Debt-Free Forever: Take Control of Your Money and Your Life

I'm excited to get started on this book. But the first thing you should know is that it is impossible (at least I haven't found a way) to download the forms recommended in the book. In the very first chapter, Ms. Vaz-Oxlade recommends a Spending Analysis Worksheet. I'm sure I can figure it out, but why do I have to? I'm sure this won't be true for more complicated forms and worksheets.

Having read a lot of other personal finance books and blogs over the years, I picked this one up for cheap (Kindle sale!) having not heard of Gail or her TV show. (The reviews were good, and I was searching for stuff on envelope budgeting, which Gail talks about here... she uses "Magic Jars" instead of envelopes, but the concept's the same.)The book contains a lot of basic stuff you've heard before, but there are several sections that talk about saving and investing too. She insists that you must be saving some money NOW, not waiting until your debt is paid off.She does differ with Dave Ramsey on a couple of items (such as paying your high-interest debts first, rather than Ramsey's advice to pay your smallest debts first) and she doesn't really say to never ever ever use credit cards again, but takes a more balanced approach of pay it off monthly & only buy stuff with a card if you know you have the cash in the bank to pay it off immediately.The book is a fun read. Plenty of attitude, common sense, and a voice that implores you to be prepared for some really hard work.If you haven't read many personal finance / budgeting books, then this would be a good one to get. If you have, you still may pick up some good tips which might be worth the Kindle Sale price to you.

I am an impulsive money spender, anything from buying every color sweater to going to the casino. This book has helped me pay off two credit cards, and establish a budget. Just listing the expenses and writing down the interest and rates was an eyeopener. I took a hard look at my debit card spending and changed a lot of things based on what she indicated. I have not left my debit card at home but that is going to be my goal for New Years, slowly working my way to completely leaving at home, one day a week now and hope to be at completely leaving at home by the beginning of 2014. I can see the difference in how I spend money, less trips to the stores and casino. Just writing down what I spent money on and keeping receipts that I looked at on a daily basis stopped several trips and made me focus on less sporadic spending and how much less I could live with or didn't use--cable channels replaced with Netflix, reduced bill by $40. I wish I had been aware of this ten years earlier, I would be debt free and vacationing. As it is, I foresee that I will be completely debt free in three years or less. If I continue to do what she says I can achieve freedom from debt. Thanks Gail Vaz-Oxlade.

i bought this book after getting hooked on the two shows she has, til debt do us part and princess. love them both. the book covers the same process she goes through with the people on the show so its like having her come to ur house without being on tv. i currently only have a car loan to pay off for any debt, but my boyfriend recently has started paying child support from a previous relationship. so now he is taking home less. we are going to try doing the magic jars, tupperware is my choice, to make sure we stay off of the debt train. i am so excited that Gail wrote this book becuz its helps keep my worries of money and the future at bay; knowing that a plan at our income level is possible. this book is for any income level, i am definitely not a rich person nor will i ever be. i just want to pay my bill and have a few nice things and a good retirement set aside. how much money u have doesn't define ur life, its how u use it to get u to the goals u want to achieve. so whether or not u have debt taking action now rather than when u are in the hole will save u a lot of heartache. this book is a godsend.

First on Princess and then Til Debt Do Us Part. She is inspiring in a take-no-bs kind of way. Watching the show was the push I needed to get rid of my own crappy debt (which was actually not even mine, it was my ex's on my card, which made me even more mad about it). I was almost done paying off when I got the book, which then inspired me to the finish line. I have been debt free for just over a year now, and I cannot tell you how freeing it is! I plan on going back to the book for a refresh to remember why I'm doing this (emergency fund, vacation fund with the kids). I am a single mom of 2 school age kids and if I can do this, you can too! Side note: Princess deals with spoiled little brats who overspend their parents' money, but it also gives good cures for this bad behavior. I've used some of the Gail "challenges" on my tween daughter when her behavior was getting out of control, and guess what? No more attitude. Would recommend Gail all around.

I enjoyed reading this book and generally concurred with the author, who pulls no punches in forcing the reader to look at how he/she has gotten to the position where the advice in the book is warranted (meaning, some stranger didn't rack up those debts, YOU did it all by your little self and now you need to deal with it). It's hard, sometimes, to honestly admit things like that to oneself, but if you want to follow the author's plan, you really need to. This book will be most helpful for those looking to live WITHOUT credit cards, etc., but fear what might happen if they go that route -- the author gives clear instructions on how to live without the anxiety of bills looming every month, how NOT to live paycheck to paycheck, etc. Worth a read if you have debt, even if you aren't willing to give up the plastic in your wallet.

This is an excellent book that I used to get free of the credit card trap. I highly recommend it for anyone especially for couples. It should be required reading in schools. I've been debt-free now for about 2 yrs and I never thought it was possible. Gail has a practical plan for you to follow and if you follow it you will become debt-free. Gail used to have a tv show in Canada and she'd go around and resolve money issues for families in financial trouble. Required reading, unless you're already rich and out of debt.

Omg get yourself this book!!! Gail is the money guru for changing your life. I stumbled upon her shows on YouTube and decided to get her book. From reading her advise and following her recommendations we are now heading towards a financially great future. Her instructions are simple but so motivating. I wish I knew all this ten years ago. I also wish I could thank her in person.This book WILL change your life!

Good read. Makes you feel guilty at times for having so much debt and not knowing how to budget your money. Sometimes I wished she would just cut to the chase and tell us what we need to do. Tools given are accessible online. Make sure you understand how to use excel. The process is difficult in the beginning but the end result is worth the trouble. Good luck!

This is a must-have for everyone, even if you're not in debit. If you are in debt and you apply Gail's method, you WILL get out of debt. If you're not in debt, this book will teach you to clearly define your wants and needs and help you save money. Nothing like some financial comfort to take the stress out of life. This book is something I have probably bought 10+ of and given 9+ away--I still re-read mine once in a while to make sure I'm still doing everything I can to maintain my financial freedom.

As a budget-phobe, I decided to force myself to read this book. As soon as I started into it, however, I was pleasantly surprised at how painless it was to read and follow. Gail is brutally straightforward and treats the reader as intelligent and capable, not shaming for spending and debt habits, but acknowledging that "stuff happens" so own it and move on, learn from it and do better from now on. Her humour makes all the budget medicine easy to swallow. Good job Gail!!!!

Didn't read. Still have debt. I tried this book 10 years ago. I just do not have extra money, and I don't want to do extra jobs to pay off debt for 20 years. The journey to be debt free is to long and I give up. Good if you have extra money and want to find a side hustle to endlessly put towards debt.