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Dave Ramsey Gets on my Nerves
By JLP | February 7, 2007
I gotta hand it do Dave, he’s quite the salesman.
Check this out:
The cheesy display of the ad has a very “infomercial” look to it. Doesn’t it?
Here’s my question(s):
WHY not spend that $289 on paying off your debt?
I wonder how many of the people buying this stuff put it on a credit card?
Topics: Budgeting, Credit Cards | 55 Comments »
February 7th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
People who charge an arm and a leg for financial organization tools drive me nuts. Whether it’s David Bach wanting $25 each of his books (which all say the same thing, btw), Ramsey wanting $300 for his stuff or Kiyosaki wanting your immortal soul in exchange for one of his pointless seminars, they’re all counterintuitive. So maybe you do have to spend money to save money, but why not go for something less extortionate?
I can’t believe DR is providing general advice for $300. For $300, I’d want a personalized plan, or something.
February 7th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Seems like Ramsey is looking after his own “personal” finance.
Also, in my opinion, I think Ramsey oversimplifies things too much. It’s ok for bloggers to do that..but not ok for someone who charges $289 for his advice.
There might be some sense in what he says, but such ads just take away the charm of it all.
February 7th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
THat stuff is pretty valuable information for people not knowing how to get out from under financial pressure
and FYI
you can only use a debit card or echeck on dave ramseys’s website
February 7th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
I suspect Mr. Ramsey has made plenty of money on his books, CDs, DVDs, and seminars. At what point will he start giving away the information? The cost of printing the forms and DVDs is probably under $20. And would be less if provided directly through the web for cash-strapped people to use through their local public library computers.
And when they’re successful and have wads of cash floating around, I’m all for him fleecing them for personalized advice. Stop trying to get rich off those struggling to get by!
February 7th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Not to sound like his biggest fan or anything
but the stuff that you get is pretty good.
DVD’s, CD’s, Workbooks, Software, Etc…
All in all, you COULD take the time to find a site
online that talks about getting debt free (ahem…) and
also has an awesome podcast about getting debt free (ahem…) AND an awesome site for creating a debt free community (ahem…)…
or you could just pay Dave the 300 bucks and he’ll package
everything nice and neat for you…
NCN
February 7th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
It’s not just Dave, it’s everyone David Bach, Suze Orman, Robert Kiyoski, etc.
One they get more expose to the media, they start selling stuff.
February 7th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
it’s a rock-solid program that the most overwhelmed can understand. i give him kudos for making the tidal wave of personal finance a bite-by-bite program that affords those who don’t have the wherewithal to make something positive from their mess. it’s pricey, i admit – but so is ignorance, yeah? and to reiterate: Dave’s website doesn’t accept credit cards. i doubt that they’re seriously making loads off of this stuff anyhow; when you sign up for the accompanying program, you’ll get all of this stuff at a substantial discount (less than $100, i believe).
February 7th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Yes I agree with JLP here, informercial type ads especially on , Personal Finance subjects, are really truly tacky. Do I get a set of Ginsu knives as well …
February 7th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
When my wife and I did the Financial Peace University class at our church, the cost was about $90. I can’t tell from the ad above if it offers the same items that we got. I thought the class was worth what I paid, but wouldn’t pay $289. FPU is a good class for financially illiterate people who don’t budget, over use credit, are in financial difficulty, and so on. He offers a step by step program to get out of debt and stay out of debt that works if you are willing to follow it.
February 7th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
I am a financial counselor, and for the most part I agree with DR. I believe it is better for people in need to purchase educational material that when applied will save them from making future mistakes.
As for selling material, we all have to make a living and he has committed his life to this process, and w/o the sales he couldn’t retire himself. He’s successful and I think we can all learn from his success!
February 7th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I’ve listened a considerable amount to Dave Ramsey’s radio show and never paid a penny for any of his products. In his defense, one thing that becomes readily apparent to anyone that listens to him for a short while is that he’s completely candid about the relative simplicity of his financial advice. He does not, as do many others, begin to help people before instructing them to purchase his products in order to hear the rest of his advice.
On a regular basis, he directly tells callers to his radio program to absolutely NOT buy high-price tickets to his events or any other expensive item that he sells. Rather, he suggests that if you’ve found his guidance helpful, that you send someone iin need through the program when and only when you’re financially successful yourself. And nearly every day he sends callers who need help free copies of his books or other products — not to complete his advice, but merely to supplement its application.
I find Ramsey highly motivational and helpful. As long as I’m in debt, I’ll never spend a penny on his products — but won’t hestitate for a second to buy them for someone else when I no longer need them myself.
February 7th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Just to set the record straight – you CAN use credit cards on Dave’s website. However, he doen’t want you to. From his site”
“The Lampo Group, Inc. and Dave Ramsey recognize that the Visa and MasterCard virtual monopoly on the debit card industries prohibits merchants from only taking debit cards. As such, it is impossible for us to ensure that every order has complied with our debit card policy. We trust that all of our customers hold EXCEEDINGLY high levels of INTEGRITY and maintain EXTRAORDINARILY high standards of TRUTH and HONESTY. Basically, anyone ordering from us who does not follow this policy is a shady and dishonest character. Don’t put yourself in this group. You’re better than that. Stick to our policy, NO CREDIT CARDS, and make us all happy.”
LINK: http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/cms/debit_card_policy_32.htmlc (small print at the bottom).
February 7th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Good call. Save your money and pay off your debt
February 7th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Yes, great call…save your money and pay off debt, but, as much as some of Dave’s ads can come across as infomericalish, I would venture to say the bulk of their profits comes from the radio show. He gives away his stuff all the time. Simple is exactly what most of the people listening to him need. Complex is what has gotten most of them into the problem in the first place. I guess I would have to say in his defense, at least he has a plan, and if you follow his plan, there is no risk of getting in trouble. If you start eliminating debt immediately, you won’t find yourself worse off at some point in the process if you have to stop for some reason. With Kyoski’s “plan”, I personally know people who have liquidating everything in order to just start accumulating properties upon properties. They have leveraged themselves beyond believe because they think somehow they are going to get a steady stream of rental income from this somehow. The average joe off the street reading his stuff is not equipped to jump in and start doing these types of transactions. This is in fact, exactly how Dave Ramsey went bankrupt before he became well-known.
February 7th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Ok, I must apologize for the last post, I did not read before submitting – terrible spelling and grammar
February 7th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
$289 does seem a little steep but not exceedingly so. It sounds like it gives more value than a book.
February 8th, 2007 at 12:54 am
[...] Dave Ramsey is a guru with a loyal throng of fans. Either you love him or you hate him. JLP from AllFinancialMatters made his opinion known, although his post didn’t say much. Any attack on Ramsey, no matter how brief, attracts vitriliolic comments from both lovers and haters. Here are a few of those comments. [...]
February 8th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Although I think $300 is steep for non-specific advice, if that’s what the market will bear, that’s what it’s worth.
My biggest objection to Dave Ramsey is his evangelical brand of Christianity is tied to his financial advice. The last time I listened to him (because my radio has an ‘off’ button) he brought a woman to tears and REFUSED TO HELP HER because he disagreed with her religious beliefs. In short, she wanted to divorce her husband, not exactly a radical. He called her a liar, weak, and all manner of abuse.
There are plenty of other financial advisors out there, many of whom provide FREE seminars. I personally recommend Ray Lucia, who actually has a relevant education and a team of experts with him at all times.
February 8th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
It’s weird–I kind of love Dave Ramsey, despite the fact that I’m pretty much the opposite of his base demographic. The part that raises my eyebrows a bit is the volume of advertisement on his show and site: commercials and product endorsement, not to mention his own products and seminars. It’s kind of odd, you know? He talks about the ethical lapses of the credit card industry, but fully acknowledges that what he’s been all his life is a salesman. Frankly, I don’t know how to integrate the Two Faces of Dave, so mostly I ignore all the advertising–I’m certainly not going to buy anything from him, but I do like listening to his radio program (on RealAudio, so I can skip the ads).
It’s also true that his production values are a little amateurish, but he’s clearly not hurting for profit, so…who knows?
February 11th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
[...] Dave Ramsey gets on JLP’s nerves. Free Money Finance shares thoughts on owning a home with no debt on $33,000 a year. [...]
February 11th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
I think I got as much as I could from Dave Ramsey’s program by reading in the bookstore and borrowing from the library.
Total cost to me? $5 for a latte in the bookstore cafe. Worth the money. I have to wonder what else he could be selling that’s so fantabulous to be worth almost $300.
February 12th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
I’m sorry you don’t like our ads.
We do charge for our materials most of the time. We do that because we’re a business; A business with almost 200 employees that have families to support. I would love to walk into my local gym and demand a free membership so I could lose the fat that unhealthy eating habits and a lack of exercise had earned me, but that’s just not realistic, right? We also give a ton of our stuff away each year to callers, single parents, inner city families and other people we encounter who just plain need the help. Dave is one of the most generous guys I’ve ever met and I would bet anyone who truly knows him would say exactly the same thing.
The material is well worth the cost. If you do it, it will work… every single time.
And as for the advertising on the radio show (something I take a particular interest in), it’s a radio show. With advertising. Just like Hannity and Rush and Dr. Laura and Al Franken and your local sports or morning show. They all do it. It’s called “a business model.”
Just my two cents. Thanks.
February 14th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
These products are geared towards people who can afford them. Dave is different from most financial gurus out there in that he keeps no secrets. You can find all of Dave’s advice right on his radio show and don’t need anything extra to follow his plan. This plan listed above might be worth $300 to someone who has a reluctant or skeptical spouse. It might also be worth $300 to someone who has trouble with the math or just needs some support and motivation. Some people need that extra help that you can’t get from reading a book or listening to a radio show.
February 15th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
If you don’t like the $289 price, just go through the program at a local church where it will only cost you $90 for the same material.
I think it’s funny that DR gets on your nerves and yet your site has ads for DR material…
Hello Chris Thomas of The Lampo Group. I just visited your blog – thank’s for posting. And yes I think DR should have an official blog!
February 18th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Guess those of you complaining aren’t bargain shoppers–MANY times you can get the basic Total Money Makeover book for JUST $10 on his web site!
February 18th, 2007 at 7:06 am
“tinyhands Says:
February 8th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Although I think $300 is steep for non-specific advice, if that’s what the market will bear, that’s what it’s worth.
My biggest objection to Dave Ramsey is his evangelical brand of Christianity is tied to his financial advice. The last time I listened to him (because my radio has an ‘off’ button) he brought a woman to tears and REFUSED TO HELP HER because he disagreed with her religious beliefs. In short, she wanted to divorce her husband, not exactly a radical. He called her a liar, weak, and all manner of abuse.
There are plenty of other financial advisors out there, many of whom provide FREE seminars. I personally recommend Ray Lucia, who actually has a relevant education and a team of experts with him at all times.”
I have listened to his program forever and HAVE NEVER heard him abuse a caller. What’s the agenda with the poster, I wonder?
February 19th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Gees, people. The product above is the HOME STUDY portion of Financial Peace University. It includes all the DVD’s from his classes, what you would have watched if you went to the classes at a church. I know because my sister bought it as we didn’t have classes nearby. I bought the regular FPU kit. It’s extremely valuable and helpful to us. My sister felt $300 was well worth the cost considering how much she is and will be saving by doing these classes.
Cheap, no. Valuable, ABSOLUTELY!!! We’ve watched them many times and always get a little something different from it each time.
March 12th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
I have been listening to Dave for about 2 1/2 years now. My wife and I started following his advice and paid off all our debts (equal to about a full year’s bring home pay) in just under 2 years. Say what you want to say about Dave, but his system works 100% of the time, without fail, every single time, no matter how much you make, no matter how much you owe, every single time. IT WORKS. IT CHANGES LIVES. IT’S ALL TRUE.
And unlike a previous poster in this thread, I commend dave for bringing his Christianity into the program. He is a very smart business man. He is fully aware that prasing Jesus Christ on the air regularly is bad for business. Largely because of that, he gets alot less national media attention than he could otherwise get… he’s not blind to that. But he’s true to himself, to his fans, and to his faith. Kudos to Dave Ramsey for not being a coward in the face of a nation with a growing number of liberal lefties who attempt to discredit Christianity at all costs. Keep up the great work, Dave.
P.S. Dave keeps no secrets. Everything you can learn at a siminar can be learned on his radio show. If someone I loved needed a financial makeover, I’d happily pay $300 to introduce them to Dave’s philosophies. His methods work. His financial philosophies changed my life. And thanks largely to him, my wife and I are 29 years old and 100% debt free except for our home… we have a rapidly growing retirement savings, money in the bank, and not a single financial worry in our lives.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Some of his seminar stuff is available on YouTube. And his books are in a lot of libraries.
I could see an organization investing in a package like this and lending it out.
Otherwise, I checked out his Money Makeover book from the library, looked at the steps, figured out what was useful and where to modify it…and I’ll return it once I put together my guru-review.
In all, I think he does a good job of compiling common-sense information. I listened to the radio show once. It was ok.
October 1st, 2007 at 9:37 am
“I think I got as much as I could from Dave Ramsey’s program by reading in the bookstore and borrowing from the library.
Total cost to me? $5 for a latte in the bookstore cafe. Worth the money.
I have to wonder what else he could be selling that’s so fantabulous to be worth almost $300.”
It’s a 13-week program that is actually very thorough in matters dealing with personal finance. It’s obvious many here don’t know what the program involves when they say $300 is steep. People assume that Dave Ramsey is only about helping people get out of debt. While it is true that it’s what he’s most known for, his FPU program involves a wide spectrum of information on personal finance, i.e., saving, negotiating purchases, budgeting, debt elimination, insurance (life, homeowners/renters, auto, health, etc.), investments (mutual funds, annuities, stocks, etc), college planning (ESA, 529), retirement (401k, IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, 403b), real estate and mortgages, relationships and money, collection practices, credit bureaus, and more. I suppose that’s not detailed enough.
October 1st, 2007 at 9:39 am
I’d also like to add that it’s quite hypocritical to claim that Dave Ramsey gets on your nerves for his blatant advertisements on his own site when you in turn have them on your site. And, even worse, they’re not even your products, just Adsense to make you a buck, which many times includes Dave’s products.
October 3rd, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Why did you pick the Home Study Edition??? There are less expensive materials. Going through the FPU classes at a church or group discount gets you the materials you need for about $96 with the shipping. Yes if you want the DVDs it will cost more. So will staying in debt all your life. I am sure if you add up what are you paying in interest alone on credit cards, equity loans etc, his home study course that would teach you a sure fire method to get out of debt without having to attend any classses would be worth far more that it’s cost. Going through the classes and learning the lessons he teaches plus getting life experience lessons from others in the same boat is worth the measley $96.00 for the materials, not to mention a volunteer facilitates the 13 classes for FREE.
October 6th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
– The Swindler– send over your dollars.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Why pay for ANY book? Just look for them at your public library!!
Most of the time, if they don’t have a book you’re looking for, they can send out to other libraries and borrow it.
Gotta love libraries.
Our library has Most of Dave’s stuff, including the home study of FPU.
November 26th, 2007 at 2:57 am
Last I checked his book cover says Hundreds of Thousands of ordinary people have become debt free -and- 3 million listeners each week. Why is he charging $289 for a 13 week course and a couple books and some cd roms and a bunch of other stuff with a lifetime membership… Probably because he’s a capitalist and it helps people get completely debt free and retire millionaires. Its not a get rich quick scheme its proven financial wisdom that changes lives.
November 26th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
The photo above is for a complete study at home alone kit. If you look for classes in your area you can get all the information for $93 + or – shipping and handling. Sometimes the church picks it up.
Yes, you could spend the $289 in paying off your own debt, but if you haven’t been doing it so far what makes you think people will suddenoly thing, Wait I’ll just pay my debt? The progam is so much more than that though. It’s worth the $93 and to be honest I think he’s lowballing. He could charge a lot more.
If you don’t have 1st person experience with taking his class, then you really have no room to criticize. This is his job now. Of course he will charge for the information. And the information is well worth the price.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Anyone been to his financial counselor certification training and started a business as a result? I’m curious as to the what are the expectations of how much profit a counselor can make part time.
March 11th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Johnny K, to give the best straight answer, No. and No again, and No again. Here’s a very good reference for you. In GOOGLE, just type “Try Paying $3,750 for Dave Ramsey” and a link will come up about the certification.
Just look at the 1st few about people who have paid the money, gone through the program and ARE NOT getting leads.
Then read the rest of the post about all the crap that goes on— Bottom Line??? very shady!
March 20th, 2008 at 8:41 am
As a person also sells information products, I can tell you that when I give my product to someone for free, they treat it like it’s worthless. It never gets used. When someone pays good money for information, they have incentive to actually use it.
I wholeheartedly agree with Dave Ramsey’s teachings. Is it information that people could get for free? Sure they can. Those who really want to make a change in their life and have no money will take the steps and compile all they need to know without spending money. I did the same to learn how to invest in real estate 10 years ago.
I’ve taught many people how to invest and frankly most people want handouts. It’s a waste of my time and everyone elses. Paying for information at least begins to qualify some people and it separates the serious from the not so serious.
Blessings,
Steve
August 19th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
First of all you can get the same stuff for $89-$109, depending on what sale he is running at the time.
I don’t understand why people hate on someone just because they have a GREAT product!! I say get over it. If you don’t like it the don’t buy it, and move on with your life. With all of the people this man helps he deserves every penny that he gets. He is also a VERY generous giver!
My two cents.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I like Dave Ramsey, and couldn’t help but notice you linked the most expensive item he sells. You can also take the class online for 100$ or take it in person for $150 a many locations around the nation, both of which are a lifetime membership you can take again and again. More importantly the book, which is all you really need is often only $10, and free at the library. his radio show and tv show are also free, and he’s forever giving out free books, classes, or whatever to his callers.
yes, he does make money, but it’s a good message that does help people because it is so simple. Lots of people need the motivation Dave provides. he is not advocating some get rich quick scheme. he’s not conning people, but yes he does sell things. and that 1 particular thing is over priced. But he himself provides loads of other options.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Steve Cook is right about people placing more value on it when they pay for it. I found that when I make people pay in advance for my engaged couples class, they are far more likely to come, to pay attention and to compliment the class. Give it to them for free and half won’t even come after RSVPing.
As for the idea of just paying off your debt, that’s naive, to say the least. If it’s that simple, why are they in debt in the first place? The reality is that most people, even intelligent ones, need to learn financial principles and guys like Ramsey provide a way for them to learn.
Go chew on some sour grapes instead of publishing them.
September 17th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
With Dave Ramsey, all you need to know are the baby steps, which are available for free on his website. What you pay for is his experience and motiavtion and support. Listen to his radio show for free, download his stuff for free and go it alone. Good luck. Its the other stuff that is so valuable. It has been woth every penny.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
1. Dave Ramsey is running a business.
2. Normally he has special offers. You can get his books for $10 most of the time and if you don’t even feel like spending that you can go to the library.
3. Most people don’t actually buy the sets with the DVD’s and everything. Those are for people teaching the series!
Just making sure you know some of the facts.
October 9th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Truth is I can spend $50-$300 on junk, a whole lot of different ways real quick. But this is at least something I can learn from, the info is mine to kepp and it’s success is mostly dependent on me. Not a bad deal for the price. Especially if I weigh it against going to a money manager.
December 13th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I ran across you website on accident and I have to say that I find it sad that you consider your website to be about personal finance and you trash talk Dave Ramsey! First of all, the Financial Peace University is only $100 if you buy it through your church, if you are military it is often given for free and Dave gives them away to those who need it all of the time on his radio show. I have been following Dave’s plan for almost a year now and we have paid off over half of our debt and increased our income by nearly $30,000. This is not a magic pill! Dave taught us how to be careful and pay attention. Dave teaches us the things our parents should have. If you have a bad attitude about him, your right, he can’t help you!
December 18th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I haven’t read through all the comments so forgive me if someone has already said this. Dave Ramsey really encourages people that have gotten out of debt and are building wealth by applying the information that Dave has suggested, to then put someone else that needs it through Financial Peach University. Because of Dave, and hard work, we are now debt free and putting the money we used to put toward debt into our savings. I now contribute 20% of my income to my savings because I lowered my lifestyle. I also give about 12% of my income away. Most to my church but also to aids children in Afica and to a friend in need who is a single mother with many health conditions. I have also put a couple people through the FPU class. I bet that only about 10% of people spend full price on FPU and his materials. Most is paid for by a church or someone giving it as a gift.
December 28th, 2008 at 6:30 am
This is funny from money people. We are still in a free market where even knowledge has a value and all transactions involve an exchange of value. If one goes to the work of putting together the information, publishing it and marketing it why should you expect them to give it away? You know as well as I do, if he gave it away you would question his motives and it’s value.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Your Financial pain is his Financial gain.
He did not get rich by making it in the stock market like he advises you to do. He made his millions off of people in financial need. You could get a valid Financial credential for less than $800.00, Dave has a great program for $3,500. and if isn’t recogonized by anyone but Daves friends. There are plenty of financial programs that are under $50. Dave is good but so are a lot of other people that charge a reasonable fee for their products. It he truly want to help people hewould not rip them off.
March 9th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Don’t hate on Dave for being successful. Seriously. Do you really expect him to GIVE you anything? He simply offers financial advise for a price. Take it or leave it. Dave would ask you: “Why are you struggling?” Maybe the hundred dollar FPU class might be a good idea for those of you who struggle because you don’t live on less than you make.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I was introduced to DR by his radio broadcasts and checked his book out of the library. Anyone can follow his very simple approach to finane without spending a dime.
Dave will tell you right up front that what he is teaching is NOT rocket science. It is the same thing our grandparents were saying.
1. get out of debt and stay out of debt.
2. save for what you want and save for retirement.
3. share your wealth with others in need.
Dave did not get rich off of this business. He got rich by getting out of debt and making sound investmets. Oh, The Lampo group makes money, but they also reach out and help a lot of peopl. Dave and his team view Financial Peace as a ministry. It has grown tremenouslyand it is prfitable, but they also give a great deal away.
That $300 packet also comes with a set of DVD’s and Dave says “Share them”. If you know someone who needs financial help,give them he program so they cn find peace as well.
No, I don’t think he is a Saint…but he’s not a crook either.
March 26th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
[...] Avanoo: Live. Share. Learn. put an intriguing blog post on Comment on Dave Ramsey Gets on my Nerves by BethHere’s a quick excerptDave and his team view Financial Peace as a ministry. It has grown tremenouslyand it is prfitable, but they also give a great deal away. [...]
May 11th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
At one time in brief history…Mr Ramsey had a late night infomercial selling his get out debt material that actually had a segment that discussed with the “host” on why he would except credit cards during the airing of this commercial…?
These are the basics of getting out of debt…everyone should have some common sense…eventually. If they would start having Home Education classed back in school like they used to do, we probably would be little better off.
BTW..I bought the Dave Ramsey course…it was ok, I personally like Crown Financial better.
regards
Mike
August 16th, 2009 at 1:34 am
I have listened to a few of Ramsey’s shows. To me he is neither a “guru” nor just a “salesman.” Here’s what I think:
1. Steps 1-3 of his plan are indeed simplistic, but logical and highly effective; after all, there is really only one way to pay off debt: PAYING IT OFF. However, that requires the kind of self-discipline many people just don’t have or don’t think they have. Ramsey provides the kind of enthusiastic support that many people need if they are hopelessly mired in debt. He acknowledges their struggle, gives them a “community,” and even provides a celebration, a ritual almost, if they succeed (debt-free scream). That is Dave Ramsey’s real strength. His compassion with people (to whom he often gives his books for free) is quite apparent, and I believe he/his books do change lives. I was once inspired by the book “Your Money or Your Life” (by Robin and Dominguez), but I have never seen a champion of debt-free living like Dave Ramsey. In that respect he’s my kindred spirit, and I am thrilled that he is making this concept cool. I am almost sad that I was completely debt free eight years before I happened upon Ramsey’s show. Now I will never be able to partake in the ritual scream.:-)
2. Steps 4-6 make sense as well, but the order is not that important. I, for ex., paid off my mortgage before really turbocharging my retirement savings. The order of any of the steps can be tweaked, really. Many bloggers have come up with all kinds of logical adaptations such an increased emergency fund right from the start in these shaky economic times.
3. Step 7 (’get wealthy and give”) is more an afterthought than any real “step,” and Ramsey’s investment advice is generic (”a good growth-stock mutual fund”) and flawed. Assuming the stock market returns 12% on average, he repeatedly tells people to take out 8% of their retirement funds annually. That is TWICE as much as anyone else recommends. Anyone following that “advice,” especially in this market, would definitely outlive his money. People seeking investment advice should read Money Magazine or Kiplinger.
4. Ramsey’s take on credit cards is illogical. Calling everyone who’s using a credit card “stupid” is, hm, stupid. Sure, people with $30k cc debt need to cut up their cards, but people who pay off the balance every month can obviously handle them. I understand that it is possible to get by without credit and a credit history, but why make life more difficult than it has to be?!
5. The Christian aspect does not bother me since common sense always comes first on his show. In addition, he is very clear and open about his bias, his political bias as well. I also relate to many of the values that come up on his show, such as children honoring their parents. As a high school teacher, I hear my share of kids complaining about their parents. I often tell them that there is no religion or culture on earth that advocates treating your parents with disrespect. They all say something along the lines of honoring your parents. [Just because it's in the Bible doesn't mean it's not true.:-)]
In conclusion, Dave Ramsey is a really decent guy who is helping many people who otherwise would not find their way out of the mess they’re in. For those of us already debt free, he provides a great service to the indebted masses or perhaps just good entertainment. In any case, he helps changing the attitude toward consumer debt in this country, and that is definitely necessary!
September 25th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I have a book for sale for $300.00
here it is:
1. pay cash for everything!
2. don’t eat out, only eat mac’n cheese and pork’n beans!
3.never ever buy anything new!
4. pay cash for everything.
5.pay cash for everything!
6. buy my book for $300.00