Anyone on here listeners of Daves? Anyone follow his advice or 7 babystep plan?

Good start to "financial well being".

2nd

Yup I listen. We were making good progress on the baby steps until my health got in the way. Only debt I have is my 2 credit cards. In the next few weeks i plan to pay one off and a good chunk on the other.

I listen when I can. Good guy

Not really.

I do enjoy listening to the Stacking Benjamin's podcast. Good well rounded advice. 2 kind of funny dorky Michigan guys.

I enjoy listening to him almost daily. I hope following his plan will have me set up for an early retirement, or atleast only have to work seasonally

I gave all my kids copies of his book automatic millionaire, they may not follow it all but it has helped them with some planning for the future. Ages 18 to 26

He helped us become 100% debt free including our home - in 2010. It is a wonderful, wonderful feeling. And yes, the grass feels different between your toes. That being said, 4 years later we did buy our farm and build our new home thus taking on some mortgage dept. , which we are eliminating as fast as possible. His basics are very good. I am not a fan of his investing philosophy - but that's just personal. I also think a person should have a credit card for online purchases, gas purchases, etc. Using a debit card is ok, but if scammers get it they will clean out your bank acct. With a credit card, you dispute it and get a new card. To sum it up, If you stick to his plan - you will be debt free before you know it. Good luck!

He got replaced by the Clark Howard show here

Good show for a lot of people. Most of his advice was good the few times I listened to him.

Its sad that they don't teach financial responsibility in schools, let alone how to balance a check book fill out tax returns or even apply for college aide/grants

They are both good shows.
I've been debt free for a few years now, but I think we'll buy a Subaru for my wife and take a loan at around 3%. Too little difference to cash in cds and not ready to take money out the market.

Most of what Ramsey touts my folks fed me when I had some folding money of my own. Granted they weren't as smart in my 20's as they had become in my 30's. Ramsey's delivery is pretty easy to take.

Yea we are not 100 percent following him by the book, but are trying to pay what we can on debts smallest to largest. All we owe now are the wife’s school and our mortgage, and the last baby’s hospital bills from delivery but we haven’t gotten those bills yet. I also agree that a credit card isn’t bad if your responsible, ive had mine for probably 5 years now and have never paid a cent in interest. I always pay the whole bill every month

he and Clark Howard are worth listening to

"Never spend money before you've earned it" - Thomas Jefferson....Remember that, and also remember a banker is not your friend, use common sense, and the rest will take care of itself.

If all these talking financial heads really had the answer they wouldn't bother wasting time trying to make money off you, they would be to busy making themselves even more money
implementing their impeccable plan.... Because they have all the answers, right?.. Wrong.

For me Clark H beats Dave Ramsey hands down.

I have trouble with Ramsey claiming that he has made 12% on his investments ever year he has been in the stock market. He also promotes paying off smallest debts first. I have also heard him say he never buys anything but that he pays cash, never has to use credit. He claims he has no debt but then endorses a life insurance company to cover debt. He also has made a fortune by having people join his "Peace University ".

Clark Howard's website has a wealth of information either from Clark or his crew. He also covers a wider view of financial subjects such as investing, borrowing, credit, spending and many other subjects.

My opinion.

The snowball method, or paying your smallest debt off first, wouldn't even be necessary if you never got into debt....You should see this guys house down in Franklin, Tn.
He's authored 5 books that I'm aware of, how in the world does he have time to write 5 books when he could be making even more money supposedly?

Could he be a slick tongued con man?

I'm a big fan of Dave Ramsey. I catch him whenever I can.

Here's Ramsey's modest home...Must have sold a lot of books, Lol....Just having fun, I'll get of him now, I know some of you like him....Pick your poison as they say.

Pretty sure hes at the point of his life that he doesnt have to be in the rat race anymore. Just because you can do something, doesnt mean you have to do it.

Man is this off the mark. You think he wrote these books for free? Yes he has made a ton of money helping other people make money and understand what a burden debt is to your long-term financial well-being. Most of the advice he gives is really just common sense, but it's shockingly uncommon these days. You clearly have no idea who he is or what he does.

Oh I know who he is Bernie, here is the mark I go by...Started with zilch, Never had a mortgage in my life, home paid for, property paid for, vehicles and sxs paid for, (all new, and nice stuff) 150K in savings, you wouldn't even believe the retirement amount.... And I never conned or cheated a man in my life.

Never had to sell anyone anything.

That's my mark, and I think it's a better path than his, at least for me, YMMV.

So, do you think he wrote these books out of the kindness of his heart? When he could have made more by implementing his plan? I don't believe that for a minute.

I have listened to Ramsey and he has some great advice. Unfortunately my 2 ex-wifes didn't think his plan was any good. Try telling a woman we have to pay cash for your car and right now we can only afford the chevette. Or try telling the next one we are only going bto watch TV on free broadcast and no internet. All early strategy but some woman have no sense of adventure. I tried to explain how we would work a plan and be wealthy in no time. I guess they wanted nto be broke and alone.... If I tried to follow Ramsey's plan now I would not be able.to trap yet because I don't have enough in the bank. Guess I am going to die broke but happy.

My favorite when folks call in and scream I'm debt free!
Been a long time listener.
Jim

Ramsey made a lot, and lost, a lot of money in real estate at an early age.

What makes you think he didn't implement his plan?
Selling things you write or make is con? Interesting theory

Lol, Well AirportTrapper, I believe you can look at someones lifestyle, home, and what they say and do, and get a pretty good feel for where their priorities lie.

Take for instance trapping method writers...Most of them truly have their heart in sharing their knowledge, with pure motives...You don't see them wining and dining social elites, power bankers, and being beholden to stock market interests.

Take Bernie who I was conversing with above, he has very good trapping books, and I have learned from them....Do I feel like Bernie is a con?...Absolutely not, we just disagree about Ramsey.

I know I could sit around a fire with almost any trapper, and share alot of common ground...Ramsey on the other hand probably wouldn't give you or I, the time of day...I know that's not relevant to him being effective for some people, but it matters to me... What I meant about him writing and selling books is, if his methods are so good, he wouldn't want or need to sell you anything, he would just keep making money without the hassle of helping you, unless you just believe he's a nice guy...Yeah, and I really do think he's a con.

He has good advice if you can stomach his arrogant attitude. Most of what he says is common sense though. Pay cash and don't spend more than you make.

I would have to agree that he basically teaches common sense. I think he’s humble in the fact that he can admit how bad he screwed up when he was young and learned what not to do and is willing to help as many people as he can. And while he does sell his books and his class, which I think is probably worth the investment you can listen to his radio show for free every day, or get on you tube and watch some of his stuff. I don’t think he has all the answers but I do think he has a good plan. Also idc if he lives in a mansion, if he paid for it in cash then he is practicing what he preaches

ky_coyote_hunter, I have trouble following your logic. It seems you don’t like/trust Ramsey because he has too much money, but the other side of your face says “if his plan works, why doesn’t he go make more money.” It also appears that you’ve lived your financial life exactly the way Ramsey would advise, and you seem proud of it, yet you question whether his method works. Maybe you don’t want other people learning to be debt free like yourself? Why does writing books and having money make someone a con? Especially when you seem to agree with the content in his books? Part of what he teaches is to make the best living you can. If he can do that writing books, why in the world would he not?

Hi KenaiKid, Thanks for basically calling me 2 faced there brother... I don't dislike Ramsey for having money, Thomas Jefferson gave Ramsey's advice well before him, and it was around well before Jefferson too.

I dislike Ramsey because he's peddling snake oil in the guise of helping people, and you really need his book to get the full effect, at a price...And I'm not going to finance his arrogant lifestyle of the rich and famous.

If I can do it, anyone can, maybe not to Ramsey's level, but you don't sell your soul, and you can sleep at night.

I don't believe he has made his money how he claims, I believe he has made most of it through book sales, but he would have people believe that that venture has not been his bread and butter, when it truly has, not the investment side of it, IMO.

You can't hang with power bankers, social elites, and be beholden to stock market interests, and be the kind of person anyone can really trust, not when money is involved....Hope that makes sense, I really don't know how else to say it other than most people already know how to manage money, they just won't be disciplined enough to deny themselves initially, I know, I know, another Ramsey principle, Lol....But remember, Unlike Ramsey, I'm not after your money.

Ky coy hunter im also confused by your logic. an example is People have used the same basic concepts in lure making and bait making for years IE Nelson formula..... would you call the lure and bait makers of today out for not being original? What has ramsey done that is unethical? disseminating information in a format that is helpful to ppl who obviously need that help dosent sound evil to me. If ramsey sold snake oil there must be alot of demand for snake oil. If you listen to ramsey he made alot of his money off of real estate and if he has made it off his books good for him for producing something that other ppl want to consume.And just because anyone can do something dosent mean that everyone knows how to do it... Sounds like you have a problem with capitalisim.

Lol, Well actually right off the top of my head there are 3 snake oil lure salesman who I might categorize as evil, and they have been discussed at length here previously, but I draw little correlation in your comparison of lure salesman, good or bad, to Ramsey.

Those guys are bottom feeders in comparison, Ramsey is on the stratosphere of sleaze, and sure there is a great demand for snake oil, there is a sucker born every minute, and it's pervasive enough that some people are blind to it.

Not sure why my message isn't clear to you, Don't buy if you don't have the money to pay cash without doing yourself in financially.

Deny yourself the pleasure items when your young, avoid bank loans, buy things that will hold up and be good
investments early on, start small, well within your means and build on that foundation.

That's all you need right there, and I didn't charge you a dime, and your not supporting my interests by taking money out of your pocket...What a concept!...And as to you questioning my devotion to capitalism, that was real ingenious, because capitalism made me, but remember the one and only weakness of capitalism is greed, and that's why the snake oil works on those looking to get rich quick.

I don't disagree that there are snake oil salesmen who dont believe in their product or the product simply does not work, but I wont condemn someone for making a product that works and they get crazy wealthy off of it. If someone is touting financial advice and it works for someone even if it seems obvious, i dont see what is wrong with that. Is Ramsey's advice harming someone? And your message of don't buy if you don't have money, well no crap. but some ppl are idiots and dont think about their financial decisions until their over their heads. Is it wrong to sell advice and counseling Is it wrong to help those ppl. Ramsey's advice is helpful not hurtful to those ppl. I still dont see what is wrong with ramsey making money off sound financial principles thats my point.

Would you condemn a counselor for making money off an alcoholic as greedy. what if that advice from that counselor helped them get sober?

Here is an example of why your argument holds no water in my opinion.

Lets say frank is driving down the road.
The roads are ice covered and any idiot including frank can see that.
Frank drives down the road really fast and goes in the ditch.
Frank has friends with vehicles.
Frank calls a tow truck to pull him out.
Frank pays the tow truck driver to pull him out.

In this story Is the tow truck driver greedy? If the answer is no then you have to come to this conclusion.

It's common sense not to drive fast on the ice.
Frank could call a friend to come and get him out of the ditch but calls a proffessional with proper equipment.
the tow driver is offering a service that anyone can do
the tow driver is not harming frank
the tow driver is making money off someone who made bad decisions

If your argument is based on the amount of money dave ramsey has or has made then you are not a capitalist, your coveting someone else's hard work and good business sense.

JMO

Lol, Hey you got me, I made all my money being a pinko commie socialist, who hates capitalism, and the first one in history I might add, who didn't get well to do on other peoples money.

Is that even possible?

I'm kidding, Good Lord, I don't agree with you on Ramsey's ideas not hurting anyone
...While I agree with him on some stuff, we differ on other things.

If anyone can't anticipate the consequences of their financial actions, Ramsey's not going to be able to save them,
and once again I'll say as I have before in a previous post, I couldn't care less how much money Ramsey makes, it's his rich and famous
lifestyle, the power bankers who he surrounds himself with, and his being beholden to stock market interests.

Now don't go mistaking that with covetousness, that's more like a snake den of cronies, and if you think any of them really give a hoot about your well being, then prayers sent.


One more thing and I'm done, if you need Ramsey to guide your financial decisions, I wouldn't give a bucket of rotten fox pi$$ for your financial future, your already doomed.

I enjoy listening to ramsey for entertainment purposes and do agree with his views on stocks, finances, and life in general ...Most like you say are common sense.
I don't care who cares about anything as long as it works. i don't pay for peoples good will and intentions but their sound products and results.
While i don't personally need your bucket of rotten PI$$,( never bought anything from ramsey, and not in debt) just listen cause im in a vehicle all day, i believe their is redemption from stupidity even if it is rare. and i know its rare lol.

goodnight and thanks for being a good sport

I listen from time to time. He has good general advice. Sometimes he is for show and attitude is poor. Someone will be explaining their situation and he will cut them off, explain what is really happening in their life to fit his storyline, give them advice, hang up with no chance for them to say his story was completely wrong. I can't listen all the time as it is the same stories, same advice, day after day. I know the advice can't keep being new. At times taking on debt is fine: farm purchase at low rate and good income, financially stable person getting a new car-0-3% interest-pay off in under 3 years-driving 200+k miles.

Millions of Americans Need a Kickstart!!!! If His plans and systems have helped Hundreds of thousands to become " debt free" Then it Isnt Snake Oil . If you believe you did it all on your own . Great! ...if He profits from giving advice that works. More power to Him.

If this is true, and you did not inherit any money, it Sounds to me like you have followed his plan perfectly. As to missing the mark, you have missed the mark in your opinion of him and his policies. You really ought to check into it so you know what you are talking about.

It's very true, no inheritance, and I pre-date the coming of Ramsey, so we will just have to agree to disagree on him Bernie, no disrespect.

Oddly heated thread SMH

Obviously he wizzed in your kool-aid at one time. I listen to him intermittently for entertainment and to learn one of two things from the stories and situations. To berate the guy for making money from charging a nominal fee for guidance and motivation to help thousands of people start heading down the road you have been traveling I can't see the real reason for disdain. At one time someone in your life must have taught you a little bit about life and financial management seeing as you are in such a wonderful situation.......for so many people out there who have never had this kind of guidance (or in some cases folks who have ignored this guidance from others for so long and are finally coming to their senses) he is their teacher. He could be long retired and counting his money, but I think a part of him truly cares and enjoys helping others. Like him or not, I think what he is doing and preaching is doing WAY WAY WAY more good than harm for all of us. Happy trapping! ScottW

Right on Scott W.

Scott B.

Hey Fella's, If you go back and read my posts you will see I don't begrudge Ramsey for making money, and I will state right here, I don't begrudge anyone making money.... The ideas he peddles aren't original to him...If your okay with giving him money, knock yourselves out, it's no skin off me.

The reason for my disdain for him were also pointed out in previous posts, arrogance, chummy with power bankers, stock market movers and shakers, and a over indulgent lifestyle which indicates a lot of high opinion of oneself to me.

Now what you guys can't handle is me calling him a con, which he is, and pointing out you can get the job done without him, which you can, just like I did....Ramsey just takes advantage of minds and wills weaker than his own, and profits from peoples lack of planning and intestinal fortitude.

But it's easier to pile on than acknowledge anything but his contrived con, and say how can you berrate him, your not a capitalist, yada, yada ...Lol.

You guys have drank the kool-aid.

You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means.

Enlighten me SniperBBB

I'll grant you, many people following his methods are touched in the head and it's hard to believe they made it out of preschool. I grew up being taught common sense and responsible money management which I feel lucky for. Happy trapping! ScottW

Lol, Scott I give you an A+ for effort, I'm honestly impressed!

Thanks, I think we'll both sleep soundly tonight. That's the first A+ I've gotten since 8th grade, gonna have to put my belt around my head to keep it from getting too big!!! Happy trapping! ScottW

Happy Trapping to you Scott!