Good books on money management?

[Om Girl]

I need a good book on money management.

I've read Dave Ramsey and Your Money or Your LIfe...but to be honest I need something even more basic than that.

[FillingMyQuiver]

More basic on what part? How to set up a budget? How to balance a checkbook?

We're big fans of Larry Burkett, but he's not for everyone b/c his teachings are Biblical in nature. He has a book, "The World's Easiest Guide to Finances" that gets good reviews. We like "The Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples" (though it's not JUST for young couples).

He teaches how to balance a checkbook, percentage recommendations for budget categories, how to figure life insurance amounts.

Which Dave Ramsey books have you read? Maybe you need to read a different one?

[velochic]

I really like the "For Dummies" series of financial books written by Eric Tyson. The most basic is "Personal Finance for Dummies" and it's a well-written and easy-to-understand book that I think that any layperson interested in learning more about finance would benefit from. It gives an overview of everything from balancing a checkbook to keeping a budget to understanding mortgage rates and bank loans.

He has a whole series. Here is a link to the other titles.

I second Larry Burkett, even though I am not a religious person and swing pretty far to the left. However, Dave Ramsey basically repackaged and marketed all of Burkett's ideas after he passed away. Burkett's stuff will seem eerily familiar if you've read Ramsey. He makes some "biblical" predictions that really were just good financial reasoning and he was accurate about a lot of things. I think this biggest seller was "The Coming Economic Earthquake" and I remember that it really got me thinking. His "ministry" (is that what it's called??) was called Christian Financial Concepts. I actually took this course of his back in the 80's/90's when I was still in my 20's and that gave me a solid foundation of financial understanding that has lasted me 2+ decades.

[mama_ani]

I just started reading Debt-Free Forever by Gail Vaz-Oxlade and it is excellent so far. The first part (where I am) walks you through step by step figuring out exactly how much you really spend, your debts, setting goals and making a budget.

[D&S Mom]

Originally Posted by mama_ani

I just started reading Debt-Free Forever by Gail Vaz-Oxlade and it is excellent so far. The first part (where I am) walks you through step by step figuring out exactly how much you really spend, your debts, setting goals and making a budget.

More info here:

http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/

She is great. Very basic and no-nonsense approach. Great tools on the website too for budgeting.

[FillingMyQuiver]

Originally Posted by velochic

I second Larry Burkett, even though I am not a religious person and swing pretty far to the left. However, Dave Ramsey basically repackaged and marketed all of Burkett's ideas after he passed away. Burkett's stuff will seem eerily familiar if you've read Ramsey. He makes some "biblical" predictions that really were just good financial reasoning and he was accurate about a lot of things. I think this biggest seller was "The Coming Economic Earthquake" and I remember that it really got me thinking. His "ministry" (is that what it's called??) was called Christian Financial Concepts. I actually took this course of his back in the 80's/90's when I was still in my 20's and that gave me a solid foundation of financial understanding that has lasted me 2+ decades.

Yes, velochic is spot on about her info on Larry Burkett. His ministry eventually became Crown Financial Ministries and they have LOADS of budgeting tools on their website. DH and I make great use of their worksheets and budget sheets.

As an aside, velochic, DH has read "The Coming Economic Earthquake" MANY times and it's one of his fave books. Unfortunately, Larry Burkett was unable to see how his prediction is somewhat coming to fruition now.

[mtm]

For basic financial stuff I like Gail vaxOxlade's stuff, easy and readable. For getting out of debt I like Dave Ramsey and Mary Hunt, others like Suze Orman. For investing stuff I like John Bogle.

[chezlyryan]

The one I like is kind of old so it may be dated, but The Wealthy Barber is good, easy to follow and is more of a story rather than the auther telling you what to do. I didn't like Gail vazOxlade's previous book (I haven't seen the new one yet) but I love her show 'Til Debt do us Part.

[Om Girl]

Originally Posted by FillingMyQuiver

Which Dave Ramsey books have you read? Maybe you need to read a different one?

The "classic" Dave Ramsey book...totally blanking on the title...

Originally Posted by mama_ani

I just started reading Debt-Free Forever by Gail Vaz-Oxlade and it is excellent so far. The first part (where I am) walks you through step by step figuring out exactly how much you really spend, your debts, setting goals and making a budget.

This sounds good!

Thanks mama for all your advice! I've watched Suze O and I cannot stand her...though I hear that Dave Ramsey's radio show is pretty elitest also.

We're trying to get a handle on our finances, but its incredibly difficult because DH works a commission job and I work on a contract basis. So budgeting is NOT our strong suit. I am realizing that it is a necessary evil though!

[swd12422]

I have the original "The Truth About Money" by Ric Edelman, and it was really helpful to me. Simply written, explains everything. I haven't read the updated version, but I'd recommend it.