The gospel according to Dave Ramsey

[jahjahwarrior]

Have any of you ever listened to Dave Ramsey's radio show and/or get it in your area? I've listened to his show numerous times and have read his book "The Total Money Makeover" (which my mother-in-law lend to me once). I do agree with most of his teachings about getting out of debt and not living beyond your means. Much of what else he teaches is iffy at best in my book. Though I agree that it's not wise to take on loans for everything under the sun (boat, motorcycle, RV, fancy sports car, etc.), I do have some issues what his theology. Student loans are a great example. The average American does not have the luxury of having parents who saved up money for their college tuition, and it's very hard today to find a job that pays a living wage without a degree or the special skills required for the job. So, unless you take on a student loan, it will take you many many years to save up enough money for college working at the drive-thru at Burger King. Then by the time you finally have the $20,000-$40,000+ needed for college, go through the course (2-4 years at minimum), then build your career from entry level to journeyman, by the time you make enough money to raise a family, you're in your 40s and not getting any younger. Meanwhile, with the college loan, you can get your career started sooner and the investment will pay for itself and you can live your dreams well by 30. I don't know about you, but life is short on my home planet and our health starts to decline once we turn 35.

My biggest problem with Dave Ramsey however is the fact that he is very arrogant and full of himself and he is very insulting and harsh to his callers on his show, which I find to be very unChrist-like, which is one of the reasons why I stopped listening to his show. Your thoughts?

 

[Vaccine]

Yeah, it takes money to make money. I've listened to those shows and it's good advice, but it's like they can't even concieve of someone raising 3 kids on $35k a year and with a net worth of $0.00.

 

[jasoncran]

the reality is that well what was his advise during the housing boom. I bought a house worth 160000 then and now its worth 45k.saved for what?

 

[Danus]

Many people I've heard call into Dave's show are horrible money managers. If we are to be salt and light, sometimes we need to take the salt. While I will agree Dave has enjoyed some great blessings with his teachings, and perhaps it's left him dealing with his own pride from time to time, what he teaches is biblically sound principal of money management.Those who receive the advice would do better to look more closely at the principal of the advice in relationship to the admonishment Dave gives.

I've seen people do just fine on small salaries. They inspire me. I've also known people who make plenty of money (6 figures) and don't have a dime, or end up filing for bankruptcy.

The basic biblical principal for managing money goes hand in hand with the Christian life, and faith in God. The money we think we have is not ours to begin with. We should not covet in want. We should not be in debt to the world, and when we borrow money that's what we are; slaves to the world. Proverbs 22:7, 7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

 

[Matthew G]

The average American does not have the luxury of having parents who saved up money for their college tuition, and it's very hard today to find a job that pays a living wage without a degree or the special skills required for the job.

That's why busting your butt while in school is so important. Let me say up front that I realize there are some people out there who are just not built for academics or higher learning. But just follow me for a moment, because college wouldn't do such folks much good anyway. ;)

I have three kids. I have a good job that will turn into a great one in a few years because I work for a great company. But I will never make enough money to save $150,000 or so for all three to go to good colleges so they can further their education. Even if I did, I wouldn't. I'll admit my wife and I disagree on this just a bit, but let me tell you why my position is what it is.

A car that I give you is never going to mean as much to you as a car you have to earn. The same with education. Our oldest wants to be a veterinarian, and I think that's awesome, but I'm not going to be able to afford to send her to school for that, whether I want to or not.

But with good enough grades, you can get a full-ride scholarship to pretty much any school in the nation. And for some, even sports or the marching band and whatnot open windows like this. I myself was offered a half-ride to the University of Kentucky for walking around with a trombone in my hand!

And so my kids will have to apply themselves while they're in school and earn scholarships to go. Just like they will be getting jobs that I will happily drive them to so they can save for a car. Having parents who can't afford it doesn't qualify as an excuse when they are so many options for students who will actually apply themselves. No one is entitled to anything just because they're breathing. But they are entitled to work for it.

It's not my intention to hijack the thread, but had to get that out so my head didn't blow up. :D