The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (2024)

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In the early days of being straddled with debt, I committed to learning as much as I could about money and my relationship with it. I read as many of the best financial books I could get my hands on.

What I quickly realized was my money problems were rooted in my beliefs about money. What I learned as a child had carried over into my adulthood, and most of it no longer served me well. You can read more about my personal story here.

What I also learned was how I used money in so many unhealthy ways as a substitute to fill my unmet needs. If you’re not sure what I mean, I encourage you to join the 28 Days of Spending Zero -The No Spend Challenge. (Update: The challenge is closed.)

The entire purpose of the challenge is to help other’s struggling with overspending and debt realize why they spend the way they do! Over the years I’ve talked with hundreds if not thousands of women and men who thought paying off their debt was enough. They didn’t see the value in cultivating a relationship with money and learning the motivation behind their spending, savings and investment habits.

One the best ways to develop a better understanding of money is to read as many books as you can on the subject.The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (1)

THE BEST FINANCIAL BOOKS I READ THAT GOT ME OUT OF DEBT

The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (2)The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (3)

1. Over Coming Under Earning by Barbara Stanny
This book is an excellent resource for those of you who are living paycheck to paycheck. Underearners struggle with their self-worth which is translated into how much they earn. Good exercises and tools to break the cycle and start making more money and break the cycle of living from pay check to pay check.

Other Resources Worth Reading:How To Budget When You’re Living Paycheck to Paycheck

The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (4)The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (5)

2. The Energy of Money by Maria Nemeth,P h.D.
By far one of the best books ever written on the subject. The book will help you uncover all those nasty hidden beliefs we carry around like bricks and then give you the tools and techniques to break free from them once and for all. This is a must read!

Other Resources Worth Reading:The 30 Day Money Mindset Challenge

The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (6)The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (7)

3. Financial Recovery by Karen McCall
This is like therapy wrapped up between two covers. Jammed packed with useful information to help you overcome underearning, low or no savings, yo-yo debting, overspending and chronic debt. Filled with lots of tools and strategies to help you change your financial circ*mstances and regain peace of mind.

Other Resources Worth Reading:How To Reach Your New Year Financial Resolutions

The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (8)The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (9)

4. You’re Broke Because You Want To Be by Larry Winget
I read this book after several years after my financial recovery, and so it didn’t impact me in the same way as some of the other books. But one of the reasons why I include it here is because of the straight, no bullsh*t approach Larry takes. It’s like a slap in the face, in a nice way and some people may better respond with that approach. One particular area I continued to struggle with was pretty much cured after reading this book despite how far I had come in my journey. Either way, I think you’ll enjoy reading it.

Other Resources Worth Reading:My Debt Free Journey

The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (10)The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (11)

5. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
The bible of all financial debt management books out there. This is a much read for anyone suffering from debt. Although I don’t always agree 100% with Dave, I learned a lot about becoming a better steward of my money by reading his book.

Other Resources Worth Reading: The Joy of Saving

What are some of your best financial book recommendations? I’m always interested in reading new material on the subject or old favorites, so if you have a great recommendation leave it in the comments section.

Happy Reading~

MY FAVORITE MONEY-SAVING TOOLS

EBATES: Want to earn cash back when you shop online? Ebates acts as a shopping portal offering coupons and cashback from over 2,000 online stores. I always check on Ebates first whenever I shop online! You canjoin Ebates for free and get a $10 welcome bonus when you sign up through this link.

DIGIT: Like the idea of saving but need something automatic? Digit is the perfect solution if trying to automate your savings strategy. In essence, what Digit does is use an algorithm to detect spare money and then transfers it to a secure savings account – so you’ll always have something to fall back on. Sign up for free!

GROCERY BUDGET MAKEOVER: Is your grocery budget giving you a serious kick in your families spending plan? Grocery Budget Makeover helped my family slash $6,000 a year from our food bill! Learn more about how Grocery Budget Makeover can help you save money too!

The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (12)

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The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt (2024)

FAQs

The Five Books I Read That Got Me Out Of Debt? ›

"Surviving Debt: Expert Advice for Getting Out of Financial Trouble" by the National Consumer Law Center. For anyone who isn't sure where to start on their debt-payoff journey, this book provides the tools you'll need to get started.

How to get out of debt quickly book? ›

"Surviving Debt: Expert Advice for Getting Out of Financial Trouble" by the National Consumer Law Center. For anyone who isn't sure where to start on their debt-payoff journey, this book provides the tools you'll need to get started.

How to get out of debt? ›

How to get out of debt
  1. List out your debt details.
  2. Adjust your budget.
  3. Try the debt snowball or avalanche method.
  4. Submit more than the minimum payment.
  5. Cut down interest by making biweekly payments.
  6. Attempt to negotiate and settle for less than you owe.
  7. Consider consolidating and refinancing your debt.
Mar 18, 2024

How to overcome debt book? ›

In Overcoming Debt, Achieving Financial Freedom: 8 Pillars to Build Wealth, lawyer, business owner, and first-generation professional Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez delivers a practical and actionable blueprint for financial independence.

How to use debt to build wealth books? ›

In The Value of Debt in Building Wealth, bestselling author Thomas J. Anderson encourages you to rethink that. You'll walk away from this book with an understanding of how you can use debt wisely to secure the financial future you envision for yourself and your family.

How to pay off $40k in debt fast? ›

To pay off $40,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you will need to pay $1,449 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. You would incur $12,154 in interest charges during that time, but you could avoid much of this extra cost and pay off your debt faster by using a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.

How to get out of $10,000 debt fast? ›

7 ways to pay off $10,000 in credit card debt
  1. Opt for debt relief. One powerful approach to managing and reducing your credit card debt is with the help of debt relief companies. ...
  2. Use the snowball or avalanche method. ...
  3. Find ways to increase your income. ...
  4. Cut unnecessary expenses. ...
  5. Seek credit counseling. ...
  6. Use financial windfalls.
Feb 15, 2024

Can I get a government loan to pay off debt? ›

While there are no government debt relief grants, there is free money to pay other bills, which should lead to paying off debt because it frees up funds. The biggest grant the government offers may be housing vouchers for those who qualify. The local housing authority pays the landlord directly.

How to get rid of $30,000 in debt? ›

The 6-step method that helped this 34-year-old pay off $30,000 of credit card debt in 1 year
  1. Step 1: Survey the land. ...
  2. Step 2: Limit and leverage. ...
  3. Step 3: Automate your minimum payments. ...
  4. Step 4: Yes, you must pay extra and often. ...
  5. Step 5: Evaluate the plan often. ...
  6. Step 6: Ramp-up when you 're ready.

How to pay off $20,000 in debt? ›

If you have $20,000 in credit card debt that you need to pay off in three years or less, you have multiple options to consider, including:
  1. Take advantage of a debt relief service.
  2. Consolidate your debt with a home equity loan.
  3. Take advantage of 0% balance transfer credit cards.
Feb 15, 2024

How to survive debt crisis? ›

How to get through a personal financial crisis
  1. Minimize the damage. ...
  2. Document the damage. ...
  3. Cut back on expenses. ...
  4. Use other people's money before your own. ...
  5. Assess your savings. ...
  6. Examine your bills closely. ...
  7. Develop a new budget that focuses on financial recovery. ...
  8. What caused the biggest financial impact?
Sep 14, 2023

What is the snowball method of debt? ›

The "snowball method," simply put, means paying off the smallest of all your loans as quickly as possible. Once that debt is paid, you take the money you were putting toward that payment and roll it onto the next-smallest debt owed. Ideally, this process would continue until all accounts are paid off.

How do millionaires use debt? ›

Some examples include: Business Loans: Debt taken to expand a business by purchasing equipment, real estate, hiring more staff, etc. The expanded operations generate additional income that can cover the loan payments. Mortgages: Borrowed money used to purchase real estate that will generate rental income.

How does Robert Kiyosaki use debt to build wealth? ›

Kiyosaki teaches this lesson by talking about his real estate investments. He wrote, “By getting a loan from the bank, one can purchase a property with only a small percentage out of pocket … Then, they rent that property, and their tenant pays the cost of the debt while putting money in their pocket.”

How do billionaires borrow against their wealth? ›

They don't need to sell stocks, which would trigger capital gains taxes. Instead, they can take loans against their shares. Securities based lending, securities based lines of credit, home equity lines of credit and structured lending are options for leveraging assets without selling them.

How to pay off $50,000 in debt? ›

Make a Plan to Tackle $50K in Credit Card Debt
  1. Reevaluate or Create Your Budget. ...
  2. Look for Ways to Decrease Recurring Expenses and Increase Income. ...
  3. Set Concrete Goals. ...
  4. Ask for a Lower Interest Rate. ...
  5. Look Into a Debt Consolidation Loan. ...
  6. Consider a Balance Transfer Credit Card. ...
  7. Credit Counseling. ...
  8. Debt Settlement.
Sep 9, 2020

How to pay off $20k in debt fast? ›

Use a debt consolidation loan

With a debt consolidation loan, you borrow money from a lender and roll all of those debts into one loan with a single interest rate. This allows you to make one monthly payment rather than paying multiple creditors.

How to aggressively pay off debt? ›

Make debt payments beyond the minimum.

Making more than your required minimum payment can help you pay off debts more quickly and save money in interest charges. Earmark unanticipated funds, such as your tax return or a bonus, for debt payments.

How to pay off 30k debt? ›

The 6-step method that helped this 34-year-old pay off $30,000 of credit card debt in 1 year
  1. Step 1: Survey the land. ...
  2. Step 2: Limit and leverage. ...
  3. Step 3: Automate your minimum payments. ...
  4. Step 4: Yes, you must pay extra and often. ...
  5. Step 5: Evaluate the plan often. ...
  6. Step 6: Ramp-up when you 're ready.

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