Amazon.com
There are plenty of heavily pedigreed personal-finance experts dishing out good advice, but not many who know what it's like to have to eat ramen all month to make a car payment. On the other hand, there's Mary Hunt, a recovered credit card addict whose free-spending ways landed her family in the middle of $100,000 of unsecured debt in the early 1980s. Pulling herself out of that morass gave Hunt the courage to strike out on her own as a writer, motivational speaker, and the brains behind The Cheapskate Monthly, a newsletter and Web site (www.cheapsk8.com) dedicated to promoting the art of living within one's means, a message that grows ever more urgent as the average American family struggles each year to pay $1,200 in interest alone on revolving, unsecured debt.
While Hunt's previous books have echoed some consistent themes--debt bad, saving good--they've addressed a hodgepodge of different areas: building financial confidence in women and kids, doing Christmas without a stack of credit cards, tips for gourmet cooking at low cost. In Mary Hunt's Debt-Proof Living, Hunt finally puts together a financial primer for all--whether retirees trying to decide when to start drawing Social Security or teenagers ready to sign for their first college loans. Security, according to Hunt, is built with simple tools: tithing, saving, paying off debt, creating a contingency fund for emergencies, driving used cars, owning a home, having insurance.
Although Hunt's "been there, spent that" zeal and warmth have turned her into the Ann Landers of personal finance, she's not just an agony aunt for spendthrifts--business experts will find her a savvy marketer who's using her name and story to build, somewhat ironically, a very effective brand. That doesn't negate her sincerity, however, or the fact that her advice is sound, her formulas work, and her Rapid Debt Repayment Plan has kept increasing numbers of families out of bankruptcy. And finally, Mary Hunt's Debt-Proof Living is just a joy to read--its clarity and lack of condescension make it a perfect gift for anyone just starting to understand the basics of money. --Barrie Trinkle
Book Description
Getting out of debt is only part of the plan. The reader learns how to give, save and build wealth using the Contingency Plan and Freedom Account along with the authors sound and proven principles.
Customer Reviews:
Jesus saves... and pays his credit card bills!.......2007-09-11
There is nothing original in the prescriptions Mary Hunt gives to eliminate debt. On the bright side, it is easy to read and takes almost no effort to understand. On the other hand, I found the references to God and Jesus nauseating. No doubt Ms. Hart loves her religion, but mixing her religious beliefs with the simplistic ideas detailed in this book doesn't add anything. Try "Managing Debt for Dummies".
Debt proof living.......2007-08-24
Everyone should read this book and follow her steps. This is a great way to get out of debt.
Best Budget and Money book out!.......2007-07-16
I first checked this out of the Library but after the third time decieded I needed my own copy. Positive and not degrading like some of the other budget cash only spokes persons.
This book will change your financial life!.......2007-02-24
Pros: Common sense advice that anyone can follow! It WILL help you get your finances in order and help you change your perspective about the monetary side of life. They should make this a mandatory class for high school and/or college students. The website is extremely useful, as well.
Cons: For me, it was disheartening that I could not put the spending plan into immediate action. For someone who is in serious trouble, the advice she suggests may seem too daunting and too difficult to follow. I do not think this is a flaw on Hunt's behalf, but is more an indicator that people with high debt who are spending beyond their means truly need to make more serious and drastic changes to their way of living.
I have posted my personal experience with Hunt's Debt-Proof Living for you if you'd like to read about the positive possibilities that following Hunt's plan offers.
I read Debt-Proof Living two years ago. At that time, we had about $30,000 in credit card debt, we were paying nearly $3000/month on our mortgage, and my husband and I were both driving around in gas-guzzling shiny vehicles. The financial strain was beginning to take it's toll, putting strain on our relationship, our health, and on every aspect of our life. We were living beyond our means, sinking fast, and I reached for this book in desperation.
We were unable to start the spending plan right away because we did not have money to start it with. Every paycheck that came in went right out to keep bills paid just barely on time. As Mary suggested, this was a warning sign that we were living beyond our means and would need to make more drastic changes in order to get to a financially secure place.
First, we traded in my gas-guzzler for about $9000 and I bought a more economical $4000 used car. I still have it, and other than routine maintenance, we have incurred no other cost with it. It also cut our gas expenses significantly. We used the money to make some home improvements so we could put our house on the market. Unfortunately, it took almost a year for our house to sell. All the while we were now falling behind on our mortgage payments and incurring even more credit card debt maxing them all out at $50,000 before it was all said and done.
We finally sold our 3 acre, 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom home last August, we sold a lot our stuff, or just got rid of it, and we moved to a much more modest 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home, with a small back yard. (I LOVE it!) That cut our mortgage payment by more than half, not to mention cutting my cleaning time by half, too. I took on a part-time job and my husband picked up some extra hours.
This year, we finally got to the place where we could use our tax return to fuel the spending plan suggested by Hunt. It is working like a dream! No more credit cards. We pay cash. If we can't pay cash for something, then we don't get it. We have a savings cushion for unexpected and expected emergencies. This is how it should be. Everyone in my family is happier!
While we are not out of the woods yet with the debt we have accumulated, we can see the light! Even better, if we stick with the spending plan, we will have our home and all of our debt paid off in just 9 years, saving over $100,000 in interest. It will take discipline, but it will leave us with about $40,000 a YEAR just burning a hole in our savings account!
While a total of eleven years, including the two years it took us to get this far, might seem like a long time to get out of debt, had we taken no action, we would have lost our home, and eventually would die of old age and still have the debt! It makes eleven years seem easy!
By following the plan, I have learned just how materialistic and foolish I had been with money. I learned that my family is just as happy, if not happier, with much less "stuff" and space than we had. I have learned to view society in a whole new light, realizing that we are over indulgent and need so much less than we think we need.
What is most important to remember when reading this book is that it is simple, common sense advice for a long term plan. The results that may or may not be seen instantly depending on your individual situation. But ANYONE can improve their financial outlook by following the suggestions in this book.
Ultimately, this book does not give you a band-aid to fix the boo-boos. It gives you a cure!
Ideas that work for everyone!.......2007-01-07
This was one of the first books I read this year as part of my New Year's Resolution to get out of debt. Of all the financial debt books I've read, this one is fantastic. No matter what stage of debt you're in, Mary Hunt's ideas are workable. One of the reasons I liked this book so much is that it gives a simple, easy to follow plan and then backs it up. There are only so many debt books you can read that say: save for retirement! Don't rack up debt! Well, duh. Here's a way to actually deal with it.
Customer Reviews:
This book has given me financial freedom.......2007-09-07
I was in a big mess. Without going into details - I owed almost $95,000, my yearly income is $45,000 before tax, and I am supporting a family of 3. I live in New York. My apartment rent alone is $1,100. Owed amount was getting bigger and bigger because of the interest. Obviously, I wasn't eligible any kind of loan.
No money to hire an expert. I didn't have money to buy many different books. Luckily the one I picked was the right book. Now, I had the will and I had the right book. I owe only $7,000 now. My total credit limit from different credit cards is now $175,000. My bank is willing to give me loan. Didn't happen overnight or it didn't happen without any work on my part -- but it did work out with the help of this book.
Thank you, Mr. Kelly.
A good book to help YOU get started.......2007-07-12
This book is very helpful. To the reviewers who said there were a bunch of useless forms in the book....yeah if you don't use them. I mean he tells you what to do, gives you a form to go by all you have to do is work towards your goal...getting that credit score up. What do we expect our credit scores to go up just by purchasing/reading the book? You have to do something.
pretty good - I rate it a solid 3.5.......2006-07-09
Pros - easy to read and concise; good tips on how to establish and re-establish credit; good job explaining the credit reporting process and the importance of credit and the three types of lenders (prime, subprime, and secondary).
Cons - does not include info about credit scoring; steps for fixing credit are too cumbersome for the average consumer to follow; tips for how to strengthen credit are ineffective, outdated, misleading - such as having account added to your credit record - the agencies don't do that anymore. incorrect data about the length of time chapter 13 bankruptcies stay on credit reports; sample letters are too vague.
The book could have been more detailed to help readers fully grasp credit. It's a good introdution to credit that wiill leave you seeking more information. recommendation - The Insider's Guide to credit Repair by K.E. Varner and Your Credit Score by Liz Weston.
Sucked........2006-01-09
I'm giving this two stars, because it's better then nothing, but it's just a giant listing of form letters and a boring algorithm to follow. I suppose it might actually work, but it doesn't give you an insight or knowledge you can use to work the system like the Gorilla Guide does. I ordered the two books at once figuring I'd read both, and this one flat out sucked.
Solid info. Easy to read.......2005-08-02
This book is great if you want to challenge inaccurate or "old" credit files reported by the big three agencies. The book provides a plethera of letters & follow-up letters to challenge the false reports. In addition, it offers up ways to negotiate payment plans w/your creditors.
Amazon.com
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Money shows that any numbskull can master personal finance. In this second edition, a father-and-daughter writing team, Robert K. Heady and Christy Heady, give readers the best advice culled from their many years of experience in consumer rights and money management. The Headys believe that money must be managed for the long haul and that there are no quick ways to build wealth. The guide is easy to read, witty, and scornful of the hype dished out by banks and other peddlers of personal finance. It provides a plethora of personal-finance tips for consumers, including how to get the best deal on a mortgage, pay off debt, and bank online. The authors expose financial pitfalls such as bank-sold mutual funds, dealer financing for motor vehicles, extended warranties, and those dreaded bank fees. A full chapter is devoted to the evils of credit cards, which they feel is the biggest ripoff in the financial world. The writers contend that the toughest thing about saving is making the decision to do it. You should get going by putting aside a little amount of money each month through a mutual fund or dividend reinvestment plan. "The whole idea of managing money is to save a dollar here and there and then take that dollar and build it into two," they write. It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to understand that. --Dan Ring
Book Description
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Money shows that any numbskull can master personal finance. In this second edition, a father-and-daughter writing team, Robert K. Heady and Christy Heady, give readers the best advice culled from their many years of experience in consumer rights and money management. The Headys believe that money must be managed for the long haul and that there are no quick ways to build wealth. The guide is easy to read, witty, and scornful of the hype dished out by banks and other peddlers of personal finance. It provides a plethora of personal-finance tips for consumers, including how to get the best deal on a mortgage, pay off debt, and bank online.
Customer Reviews:
If You Know Nothing About Financing; Start Here..........2003-07-06
This has the basic knowledge need to manage your finacing ranging from simple budgeting, credit, stocks and mutual funds, Certificate of Deposit, how to read the market and the prime rate and what it all means. Also, it provides the mental mindset you need to manage and spend money properly, without resorting to short term spending splurges. There's tables for calcuating college funds, morgages, and retirements but most importantly how to avoid the many traps and scams many vendors use to make money off of you without providing any extra services. The one thing I found somewhat worrysome is the way the authors protrayed the banks and other institutions to the point of scaring the reader into being nearly paranoid of all financial instistutions. The fees these institutions charge are describe in the book with good details. A good "how to avoid pitfalls" book.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Money, Second Ed.......2001-06-04
I love this book! Before reading this book, I wondered how anyone could ever save money in the world today. It has helped me to mangage my money easily. An easy to read book, which I use now as a reference whenever I have a question concerning my personal finances. I finally started a 401K, bought a house, a new car, and I am finally learning to save some money,instead of living paycheck to paycheck.
Very Helpful!.......2001-05-25
This book gave me invaluable advice regarding my finances. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone! I have adopted many strategies in the book to save for a rainy day. Thank you, and when are you coming out with another edition?
The Complete Idiots Guide to Managing Your Money.......2001-05-25
This book did a great job of explaining to the average person how to save, invest and avoid the common financial pitfalls we so often make. It was done with humor and wit, which is a breath of fresh air in this often hard to understand, jargon loaded industry. This book is beneficial to anyone who has thought about developing a financial plan but does not know how or where to begin. It is an easy read, fun and should be a required reading for the masses of people buried in credit card debt! Great job!!
Highly Recommended for Everyone.......2001-05-25
Anyone can easily understand and make a decision about their personal financial future, and also what the best approach for getting out of debt. Good analogies-
Customer Reviews:
POWERFUL READING!!!!.......1999-02-09
The world we live in is dependent on credit and this book gives a very insightful and tremendously useful guidance in understanding the laws that governs our financial rights.
Book Description
In this easy-to-use book, readers will learn that not all debt is bad debt and figure out which debt to keep, which debt to get rid of, and how to get rid of it easily. New chapters for the 2nd edition feature current information on:
€ The new bankruptcy laws
€ Cleaning up credit reports
€ Handling college loans
€ How to deal with predatory lending practices
Download Description
"If you are looking for a book that preaches to you about restrictive budgets and financial diets, then don't buy this book. However, if you are looking for a friendly book that gives you hints, tips, ideas and various options for getting out of debt, without radically changing your lifestyle, then this is your book. In this easy to use book, the authors explain how not all debt is bad debt and help you figure out which debt to keep,which debt to get rid of, and how to easily get rid of it. Ideas regarding how to make more money, how to cut back spending, how to get rid of ALL credit card debt, how the rich think about money, and how you can follow their example, are all part of this useful guide. "
Customer Reviews:
Only for the extremely clueless, not a real money makeover book.......2005-08-15
If you are at all aware of the credit and debt industry or in any way a responsible adult, this book will not help you out. The most useful piece of information I found in it was a quote from Thomas Jefferson: "Never buy what you do not want because it is cheap; it will never be dear to you."
If you are a responsible person trying to beat debt, this book is too remedial for you. This is a wake up call for people who didn't realize that when you buy something, you have to pay for it by the due date. I have more debt than I should, but I have never paid a late fee, and I keep it all at low interest. When I took the quiz in this book, the results told me, "Your debt issues are not bad and are easily resolvable."
This book is a great tutorial if you want to declare bankruptcy or you have completely stuck your head in the sand for the last 10 years about your credit score. Bankruptcy laws just changed to make it harder, however, so you might need to pick up an updated manual.
If you are a responsible person who wants to get intense about beating debt, then Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover is an absolute must-read.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beating Debt.......2003-11-22
Excellent book! Very easy-to-read. I was clueless as to
how the world of credit actually worked. After reading
this book I felt a sense of relief and came away with
a sense of confidence in my knowledge about credit,
credit repair, credit scores, financial tips and much more.
If your cluesless like I was, this is a definite must read.
Average customer rating:
- Generally good but laws have changed since 1994
- The Best Book on Bankruptcy
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Consumer Bankruptcy: The Complete Guide to Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Personal Bankruptcy
Henry J. Sommer
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Popular Economics
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Credit Ratings & Repair
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General
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Bankruptcy
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Consumer Law
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Civil Procedure
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ASIN: 0471585270 |
Book Description
Maximize your bankruptcy filing benefits. If you have to file a personal bankruptcy case, you can find the accessible, authoritative guidance you'll need to do it right in order to get the fresh start you deserve. One of America's top bankruptcy lawyers, Henry J. Sommer, clearly and carefully takes you through the process of filing under chapter 7 and chapter 13…helps you determine which course is better…alerts you to the legal protections you enjoy under the sweeping Bankruptcy Code…assists you in getting the right legal counsel…and helps remove concern about the stigma associated with bankruptcy. This plain-English version of Sommer's definitive manual, Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Practice, provides you with a lucid overview of how bankruptcy works, then helps you:
- Determine if bankruptcy is finally the best path for you to take
- Select an alternative means of financial restoration if it is not
- Understand the myriad forms involved when filing
- Prepare for the sometimes complex proceedings once the paperwork is done
- Effectively use such "shields" as automatic stays and exemption provisions
- Capitalize on the many advantages of using bankruptcy court as a forum
- Work more wisely with your attorney—and much, much more!
Along the way, Consumer Bankruptcy dispels many of the tired myths surrounding bankruptcy, highlights many of its hidden advantages, assists you in devising a workable fee arrangement with your lawyer, and even alerts you to the rights you have as a creditor if you choose to make a claim against a business in bankruptcy.
Customer Reviews:
Generally good but laws have changed since 1994.......2000-11-09
This book is a basic one with good general facts, but many of the bankruptcy laws have changed since 1994 when the book was published.
The Best Book on Bankruptcy.......2000-09-27
I have reviewed a lot of books on consumer bankruptcy -- and this one is the best. It is comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate. If you are thinking about bankruptcy, are owed money by someone who has filed for bankruptcy (or who might file for bankruptcy) or if you have filed for bankruptcy -- you should buy it. You won't regret it.
Average customer rating:
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The Complete Guide to Credit and Loans
Gerald W. Gibbs
Manufacturer: Jove Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Public Finance
| Economics
| Business & Investing
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General
| Business & Investing
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Credit Ratings & Repair
| Personal Finance
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ASIN: 0872169316 |
Average customer rating:
|
Credit: The Complete Guide to Consumer Credit
Timothy J. Smith
Manufacturer: Sjt Enterprises
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Credit Ratings & Repair
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
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Do-It-Yourself
| How-to & Home Improvements
| Home & Garden
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ASIN: 0962545686 |
Books:
- Distressed Debt Analysis: Strategies for Speculative Investors
- Distressed Debt Analysis: Strategies for Speculative Investors
- Distressed Debt Analysis: Strategies for Speculative Investors
- Distressed Debt Analysis: Strategies for Speculative Investors
- Distressed Debt Analysis: Strategies for Speculative Investors
- Distressed Debt Analysis: Strategies for Speculative Investors
- Eat What You Kill: The Fall of a Wall Street Lawyer
- Every Dreamer's Handbook: A Simple Guide to Understanding Your Dreams (Understanding the Dreams You Dream, Vol. 2)
- Financial Armageddon: Protecting Your Future from Four Impending Catastrophes
- Fortune's Formula: The Untold Story of the Scientific Betting System That Beat the Casinos and Wall Street
Books Index
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Live Your Life for Half the Price: Without Sacrificing the Life You Love (Debt-Proof Living)
The Complete Cheapskate: How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out, and Break Free from Money Worries Forever
Everyday Cheapskate's Greatest Tips: 500 Simple Strategies For Smart Living (Debt-Proof Living)
Debt-Proof Your Marriage: How to Achieve Financial Harmony (Debt-Proof Living)
Debt-Proof Your Kids
