Total Money Makeover

My husband and I just decided last month to get going on this program. We're going to hear him talk next Sunday in Dallas. In the meantime, I think it has provided us a sound, easy program that we both UNDERSTAND and SUPPORT. That's the key to making anything work - you both have to be on the same page at the same time. So now my husband who never paid any attention to bills has put all of them in his yahoo calendar so he knows exactly what we owe and when. It's been great! Good luck to you!!

We have been through Financial Peace University and it has mad a HUGE difference. Before we had no clue where I money was going, and now we know where it is all going. My suggestion to you is to do what it says. No more credit cards. Only Cash! If you keep your debit card(we did) put it inA sleeve that reminds you that you are spending money. Make a budget and stick to it. You will be surprised what kind of money you have. Good luck.
H. M.

We have been following Dave Ramsey's concepts for 2 years now. We have no debt except for the house left and are building up the 401k and college savings. He has excellent advice and once you see your debt getting smaller and smaller it makes you feel great. Your stress level will go down tremendously. I highly recommend following his total money makeover book. Dave will be in Dallas in a week I believe. His live event is a great way to start following the concepts and get you motivated. Check out his website http://www.daveramsey.com for more details.

As of Wednesday, we are DEBT FREE!!!!

We started working his program 16 months ago & with closing on the sale of our house Monday before last, the sale of my "Fleeced" 2006 Odyssey- which I adored, "kicking out" Sallie Mae, destroying credit cards, the purchase of a $10,000 '01 Toyota Sienna- which got paid off when the house sold, we've paid off over $258,000! We are better communicating with each other about finances & many other things now. I feel like a real-live grown-up for once in my 37 years. My financial priorities are finally in order, and it has made a huge difference in my self-esteem. We have moved into an apt. for the next 5 months or so, just b/c hubby's making a career change & we're trying to be flexible if a move needs to happen. However, by making the decision to go into an apt. for a while- I'm even willing to extend that to 1- 1.5 years- we will have our emergency fund completed & be able to rebuild the funds taken from our house sale to fund that & pay off the van in a snap, so we'll have 20 or even 30% ready to put down on a house when we do buy again.

Before the career change became an issue, we were selling our $250,000/ 3100 sq. ft. house in Keller, and preparing to move into an approx. 2500 sq. ft., $190-200K home... not because we had to, we make about $100k/ yr., but because the down-sizing was ENOUGH. We have discovered that there is a fundamental difference between wants & real needs. Just b/c we can make a payment on something does not mean we should have it or need it. That is a very important message most of our grandparents knew, but our parents & we have forgotten or never learned. Bigger is not better, and most of the time it is completely superfluous- often ridiculously so!!! I think the thing that I have grasped more than anything else from his program is the essence of being a Christian in principle, not just in name. A Christian is should not excessive in their life, cars, homes to the detriment of savings, emergency preparedness (on several levels)and their spirituality; a Christian is not concerned with what the "Jonses" are doing- they should recognize the blessings they have and learn to be content; a Christian is a good steward over his blessings- his property, family and income- he does not waste these things or treat them lightly; a Christian is joyful in all of these things and gives to others in need freely b/c he has been careful with all of the above- which reflects directly upon the strength and depth of his belief in Christ.

I was a born spender & drove my hubby nuts with the waste of our funds; the more he made, the more I wasted. I listen to 570 am all day while I work & the summer before last when Ramsey's show started on 570, I was furious!!! I didn't want some "Mortgage Home Hour" interrupting my work day flow, and I wanted Dr. Laura on. I even wrote the station manager, telling him I'd rather have a gun in my mouth than listen to this "crap" in the middle of my work day! (give me a break...I'm a "sensitive" artist) But one day 2 months later, I was working & couldn't get to the radio to change the channel after Bill O'Reilly went off, and I actually LISTENED to about 20 minutes of Dave's show... and the rest is history. It was the right message at the right time, and it has made all the difference for me & my family.

Dave will be at Reunion Arena NEXT Saturday, the 23rd. If you can get tickets, go. It is truly life changing!

Best of luck to you!
D.

We are in the process of debt snowballing and it is fantastic. As a matter of fact, the end is in sight for us and by the end of this year we will be debt free-it is liberating just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I encourage you to do it and stick to it-it is sooo worth it. HTH.

Hi! I was excited to see this posting! My husband and I started our TMM in July 2007. We are teachers with two kids. I brought bad spending habits into our marriage, and then we decided I would stay home for two years after I had our first child. Needless to say, we accumulated lots of debt over our six year marriage. I am proud to say we have paid off over $20000 of debt since July! We went through Financial Peace University at Connect Church (connectchurch.com) and have transformed our spending habits and our lifestyle. We have no car payments. We are all looking forward to calling Dave and screaming "We're debt free" in a year or so. I strongly encourage you to commit to your TMM and not give up!!

Many churches in the area offer the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class. I am a huge fan and used to listen to his radio show daily when I lived in Fl.
If he says it, it's gotta be good!

Hi Danielle,
My husband and I took the class through our church last Sept. Honestly it was the best thing we have ever done. I am amazed at how much more money we have to spend now than before. Don't get me wrong we are still working on our debt snowball and will be for a while. It doesn't happen as fast as you want it to but it does give you peace of mind. You will also realize what you spend your money on and what is really important. We did cut all but one credit card up but we don't use that credit card. It is the hugest burden off my shoulders not having credit cards. If I don't have the money I can't charge it. I kept the credit card for things that I purchase on the internet and airplane tickets. How ever that doesn't mean I don't have the money. The minuet that bill comes in I pay it. I am the nerd and financer in our family and it has given me great peace. It has also given my husband, the free spirit, to not have me nagging him all the time the peace that he needs. Good luck and if I can help please let me know. It's nice to be able to bounce ideas off someone else.
S.

its really a great thing! he has a show on the radio ( or listen online) at 1pm to 4pm; keeps you motivated. my husband and i pretty much hit under the rock in October... i started listening to dave and checking out his tools/books etc, within a couple D. i had a better understanding and we within 3 weeks were able to make our rock get off of us! its now been 4 months and we have two cards paid off and know EXACTLY where our money goes, some weeks we even can treat ourselves to a small/cheap date. both of us are less stressed and we see our money actually making a dent in our loans and credit cards! i now have about 3 more friends that have turned to dave as well, and it has helped all them too, even one of the girls husbands finally starting doing the plan as well! its totalll worth the effort to try it for awhile, adn like dave will tell you, the first month or two will be trial and error, but after that you should start to feel better about it and understand better and see more results in your life and money issues! best of wishes!

Hi there. My husband and I both brought debt to our marriage. For the first several years we tried to pay off what we owed, but were unsuccessful. I randomly found Dave's show on the radio and started listening everyday. After my husband and I decided to do the Total Money Makeover we paid off all our credit card debt (over $17,000) in less than a year!!!

What is crazy about our situation is after we became debt free we felt amazing! Exactly one month after paying off our debt we found out we were pregnant - we had been trying for over 1 year. I think wonderful things will happen to you if you stick to his plan. Get your husband on board and together you two can accomplish anything!!! Good Luck!

My husband and I have not personally tried this yet, but I know of several people who have. We may be trying it in the near future. I know that doesn't help, but this may with yor decision. My husband is a firefighter and about 2 years ago one of his fellow firefighters was seriously injured and had to undergo plastic surgery. Long story short they had huge amounts of medical bills, and car loans. They were turned onto Dave Ramsey about a year ago and have since then PAID OFF all of the hospital bills and cars, and are building a brand new house!! DEBT FREEEEE!!! He says it was hard at first, but if you are serious about it it changes your perspective and all, and most of all GOD provides!!!! I believe they paid off over $200,000 of debt, and his wife stays at home with their kids, and I know for a fact firemen do not get paid $200,000. I know we don't. I hope this helps with your decision.

Danielle,

My husband have a no credit card policy. If we can't pay cash for it, we don't get it. We started doing this when I became a SAHM and had credit card bills from me buying clothing and cosmetics that I no longer needed. We have no debt aside from our home. It's a great feeling. The Total Money Makeover definitely works. Stick to a plan. You will definitely see results.