One of the first books that got me thinking more seriously about money was The Total Money Makeover. My stepdad bought it for me after noticing that I wanted to get my finances in order.
Later, I read Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad and CASHFLOW Quadrant. Those books got me thinking about business ownership, investing, and the relationship between work and income.
I found useful ideas in both approaches. But reading financial books also raises an important question: How do you decide which advice applies to your own situation?
That matters whether you’re preparing to join the military, managing money while serving, or building your life after service.
What I Took From Dave Ramsey
What stood out to me was the emphasis on getting organized, following a budget, and making a deliberate effort to pay down debt.
I also liked the idea of making progress visible. When you have several bills competing for your paycheck, a clear order of attack can make the situation feel more manageable.
I don’t agree with every position Ramsey has taken. For example, my experience with a VA home loan has been positive. That’s one reason I don’t think a single author’s recommendations should replace comparing your actual options.
The lesson I took was to stop treating money as something I would figure out later. Learning the basics only helps if you put them into practice.
What I Took From Robert Kiyosaki
Kiyosaki’s books encouraged me to think beyond the next paycheck and consider different ways people earn income. As someone interested in entrepreneurship, that perspective appealed to me.
But being interested in business or investing doesn’t make an opportunity suitable, profitable, or low risk. Borrowing to invest can magnify losses as well as gains. A business can lose money, and income described as passive may still require substantial work and capital.
I treat those books as perspectives to examine, not a promise of wealth or a substitute for understanding a specific investment.
You can be an employee, business owner, investor, or some combination of those things. None of those labels guarantees financial security.
Build a Foundation You Can Actually Use
Start by identifying what comes in, what goes out, and what you owe. Include irregular costs such as car repairs, travel, insurance renewals, and moving expenses instead of planning only for a typical month.
Next, work toward an emergency reserve that fits your obligations and income stability. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s emergency fund guide explains why even a modest reserve can help you handle unexpected expenses without relying entirely on credit.
For debt, compare the two common repayment approaches. Paying extra toward the highest-interest debt generally reduces interest costs. Paying extra toward the smallest balance can create quicker milestones. Continue required payments on your other debts either way.
The CFPB explains both methods in its debt repayment overview. Choose a realistic plan you can sustain, and get qualified help if you’re struggling to cover essentials or minimum payments.
Account for the Military Transitions Ahead
Military compensation and expenses can change with assignments, family circumstances, and separation. A budget built around your current situation may need substantial adjustment later.
Before leaving the military, estimate civilian housing, health coverage, transportation, and job-search costs. Avoid treating a possible job offer, benefit payment, or future business income as money you already have.
While serving, review the retirement benefits and savings options that apply to you. Understand fees, investment risk, contribution rules, and any employer contributions before choosing an approach.
Eligible service members and family members can access free financial counseling through Military OneSource. It’s a practical place to discuss your own numbers instead of trying to apply a book’s general advice without context.
Decide What Your Money Needs to Do
I’m not a financial adviser. I’m sharing lessons from learning about money and evaluating different approaches.
The most useful question isn’t which financial personality has all the answers. It’s what you need to accomplish and whether your current decisions support it.
Choose one action this week: review your spending, organize your debts, start an emergency reserve, or schedule a financial counseling appointment. Make the next decision with a clearer picture of where you stand.
