When Money Is a Mess, This Is Where to Start

Learn the proven plan that helps everyday people
get out of debt and stop living paycheck to paycheck.

Cover of Dave Ramsey’s best-selling book 'The Total Money Makeover' with tagline: Get Out of Debt and Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

How to Get Out of Debt and Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck Starting Today

Cover of the book 'The Total Money Makeover' by Dave Ramsey, featuring a smiling portrait of the author reads: 'A Proven Plan for Financial Peace.'
  1. 10M+

    Lives Changed

  2. #1 Bestseller

  3. 20+

    Years of Results

Feeling Overwhelmed With Your Money?
You’re Not Alone.

You don’t need to have it all together. You just need a clear way to learn what actually works. The Total Money Makeover will teach you the proven plan and help you take your first step with confidence.
 

  1. Statistic: Over half of Americans stress about money daily—only 37% do when following the Baby Steps in The Total Money Makeover

    Beat Money Stress

    Over half of Americans stress about money daily. But among those following a clear financial plan, it’s just 37%.

  2. Statistic: 45% feel financial worry in Baby Step 1—only 7% feel it in Baby Step 7 using The Total Money Makeover plan.

    Ditch Worry

    Worry fades step by step—45% feel it in Baby Step 1 and only 7% in Baby Step 7.

  3. Statistic: 90% of people using The Total Money Makeover say they believe they can overcome money challenges.

    Boost Your Confidence

    90% of people following this proven plan said they believe they can overcome their money challenges.

Read the Study

Feeling Overwhelmed With Your Money?
You’re Not Alone.

You don’t need to have it all together. You just need a clear way to learn what actually works. The Total Money Makeover will teach you the proven plan and help you take your first step with confidence.

  1. Checklist icon representing a simple plan—The Total Money Makeover's 7 Baby Steps

    Simple Plan

    Learn the 7 Baby Steps.

  2. Open book with lightning bolt icon—The Total Money Makeover is an easy, fast read you can finish in a day

    Easy Read

    Finish in less than a day.

  3. Broken chain icon representing freedom from debt—proven advice that’s helped millions over 20+ years

    Proven Advice

    It’s helped millions get out of debt over the last 20+ years.

What You’ll Get With The Total Money Makeover

  1. Icon representing hope—believe you can win with money

    Hope

    Believe you can win with money.

  2. Icon for confidence—see quick wins and long-term change.

    Clarity

    Know exactly what to do next.

  3. Icon for simplicity—one proven path that works.

    Simplicity

    Get one proven path that works.
     

  4. Icon for confidence—see quick wins and long-term change.

    Confidence

    See quick wins and long-term change.

Preview of Chapter 1 from The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey on a smartphone screen, available for free download

Start with a Free Chapter!

Ready to take control of your money?
Get the first chapter of The Total Money Makeover—completely free.

The Proven Plan to Take Control of Your Money

The 7 Baby Steps are the simple, step-by-step plan to help you pay off debt, save for emergencies, and build lasting wealth. It’s helped millions of people go from broke to confident—one step at a time.

Baby Step 1: Save $1,000 for your starter emergency fund.

Baby Step 1

Save $1,000 for your starter emergency fund.

Baby Step 2: Pay off all debt except the house using the debt snowball method

Baby Step 2

Pay off all debt (except the house) using the debt snowball.

Baby Step 3: Save 3–6 months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund

Baby Step 3

Save 3–6 months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund.

Baby Step 4: Invest 15% of your income for retirement

Baby Step 4

Invest 15% of your income for retirement.

Baby Step 5: Save for your children’s college fund

Baby Step 5

Save for your children’s college fund.

Baby Step 6: Pay off your home early

Baby Step 6

Pay off your home early.

Baby Step 7: Build wealth and give generously

Baby Step 7

Build wealth and give.

Open page from The Total Money Makeover showing the Allocated Spending Plan worksheet.

Why This Works—Even if You’ve Tried Everything Else

·  No complicated math or jargon

·  Clear, step-by-step guidance you can actually follow

·  Builds quick wins so you gain momentum

·  Works no matter your income, background or starting point

When you’re overwhelmed with money, finding clarity and confidence changes everything.

Learn the plan. Take control.
Start your Total Money Makeover today.

Cover of Callout image of The Total Money Makeover book with text: Ready to change your future?

Real Stories. Real Results.

Sheri
Dave Ramsey teaches how to get out debt and stay out. His unique way of writing keeps the reader interested throughout the book. I plan to reread many times.

Sheri

The Total Money Makeover is a game changer for anyone serious about taking control of their finances. Ramsey’s no-nonsense, step-by-step approach to getting out of debt and building wealth is both practical and motivating.

Mackenzie

Oscar
This book is changing the way that my wife and I handle our finances. Before reading it, we had no plan whatsoever for our money, so the same way it would go in, it would go out.

We feel confident that, using the system outlined in the book, we will be able to pay off our debt and have lasting financial success!

Oscar

Kathryn
Whether you make $40,000 a year or $400,000, Dave Ramsey gives you easy, practical ways to make your money go further. He gives a very simple strategy for getting out of debt, and saving money. His information is very useful!

Kathryn

Tori
One of the best (or maybe even THE BEST) financial books out there. Simple steps, common sense advice, and psychological tips to help you get and STAY debt free. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!

Tori

Frequently Asked Questions

A: The Total Money Makeover is for everyday people who feel stuck in debt or confused about money—and want to learn a clear plan to move forward.

 

Nope. Most people who start this plan didn’t grow up learning how money works—and they didn’t feel “good at money” either. That’s exactly why this book exists. It gives you a simple, step-by-step plan that makes sense, no matter where you’re starting.

A: Once you learn the plan, you’ll start to see money differently—and that clarity alone is a game-changer. Many people see real progress in 12–24 months. When you're ready to go from knowing to doing, EveryDollar makes it simple to put the plan into motion—without the stress.

A: Absolutely. This is the perfect starting point if you’re in debt. It’s designed to help you learn the plan—so you can finally understand where to start, what to do next, and how to get traction with your money.