Search - Financial Peace: Restoring Financial Hope to You and Your Family

This is a great book. I did like the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey better. This is a no nonsense, no gimmick, book with simple steps on how to get out of debt and stay out of debt. This book also tells the financial story of Dave Ramsey. He went into debt and then bankruptcy about 20 years ago and now he lives debt free.

The baby steps are simple, here is a glimpse of them:

Step 1: Save $1000 as a mini emergency fund
Step 2: List your debts smallest to largest (except for the mortgage) and pay minimums on all but the first one, pay as much extra on the first one until it is paid off. Take all that extra and the minimum of the first debt and start on the second debt. Do this until all the debts are paid off.
Step 3: Finish your emergency fund of 3 to 6 months of expenses.
Steps 4,5, and 6 you do together.
Step 4: Start retirement savings.
Step 5: Start college funds for the kids (if applicable)
Step 6: Pay off the house early.
Step 7: Get wealthy.

The book has a lot more information but this is just the basics. My husband and I have followed the Dave Ramsey plan for two years and we are almost done with step 2. This program has helped my relationship with my husband because we communicate more about money and other aspects of our lives. Anyone can do this plan. Don't let everyone tell you that debt is a part of life. It does not have to be.