The Simple Dollar: How One Man Wiped Out His Debts and Achieved the Life of His Dreams

by Trent Hamm

Struggling with debt? Frustrated about work? Just not satisfied with life? The Simple Dollar can change your life. Trent Hamm found himself drowning in consumer debt, working in a job he couldn't stand... and figured out how to escape that debt and build the fulfilling career he'd always dreamt about, all at the same time. Hamm shared his experiences at TheSimpleDollar.com--and built it into one of America's top personal finance websites. Now, The Simple Dollar is a packed with practical tips, tools, and lessons you can use to transform your life, too. This isn't just "another" personal finance it's profoundly motivating, empowering, practical, and 100% grounded in today's American realities. Trent Hamm will show you how to rewrite the rules, creating healthier relationships with money... and with your loved ones, too. With his help, you can get out of debt, start moving forward, and build the strong personal community that offers true happiness--no matter what happens to the economy. - Escape the plastic prison, and stop running to stand still 5 simple steps to eliminate credit card debt... and 5 more to start moving forward - Shift your life's balance towards more positive, stronger relationships Learn how to put the golden rule to work for you - Discover the power of goals in a random world Then, learn how to overcome inertia, and transform goals into reality - Navigate the treacherous boundaries between love and money Move towards deeper communication, greater honesty, and more courage

Genres: Nonfiction, Finance, Personal Finance, Business, Self Help, Money, Reference

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2010

About the author

I write personal finance articles and books for a living, but I'm currently stretching myself into short stories and food writing, among other things.

I live in rural Iowa with my wife and two children.

I'm using GoodReads to keep track of all of the stuff I read for ~personal enjoyment~ (meaning I'm not counting stuff I'm reading for the purposes of review) from July 27, 2009 onwards (when I joined the site).

Reviews

[Jill Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book starts out very promising, but then the author wanders off on a major tangent. I hate to say it, but I get the feeling that the author is pretty impressed with himself. Also, the editing is awful. There are many errors, grammatical mistakes, etc., that really detract from both the reading experience and the credibility of the book. Overall, I was disappointed with this book. If you're interested in this topic, I recommend Dave Ramsey's "The Total Money Makeover," and "Your Money or Your Life" by Dominguez & Robin, both of which are referenced in this book.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a lucky longtime reader of Trent's blog who responded quickly enough to his ARC opportunity. I'll be applying a chapter of my choosing to my life, and will have to respond about how the changes influenced my life.

Trent's book is good. It's well-written and to-the-point, which is consistent with his blog style. I like the personalized anecdotes and interesting tidbits. One thing I'm curious to see is if the aesthetic nature of the book changes with publication; it seems very textbook-like in paper, font, and plain book style. (The book is published by a subsidiary of Financial Times Press.) Most memoirs or books similar to this are published with a more reader-focused, audience-oriented feel. This is not so (though I do recognize that my copy is an ARC, so I'll have to compare after publication).

As much as I liked the book, I think it repeats a lot of what Trent already discusses on his blog. I also think that his writing is especially well-suited for blogging because he proposes questions and is able to engage the audience in a different way. Much of the same material is covered in his blog, but in fact the blog posts cover it at much greater length and with a greater number of resources.

Overall I think Trent's book is a worthy, wonderful read. It has given me new perspective on where his writing comes from, and where the motivation to get financially fit, originates. I especially think that people who have not yet read Trent's blog will benefit from the book in a major way.

[adrienna]

I'm reading this book before it's been published to kind of review and test out one of the chapters' suggestions. I think I'm going to go with a more introspective, pondering-the-future/pondering-my-career chapter instead of the preparing-for-the-future chapter I was going to do initially. I read The Simple Dollar blog, and I love that his book isn't just rehashing his blogs (although it does tell his story). It includes a lot of research and tips for managing your own financial destiny, and I'm proud to be part of the publishing process.

[Elly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read book about personal finance, speckled with personal stories. No previous knowledge needed. If you do know a lot about personal finance, it is still an enjoyable read, but you will not learn as much from it.

Key-points: spend less than you earn, learn to recognise what you really want, and then live according to that, and having fun does not need to cost (a lot of) money.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got the free Kindle version. It was a quick read with some useful tips. The authors tries to cover a wide range of topics (not just about money) so there isn't much depth. I was pleasantly surprised to see that my colleague, Andy Oram, was quoted in the book.

[Milan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trent Hamm is a noted personal finance blogger. Unfortunately this book is just a collection of his blog posts and does not offer new insights. I suggest reading his blog from time to time.

[Borislava · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Лесният долар“ е книга за разумното харчене на личните средства и за силата на спестяването. Имате дългове и не знаете как да се измъкнете, а вместо това затъвате все повече и повече? Печелите добре, имате хубава кола, дом и привидно висок стандарт, но въпреки това парите все не стигат, а свободното ви време е мираж? Ненавиждате работата си, но се чувствате в капан, защото е нещо сигурно, от което не можете да си позволите да се откажете, докато мечтаете за повече време с децата си, различно работно време, по-малко стрес или ново поприще? Тази книга е точно за вас. Тя е със силна практическа насоченост и дава не един и не два конкретни работещи съвета, които можете да приложите незабавно. Уловката? Ще трябва да научите повече за себе си и кои са важните неща за вас. Отговорете си например на въпроса: обичате да четете книги или обичате да ги купувате? Заменете новите книги от книжарницата с книги, взети назаем, свалени в електронен вариант, купени на старо или от библиотеката и спестете за семейно пътуване. Ето така работят „хаковете“ в книгата. Нищо сложно, нищо революционно, просто доза здравомислие и самодисциплина в името на постигането на важните неща в живота ни.

[Brian Alcorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grammar, spelling, and other errors aside, I enjoyed the read, and was able to pick out a good bit to apply to my life. I am one who likes to make use of my hyper fixation tendencies and grab multiple books and media on a given topic. Repetition helps good ideas sink into my thick skull.

This book is a good bit more than a financial how-to. Trent digs into the assumptions and underlying factors surrounding how we approach our money, our careers, and our lives in general.

If you’re looking for a perfect “do this and you’ll see these results,” this book isn’t quite what you’re looking for. If, however, you are looking to challenge your own status quo and are ready to at least consider making a change, this book will give you some ideas on where to start.

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book is long-winded, dull, and horribly repetitive. In fact, several sentences are repeated verbatim throughout the book, not as some sort of mnemonic gimmick, but due to bad editing. Author mishmashes personal finance along with life coaching or goal setting advice to disastrous results. Book would have been more successful if it had been more concisely written.

[Philip Stratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great motivation for taking control of your finances

I greatly enjoyed the structure and content of this book. A wonderful example of how some planning and priority setting can change your life.

[Eduard Delyanov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving money is good. Its always been good and there is some really nice practical advices in this book. But in the priciple of getting super rich does not meet up only saving , but increasing , keeping and doubling the money you make.

[Divya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more about the author's personal advice on life and money with some anecdotes on his journey to being debt-free. Not quite what I expected but well written nevertheless.

[Dimitar Trifonov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Сууупер книга. 😎 Лесно се чете и е изпълнена с много полезна практически приложима информация.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I was disappointed by this book. The format of the book was that each chapter would begin with a short anecdote from the author's life, followed by an exposition of the idea. However, sometimes there would be multiple anecdotes, or sometimes there would be an additional anecdote in the middle of the chapter, and maybe it was partly that I was reading on a Kindle so the format isn't perfect, but it confused me. (Maybe I'm just easily confused.) Also, the chapter order wasn't entirely logical to me, either from the standpoint of the idea discussed, or chronologically. There were a number of places through the book where the author references "as will be discussed in Chapter 12" or whatever, and after seeing that several times it definitely interrupts the flow in my mind. If the point is so important to everything else discussed, perhaps it should have been placed earlier in the book?

I think I was hoping for more of a personal story, and instead it was written more in the style of an advice book with some examples thrown in. For me, a personal story is just much more effective, and I've already read a number of personal finance books that just tell me the theory. I wanted to hear a personal account.

The ideas presented in the book are valuable, but I feel that they could have been much more powerful if the format were different.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book on my Kindle. I chose this book because I enjoy reading how other people have gotten out of debt, or walked away from a career they didn't love, etc. My husband and I are on this road as well, and I love to read other people's ideas and thoughts on how they got off one journey they didn't love, and headed in the direction their heart truly wanted to take them.

Mr. Hamm has several different thoughts on changing things about one's life whether it's financial, professional, or personal. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his insight. He is very motivational, and has given me some different ideas on things that I can do, changes that I can make. He has inspired me to do something each day to move towards those changes.

If you are feeling dissatisfied with where you are in life, financially, professionally, or personally, I would strongly reccommend this book to you. It's an easy read with practical ideas!

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came into this short book with some expectations that I would finish the book with some good, hard guidance on how to start a journey to life without debt. The book didn't meet all of my expectations, though, but I did leave with a few nuggets of information that I think should really get me started, at least. Trent Hamm is both a personal finance and a personal growth author so, even though the title of this book hints only at personal finance topics, he slides a handful or so chapters in here that seem to go off on slight tangents into becoming a better, more successful person. This was OK, since that information is useful also.

Overall, some good information here to get you started on a plan to become debt free. Some extras thrown in to help you become a better person as well. Not bad.

[Adrian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so disapointed in this book. As a reader of the excellent blog of the same name by the same authour I was hoping for more, I expected a lot. In the end this book reads like a somewhat poorly edited collection of his blog posts and does not offer any more information than is on his blog.

His blog is excellent and simply a fantastic resource. It is the only blog that I read and continully read becasue Trent Hamm inspires with his posts. Rather than perscribe a detailed method, gives you the questions to ask yourself to not only be finacially in charge of your life but also decide which way you you want to live life in all areas of life. I cant recommend his blog highly enough, unfortunately I can not extend that to his book.

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

In spite of the fact that I read thesimpledollar.com on a regular basis, I still found this book very interesting and some good quotes. Fortunately, I don't find myself in most of the situations that Trent explains in the book, but it really gives me hope that I am in a good place. If you've never read his blog, I highly recommend it. I got this book as a free ebook from Amazon (Trent mentioned it on his blog) and definitely enjoyed it. The thing I love about the book and his blog is how he talks about more than just not wasting money. Instead he discusses how to find what we truly love and enjoy in life, and to spend our time and money on those things.

[Antonio · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the book interesting, but I think it lacks of good editing. Take for example chapter 1: about credit card debt. It is little bit out of relation with the rest of the reading (in my opinion) or maybe I just didn't get it.

It sounds more to me a move from the author to keep people interested when they browse at the library, bookstore or amazon.

It is a mix of personal finances, experiences and tips. The kind of tips you find in the book are also in Trent's excellent blog.

The Simple Dollar was for me like "Your Money, Your Life" for the whitecollar.

Read it on kindle

[Keith Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on the struggle of getting out of debt. It covers some of the same ground as Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover, but delves deeper into the psychological issues surrounding our use of money.

Trent did surprise me a bit in suggesting that college students be given a basic credit card, this after talking at length of the benefits of getting out of debt. We don't teach our teens about the dangers of auto accidents by purposely getting them in one, and that is what this advice felt like.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, Trent Hamm focuses on the philosophy behind his frugality and how he clarified his values. Folks who want specific tips should read his other book or follow The Simple Dollar Blogs. But remember, the tips won't work unless you change your philosophy and clarify your own values. Discovered Trent and The Simple Dollar through links on The Christian Science Monitor webpage. The CSM has shifted to NerdWallet, which is useful, but it's focus is often more about how to save money by spending money.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hamm's books is okay. There's nothing very unique about Hamm's approach: it's a classic Ramsey-esque: pare down, spend less, eliminate debt type of approach, which is fine. It may not be a particularly creative antidote, but it's hard to argue its not usually the best one. Hamm does try to encompass a bit more in his approach as he talks about lifestyle choices and the place of money in a well lived life. I applaud him for that.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Used to enjoy the blog before others started writing for it as it was getting prepped to be sold off. Thought the book might be similar to the old style of the blog but alas it wasn't. Meandering style, more o like me bc I'm pretty awesome (itch quotes from other folks) rather than a more insightful approach. Started the book ages ago and just I finished it bc it was o blah. Look elsewhere for a more inspired financial freedom book.

[C.G.Koens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid, simple, practical advice, less of an "earth-shaker" and more like a good refresher to get financial focus back on track. Good chapter on how to give your kids a financial head start, and ideas on how to begin teaching them through practical, hands-on experience at a young age. Definitely highlighted some ideas in that chapter to revisit later. Also a good reminder to plan for retirement - with a twist.

[Terry Koressel · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is actually a good book, but not for a financially conservative CPA with a long-time "no debt" philosophy. I did not learn much from the book that I hadn't learned years ago through my own experiences. Now my kids....this would be a GREAT read for them (not that I could ever get them to read a book like this).

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've followed TheSimpleDollar.com for a while now and I thought this book would be a lot of the background of Trent's story. It isn't. It's probably a very good book for someone who needs help getting out of debt but the title of the book didn't make me think that's what it would be. I read the journal entry sections and skipped the rest.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free Kindle book from Amazon. I have read Trent Hamm's blog, The Simple Dollar for several years and do enjoy it. I am already debt free except for a small land note, and this book didn't offer a lot of useful financial information for me personally. It is not very well organized or edited. But -- the price was right.

[Loren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wandering book covers finances, parenting, career planning, self-help, and the author's biography. It doesn't really plow new ground, but is a compilation of advice from a variety of sources. Some good info, some common sense info.

Worldview? It ends with a discussion about Karma, in case you need more motivation.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Trent gives simple advice to regain control of your financial life and I’ve already begun implementing some of the strategies. I would recommend this book to anyone seriously looking to change their relationship with money and stuff.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had a few good bits, but you can get all the content from just reading the 5 bullet points at the end of each chapter. Would not have read it at all, except the kindle version was being given away for free.