Debt-Proof Living: How to Get Out of Debt & Stay That Way

I recently finished reading Mary Hunt's Debt-Proof Living. It is a book that I know will change my life for the better. Hunt offers practical and realistic financial advice for the typical middle-class family. It's like she knew exactly where I am at in my life and she knew what I need to do to improve my situation. Here is what I liked about the book: The chapters are well-organized. Any question I had was clearly answered in the book, or she provided information where I could find more in depth answers. She is easy to read and understand. Hunt doesn't pull any punches. She offered concrete support for why I need to take the necessary steps she suggests to get out of debt. She's flexible. While her advice is somewhat stern and matter-of-fact, there is some room for flexibility with your finances. I know advice is sometimes hard to follow if you find it unrealistic, too difficult to follow, or if some of the advice doesn't apply to your situation. I think Hunt adequately makes room for everyone in her plan. For example, she recommends donating 10% of your income to charity, but also mentions that if 10% isn't realistic, giving even 2% is better than giving nothing at all. 10% is not realistic for me at this time, but 2% is. Therefore, I don't feel like I can't commit to the plan in any way. She's been where I am and triumphed. Most of her advice comes from personal experience. That is helpful to me to see that she found a way to overcome her debt, and empowers me to overcome mine, too. Her techniques aren't too complicated or impossible to implement. While some of the preparation to start living debt-free might be time consuming, it isn't too difficult to master. She mentions several times that she has a website with calculators to help you figure some of your financial mess out. I perused the website, and while there is a small cost to join, it seems like it could be a helpful tool. Here is what I didn't like about the book: She makes it sound too easy. While her advice is practical, some of it is very hard to live by. She emphasizes self-sacrifice and delayed gratification. I don't have a problem with practicing self-sacrifice and delayed gratification. That's the easy part for me. But I have five children and they are the ones who will ultimately have to make many sacrifices, too. For example, one of my children is graduating high school today, and we were hoping to have a graduation party for him later this summer. Without a credit card, we can't manage it. He only graduates high school once in his life. We can't really delay the gratification. It's now or never. If we don't have the party, he is the one sacrificing and that is a very difficult choice for a parent to make. If you don't believe in God, some of the book may be hard to take. She has an optimism that by giving to God, God will give back. As a Christian, I like that advice and was practicing it already. But not everyone believes in God, so sometimes Hunt may sound like she is preaching. However, even if you don't believe in giving your money away to God, her preaching isn't that intrusive that you can't follow the plan. Plus, even if you don't believe in God, you can still be a humanitarian and give to those in need. Overall, I found the book to be a great tool for where I am in my life. If you have more debt than you can comfortably handle, and you want to get organized and get serious about taking steps to financial freedom, this book will definitely lay the groundwork to get you there.

I discovered Mary Hunt just recently, when I heard her interviewed on a radio program. When she briefly described what let her into the financial advice field -- namely the $100,000 she wracked up in unsecured debt 30 years ago and then proceeded to (slowly and painfully) pay off -- I knew I had to read her books. I purchased three and all are excellent. Mary's advice is sound and, although she hardly mentions the Bible, her opinions (especially the importance of giving) are biblically-based. She doesn't talk in vague theories, but gets down to the nitty gritty. Her advice is practical, easily-understood, and applicable to anyone. No matter how bad off your financial situation is, you can begin following Mary's steps to financial health immediately, today. You may have to start out very small, but, as your situation improves, you can apply more and more of her principles. I will say that, having read three of her books, the advice in all of them is essentially the same. This particular book does go into more detail than the rest, and is more comprehensive in the topics covered. Highly recommended for those who are in financial straits and don't know how to begin to get themselves out, and also for those who are doing ok financially but would like to know how to do better.

Mary Hunt has been there. She managed to accumulate over $100,000 in unsecured debt...and lived to tell about it! It took her 12 years to pay it all off, and shares with us that it didn't have to take that long. I find it more powerful to read someone else's true experiences, rather than some stuffy millionaire wagging their finger at me. Mary Hunt writes with great humor. She offers some practical, and not-so-difficult strategies to put you on track. She offers much hope, no matter what your situation. Possibly the most impactive notion in this book (and it has made a major difference in my life) is to first GIVE 10% away, then pay yourself 10% in the form of savings, and live off the 80%. A radical idea? Maybe. Does it work? Oh, you bet it does. I have bought numerous copies of this book for gifts (used, from Amazon, of course), and everyone who received one still thanks me. This book will truly change your view of money, this sense of entitlement we seem to learn from media, and how to realize that the credit industry doesn't give a crap about you...they are just out to club you in any way they can. In these troubling financial times, this book should be introduced into high school cirriculum. DPL is my new Bible. If I could have rated this book higher than 5 stars, I would have. P.S.--I would also recommend Blaine Harris' "The Four Laws of Debt Free Prosperity".

This lady's book is amazing. I read it many years ago and put into practice her advice. I was able to start saving money (something I was never able to do) and quit living paycheck to paycheck. Over time my credit improved and it was nice having money in the bank and being able to get a car loan without having to worry about my credit. I did however not put into practice all of it and eventually fell back into old spending patterns and accumulated lots of credit card debt and my savings dwindled. Again, I started at ground zero with a credit score in the 500's (previously high 700's) and lots of debt. It's been a number of years (over 7 I'm sure) but by implementing her savings strategies and eliminating compulsive spending my credit is now in the 800's and I have savings again. Is it easy? At first, no but it's not easy to be in debt and live paycheck to paycheck. I never want to go back to that or be in debt again. I even purchased this for other people and have told many about this book. It works for everyone if you put the advice into practice.

I like every concept in this book, money is not just for spending , it's ray of hope in darkness of debt. Everyone should read this book.

It is a very easy to read book with lots of simple and practical tips.

It was ok