New to Dave

**semo_mom** · 07-03-2009, 08:42 PM

Well I've been watching Dave's show on FoxB and am totally blown away and have some hope for our future.

We are very much in debt. Over $45,000, due to me not being able to work and my husband having a medical emergency a few years back and wasn't able to work after wards for ten months. Then to have him go back to work (he's a self employed contractor) and promise of a job on his own so we buy everything needed only to have that fall through.

UGH! Makes me sick thinking about it all. Anyhow, Dave gives me hope that we can get back on our feet. I have ordered his Starter's Special #1, his Total Money Makeover workbook and his Personal Finance Software.

If anyone has any advice on this I'd really appreciate it.

Wish us luck!

**a.nonymous** · 07-06-2009, 04:41 AM

Hi semo_mom, welcome to the village!

I don't know anything about DR's starter's sepcial but I suspect the the Total Money Makeover book is part of it. If it isn't, I'd highly recommend starting out with that book.
For daily motivation, make sure to pick up his podcast. It's a 30 minute cut of his radio show, and that will help you staying motivated throughout your journey.

Other than that, just make any type of debt you enemy no 1 (never, ever use debt again - except maybe for a house to live in), get on a budget, keep records for accountability, and you'll be on track...

Good luck with your journey ahead!

**Greebo** · 07-06-2009, 08:45 AM

Honestly?

Don't buy a bunch of tools you don't need!

Listen, I *love* DR - but the only tools of his you need are his books. Everything else can be made or found.

[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107294"]Read this thread[/ame] very carefully. It spells out Dave's plan in excruciating detail. It'll give you a clear plan, step by step, to move forward with in getting rid of your debt.

Then before you spend ANY money on ANY thing new, consult here on this forum to find alternative, cheaper or free ways to do without.

**ladykemma2** · 07-06-2009, 11:39 AM

and you can listen for free. don't need to pay for a membership or a podcast.

3 hour radio archives under "listen now" -- upper right hand corner.

**mauimagic** · 07-06-2009, 12:40 PM

Mahalo for the great advice!! for semo_mom and the resst of us!! Riding home from the airport last night, I finally found DR - first time - love his attitude and am looking forward to learning more!!

**semo_mom** · 07-06-2009, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by a.nonymous

Hi semo_mom, welcome to the village!

I don't know anything about DR's starter's sepcial but I suspect the the Total Money Makeover book is part of it. If it isn't, I'd highly recommend starting out with that book.
For daily motivation, make sure to pick up his podcast. It's a 30 minute cut of his radio show, and that will help you staying motivated throughout your journey.

Other than that, just make any type of debt you enemy no 1 (never, ever use debt again - except maybe for a house to live in), get on a budget, keep records for accountability, and you'll be on track...

Good luck with your journey ahead!

Starter Special #1
The Total Money Makeover
Financial Peace Revisited
Cash Flow Planning dvd
Dumping Debt dvd
Starter Envelope System

They were having a 4th of July special and most of his books and dvd's were on sale for $10.

...and thank you!!

**Cricketlegs** · 07-07-2009, 10:52 AM

I know that you probably feel overwhelmed right now with the numbers fresh on the paper(boy I sure did) but it is a step you HAD to do.

Now you are ready to map out your plan.

When you hit bottom and it seems you can't dig out, that is when YOU WILL dig out. That is when there are no more excuses or stalling.

Anyone can dig out if they are strong and stick to the plan no matter what. It doesn't matter if it is hard, hard keeps you from going back to the "bad" place. It TEACHES us to stop being stupid.

YOU can do this!

Hang around and we can help you.

Best wishes!

**kita** · 07-07-2009, 11:32 AM

One of the threads I like to read when I am discouraged is Greebo's accountability thread. Because Greebo knows how to punch the numbers, does his level best to follow the plan, makes more money than I do, but CRAP still happens. The road is not smooth. This is why Dave talks about steps rather than goals with a time frame. Because that time frame will probably not happen. It is the direction you are moving, not that you are meeting some special speed limit.

**Greebo** · 07-07-2009, 11:36 AM

Please don't remind me about missed time frames...

**never2late** · 07-08-2009, 09:44 AM

Good Luck on your journey!

I found Dave Ramsey last November and FV about the same time. I am so grateful for both! I have managed to pay down nearly 29% of my debt and am looking forward to the day I will be debt free.

**MaryCarney** · 07-08-2009, 04:02 PM

It's funny.

I've been preaching cheap and debt-free for a long time, esp. in my public speaking to homeschool groups. Every now and then , someone would ask me if I'd heard of this Dave Ramsey guy.

When I got my XM radio a couple years back, I finally ran across his show. NOW I know why people asked me that, we have VERY similar thoughs on so many things,although I didn't have to be bankrupt first.

My advice would be this, when you find yourself discouraged and wanting to throw in the towel, just think back to today, and where you were then, compare your progress, and keep the faith.
The plan works.

Not instantly, not easily, but it WORKS.

Best of wishs to your family!!

**semo_mom** · 07-08-2009, 04:08 PM

Thanks so much for the advice and encouraging words. It really means a lot coming from those that understand the situation. It is completely overwhelming and I honestly don't see how we're going to get it done, but I have faith that it can be.

I should get the package tomorrow by UPS.