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The Debt-Free Spending Plan: An Amazingly Simple Way to Take Control of Your Finances Once and for All
Finally, a simple and painless plan for living debt free.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2012
125 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
JoAnneh Nagler
5 books27 followersJoAnneh Nagler is the author of Stay with Me, Wisconsin (Coyote Point Press), and three nonfiction books including Naked Marriage (Skyhorse Publishing); How to Be an Artist Without Losing Your Mind, Your Shirt, or Your Creative Compass (W.W. Norton); and The Debt-Free Spending Plan (HarperCollins), two of which were Amazon Top-100 titles. Her books have been featured in The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, The Huffington Post, Essence Magazine, LiveStrong Magazine and many more. Recently awarded the National League of PEN Women Achiever Award (2020), she wrote and directed the play Ruby and George in Love (Sonoma Arts Live Theatre Company), and composed two singer-songwriter albums, I Burn and Enraptured, available in all outlets. Her work has appeared in the literary journals New Haven Review, Glimmer Train, You Might Need to Hear This, Mobius and Gold Man Review. She is a founding member of The Pacific Coast Writer’s Collective, and has just completed her first novel, Key West. Find more at www.AnArtistryLife.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 18, 2013
Most financial help books tell you to not use credit cards, pay down debt, and keep it that way. I think we all know that. We just don't know how to get there. The Debt Snowball is great, and it works, but only if you don't have a slip-up, and don't have a unexpected expense early in the process.
This book gives you a solid plan to tackle your spending, plan for unexpected expenses, and still live your life. She does recommend, at first, only paying the minimum balance -- or only what you can afford. The reason for this, and the key thing most authors miss out on, is that you did not accrue debt by throwing money in the street. You bought too many comic books, or clothes, or whatever. Most of us do not have superhuman will power. For those that do, this is not your book.
For the rest of us, the very first thing you need to do is to plan to live your life. And that includes having a very small bit of fun. At first. You can tackle the Snowball later, when you have practice living within your means. She provides detailed step-by-step instructions on how to set up a spending plan that you can actually live with.
My advice: skip Kramer, Orman, and the Simple Dollar guy, and read this one, and then Elizabeth Warren.
This book gives you a solid plan to tackle your spending, plan for unexpected expenses, and still live your life. She does recommend, at first, only paying the minimum balance -- or only what you can afford. The reason for this, and the key thing most authors miss out on, is that you did not accrue debt by throwing money in the street. You bought too many comic books, or clothes, or whatever. Most of us do not have superhuman will power. For those that do, this is not your book.
For the rest of us, the very first thing you need to do is to plan to live your life. And that includes having a very small bit of fun. At first. You can tackle the Snowball later, when you have practice living within your means. She provides detailed step-by-step instructions on how to set up a spending plan that you can actually live with.
My advice: skip Kramer, Orman, and the Simple Dollar guy, and read this one, and then Elizabeth Warren.
February 17, 2017
“The Debt Free Spending Plan is a simple program that will help all of us who have money trouble stop incurring debt, live on what we earn, and begin building our dreams.”
Free yourself from your financial stress by incorporating this plan in your life. The author differs from the many other financial authors because she insists on immediately starting to fund your dreams and not depriving yourself while learning to live on your base salary. Her book is the personal plan that she used to get off the debt merry-go-round.
Find The Debt Free Spending Planat the Westminster Public Library.
Free yourself from your financial stress by incorporating this plan in your life. The author differs from the many other financial authors because she insists on immediately starting to fund your dreams and not depriving yourself while learning to live on your base salary. Her book is the personal plan that she used to get off the debt merry-go-round.
Find The Debt Free Spending Planat the Westminster Public Library.
February 19, 2020
I have, so far, been fortunate enough never to have been in debt save for the few years that I had a mortgage. However, I have mostly been flying by the seat of my pants, and as I get older if I want to stay debt-free I realize I need to get serious about contingency planning and staying more aware of my finances.
Most books about debt-free living focus on getting out of debt, this one focuses on a spending plan that keeps you out of debt no matter what your circumstances. I should note that it is irrational to do "mental accounting" for a fungible item like money or time -- but if you are already behaving irrationally in the first place such mental accounting 'tricks' may indeed get you back on track. As I look towards semi-retirement, this is full of good basic advice that doesn't make your eyes glaze over.
Most books about debt-free living focus on getting out of debt, this one focuses on a spending plan that keeps you out of debt no matter what your circumstances. I should note that it is irrational to do "mental accounting" for a fungible item like money or time -- but if you are already behaving irrationally in the first place such mental accounting 'tricks' may indeed get you back on track. As I look towards semi-retirement, this is full of good basic advice that doesn't make your eyes glaze over.
July 23, 2017
This is probably one of the best debt-plan books I have read so far. She def is one of the best writers and had really good examples. While readers who liked Jerrold Mundis' Debtors Anon book will find a ton of overlap, it's not cloying and hers is way updated.
She really understands the tripwire of spending and underearning and lack of discipline and punishment debtors deal with! She illustrates many examples with ways that shortcuts cannot be made, nor can one make things too complicated. She states its a daily, weekly and monthly practice and I agree. Just like working out, once you're in decent shape you can do maintain ve and re-align your goals as your regiment gets more of the norm and solidified into daily routine. So it goes tracking, creating spending plan, budgeting, saving, fun, earning more, and how not to fall into bat habits like spending 75% on organic groceries instead of vacations or education (I know a lot who need that advice!)
It's not as numbers crunching as I like, I would have liked more examples and more updated resources, but overall one of the better spending guides out there!
She really understands the tripwire of spending and underearning and lack of discipline and punishment debtors deal with! She illustrates many examples with ways that shortcuts cannot be made, nor can one make things too complicated. She states its a daily, weekly and monthly practice and I agree. Just like working out, once you're in decent shape you can do maintain ve and re-align your goals as your regiment gets more of the norm and solidified into daily routine. So it goes tracking, creating spending plan, budgeting, saving, fun, earning more, and how not to fall into bat habits like spending 75% on organic groceries instead of vacations or education (I know a lot who need that advice!)
It's not as numbers crunching as I like, I would have liked more examples and more updated resources, but overall one of the better spending guides out there!
December 17, 2012
Very basic. Not that helpful if you already have a grasp on the concept that debt is bad and you shouldn't have any. The chapter that I thought would be on paying down multiple debts while living within your means turned out to be about how to get by when you can't meet your minimum balance. Disappointing.
November 6, 2019
I couldn't even get through this.
August 11, 2020
Easy step-by-step money managing techniques.
March 18, 2024
this is more of a 3.5 star rating. I always find myself looking at ways to organize my spending whenever I get into debt. As the book states, I am a debt cycler. I finish a debt then unfortunately pick up another one. I need to stop that dumb toxic cycle. The biggest takeaway is communication. Gotta be honest with yourself on why you spiral on your spending, honesty with your partner if you can't pay equally perhaps due to income disparity, honesty with your friends family to help limit society's pressure to buy buy spend spend, honesty with the creditors/ bankruptcy process. The book outlines simple steps: keep track of where your money is going, create a honest budget, start repaying even if it's below the minimum, do not use credit/ loans, stick with cash/ debit card living within your means have limits. I need to start !!!!
January 8, 2018
Nunca fui fã de livros que dizem que limpam as dívidas de forma eficiente, bla bla bla... mas este realmente faz isso. Sou fã de material de finanças pessoais, e este livro ajudou-me muito no meu curso, principalmente na aula sobre orçamento e endividamento. Tem um plano espectacular sobre como eliminar dívidas.
Tal como eu gosto, para além da teoria, dá um plano prático e realista.
Aprendi muito, e recomendo a toda gente... não só endividados.
Tal como eu gosto, para além da teoria, dá um plano prático e realista.
Aprendi muito, e recomendo a toda gente... não só endividados.
September 29, 2018
This book had some great tips for budgeting and living within your means without depriving yourself of different things. It also forces you to think saving for the things that are important to you such as vacations,new car, events, etc. I like that it broke things down and provided a variety examples throughout the book.
April 23, 2020
Wow!
This book is already changing my life. I went from feeling like I was broke to finding that I was supposed to have a surplus of $775 a month. That’s A LOT for a debtor. I already have a good start to a savings account and I think I will be debt free in the next year or two. I’m excited! Thank you, Jo, for this book
This book is already changing my life. I went from feeling like I was broke to finding that I was supposed to have a surplus of $775 a month. That’s A LOT for a debtor. I already have a good start to a savings account and I think I will be debt free in the next year or two. I’m excited! Thank you, Jo, for this book
May 22, 2017
Unique, easy to follow advice from a compassionate author who really gets it -- and really wants to help you get to a saner place with finance (and as a result, with the rest of your life). I appreciated the specific examples and case studies. Not an exaggeration to say this book was a godsend.
August 26, 2024
The audiobook is read by a man which gets weird at certain points. I think with all finance books you have to make sure to look at the time it was written. Some information was good but some was outdated.
May 15, 2017
Great insight on how to live within your means. Using this program now and makes you really think about where your money is going. Now to pay off the debt.
December 31, 2017
I thought that this book would add another perspective on how to pay debt quickly. However, this book is quite disappointing and unhelpful especially if you live within or below your means already.
August 13, 2018
Best debt free book I've read. I like Dave Ramsey, but I like the way this is written.
September 24, 2018
Good read for an alternative debt free plan. I'll sure it will work for some people better than a lot of the plans out there.
June 4, 2020
Typical financial book, not a standout. Offered some valuable tips and resources. Found it at times outdated and slow.
September 30, 2020
This was a great read for anyone looking for tips to get their financial situation in order. Easy and quick and already have some concrete steps for moving my life forward.
December 4, 2020
I loved how simple everything was explained
Thanks
Thanks
December 19, 2023
Just repeat a lot of what other books say, so nothing new to learn in it.
July 17, 2024
Good information for someone who is brand new to basic budgeting. If you already have keen financial knowledge, skip
February 19, 2025
Wordy
The book is somewhat repetitive, disrespectful to people who tithe. The chapter on integrity of paying back personal loans from family was good.
The book is somewhat repetitive, disrespectful to people who tithe. The chapter on integrity of paying back personal loans from family was good.
December 21, 2021
This may have been better in physical copy but as an audiobook it was too difficult to follow the accounting…
September 2, 2015
JoAnneh Nagler is a reformed debtor and shares her philosophy in this book. She promises you can do it too be achieving clarity and using the Magic Little Notebook. Seems the majority of budget plans have you add up expenses by writing every penny down, her approach is to set an amount and SUBTRACT those items. This give you a better idea of where you are, not to worry she gives you a means to rob Peter to pay Paul if there are some minor fluctuations.
I had a problem with some of the case studies: in one a woman saves money by cancelling her renters' insurance, that seems penny wise and pound foolish. I find it hard to believe Nagler would applaud that from a client.
Her system offered some practical solutions for everyone, even if you're like me and not drowning in debt. I'd just like to squeeze a little more out of what I do have. She offers some good dialogue for starting conversations with those you add money to.
She didn't do enough with automatic withholding or auto payments, plus some utilities and fluctuating gas prices make it tough to set a fixed amount in a budget. There's also a chapter on debting and reforming if you're part of a couple. Doesn't apply to me but in other parts of the book it's obvious that's a key component to her plan.
As with all these books, a few good kernels pop that can be adapted to my situation.
I had a problem with some of the case studies: in one a woman saves money by cancelling her renters' insurance, that seems penny wise and pound foolish. I find it hard to believe Nagler would applaud that from a client.
Her system offered some practical solutions for everyone, even if you're like me and not drowning in debt. I'd just like to squeeze a little more out of what I do have. She offers some good dialogue for starting conversations with those you add money to.
She didn't do enough with automatic withholding or auto payments, plus some utilities and fluctuating gas prices make it tough to set a fixed amount in a budget. There's also a chapter on debting and reforming if you're part of a couple. Doesn't apply to me but in other parts of the book it's obvious that's a key component to her plan.
As with all these books, a few good kernels pop that can be adapted to my situation.
January 25, 2013
This book presents a nice, simple framework for organizing and paying off debts. I wish the author had stopped there, as some of the suggestions she offered sounded a bit contradictory. For instance, when discussing an example of someone who could not meet the minimum monthly payments on multiple credit cards with balances exceeding $10K. The author's advice was not to use one card to pay another, thus incurring more debt, but rather to pay less than the minimum due on each, even if it was only five dollars a month.
Who's kidding who? If someone pays only $5 on a credit card debt of that size, the bank will charge a late fee, continue to accrue that month's interest, and probably jack up the interest rate. So, it's wishful thinking to say this approach will not incur debt, when in fact the credit card balance would quickly grow, just as though the cardholder was still using it.
Still, I like the overall approach the author advocates, and I found some of her client's stories very interesting.
Who's kidding who? If someone pays only $5 on a credit card debt of that size, the bank will charge a late fee, continue to accrue that month's interest, and probably jack up the interest rate. So, it's wishful thinking to say this approach will not incur debt, when in fact the credit card balance would quickly grow, just as though the cardholder was still using it.
Still, I like the overall approach the author advocates, and I found some of her client's stories very interesting.
January 31, 2014
Straight forward advice about how to move ahead, not look back. Focuses on currently living within your means rather than trying to quickly get out of debt. Debt (used as a verb) no more!
Ok, it's been almost 2 months since I started using the system recommended in this book and I realize that, sadly, I'm the girl who can't say no. My darling little nieces want tot go out for breakfast, how can I say no?
It's been interesting to see where I am able to easily stick to my budget and where emotional spending tries to get me. But I am liking this system, it feels so much more luxurious (in a way) than my usual "try to pay down your debt as quickly as possible/have no fun" system. $ for some little luxuries, $ for travel, $ for learning holidays. Feels good.
Ok, it's been almost 2 months since I started using the system recommended in this book and I realize that, sadly, I'm the girl who can't say no. My darling little nieces want tot go out for breakfast, how can I say no?
It's been interesting to see where I am able to easily stick to my budget and where emotional spending tries to get me. But I am liking this system, it feels so much more luxurious (in a way) than my usual "try to pay down your debt as quickly as possible/have no fun" system. $ for some little luxuries, $ for travel, $ for learning holidays. Feels good.
March 6, 2016
This book gives a very clear plan of attack for living within your means, setting up a budget, and getting a handle on debt.
Pros:
Tells people to let go of yesterday and focus on moving forward, gives clear, concise step by step instructions on how to setup the plan, plan includes a little fun money right upfront which is a mental booster
Cons:
not a very good path for dealing with creditors (pay below the minimum balance, even $5), slightly labor intensive when setting up the budget/plan, didn't really address focusing on paying off debt to eliminate the drain on finances just said 'it will happen'
Pros:
Tells people to let go of yesterday and focus on moving forward, gives clear, concise step by step instructions on how to setup the plan, plan includes a little fun money right upfront which is a mental booster
Cons:
not a very good path for dealing with creditors (pay below the minimum balance, even $5), slightly labor intensive when setting up the budget/plan, didn't really address focusing on paying off debt to eliminate the drain on finances just said 'it will happen'
May 28, 2013
I didn't think I would get much out of this book because the author made it clear up front that this isn't a book about personal finance, it's a book written for serious debtors and getting them onto a path towards financial solvency. Not being in that boat, I figured there wouldn't be much in it for me. While I didn't learn much new from this book, I did discover some insights about why people get into debt and some interesting ideas on how to help debtors get out of debt. It was worth the read and for the target audience, I can see how this book would be very helpful.
July 28, 2013
Pretty good and as the author says, very simple. I still give Dave Ramsey the #1 spot for Total Money Makeover but this would be good for those who are looking for a more moderate approach. Also she uses real-life examples that are very helpful. The book seems to be aimed more toward those who have issues with sense of entitlement (ie, why can't I spend $200 a month at Starbucks when I only make $30k a year) so that's where her approach is less extreme than other authors. She is basically trying to show you how to live within your means without feeling deprived.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews