Who here either a: knows who Dave Ramsey is...

[Nifty-Chicken]

He's the Dr. Laura of personal finance.

A lot of his stuff is redundant to what my parents drilled into me all growing up, but he I've liked what I've heard from him and really enjoyed his interview on 60 Minutes a few years ago.

He has a link to a great PDF article that I read today:
http://a1611.g.akamai.net/f/1611/26.../23572/html/dspWiseInvestors.html?ictid=sptlt

 

[Wifezilla]

Some of us didn't get such good teachings from our parental units. We need Dave

 

[NurseNettie]

Quote:
Yup-- know him.
Started to take FPU a few years back, but where I wasn't yet married to my husband, we lived together, and the money "rules" didn't apply, I left FPU ( felt very uncomfortable there, unfortunately) and followed Dave's plan on my own.

Edited to add: I should say I followed most of his plan. I disagree that nobody needs a credit score or credit card. Credit scores do make a difference, and even if everybody stopped using credit right now-- the effects will never show in my lifetime. Everything from my mortgage rate to insurance rates, ... and even, for some, jobs are affected by credit rates. I think we should all work on good scores and learn to use credit extremely wisely-- as in, not for day to day expenses or other things that should be budgeted. In order to obtain a credit score, you need to use credit-- so we do, but we don't carry large balances-- rather make a purchase or two and take 2 months to pay it off or so ( with money we have budgeted for the purchase), and so on.

Currently, we have no balances, and no debt except the house. No car payments, etc. We just purchased 2 "new" vehicles with cash (new to us-- they're actually pretty old, but are what we wanted--- we got 2 trucks with 4 wheel drive since we moved into an area that really needs it).

 

[The Poultry Peanut]

Quote:
Yup-- know him.
Started to take FPU a few years back, but where I wasn't yet married to my husband, we lived together, and the money "rules" didn't apply, I left FPU ( felt very uncomfortable there, unfortunately) and followed Dave's plan on my own.

Edited to add: I should say I followed most of his plan. I disagree that nobody needs a credit score or credit card. Credit scores do make a difference, and even if everybody stopped using credit right now-- the effects will never show in my lifetime. Everything from my mortgage rate to insurance rates, ... and even, for some, jobs are affected by credit rates. I think we should all work on good scores and learn to use credit extremely wisely-- as in, not for day to day expenses or other things that should be budgeted. In order to obtain a credit score, you need to use credit-- so we do, but we don't carry large balances-- rather make a purchase or two and take 2 months to pay it off or so ( with money we have budgeted for the purchase), and so on.

Currently, we have no balances, and no debt except the house. No car payments, etc. We just purchased 2 "new" vehicles with cash (new to us-- they're actually pretty old, but are what we wanted--- we got 2 trucks with 4 wheel drive since we moved into an area that really needs it).

 

[jessupfamily]

He's a christian that sucks up money from people who already have money trouble!

Like my husband says about him:
After you make your first million, maybe you should give the rest to God!

And I always add:
Or after your first 3 million, at least be willing to help those who need help out of the goodness of your heart. There is scripture all over the place about this sort of "love".

Blessings,
Amy J.

 

[Solace]

Quote:
He doesn't suck up money from people who already have money trouble....

You can listen to his radio show or tv show for FREE and he gives the exact same advice! He doesn't just talk the talk he walks the walk. Lives like no one else so he can give like no one else I do believe. I do know for sure he's NOT one of these 'Get Rich Quick' guys.

I listened to him on the radio for a few years. Got my wife to listen to him then we decided to go and pay the WHOPPING $90 bucks for Financial Peace University.... OH that hurt so bad... that's my Direct TV bill every month. I received materials (CD's, guides...) and can attend any new financial peace universities offered here free if I want.

I don't worship the guy in any way shape or form, but can say he's genuine.

My wife and I applied the common sense principals and paid off everything. We don't live paycheck to paycheck and can basically do whatever we want now...... NOPE F.P.U. wasn't worth it!

Edited to add: Also the very first thing the guy says he does every time he and his wife sit down to do the budget is to tithe his 10% before anything else. That doesn't even take into account any other charitable donating.

 

[chickens4me]

He has signs all over here to "Act Your Wage" with his radio times.

I took his F. P. U. class a few years ago and it was helpful to us in getting out of debt though I, too, do not agree with everything he says. I'm married so a lot of what he said applied to me, but a single mom I am friends with finds his advice very difficult to follow all the time....though we both like to listen to him.

 

[The Poultry Peanut]

Quote:
He doesn't suck up money from people who already have money trouble....

You can listen to his radio show or tv show for FREE and he gives the exact same advice! He doesn't just talk the talk he walks the walk. Lives like no one else so he can give like no one else I do believe. I do know for sure he's NOT one of these 'Get Rich Quick' guys.

I listened to him on the radio for a few years. Got my wife to listen to him then we decided to go and pay the WHOPPING $90 bucks for Financial Peace University.... OH that hurt so bad... that's my Direct TV bill every month. I received materials (CD's, guides...) and can attend any new financial peace universities offered here free if I want.

I don't worship the guy in any way shape or form, but can say he's genuine.

My wife and I applied the common sense principals and paid off everything. We don't live paycheck to paycheck and can basically do whatever we want now...... NOPE F.P.U. wasn't worth it!

Amen

 

[FrChuckW]

I have heard him several times. He basically is a financial advisor on how to get out of debt and stay that way. He gives some really sound advice. He has a radio program on Talk Radio Channels during the afternoon for around 2 hours and takes call ins to his show sometimes. He is one of the more creditable ones out there, I would trust him and Susie Orman for advice.