Drowning in debt is no laughing matter and it's certainly not the end of the world. But this book presents an agonizing subject, being in debt, and makes the reader at times really laugh at some of silly actions we put ourselves into without thinking! Of course this comes with youth (or new found wealth, like a credit card) and when we're young we really don't have a clue to the future until something like being in major debt shatters our dreams.

I am no spring chicken but I found many of the insights the author presents workable and really makes you think about how you can really abuse your credit. The advice crosses the boundary of age and there definitely is something for anyone who is wanting improve their financial situation.

It really is a good read and do to the humor, it makes the reading enjoyable on such a painful subject!

Curt
http://www.101-credit-debt-finance.com/

I highly recommend this book. It is very informative with great advice, and best of all...entertaining to read.

I've read a lot of financial books, but this one is the only one that gave me real hope. Anytime I want to dig out my credit card I re-read a small section and stay on track.

I originally read this book in the fall of 2002, and have finally decided to write a review b/c of impact it has had. I've paid off more than 50% of my debt since reading the book, and I haven't paid a cent in interest to credit card companies.

For the first time in my life I was able to see how easy it is to cut back on spending just by keeping track of my Starbucks/eating out for lunch habit. Everyone will have a different situation, but it gives you the advice you need to objectively view your own spending, develop a plan, and still have a life. Best of all, the book will make you feel empowered and motivated, Other books are written to make you feel like a financial idiot or someone who needs to join a twelve step program for debt.

This book is so much common sense. I just don't understand why people have a problem with budgeting. It's simple, don't spend more then you make! But if you do have a problem with this concept or need help getting out of debt, this book could help. Money saving tip - get it from the library!

My husband purchased this book for us about 2 years go. We read it in less than a week - an easy read as others have already mentioned. To say the least, we found this book motivating. After we read it, I made a spreadsheet of our debt - including who we owed, how much, the interest rate, and a schedule of how soon/or not we would pay it off making various payments. (To put it into perspective, we owed over $15K in credit card debt). We called each credit card company and got them to lower our rates. The one that didn't, lost all of our money. We transferred it to an introductory 0.00% credit card instead. We then started with the highest debt/highest interest rate, and worked our way down to the last of the credit cards from there. It took us about a year and a half to get it paid off, but it was worth the wait. Here we are less than a year from paying off our credit card debt (keeping only auto loans and a student loan as debt) with thousands of dollars in our savings account. We pay cash for everything we purchase, and seriously consider our purchases before making the transaction. Our lives truly changed after reading this book. This book will be our future gift to college grads.

I really like this book but much of the information is (to me) common sense. Don't get me wrong, if you are young and need a place to start this book should prove helpful. The author gives great advice in a very humorous tone, which makes the book fun to read. In fact, it's such an easy read you should finish it quite quickly. The reason I say this book isn't for the already miserly is because many of the tips are similar to books that I have already read or they are ideas that I already practice. That doesn't mean that the tips aren't helpful though! Ideas range from making your morning coffee at home instead of hitting Starbucks, bargaining lower interest rates from your credit card lenders, and making sure not to spend your tax refund before you even get it in the mail.