How to start Dave Ramsey

[Anonymous]

Without spending a ton of $$$ I don't have.

[Anonymous]

Go to the library and check out his books. Reading the books is enough to get you started on the plan.

[Anonymous]

You can just start with a book and listening to the podcast. And, I highly urge you ro consider the $100 FPU class. It is 9 weeks and really holds you accountable to acting, not just reading.

But start by downloading the podcast and reading the book. However, the class certainly saved me far more than it cost me. I'm also an atheist and had to overlook the religious parts. Still totally worth it.

[Anonymous]

I started by downloading his podcast then borrowed his books from the library. I also watched YouTube videos of those who follow his plan.

[Anonymous]

Just a pep talk here, my husband listened to Dave every day on his way to work. Within 5 years not only are we debt free but bought a new home and paid it off in under 10 years. Without being extreme like the Mr. Money Mustache people.

If you want it to happen, living stress and debt free, commit to it, no excuses, make it fit your lifestyle. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I just follow his posts on Facebook/get a few emails.
The second thing i do is use the everydollar app.

So for free, I feel like I follow him enough to get the idea.

[Anonymous]

Start using only cash. Take out a set amount each week and divide it up into categories (grocery store, dining out, dry cleaning etc).

We make over 400k and no debt besides mortgage and live this way. we do use our card at the gas station because using cash there is such a pain.

[Anonymous]

I have been following people on Youtube that follow him. I also started using everydollar. Just by trying to follow the Baby Steps as helped me tremendously. As another poster said, compared to how much the program as helped me to account for my spending, the $99 for FPU is well worth it. Once I started tracking my spending, i saw that I was spending over $300 eating out and another $400 for groceries for 2 people. Now, I only budget $60 every 2 weeks for eating out, once it's gone, no more eating out. I know this is just budgeting and being accountable but the people on Youtube that follow DR and the Everydollar program really inspire me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a pep talk here, my husband listened to Dave every day on his way to work. Within 5 years not only are we debt free but bought a new home and paid it off in under 10 years. Without being extreme like the Mr. Money Mustache people.

If you want it to happen, living stress and debt free, commit to it, no excuses, make it fit your lifestyle. Good luck.

That is awesome!!! Did you guys have any student loans? We have $130K in law school loans, and feeling like we are paying two mortgages!

[Anonymous]

So funny! I came to this forum this morning to search old threads on Dave Ramsey. I used to listen to him years ago, and just found him again on Sirius!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So funny! I came to this forum this morning to search old threads on Dave Ramsey. I used to listen to him years ago, and just found him again on Sirius!

The Dave Ramsey on Sirius XM thing is weird to me, because Dave Ramsey would never recommend to the people who really need to listen to Dave Ramsey to pay for Sirius XM.

[Anonymous]

I really don't understand why you can't buy a book or take the class if you're in a mess with debt? It seems penny wise pound foolish to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a pep talk here, my husband listened to Dave every day on his way to work. Within 5 years not only are we debt free but bought a new home and paid it off in under 10 years. Without being extreme like the Mr. Money Mustache people.

If you want it to happen, living stress and debt free, commit to it, no excuses, make it fit your lifestyle. Good luck.

So, is it just really discipline and self-restraint? Or is there some magical element?

If it's just discipline and self-restraint, why would you need a book and class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a pep talk here, my husband listened to Dave every day on his way to work. Within 5 years not only are we debt free but bought a new home and paid it off in under 10 years. Without being extreme like the Mr. Money Mustache people.

If you want it to happen, living stress and debt free, commit to it, no excuses, make it fit your lifestyle. Good luck.

So, is it just really discipline and self-restraint? Or is there some magical element?

If it's just discipline and self-restraint, why would you need a book and class?

Dave has a game plan. He understands the human nature side of getting out of debt. It makes sense and it works. The class is good because not everyone has the same working knowledge of personal finance. He gives a good basic grounding in it. And his podcasts can be very motivating to listen too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been following people on Youtube that follow him. I also started using everydollar. Just by trying to follow the Baby Steps as helped me tremendously. As another poster said, compared to how much the program as helped me to account for my spending, the $99 for FPU is well worth it. Once I started tracking my spending, i saw that I was spending over $300 eating out and another $400 for groceries for 2 people. Now, I only budget $60 every 2 weeks for eating out, once it's gone, no more eating out. I know this is just budgeting and being accountable but the people on Youtube that follow DR and the Everydollar program really inspire me.

So, if it's merely tracking every expense and then exercising self-restraint, why bother with a class or book?

My friend has always carried a little spiral notebook with her to track every expense. She started doing this in college in the early 90s (before smartphones and computers were mainstream). She had to out of necessity because she didn't have anyone paying her bills for her. She still does it today. She's one of the most frugal and disciplined people I know, and she has plenty of money to travel and have fun precisely because she doesn't piss money away.

So, again, why not simply track your expenses (including the cup of coffee or candy bar) and commit to a spending cleanse? See how little you can spend for the month and see if you notice a change in your bank account.