Hi, I have been hearing so much about this guy on FV, so while at college last night I headed to the library to look for his book.  Well, I found it!! I stayed up half the night reading it.  I found that a lot of his ideas really hit home.  I liked the idea of having $1000 in an emergency fund and then snowballing debt from smallest to largest.  Thanks to FV, I have over $1000 in my savings account just since the last of April.  So I have a head start on his plan.  We started paying ourselves first every week. 

I would love to hear from anyone else who used his methods?        

I also love his motto, "If You Live Like No One Else, Later You Can Live Like No One Else."

We (dh & I) were basically raised on Dave Ramsey ;) We follow his ideas most of the time. Especially important for us are the written monthly budget and no credit cards. We're trying to build a 3 month emergency fund & pay off our morgage early. We do not have a large income so the principles he teaches really help. Glad to meet another 'follower'! :D

Doesn't he have a web site also.
Anyone have the link?
I need to get his books from the library?

Here is his website which is not free http://www.daveramsey.com/

You can get his book at any local library I would think for free.

Anyone who follows his principles will do okay. He is excellant.

I am excited to think that we are getting out of debt at this point in our lives and will be able to teach our children so hopefully they won't make the same mistakes we have. I am going to be a teacher also, so I will try to incorporate some good financial lessons to all my students. It is SO Important!!

While the total money makeover part of his website isn't free, there are fre tools, and even better, you can listen to his show for free- he pays for the streamlink.

I had heard alot about him too lately so I went to the library to check out his book which was already checked out.:( I hope i get it next time I come in. Instead I checked out 2 of his other books to start me on the Dave Ramsey kick.:)

We are new to Dave Ramsey.......have the book that dh and I are both reading and I love to listen to him on the radio M-F!!

I have been following Dave Ramsey for about a yearin-a-half. Follow most of his plan but I did continue to put in my 401(b). Started late in life with investing so I refuse to wait for the first couple of steps before I start a 401 (b). I just wish I would of found this book earlier. I love him and his advice is very sound. I also agree with his motto. I guess my biggest fear if that I don't save for my future I could end up eating Alpo dog food. Those who are reading Total Money Makeover know what I'm talking about. ;)

I had the book checked out, but didn't get to finish it. I couldn't renew it because someone else had it one hold. Maybe I need to get my own copy!

I will check out the library and if its not there They have the paperback version at Barnes and Noble for $12.59.
I'll get it first of the month.
Thanks for the link CJ

I think anyone in debt should read his book and listen to him on the radio (if you can). You might not follow all his steps, however he has such good stuff you just can't go wrong.

I listened to his show for the first time yesterday. It was neat. I feel like I have been let into a whole new way of thinking. I had been reading about the snowball method for a while, but it clicked when I read his book. I am also reading financial peace. I have always been confused about investing. But he simplifies things very well.

I have a question for you? We have a total of $8000 in credit card debt on 3 seperate cards. Do you think it would be best to keep them seperate and pay smallest to largest on them or I could transfer them to one card (at 0% until Sept '06) and just put every extra penny on it. We could have it paid off in less than a year. I was just thinking it might feel good to only have one to focus on.

one to focus on with 0% interest sounds good...just don't run up the cards you clear.

For those reading this thread, please check this out

http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56851

I can tell a difference in my outlook on the future just since checking out and reading his book. I feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel!! I have also notice how we "society" are bombarded with all the great financing deals everywhere. On tv, radio, newspaper it's EVERYWHERE! Home equity loans, no payments for 90 days, etc. Most people don't know any better!! I wish I would have read this book about 6 years ago. It should be required in high school and college. LOL When my husband and I were married in '99, we moved to the city to get better jobs. Our original plan was to stay 5 years, save money, move back to the country. Well, 6 years later we have found ourselves in a bad cycle of debt!! If we would have had this information sooner, I think things would be a lot different. I am looking forward to this journey!! Can you tell I'm excited, I just ramble on and on. LOL

You're in good company handmerounds....I think most of us have made our financial mistakes.... . I actually think that this is how we learn. ;) So just enjoy the journey. It's wonderful to feel that huge monkey slipping off your back!
Also, I think one card with 0% would be great for the credit card debt if you can truly pay it off in one year and not have to pay a huge interest payment in month 13. Read the fine print first. Good luck! :thumb:

We are bound and determined to pay it off ASAP!! I think that would be best too, combining them to one. Then we could close those other accounts and focus on the one. This is what I could put toward the debt each month:

$400 (had been saving $100 per week)
+$150 (payment on trailer that we sold last week)
+$50 (extra $ I was applying toward principal on another loaN)
+$80 (minimum payment on cc #1)
+$114 (minimum payment on cc #2)
________
approx. $800 per month I can apply toward credit card debt!! AMAZING!!
At that amount it would be paid off in 10 months. I am sure I could find additional $$ to apply toward it.

The forums are free on the Dave Ramsey site. I go occasionally over there and post. I use the name kaykwilts over there too.

I just got this book today..I found it for $4.99 at Ollie's....Ollies is a store that sells stuff from places that go out of business and overstocks.....they get alot of good books....I will be watching for more of his books:)

I just checked this book out of the library today! Going to start reading it tonight!;)

Just sold our nissan pickup on ebay for $1600! That will be paid on our cc. I did put all the cc balances on the one card at 0% interest. After the $1600 payment that will leave a balance of $6400. Paying $800 per month, I should have it paid off in 8 months. I believe it will be sooner though. I am going to list more on ebay with the money going toward this cc also.

Taking the nissan off of our insurance reduced the premium, so we are also saving money there. Paying the bills on time for the first time in I don't know when will provide some extra $$ too. I think I had to pay the mortgage payment late fee for close to a year. It was an extra $50 a month. $600 a year. I'm ashamed to admit that, but that is how out of control our finances were. To think that now we have found $800 per month (minimum) to pay down the cc debt is amazing. (Plus all those late fees every month!)

For once in a long time, all my bills were paid on time this month. I have only one credit card to focus on. My husband is going to go on nights temporarily for the next couple weeks and that will be time and a half pay. I ask God to help me handle our finances better and he answered my prayer. I discovered Dave Ramsey and things are really starting to look up.