Dave Ramsey

I've always admired people that can in one breath tell people to save money and at the same time take their money.

 

VA, he does tell people to go borrow his book from the library and if they call into his show, he almost always gives them a free copy so I think you are off-base with that. Furthermore, he hasn't sold out like a Suzy Orman. He and Clark Howard have both remained consistent over the years with a consistent message that has worked for millions. Also, if it takes a $10 purchase to help someone pay off $35K in debt, that is one of the best returns you will ever see.

 

He is kind of like Doctor Laura. She tells you to do the right thing and it is not really ever a surprise what her advice is. It just helps to hear someone else say it.

 

Maybe, but I'm talking about "self help" gurus in general. People pay big bucks to learn how to save money. I'll never understand that when all you need is available via a Google search.

 

Thelt, I think that is it. It won't work for everyone and that is cool. I could have made the changes Dave talks about without Dave. I obviously have the intelligence. Dave just was the first to confront me about it basically because everyone around me lives the "normal" debt-filled American life. He never claims to be anything other than someone teaching common sense. I do think his process helped us. It gave us something to work towards which was worth it for us.

Also, most of his stuff can be found for free either on his site, his email list, or his show which he streams for free daily. It's not like he is hiding it so he definitely is different than most other guys out there. In my own Church, I am working with a couple of others to bring his FPU class to our Church and I am hoping to find sponsors to help people afford it. Basically, take people like myself who are debt-free and help to pay the cost of the program for people who are in really bad shape.

 

I have never paid a penny to him and he has been a help to me. I have just read his free stuff on the internet.

 

Good for you. This just reminded me of those real estate gurus that sell their books telling people how to make money off of real estate. Those snake oil salesmen are making thier money off of people buying books, not real estate. It's interesting that some of those same people are now selling books/programs that supposedly show people how to make money on foreclosures.

 

VA, Dave rants against those people too. He really is different. He encourages his listeners to share his books/cds with others or to get them from their local library. I got turned on to Dave by my sister-in-law who let me borrow the CDs she had. For the first 1.5 years, I didn't give a single penny to Dave Ramsey though he was making a huge change in my life and I used a ton of info off his website without paying a penny. Last fall, I finally enrolled in his FPU class and went through that mainly because I wanted to see how it works so I could bring it to my Church. Also, once you go through his FPU class, you are permanently enrolled. You can attend for the rest of your life without ever paying again. Then, I bought some of his materials for kids at his live event in Charleston the other day mostly because they were a great freaking deal. Ton of books, materials, DVDs for kids for $50 and he paid the tax on it for everything sold at his Charleston event. Dude got me on track to pay off $50+K in debt and I've given him <$130 total.

 

Wolfpac what is your status on your vehicles? That is my weakness as I have said before. I do think it is important to keep a vehicle that is safe and reliable. Is your current vehicle still in good shape? What is your plan for when it is worn out?

 

My '03 Silverado has less than 60K miles on it and the '04 Camry just crossed over 100K. Both are still running great. Just did a 100K checkup on the Camry and it needed the Transmission Fluid flushed out and replaced but that is about it. Dang thing is still on the factory battery. Between the two, I've replaced a Thermometer and that is about it besides regular servicing,tires,etc..

I'm the type who will drive a vehicle until it dies so I don't think these two are going anywhere soon. In the next year or two, the wife and I are going to start saving up to buy a used Honda Oddyssey. Most of the current used ones are from the prior model which we don't like as much so another year or two should get the current model into the price range we are looking at. Heck, as bad as SUV resale is, may pick up one of those on the cheap in another year or two. We will pay cash and buy used but man, you can get some freaking deals on used vehicles right now which is why Chrysler has stopped all leases.