This book wasn’t quite what I expected. Starting out, I found the writing style a bit off-putting and almost gave up. However, since it was a priority on my reading list, I pushed through and eventually switched to the audiobook format, which helped.
The book’s layout also felt strange. The early advice on credit card optimization seemed to contradict the later focus on debt-free living and efficient money management. This initial push towards credit cards put me on guard about the rest of the book.
While I agree with the concept of automating finances – I’ve used similar methods successfully myself – the book’s argument for it could have been stronger. There’s also some inconsistency in the message. For example, the author discourages traditional budgeting but then introduces a “conscious spending plan.” Aren’t these essentially the same thing? I found several instances where Ramit seemed to be repackaging old advice with new labels.
The real-life examples used throughout the book were helpful, but some didn’t seem to support the arguments being made. For instance, the book advocates using credit cards for monthly bills and paying them off in full each month. Yet, the examples often included people struggling with credit card debt due to similar practices. Even with potential rewards points, the benefit of using credit cards in these cases wasn’t clear. The advice seems to overlook the risks young people face when managing credit.
There’s also a contradiction around debt and credit score. The book emphasizes staying out of debt, but also highlights credit score as a measure of good debt management. It’s unclear how to achieve both goals simultaneously with a credit card-based financial plan. Personally, I don’t believe using debt is a sound path to wealth.
Despite my reservations, those interested in debt-based wealth-building strategies might find Robert Kiyosaki’s works helpful.
The book does offer some valuable advice on automated savings, finding discounts, and wise spending through automation. These are all positive aspects, but the delivery fell flat for me. If the book had focused solely on these areas, I would have enjoyed it more. Overall, it didn’t quite meet my expectations.
Corey Stokes 