Dave Ramsey

Wow! I'm so glad you asked. We follow Dave's advice. We've read his book "The Total Money Makeover" and watch his show on the Fox Business Network at 7:00 weekday evenings. He also has a radio program, though I'm not sure which station. As of the end of this month, we will have paid off $25,000 in debt in 6 months! Now we have to tackle our vehicles, and ultimately--our mortgage! Dave really made us realize we were living "a little too big for our britches" and that we needed to live within our means. Duh, eh?! Anyway, please get the book I mentioned above and check out his website, www.daveramsey.com. Many churches hold "Financial Peace University" programs of Dave's, too. Dave simply gives things to you straight (kinda like Dr. Phil, but nicer!) You guys can do it!!! It won't be fun at first, but it starts feeling good really quickly. PM me if you want to know more. Good luck. :)

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Hey Y.,

I haven't been to his "Financial Peace University" or anything but I listen to his radio program and have bought his newest book. His ideas are great and I totally agree with his plan for getting out of debt fast. My husband and I are using his ideas right now as we pay off all our student loans and I have to say, it is hard, but if you are committed to it you will make it! We have all my loans paid off and starting on his. If we hadn't used Dave Ramsey's plan we would still be paying the minimum.

His radio program is from 1 - 4pm everyday on 570 KLIF Stimulating Talk in the metroplex area. Try listening and see if you are interested.

Good luck!

T.

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There are no words to explain how Dave Ramsey has helped us. We are still snowballin' it and working our way out of debt, but we had a lot to get out of. Since October we've been able to knock out close to half of our debt when we weren't even making a dent in it before. We should be out by this time next year, which is just amazing to me!!

The only way you can do it, though, is if you are really serious and are willing to make a lot of sacrifices. When you're making those sacrifices, just think about what is to come when you get out of debt. It's not going to happen over night, but it will happen.

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He has a radio program on 570am, I think it starts at 2 or 3 in the afternoon. He talks about steps to get out of debt with his financial peace program called the Total Money Makeover. He is of the philosophy that you pay cash for EVERYTHING(except a home mortgage). He does not believe you should take a loan out for a car, he believes you should save and purchase everything with cash. Some of his steps for achieving financial freedom is ...
1. Save $1000 fast(this is your emergency fund). Don't touch it unless you have a TRUE emergency.
2. The Debt Snowball- paying off your credit cards or loans A.S.A.P. You start by paying the smallest one first, and work your way up to the one of greatest amount. Every extra dollar needs to go to paying your debt down. This is the time that you really cut all extra expenses(no more cable, dining out, take your lunch, downgrade vehicles, and cut any and all extra expenses.) This also includes selling any items that are not necessary, like a boat, or having a yard sell to sell "everything but the kids"LOL!
3. Finish the emergency fund- you need to have enough in your savings account to cover 3-6 months of expenses.
4. Save for retirement
5. Save for college fund.
6. Pay off home mortgage.
7. Build wealth like crazy(because by now you have no debt)
8. Live like no one else!!

The key to this system is writing out a budget every month on paper, and every dollar that comes in must be accounted for. If it is not written on the budget, you do not get to do it! If you are married you must have your spouse sit down and do this with you so you are both on the same page and you can hold each other accountable.
I hope this helps, I really enjoy listening to the program in the afternoon. Good Luck!

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All I can say is "DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!!!" My husband and I have both read Total Money Makeover and we went to hear Dave speak in Dallas in Feb. We purchased the Financial Peace material to do online. You can also do this. You do not have to go to classes at a church if you are worried about that. You can do this from home, but YOU MUST BE DISCIPLINED. We have paid off A LOT of debt since we started last September. I agree with someone else who already said you must be ready to work as a team and you will HAVE to make sacrifices and lifestyle changes, but it will be worth it in the end when you are debt free a little less stressed.

1 mom found this helpful

My husband and I started read the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey in March 2007. We started our TMM in April 2007. We are 40% out of debt. By following his program we have strengthened our marriage and found peace within ourselves. Since starting the program, we have had a child and paid cash for him. ;-) My husband has started a new job and we have the available cash to move. We had to stop our debt snowball, but we will not incur any more debt. The way the program has worked when we have life changes we can get through them without having to stress out about money. If you would like to speak with me about it, send me a message.

It has been the best thing for me and my family. Since Feb I have paid off 9k in debt still a lot more to go but at least we have a plan and are seeing our legacy change before our eyes. Try listening to his show 1-4 on 570am. Good luck!

Dave is awesome! This is by far the best thing that we've done! He can help you get out of debt and STAY OUT!!! FPU (Financial Peace University)is what you need if you are serious about getting out of debt and not returning. If you will look around there is probaly a church having FPU during the summer. It's the best way to get out of debt becuase he takes you through the steps and its interactive instead of just reading the book. But that even would be better than nothing. I wish you all the best and feel free to contact me if you need help finding a church in your area that does this. You can also go to his website and be able to get info about his class.

My husband and I went to hear him speak in February and it was really great. His book - Total Money Makeover is wonderful and gives you the steps in a simple manner. I love his frankness but not quite a loud and pushy as the financial lady that Oprah loves.

We've been working through the steps and feel that we have a much better handle on our finances than ever before.

My husband has co-workers who swear by it. It will be extremely tough at first - you may have to sell some things and make some major life changes but it will be well worth it when you are out of debt. He has a book out (I am not sure of the title) that I saw at the Fed Ex Kinkos in our area but I am sure any book store would have it - possibly even a half price book store. I would start with that.

A. Shockey
Mary Kay Cosmetics
www.marykay.com/aprilshockey

We are working on our debt snowball right now. It is very exciting! www.daveramsey.com He is on KLIF 570am weekdays 1-4pm

I have not heard of Dave Ramsey before but I would like to reccomment Crown Financial Ministries. It's a Christian based program, that a lot of churches us. They offer classes, online software, home pc software, books and workbooks. http://www.crown.org/

I have been through Financial Peace University and it was good. It was almost exactly like all the advice I've gotten for much less money with www.DebtProofLiving.com. Mary Hunt was around much longer than Dave Ramsey and has personally paid off a 6 figure debt. She tells you step-by-step how to do it and it's almost identical to Dave's, except you don't have to be out $90 or whatever the FPU costs. Go online and subscribe to her newsletter for $19, and then buy "The Complete Cheapskate" or whatever other book strikes you as best. They are excellent! If you read it cover to cover and apply all you've learned, you will get out of debt! Good luck!

I have tried EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN....but Dave Ramsey works! All I can say is get his Money Makeover Workbook, get a pen and do EXACTLY as he says reguardless of how hard it is. You CAN do it and you will get there. Hang in there. I know in todays society we want results fast. It has strengthened mine and my husbands relationship. We all know money can be a strain on any marriage. There's a plan and it works. Just work it and I wish you luck. I'm buying his series for kids, too. My parents were great with money and assets. Unfortunately my parents didnt teach me and my brothers any of that. I want my kids armed with the skills to not get into debt when they are on their own.

Best of luck

Y.,
I can't personally tell you how great his program is, but I have a good friend who has been telling me about him and how great he is for years. I do know that she and her husband worked really hard to get out of debt and did it in a matter of months.

Best of luck to you!

Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace program is great. A very close friend of mine runs the program at Birchman Baptist Church (www.birchman.org). I definitley suggest you try it out but it does take commitment from both partners in a marriage in order to be able to successfully achieve the debt free goals.

Our church is starting the Financial Peace University on August 26th. It will run on Tuesday evenings for 13 weeks. I "think" that I am going to be one of the counselors, but I am not sure. I am a family members accountability partner and so I am very familiar with how the program works. Living on cash is the only way too live.

Anyone can feel free to send me a private message if you want more information. Thanks.

Dave is awesome. IF you do exactly as he says you will never regret it but it's hard to sacrifice to do things his way. But it works.

Dave Ramsey's program is excellent. My husband and I do it. it is unbelieve if you follow the rules and it will work if you follow the rules. We did not have that much debt but it helps us manage our money better.

G.

Dave Ramsey has alot of great things to say but to me he seemed a little too stringent. For example he criticizes debt management programs yet I am successfully addressing my debt inside of one as we speak (www.cccs.net if you're interested). All I'm saying is take some of his words with a grain of salt.

Consumer credit costs very little, maybe $25.00 and you can get a plan in one in session. Be prepared to bring numbers regarding all your expenses. It can work, just be careful, I don't know about Dave Ramseys' program but I have heard stories of people who gave permission for a bank draft and then the debt management company never sends the agreed amount to the credit card company. Just check with the Better Business Bureau. Best of Luck!

He is AWESOME!! He has a famous saying " live like no one so you can live like no one". which means make sacrifices today that others are not willing to make,so that you can live like no one else tomorrow. He comes on 570AM(Monday-Friday 1-4). Good luck!!!

hi Y.! thanks for asking this question... i had no idea that there were other mamas into dave! we LOVE dave ramsey around our house (well, maybe our son doesn't, cause i tend to talk about him a LOT!)! my husband started listening to his radio show and talking about him in november of last year. we bought his "total money makeover" book around christmas (he runs sales on his website from time to time). and we took financial peace university through a church in our area this spring. so far, i think we've paid off around $8k and saved over $2k - which never would have happened without dave! now, we have a LONG way to go, but we have a plan and can see it working. you can visit his website - www.daveramsey.com - for all sorts of information, success stories, and to listen to archives of the radio show. also, there you can find churches near you that offer fpu (it's a really great course - once a week for 13 weeks - definitely worth the time!). we made our 16 yo go with us to class, and it's made a big difference in how he looks at money. he's now saving much of what he's earning this summer from his part time job. it's great to "see our family tree change" as dave says. hopefully, our son won't make the same stupid choices that we did with regard to money! i'd love to answer any other questions you may have... i love talking about dave! :)

Absolutely wonderful and do-able! I highly recommend Dave Ramsey's program. He has steps that are very practical to follow. It's worked for my husband and myself and our oldest daughter and husband got radical with it, too. They will have their house paid off soon!