Customer Reviews

The Average Family's Guide to Financial Freedom How You can Save a Small Fortune on a Modest Income

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

We've been budgeting, investing and paying off debt for a few years, but we've been anxious to speed the process up and start accumulating real wealth.

This book was amazing, because it did several things for us:
(1) It got us motivated! We realized we didn't have a definition of financial freedom, or any goals set. We just wanted to "get out of debt", whereas now we say "we want to be out of debt by the time we're 45". Without a goal or plan we had no light at the end of the tunnel! Now it's there.
(2) We learned a few new things. For example, we'd always built a certain percentage of savings into our budget. We were putting a cap on our savings! Instead, we should constantly be looking at ways to lower our spending, which will automatically produce higher levels of saving and investing.
(3) We learned we didn't have to feel guilty about not wanting to "skimp". Our family of 5 likes to eat out--at McDonald's or Friendly's. Nothing fancy. But we always felt guilty. Well, the Tooheys showed us that you can still enjoy life while living below your means. Same goes for hiring a decorator!
(4) Last but not least, we got a great bibliography of books to read, that will hopefully fine-tune what we already know.

Bill and Mary, we can't thank you enough for your insights. You wrote the book as if we were sitting across the table from you, and it sure felt that way. Now we really feel as though we can be financially free, worry less, and give/spend our money as we wish and God directs. Thanks!

One thing has not been mentioned in reviews yet. This book gives a little information on a lot of topics (the chapter on taxes is only 5 and 1/2 pages). Great if you know nothing about taxes and are unsure where to start learning, but useless if you have even some clue about taxes and how to find the deductions you're entitled to. If you have a middle class income and want a first book on how to move towards a more stable financial footing, this is a starting point. If you have some knowledge already, skip this one and do a search under Larry Burkett for more specific books. For people with less than average income, ie: under $35,000 per year, this book will frustrate you to no end. It mentions getting on a budget and getting out of debt, but gives no ideas how to do that. It talks a lot about how to invest, which is a great beginners lesson, by the way, but it assumes you have some to invest. Once again, I'd check out Burkett's books first for actual how-to books.

I have been on a true quest to educate myself and my husband about finances. We need to plan for retirement and still be able to enjoy this stage of our life too. I have read a lot books and talked to several experts and was always left with the "too late, too bad" feeling. This book was so well thought out and the advise so "doable" I feel I have at last found the proper tool to get (and keep) our financial life in the order I have been looking for all this time. This is a real treasure of information presented in such a friendly format even my hesiatant husband read it cover to cover. My husband has stayed away from all the other books I have read because he did not want to be scolded or dictated to, this book is like having a long talk with that favorite uncle ----information but not judgements or unreal suggestions. Thank you Bill and Mary!!!

This book was easy to read, interesting, and tells me what I need to know to achieve financial freedom. I plan to recommend it to friends and family. If you want freedom and don't know where to start, buy this book.

I've read a few financial books and this one was very helpful. I also liked Personal Finance for Dummies which I read first, and I noticed that these authors also recommend that book. I liked them both a great deal. This book really is for average people. It deals with things others don't and the investing section clarified some things I didn't quite understand. I really liked the car buying section and plan to use that next time I'm in the market. The record-keeping section is very unique and leaves you wondering why you didn't think of that! A good book.

I am a recently divorced mother of two and didn't have a clue about investing. I read this book because it was written by real people who aren't financial experts. I guess I thought I might be able to understand it and that it would deal with issues I face. I was right. I liked the book and have loaned it to my sister and she likes it too. It's a quick read and it held my attention throughout. Now I'll need to start reading some of the other books recommended in this book. Thank you Tooheys, for sharing your experiences and showing me how it's done.

Like other reviewers, I couldn't put this one down. It reads like a good novel, yet it includes everything needed to put one on the road to financial freedom. I bought one for my daughter. If you're looking to change your life or to achieve financial freedom, I highly recommend this book. It's the best financial book I've seen.

A clear look at what an average wage-earner can do to turn their financial fortunes around. Easy to read and understand, the Tooheys approach will take a little work (great rewards rarely fall into your lap) but can be attained by most of us. Strong recommendation.

This is an extremely helpful guide for anyone. I wished I would have had this information years ago. I plan to by a copy for my children and as gifts for all the young adults I care about. This is a MUST read.

I find myself returning to this book periodically for inspiration. You don't have to be a wage slave forever. If you are willing to live well within (or drastically under) your means, you can accumulate enough wealth to chart your own course in life.

The Tooheys give a number of concrete examples of ways to cut expenses. They also call into question a number of the assumptions we make as a result of our brainwashing by modern media. For example: Why does a family really need more than one full bath in a house?

To someone fully immersed in our culture's consumer rat-race, the Tooheys are going to seem a bit radical. We are all a bit too accustomed to focusing on convenience and immediacy rather than long term cost. Try to keep an open mind and remember that the best things in life can't be found in a shopping mall.