Book Review #19

Debt Free Living
How to Get Out of Debt (and Stay Out)
Larry Burkett

I am rather ambivalent about this book. There is no doubt that the author is skilled, experience, and knows what he's talking about. However, I see a distinct lack of specific step-by-step in the book. It's closer to something that a wise grandparent would tell the young ones the pitfalls of money management. The book opens up with sample cases, three of them, and walked through their bad experiences. I think it's good that there are these cases, but I think they can be shorter. This long-drawn story-telling is closer to counseling, instead of lecturing. This is neither good or bad, but if you're deeply in debt and want to quickly get to the core solution, then this book will seem to be pandering.

50 pages later, on part two, we begin to see the basic principles of debt, as laid upon by the bible. We see time and again, the bible is brought forward as guidance regarding debt and borrowing. This may seem to be preaching to some people, but I don't see it as Christian-centric. The principles given forth are basic universal principles that everyone should adhere to. And it's only 10 pages. See how the core ideas of debt and borrowing are very simple and direct? Tales of woe has more pages than basic principles!

There are some forms to fill, but unfortunately, they are scattered throughout the book. There is no simple, "Here are the steps". So the reader will be forced to take their own paper and write their own form. This, itself, isn't bad, but despite long winded sample cases, there is no direct one-on-one relation for different cases. This is fine, if you're in counseling. The counselor can help you with your budget. But as a stand alone book, I'm afraid it's lacking.

Minimal debt treatment. Lots of stories. This is something that is closer to counseling than a genuine get out of debt book. If you really need to get out of debt, I suggest you keep looking. If you are already in the process of getting out of debt, and being discouraged because there's no progress, then give this book a try. You may just change your mind.