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Budgeting

Dave Ramsey Hacks to Stop Being Broke

Dave Ramsey’s Baby Step Hacks to Stop Being Broke

Baby Steps & the Debt Snowball

 

Who is Dave Ramsey?

Dave Ramsey is a financial guru that has been through it all. He was a millionaire at age 26 but lost it all, only to turn it around and come back stronger at a net worth of around $55 million.  Dave made it his mission to help others learn from his mistakes and to leave debt in the past.

Dave often uses biblical references to teach people about money. Moreover, he is known to quote Proverbs 22:7 stating, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.”  After losing it all Dave has quickly built up his wealth, maintained his marriage, and now helps people learn the value of a dollar. Nonetheless, he teaches people how to pay down debt with his debt snowball methods.

Not only does Dave have New York Times Bestselling books he also created a class called “Financial Peace University” where he teaches live or video versions of his baby steps method for becoming debt-free and building wealth.

More Budgeting and Debt-Free Posts

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11 Steps to Get Out of Debt

How to Raise Your Credit Score by 200 Points

7 Budgeting Methods Explained

How to Become a Better Saver

No Money to Pay My Bills, Help!

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Budgeting

Are You Drowning in Debt? Learn How to Come up for Air

Drowning in Debt


Drowning in Debt

So when I was a kid, I used to swim every day. I would swim for fun! I would swim for exercise and because I grew up by a lake, I thought this made me an excellent swimmer. Daily walks to the lake entailed swimming laps and laying out in the sun. This was a way of life when you grew up a few blocks from the water. Winter was your enemy and summer your best friend.

Yet, that day in the five-foot hotel pool told a story of a different swimmer. Not the story of a swimmer that could swim laps around Michael Phelps, but of a vulnerable kid that could not get a grip. That was the day my brother started drowning. Yet, being the great swimmer that I am, I knew I could save him.

I saw it so differently in my head. I envisioned diving in, grabbing him, and pulling him to the edge. It was all so clear and I would be a hero!

However, I didn’t take into account, when the water is over your head and the other person is panicking – by the way, I’m not a lifeguard – saving them is near to impossible.

As I swam up to my brother bobbing up and down grabbing for any inch of air to fill his water-logged lungs, he grabbed me and started taking me down with him. I – the great swimmer from Michigan – started to panic myself.

Suggested Reading: No Money to Pay My Bills, Help!

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Budgeting, Save Money

How to Use Your Credit Card to Your Advantage

Learn how to use your credit card to your advantage and save money while earning points!
How to Use Credit Cards to Your Advantage

Use Your Card to Your Advantage

We all know credit cards are dangerous, yet if used correctly, they can actually be very advantageous.  There are an array of cards available that offer points, rewards, airline miles, statement credits and YES, they are all very lucrative. However, if you do not know how to use your card to your advantage, you could be digging yourself into a whirlwind of debt. It is estimated that the mean credit card debt for the average American is $5,700. (Source ValuePenguin)

With this amount so high, I’m not suggesting you use your card to go on a spending spree. (Although that would be fun!) Nonetheless, I’m offering some advice to help you build credit and earn some of the amazing rewards these plastic gems have to offer.

Let’s change that $5,700 figure around and let the cards work in our favor. If you are sick of being one of the people that pays interest on your card and gets nothing in return, keep reading…

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Budgeting

Secrets to Saving for an Emergency Fund

Secrets to Saving for an Emergency Fund

Secrets to Saving for an emergency fund now!
Secrets to Saving for an emergency fund now!

(Updated March 2021)

What is an Emergency Fund?

An emergency fund is a fund you set up to cover surprises that pop up, you weren’t expecting to pay. It happens to all of us at some point and having an emergency fund will give you security and less stress. You can take comfort in knowing you are covered when you end up in a surprise situation. If you do not have an emergency fund, it is best to learn how to save for an emergency fund quickly. You can start a mini-emergency fund for now of $1000 and build it up more when you are able.

Do You Need an Emergency Fund?

In short, yes, you need an emergency fund to cover different financial situations that come up unexpectedly.

Imagine you wake up, get ready for work, and start to walk out the door.  Suddenly you step into a puddle on the carpet. The next step is an even bigger puddle! Why is the carpet drenched? After searching more, you realize your water heater has flooded! This happened to us! Yes, our carpet was ruined and we needed a new water heater.

Or your son fell off the monkey bars at school, landed wrong, and ended up in a cast. Your insurance doesn’t cover the entire bill and you are left paying around $300. This also happened to us. An unexpected medical bill or two can leave you reaching for your plastic card.

Both of these situations happened to me and my family. These were times when we needed a large amount of money to fix the situation at hand. Fortunately, we had an emergency fund saved to ease the burden of these surprise bills. Whether it be your water heater, new roof, health emergency, car accident or any other situation with a surprise bill, there are times in life when you need extra money above your regular budget.


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