Financial Peace Revisited

January 1, 2003
An updated, expanded version of Ramsey's first book about overcoming debt and managing personal finances, this edition boasts new chapters on the relationship between money matters and family matters. (Originally self-published in 1992, Financial Peace had its sales bolstered by Ramsey's eponymous personal finance radio talk show; the 1997 Viking edition became a business bestseller.) When it comes to solving money problems, Ramsey knows whence he speaks: he had made and lost a real estate fortune by age 30. His straightforward guide to fiscal tranquility covers the basics of career (work hard in a job you're good at), savings (sock away 10% of your take-home pay), investments (invest long-term with pretax dollars) and spending (live below your income). The new chapters offer financial advice for singles, spouses and parents-agreeing on money matters, Ramsey says, leads to "fabulous unity" in a marriage. Commentary from Ramsey's wife, Sharon, concludes each chapter; while often a bit drippy ("Communicating with those closest to you is important. A lot of times this will be your spouse or your best friend"), it puts another reassuring layer on an already warm (sometimes Christian-themed) and helpful text.