I've read a lot of money blogs and articles, but not a lot of books on the topic. The few I have read made everything more complicated than it needed to be. This book breaks everything down into a simple 50/30/20 plan with practical advice on how to get your must-have expenses down to 50% of your income. There's no "stop drinking Starbucks" advice here, which is useless to those of us who don't splurge on coffees or eating out or movies or vacations. ( )

After reading [a:Dave Ramsey|44526|Dave Ramsey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1215615429p2/44526.jpg] it's hard to find new financial information (so don't judge based on star rating). But each one has their specialties and Warren does a good job debunking some myths about debt and explains more about bankruptcy and medical debt than the others I've read. Worth a read. ( )

I ended up skimming after about 50-60 pages, I got the info I was looking for and I just need to apply it. It's written in a nice manner and tries not to lecture but I definitely felt the weight of living beyond my means and not saving. I hope I can apply what they suggest, I'm going to give it a try.

I have been watching Elizabeth Warren on the TARP hearings (she is overseeing them as a watchdog) and looking like a school girl is is so refreshing to see her take on all those nasty old financial tycoons. She always has the important question. I realize I had read this book before and taken from it the message that there are 3 kinds of things we will buy...the essential, the should have and the OPTIONAL. Just go slow on the don't need stuff. (I have 30 pairs of shoes...do I really need those new black sandals ?, another lip gloss, more push up bras for 15 year old granddaughter ?)

Also, if you read this book a good book to add, showing what can happen if you don't follow this economist's advice is American Sucker by David Denby

But what really grabbed me on this latest reading is her warning against debt. How to pass this on to the next generation ?

Excellent book on personal finance, everyone, especially those starting out should have this book. ( )

This is my favorite personal finance book. The contents may or may not come as unpleasant news to some, but all the advice Warren and Tyagi give is do-able for everyone. When people are just starting out or are getting in over their heads financially, those are the times they tend to buy this sort of book. There is nothing written in it that is not common sense, but everything is presented in the most accessible way, in clear language, with an understanding that real life sometimes doesn't conform to neat charts in a book, but that as long as we make an effort to come as close as possible it will pay off. There are no outrageous promises in this book, rather the tone is one of realistic optimism, "Security is within your reach" rather than "Get rich quick!" ( )