t implement them correctly or at all. But I did learn about all the things I was doing wrong.
Three individuals taught me the most about personal finance:
- author of The Total Money Makeover and host of his own radio talk show.
Suze Orman- author of many, many books like Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny and The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom and host of The Suze Orman Show. (Edited to add: while she did teach me a lot, I no longer endorse Suze Orman or her products. See my post on the Suze Orman Prepaid Debit Card debacle.
– author of The Automatic Millionaire and Start Over; Finish Rich and often seen on shows like The Today Show & The Oprah Winfrey Show.
I read as many of their books as I could get my hands on. I listened to Dave Ramsey’s show on XM religiously. My son at the ripe old age of 2 1/2 would walk around the house shouting “We’re debt freeeeeee.”
Too bad we never were!
I mad many mistakes back then (and still do). I read the books but never discussed them with my spouse. We were never on the same page. I read. I lectured. I attempted to implement change. The change failed. Our debt grew.
Nothing clicked for me until just recently when I read a book by Larry Winget! ( really it should be “book by Larry Winget !!!!!!!!!!!!!” Because that’s how much I’m glad I read this book.)
I’ve seen Larry Winget on television in the past. He worked with couples and individuals to help them get out of debt. I liked what he said, much of it fell in line with what I read from Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman & David Bach. However, his approach? Meh, it didn’t fit me very well.
His approach worked for me the other day after I read “That Makes Me Sick: Shock Treatment for Your Life.” This very short e-Book has changed my take on my situation. I’m hoping that after reading it, I can now change my life.
For the first time in a long time someone wrote something that clicked in my head and made me think “you are completely and totally right!”
A little bit about Larry Winget from his website:
Larry is unique. No one does what he does from the platform. No one says what he says and no one looks like he looks.
He is the trademarked Pitbull of Personal Development® and The World’s Only Irritational Speaker®.
He is caustic, straight-forward, never minces words, hilarious and offers solid advice for improving your life and your business.
He sounds like a real jackass, right? Hell maybe he is but after reading his book, I’m sold on his approach.
An excerpt of the book:
WARNING! Cliché ahead.
“The truth hurts.”
Heard that before? Well, it’s true. Some clichés are. In fact, this is the new way I measure the truth: if it hurts, it is the truth. So since this book contains the truth, it will probably hurt.
Another cliché’:
“The truth will set you free.”
Another oldie but goody. And while true, I consider it incomplete. So let me give you a quote that adds to it and I find more complete.
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off!” – Werner Erhard
That’s what this book will do to you. (Probably already has.)
I learned a lot about myself while reading this book. Within the first 1/3 of the book I was able to admit that my situation has not improved because of one major factor: ME! I have held myself back and Larry explained to me why; I’m lazy! It is tough to admit this but he’s right. I have been lazy. I haven’t worked hard enough to find a job. I haven’t been willing to do ANYTHING to get us out of our situation. I made excuses after excuses after excuses.
Hi, I’m The Debt Princess and I’m lazy!
So, yea you should read this book. It was very inexpensive, just $5 to download. For me, it’s the best $5 I have spent in two years! I’m glad I read it. I am am thankful that Larry’s unique approach did what it was supposed to do to me.
I have a better plan, one that doesn’t involve a lazy Debt Princess.
I also blog at A Five Star Life. I write about anything that comes to mind but try to focus on finding the good in daily life.
Way to go Jess!
Elizabeth(Quote)
Thanks Elizabeth. The truth is hard to admit to sometimes. Only took me 9months to do so.
DebtPrincess(Quote)
Twitter:
on January 5, 2011 at 7:37 pm
I’m going to have to check this book out. Last financial help book I bought I didn’t even look at it. Maybe I should read that first? LOL.
I like your plan! You can make it happen!
Jess(Quote)
Absolutely check it out. It’s an easy read. More about you as a person tho, not financial advise! Totally changed my way of thinking.
DebtPrincess(Quote)
Larry Winget has a blog too. I read it and love his approach. He is a tougher version of Gail Vaz-Oxlade of Canada. I adore his straightforward approach.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com(Quote)
I do like Gail Vaz-Oxlade myself. I watch her show pretty religiously. The jars are just like the envelope system.
Larry Winget is growing on me. I needed to be told what this book said. I’m running the words through my head each day. Making it my mantra.
DebtPrincess(Quote)