"Dollars and Uncommon Sense"

Dollars and Uncommon Sense by Steve Repak, CFP

I'm so excited I got this book, because it's helping check something off my 30x30 list: Becoming debt free! Confession: I have had three books by different financial guru's in my immediate TBR pile for months. So long, in fact, that one of them has been renewed from the library three times, is due back next week, and still hasn't been read. Why? It's big and intimidating! That old guy with glasses holding a wad of hundreds just staring at me...So I started with this one. It was the smallest. But I'm glad I did! It was a quick read (I read it in just one night) and very easy to understand. Repak even made it so I understand investing! Not a whole lot about investing, but a little overview. Anyways.....

Steve Repak speaks from experience in this book. He left the military with more than $30,000 in credit card debt. Now he's a CFP helping others manage their money. He offers very simple steps to recognize where your money is going, start saving, pay off debt, and start investing. It's very simple to understand, and he offers blank worksheets to help you put the lessons into practice.

I really like his uncommon-sense approach. He makes the point that most people are in debt, worry about money, and live paycheck to paycheck. "So why the heck would you want to be like most people?" One tip was something I had always thought: Pay off the debt with the highest interest rate first, not the debt with the lowest balance (contrary to what other famous financial guys say). A lot of his tips are of the common sense variety, but since they are rarely practiced, they seem like uncommon sense. For gexample: Spend less than you make.

If you are struggling with managing your money and getting out of debt, check out this book. It's a quick and easy read with great, simple tips to manage your money.

Highly recommended, 4/5 stars!

*Note: I received this book free through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's program, in exchange for a review. I was under no obligation to provide a positive (or negative) review.