The Debt Diet: An Easy-to-follow Plan To Shed Debt And Trim Spending

by Ellie Kay

Ellie Kay's signature humor and wry looks at life lead readers into solid, down-to-earth advice on how to overcome "financial flabbiness." Using diet and exercise analogies, she helps readers discover the habits and issues that keep them in debt, leads them through proven methods to pay down debt, and provides ways for them to maintain financial fitness. An easy-to-use book that encourages the timid while offering sound advice for families who want to experience financial freedom.

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2004

Reviews

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If debt is threatening to swallow you and your family whole, then The Debt Diet may be just the solution to help you lose a few pounds of it. Ellie Kay, author of multiple books on money and finance, walks the reader through a step-by-step method for losing debt in the same way one might lose weight. The only proven method for weight loss is eating less and exercising more. The same goes for money - you must spend less and save more, all the while avoiding fad programs that will worsen the situation in the long run.

Section one, 'Thinking Thin', begins with a 'Fiscal Fitness Workout', a quiz to determine your attitudes about money. Subsequent chapters deal with spending, money attitudes and credit. Section two, 'Fiscal Fitness', explores how to think like a millionaire by creating new habits, using your FICO (credit) score, goal setting, dropping debt and creating savings. Finally, section three, 'Forever Free', discusses financial planners, teaching children about money, college, and shopping to share. Each chapter includes quizzes and worksheets so that you can tailor a plan to your life and situation. I found the sections on spending habits especially interesting. There are many practical suggestions that can be put into place with just a phone call or a little research. For example, there is information about insurance and mortgages that can lead to real savings.

Although this book is published by a Christian publisher, other than some talk about giving money to church, the information is applicable to anyone wanting to move away from a debt mentality. As financial problems are quickly becoming reality in most people's lives, The Debt Diet is a helpful choice to assist you on the road to shedding that unwanted debt load.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellie Kay writes with wit about going on a 'debt diet' and reducing the amount of consumer debt one carries. She includes quizzes in several chapters that test your basic money management skills. She also explains the hidden fees most credit cards have, the saving habits of millionaires (which includes charitable donations) and saving for college. Her advice is solid but simple.