Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover

finley1991 · Oct 9, 2007

I'm thinking of looking into this program to help me get more on track with my finances. Can any of you who have used this program or are using it give me some insight? Thanks so much for sharing!

katie0128 · Oct 9, 2007

YES, YES, YES, YES, YES!!!!! You will not be sorry if you do it! Are you looking into the class? It is SOOOOO worth it. In one of the videos Dave says that he doesn't provide refunds because, "The Plan will work [for you] if you work the Plan." DH and I did the classes about 3 years ago and were doing well for a while, but then got lazy and didn't follow through with the baby steps (you'll learn what those are very quickly) and found ourselves in $$ trouble again. I just found all my books and am thinking about doing a few refresher classes to get me on track again.
If you have any "personal" questions, I'll completely willing to answer. Just email me!

finley1991 · Oct 9, 2007

I'm thinking of obviously reading the book and then doing the online program. I haven't heard of the class...

katie0128 · Oct 9, 2007

Depending on your personality, you'll need to decide if you need "group support" as you get started. Personally, that is what I need. I need to know other people are having the same problems and listening to a variety of ways to address issues. Don't worry - you don't talk about specific dollar amounts in class... if fact, in our class, we didn't ever mention numbers - either debt, income, etc... just percentages and only if you wanted to share, but there was no pressure to do so.

Check out his website and locate a class near you. They are typically held at a church because Dave is a Christian and does present his methods from a Christian perspective. However, we had about 1/2 church people and 1/2 non-church people in our class (which was at a church). Regardless of whether you attend church or not, the classes are PHENOMENAL!!! Plus, once you purchase the kit for the class, you can attend any session again whenever you need a refresher for FREE!!!

susan g · Oct 9, 2007

The class is great (I've heard). A lot of churches offer it so that might be a good place to look for it. I know our church offers it at least once a year. I am reading the books now and our family is going to try out his plan. I am so excited because we have finally paid off my and DHs $100k(yes, that's one hundred thousand dollars) grad school loans!!!!!!! and now have an extra $500 a month. I wanted to have a good plan for saving or investing it before it just disappears every month. My favorite thing about the Dave Ramsey books is not that you read anything you've never heard but that he gives you the order in which to do it so that you actually have a game plan.

finley1991 · Oct 9, 2007

Thanks Katie!

How did you find out about the class? I couldn't get info on them from the his website or I was looking in the wrong spot. I found out about the seminars but there are none near me.

finley1991 · Oct 9, 2007

I think the reason why I am interested is not the debt but I need to ramp up my savings majorly and decided that if I treated my savings like debt, I could do it. (Hope that makes sense!) Although I do have a small amount of debt I'd like to be done with!

Also, the reviews I read said wonderful things and that DR's program was really the only one that works. Even over Suze Orman and David Bach's.

sfdavis918 · Oct 9, 2007

I think DR's plan works so much better because it is so much more common sense and really easy to do.

We have been working his plan now for about a year. We only have one debt that we are working on, but have used the plan more for the budgeting side of things. We are slowly working the babysteps, and actually me starting PC was a way to boost our income without affecting our family life too much. We have been successful in keeping me working my two small businesses from home and staying home with our two little ones. Before DR I never ever would have thought that possible.

We have only read the TMMO. It's a great book, really explains everything really well and gives tons of inspiring testimonials. I highly reccommend it! Also check out his radio show. If you go to Real Debt Help - Get out of debt with Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Plan. there is a link to find a station in your area. If there isn't one he also streams it on the website and also offers 1 hour of each show for free download.

Go for it girl, you won't regret it!!

Kathytnt · Oct 9, 2007

It is a very sensible program - I like that he even has a kids program. We are well into the program as far as savings. Too cool!

finley1991 · Oct 9, 2007

Thanks so much for all of your input! I'm getting really excited!!!!!

Stampaholic1961 · Oct 9, 2007

For those of you who have used his products which do you recommend? I went & looked at his website & there are too many choices!! Does his plan work for people who don't have a regular source of income? What I mean by that is that my hubby & I are self employed. We do PC, SU & he has a maintenance business. We never know from one day to the next how much money we have?
I also saw a program for kids. Is it for little kids? Mine are 14 & 16. TIA.

baychef · Oct 9, 2007

Dave Ramsey makes much more sense than Suzie O or David Bach. I suggest taking the class and purchasing the materials. It was the best investment I have ever made. Currently, I have not been working the program, but it helped stop my debt getting any larger. I need to refresh myself on the course. I have also seen the videos and they are a great investment of time. To have total success, you need to get your significant other on board too. And yes, your kids at 14 and 16 could learn a lot from this too. Good luck!

sfdavis918 · Oct 9, 2007

Stampaholic1961 said:
For those of you who have used his products which do you recommend? I went & looked at his website & there are too many choices!! Does his plan work for people who don't have a regular source of income? What I mean by that is that my hubby & I are self employed. We do PC, SU & he has a maintenance business. We never know from one day to the next how much money we have?
I also saw a program for kids. Is it for little kids? Mine are 14 & 16. TIA.

He has a whole spreadsheet and goes into an explanation of how to budget for irregular income. It's actually a great program for that. The book is available at the library, check it out!

finley1991 · Oct 9, 2007

Okay... signed up on the MTMMO website and went through the first few steps. UGH... it looks like it's going to take longer than I was hoping! I'm sure lots of you felt the same way when you started (please say you did!)

And of course in the mail today I got my EOB telling me that I have $200 in medical bills that will be floating in in the next few months. :grumpy:

sfdavis918 · Oct 9, 2007

finley1991 said:
Okay... signed up on the MTMMO website and went through the first few steps. UGH... it looks like it's going to take longer than I was hoping! I'm sure lots of you felt the same way when you started (please say you did!)

And of course in the mail today I got my EOB telling me that I have $200 in medical bills that will be floating in in the next few months. :grumpy:

Oh my goodness, that is so true! Once you read a bit you will learn about "Murphy" too. Once things seem to be going great and you have the hang of it something will happen to put a kink in it!

That happened to us just this last week. We got a $1900 medical bill for my youngest's surgery that he had at 4 weeks old. He is now 17 months old. Uh, a little late, huh? Well, the best thing is that before DR it would have been a major blow to our finances, but I was able to pay it off right there and then! WAHOO!! I felt like such an adult!

Oh, and there is a free message board that some DR followers started. It's Living Like No One Else - There's hope in your financial life!. Lots and lots of great advice on there too!

katie0128 · Oct 9, 2007

For classes - Real Debt Help - Get out of debt with Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Plan.. The classes are called FPU - Financial Peace Univeristy. You can search for a class in your area with the link under "Hot Links" in the middle of the page. If you can't find it, PM me your ZIP code and I'll search for you.

YES, I did feel completely overwhelmed when I first started, but I think the classes might help there. Also, once you hear Dave's story and know where he came from and what he has now, you'll see how it is possible to completely turn your life around. However, one thing Dave stresses is that you didn't get into your mess overnight and you aren't going to get out overnight either! Same thing with savings... it is going to take a while to get where you want to be, but "slow and stead wins the race!"

finley1991 · Oct 9, 2007

Thanks... I checked out the classes via the link! (THANKS!) And the only one close has their meetings on Friday nights and of course I am booked through Christmas on Fridays! Wouldn't you know!

It talks about buying the kit the first night of class. Can someone tell me what's in it and how much the kit costs? Thanks!

And I know it's not an overnight process... BUT I WANT IT TO BE AN OVERNIGHT PROCESS!!!!! :cry: (Sorry.. couldn't help myself!)

Regardless of going to classes, I'm still on with the program and will get the book this weekend and start on that. Thanks for all of your help!

Leigh0725 · Oct 9, 2007

YES, definitely do it!!!! My DH and I are working through our debt and will be debt free (except for the house) at the end of 2009!!! That includes car loans, credit cards, and student loans!!!! Yeah!!!! I just read the book, didn't do any of his Financial Peace classes, but is SO worth it. We'll be debt free before hitting 30 and that is a HUGE step for us.

DebbieJ · Oct 9, 2007

You can also do FPU online. You don't have to attend an actual class.

katie0128 · Oct 9, 2007

The kit includes your class registration, the workbook, the deluxe envelope system (I think that is what it is called), CD with all the forms he uses. I think there is more, but that is all I can think of off the top of my head.

Leigh0725 said:
We'll be debt free before hitting 30 and that is a HUGE step for us.

WOW!!! That IS impressive. You are off to a great start toward living like no one else!!!! Congrats!

J.Corley · Oct 9, 2007

I am a total Dave fanatic! It's one of my main reasons for doing PC. I recommend doing Financial Peace but if you are like me and don't want to spend the cash then buy the Total Money Makeover. Follow his Baby Steps and I promise you will be better off.
I truly believe we must live like no one else (pay cash/no more new debt!) so that later we can live and give like no one else (NO PAYMENTS EVER!!!!)
Can you just wrap your minds around that? No Payment!!!! Freedom!!!

I listen to Dave everyday and yes it is hard some days, but I am about another year from being totally debt free except the house.

finley1991 · Oct 9, 2007

I have only used my debit card for years now. And at conferences and when I travel I always pay for my hotel with cash... otherwise they tie up my debit card for days. One time, the Hyatt held up $300 for over a month. So I do a lot of the cash thing. My only cc debt is what I racked up years ago when I was unemployed.. I used it to pay my rent and utilities. Just want to be done with that. I will get the book this weekend and have already downloaded the podcast so I can listen to that when I walk in the mornings.

Thanks again for all of your input! It's very inspiring!

PaulaP · Oct 9, 2007

My husband and I attended Financial Peace at our church a year ago. It was an amazing eye opener. We didn't have the debt to worry about but we did have a lot of impulse buying that was eating up our pocketbooks. Our church has offered this class for about 5 years now and it has made a tremendous change in somany peoples lives!! All for the good! Take the class, it is well worth the time and money!

chefpayne · Oct 9, 2007

It's neat to see everyone suggesting DR. I listened to him for about a year before my husband heard him and we tired FPU, our schedules were a nightmare this Summer so we were not able to finish. However, today my husband told me we need to sell our van. It is so funny cause I said the same thing about 8 months ago and I thought he'd never forgive me.
We are going to start baby step 1 and ya'll have just made my day. THANK YOU!!!

itsjustCarla · Oct 10, 2007

a friend didn't take the class, but she recommended getting the book on CD. She said that she listened to it over and over again until she knew what he was going to say before he said it. She said that she started working his progam and eliminated 5 yrs of student loan payments in 2. I bought the bok on CD but haven't listened to it yet. A church in our town was offering the classes, but I was afraid to try it......now, I guess I may have to sign up. My hubby's only contribution to the finances is the paycheck...after that, he's done other than to complain when a bill is late or a disconnect notice comes in the mail. I'm tired of taking on the responsibility all by myself, maybe this is a good way to get him involved. Wow.....ya'll are CONVINCING!

krzymomof4 · Oct 10, 2007

What is the difference between the Financial peace program and the money makeover program. My DH and I are thinking of getting started, but not sure which to start with.

tabnat80 · Oct 10, 2007

My DH and I are currently going through dave ramsey's financial peace book at our church. Some of it's been really beneficial to our finances. Kind of gotten us on the right track. I'm a stay at home mom so every penny counts.

KellyTheChef · Oct 10, 2007

Thanks for starting this thread!

I did a search for churches in the area who are doing his classes. I found one, but they started back in September so DH doesn't want to start in the middle of the class. They will be doing it again next year...maybe January or March, so please pray that he will be open to attending. We seem to make two steps forward and then three steps back when it comes to finances. I think this class would really help us...see the big picture, and to be on "the same page" as a married couple dealing with our finances together as a team!!

pamperedpals · Oct 10, 2007

Okay after reading all of your post's I'm going to go home and discuss this with DH tonight. We are in a not so good situation right now and it is VERY stressful. I think I get maybe an hour or two of sleep a night and I put on 10 - 20 pounds just because of the stress. I don't my kids to have to grow up in this environment.

This thread has been very encouraging. I hope this program is the answer to my prayers.

KellyTheChef · Oct 10, 2007

Laurie~

This very well may be the answer to your prayers!

God gives us hope in soooooo many different ways! I pray that you and DH will be a closer couple through this...and that God would bless your finances!

Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover

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