I have been an avid Dave Ramsey listener for years. My husband and I have read all of his books and his principles helped us pay off a 10,000 second mortgage in less than 6 months, all while making lower than the average US income. His teachings have had a big impact on our life.
I was so excited to be chosen as part of of Rachel Cruze’s launch team for her new book Love Your Life Not Theirs. She brings a fresh new approach to the principles taught in Total Money Makeover. The book is centered around 7 money habits:
- Quit the Comparisons
- Steer Clear of Debt
- Make a Plan for Your Money
- Talk About Money (Even when it’s hard)
- Save Like you Mean It
- Think Before You Spend
- Give a Little….Until You Can Give a Lot
I think my favorite part of the book was the section on comparison. A huge problem with my generation is social media. It is so easy to compare ourselves with others and end up spending money as a result. Rachel mentions that you no longer have to actually see the Jones’s drive up in their nice new car, you can simply get on social media and see a vast array of seemingly perfect snapshots of other’s lives. She addresses this issue very well and I highlighted so many parts! One of my favorite quotes, from the comparison section is: “When you get caught up in social media comparisons, you’re comparing yourself to make-believe. And when you compare yourself to make-believe, your real life will never feel good enough.”
She also touches on the fact that comparing ourselves can lead to a sense of entitlement. It is so easy for me to feel those feelings and she mentions her struggle with it too. It is refreshing to hear Rachel talk about her money struggles because it is easy to assume as a Ramsey kid she doesn’t struggle with money related stuff ;). I love this quote from the “I deserve it section”: “The belief that the world owes us something is why so many of us live in a constant state of dissatisfaction and jealousy.”
There is a section that talks about making sacrifices. Sacrifices aren’t something we want to do, but we have to do them. She makes the statement many of us ask “How can I do everything I want to do without having to make any sacrifices?” It really hit home to me because Loren and I do make sacrifices in different areas to stay out of debt and to save for retirement. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth it when I look on social media and it seems people are doing all these fun things with money and we are over here just saving for retirement and to pay cash for our next car….boring. The reminder that sacrifice is part of the process really gave me some much needed encouragement. “People who win in life have to work hard and be intentional.” It’s hard but it is worth it! The major point is, you can do things that mean the most to you, but don’t expect to do everything you value all at once. There will be sacrifices.
I really loved this book for many reasons, but the simple fact that she walks with us through the book as a friend who is cheering us on is probably my favorite. She shares personal stories of comparisons and the desire to spend money. She also shares some of the hard decisions her and Winston have made to say no to buying something for a greater good. Its such a good picture of not being able to do it all. I sometimes feel like our culture thinks we need it all and we never want to say no. I am guilty of these feelings too, so to hear Rachel talk about her own struggles with those feelings, but overcoming them, is so refreshing.
Even though I already knew many of the money habits she talks about in the book from listening to Dave Ramsey, it was still a much needed read. It helped me get fired up again and to continue doing that hard things to get where I want financially. To not compare myself to others, but rather live my own life and love it.
I love the Ramsey team and would recommend this book to anyone and everyone!!
“Content people don’t always have the best of everything, but they make the best of everything. Contentment isn’t a place you get to financially; it’s a place you get to emotionally and spiritually.”
