Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, those baby steps seem rather self explanatory. Why do you need a book or class? It all comes down to discipline.

I have great discipline in financial matters but I can't seem to eat less even though I know how to do so, and as a result I am 20 pounds overweight. Even people with discipline in some areas can lack it in others. Plus, some people weren't raised to understand the benefits of discipline, and it helps to explain it to them.

Understood. Just curious how a book provides accountability. You can read all the diet and exercise books in the world, but that won't get your butt out of the kitchen and into the gym.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, those baby steps seem rather self explanatory. Why do you need a book or class? It all comes down to discipline.

I have great discipline in financial matters but I can't seem to eat less even though I know how to do so, and as a result I am 20 pounds overweight. Even people with discipline in some areas can lack it in others. Plus, some people weren't raised to understand the benefits of discipline, and it helps to explain it to them.

Anonymous wrote:Well, those baby steps seem rather self explanatory. Why do you need a book or class? It all comes down to discipline.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the op. I just realize that Ramsey is in this to make money for himself. Reviewing his website, it's clear that he is selling something---and promoting it as a concept requiring his books, tool kits, classes, etc.

Personally, if I were in debt, I wouldn't shell out money. I would follow the baby steps starting with tracking every expense and drastically cut down to the point of only spending money on critical expenses for one month to see how much can be saved. This method has worked for us when I say I want to take a big vacation that my husband says we can't afford: we go uber frugal for a few months, stockpile "new found money" from savings, and then we book the trip. Of course, we've never really been in debt since we quickly paid down student loans, bought a house we could easily afford, only buy used cars, etc.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the op. I just realize that Ramsey is in this to make money for himself. Reviewing his website, it's clear that he is selling something---and promoting it as a concept requiring his books, tool kits, classes, etc.

Personally, if I were in debt, I wouldn't shell out money. I would follow the baby steps starting with tracking every expense and drastically cut down to the point of only spending money on critical expenses for one month to see how much can be saved. This method has worked for us when I say I want to take a big vacation that my husband says we can't afford: we go uber frugal for a few months, stockpile "new found money" from savings, and then we book the trip. Of course, we've never really been in debt since we quickly paid down student loans, bought a house we could easily afford, only buy used cars, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, those baby steps seem rather self explanatory. Why do you need a book or class? It all comes down to discipline.

Why do people need personal trainers? Why do they need life coaches? Why do they need to go to Weight Watchers class if they have a scale at home? Why do so many DCUM-type kids need "tutors" who do nothing other than make sure they do their homework? Why do people need to join running clubs?

Well, life coaches are usually frauds. Tutors help students struggling to understand difficult concepts (which isn't the case when it comes to frugality). Weight watchers and trainers provide accountability to those who struggle with commitment and self-restraint. How does Ramsey provide accountability? Curious, not throwing rocks. Tracking expenses and measuring savings or hitting goals (paying off debt) seems like sufficient accountability. I can't imagine how a book or class provides accountability. A financial planner, however, likely can provide accountability.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, those baby steps seem rather self explanatory. Why do you need a book or class? It all comes down to discipline.

Why do people need personal trainers? Why do they need life coaches? Why do they need to go to Weight Watchers class if they have a scale at home? Why do so many DCUM-type kids need "tutors" who do nothing other than make sure they do their homework? Why do people need to join running clubs?

Anonymous wrote:Well, those baby steps seem rather self explanatory. Why do you need a book or class? It all comes down to discipline.

Anonymous wrote:Well, those baby steps seem rather self explanatory. Why do you need a book or class? It all comes down to discipline.

Anonymous wrote:Well, those baby steps seem rather self explanatory. Why do you need a book or class? It all comes down to discipline.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What's the game plan? How far beyond tracking expenses and cutting back does it go?

Anonymous wrote:

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.