David Ramsey's Baby Steps Update Friday 11/16/12

I love to read David Ramsey's books and listen to his CD's. Once we found a set of his CDs at a yard sale and bought for just a few dollars. After listening to it for over a month we finally sold the set on eBay for a nice profit. I am always on the look out for another set of CDs. Will again refresh myself with his ideas and then resell.

There was a time we were drowning in debt, hated it but did nothing about it. Times have changed and our debt is shrinking and our emergency fund is slowly growing. Our challenge is baby step number 1 and have a $1,000 dollars in the savings account that is not earmarked for nothing else but emergency. We are about half way to that first $1,000 and debt is shrinking to just the car payment and a small loan of $300. Once we get to the $1,000 mark we will put any extra money on the car till paid off. Once the car is paid off I want this money to go into savings towards the time we need another car. Would be nice to have a good chunk to put down on a used car.

How is your savings account is it growing or will it shrink with the holidays around the corner. We plan to shop for gifts on the frugal side and of course there is no credit cards to use so no damage will be done in this catagory.

Thanks for stopping to read about my baby step number 1 challenge. I hope for you that your savings account is growing and your debt is shrinking. Grace

Lets Be Weird The Dave Ramsey Way Wednesday

Lets be Weird the Dave Ramsey way Wednesday. What have I done this last last week to be weird.

Being weird and not like the " Jones"s is making our life so much better.

Our debt is hospital bill from my September illness... thank goodness for my health insurance .. expensive but boy am I glad I pay those monthly bills. I have had people tell me when I complain of the cost to just cancel it and take my chances. Wrong at any age especially when you get older you do not need to take chances. Hospital bill ended up around $50,000. Would you want that hanging over your head. Not me I will take the less than 1,000 we owe and make monthly payments to pay off.

Our other debt is a car payment and I dream of getting that paid off earlier.


So we are weird because...

We have no credit cards. We are not slaves to the lender.

We are paying our own health insurance instead of buying new furniture, new cars, going on vacations, buying new clothes,. We are not taking chances with the roulette wheel of health issues.

I plan our menu for the week and shop smart. Buying what we need only unless I find a good deal to stock up.

We do freezer cooking .. tonight was our homemade spaghetti sauce over pasta and garlic bread. Bread was bought for $1.99 at Cub Foods.. divided into four pieces. One tonight and three into the freezer. That is 50 cents a meal for warm tasty garlic bread. Spaghetti sauce came out of the freezer. I believe this saves us money. Meals are planned and no chance of saying " Lets Go Out To Dinner " several times a week.

I use coupons on needed items when best deal and use store brands when they are the best price.

I pick up pennies when I see them " See a penny pick it up, all day long you''ll have good luck".

We do not buy lottery tickets or go to local casinos. Gambling would be a saved up trip to Las Vegas. Planned and paid in cash. That is not even in the plans for some time.

We buy gas at the cheapest known place without going out of our way.

We are on the cash basis for food, entertainment and gas. If the cash is gone we are done for the week. I am even attempting to cut our weekly food budget and putting the difference in our emergency fund. I want a 1,000 in this fund. At this time we have about $200.


Are you doing anything different than "The Jones", To you want to be weird financially also. I hope so.

Thanks for stopping by... lets keep saving together and please remember

Never under estimate the value of a small amount of money .... Grace

11 Ways to be Weird in 2011 by David Ramsey

I am a huge David Ramsey fan and today he has a great posting on 11 Ways To Be Weird.

Here is what Dave says in this post.. please click on the link to read other great postings by Dave Ramsey
Everyone has their own definition of what “weird” means. To us, it means having some—or actually a lot—of money, because so many people are broke! If you could keep hundreds of extra dollars a month instead of paying credit card bills, car payments and your alma mater, would you want to become weird?
If you’re tired of being normal (aka broke) like everyone else, here are some ways to get started on your journey to weirdness!
1. Set a solid foundation.
Without a proper start, big plans will eventually crumble. We are here to help you along the way during this weird year that will carry through the rest of your life. Find out how to set a solid foundation.
2. Bring out your inner bookworm!
According to The Literacy Company, 90% of learning is based on reading. You would think that Americans would read a lot, right? Well, about 27% of adults read no books at all in the past year. Set yourself apart from the majority by reading a few beneficial, nonfiction books this year! Here are some suggestions from Dave’s library.
3. Take baby steps with meal planning.
Food often costs more than you think. Plan your meals ahead of time to eat healthier and avoid hitting up your favorite fast-food spot five times a week. It’s not a daunting task when you get help from eMealz for just $5 a month!
4. Compare yourself to the Joneses—really!
The Joneses are broke. They’re in debt and don’t have money for emergencies, retirement or college. Do you really want to be like them? Doubtful. So compare yourself to them and determine what you need to do so you aren’t like the Joneses.
5. Practice saying no!
There are so many good things to do, but you can’t do it all. Learning to set limits in your life will actually allow you to do more, whether it’s with your time or money. Plus, you’ll be better at those things you do since you aren’t rushing around trying to cram a bunch of stuff into your schedule.
6. Surprise!
Who says giving to others only has to take place at Christmas? Challenge yourself to continue giving like no one else throughout 2011. You’ll be amazed at how much better life is when you give to others!
7. Dream.
Just because you’re a responsible adult who’s all grown up doesn’t mean you have to stop dreaming. But don’t just be a dreamer; do something about it! Determine what’s stopping you from making your goal a reality, and challenge yourself to overcome it.
8. Sacrifice.
Most people cringe at the “s” word. But sacrifice doesn’t mean you have to live in a cave and never have fun. Maybe you need to pick up an extra job or cut out a monthly treat from your budget to get closer to achieving your goal. Think of something you can give up, and commit to following through this year.
9. Get a will for real.
About 60% of Americans die without a will. So what’s the big deal? That means that when you die, everything you owned is either left to the government to divvy out, or your relatives will fight over your belongings. Avoid that heartache by creating a will. Stop procrastinating and just do it! USLegalForms.com makes it easy for you to leave this legacy for under $30.
10. Quit your J-O-B.
Don’t love your job? Then quit it! Find your passion and do work that truly matters to you. Yes, even in this economy you can quit your job—just be smart about it. Think it through. Have a plan, and be wise about your decisions. Consider this.
11. Pass on the weirdness!
It’s cool to be weird! Tell others about your journey to weirdness and how you’re changing your life for the best. Send them our weekly email challenges, pass along your budgeting knowledge, or invite them to a free Financial Peace University class. Dave has so many resources available for you and your friends that there’s definitely something for everyone.

Okay what will I do this year to improve myself by being weird?

I already do number 3 .. meal planning this does help us to eat more at home which saves us big $.
I have started to do freezer cooking which I think is the way to go. Having meals of Chili and Spaghetti sauce in my freezer makes some nights so easy.

We already have our Wills #9 could use a small update probably.

What I think I need to do is take more time reading # 2.
I will have to take a look at what Dave has on his reading list. I want to read more American history books. I into my family genealogy and this goes along with this perfectly.

# 7 Dream and goals ..hubby and I have been working on that the last few days.. we know what we need to do just have to get going...

What do you plan to do to make next year better?

Thanks for stopping by... Lets keep saving together .. and please remember Never Under Estimate The Value Of A Small Amount Of Money... Grace

I am a big fan of Dave Ramsey and his advice. I listen to him for years but never really got on the band wagon or followed through with what he said. It was to0 hard I thought. Truth is I did not want to change my ways. I did not want to give up buying anything I wanted, going any where I wanted. The debt grew and grew.
That all changed a little over a year ago. The roof fell in on my money house and hubby and I had to change the way we viewed our money.
We got rid of the credit cards and went on a cash system. We set up a budget and wrote it down. Hubby puts it in his excel program but I want it on a yellow tablet. I want to see it and feel it. We followed this budget day by day and that feels good.
We had decided to move back home to Minnesota. That cost us our savings but we are home with family and that makes it all okay.
Now we have to get back to the basics. Pinching Penny's until we get settled and start bringing in the extra $. We need to build up our $1,000 cushion fund and then work on paying off our van as fast as possible.
Yesterday I got another email from Dave Ramsey and thought it was a great reminder to get back to do what is necessary.
The following is from Dave Ramsey.. enjoy and hope that something helps you.

Wherever you are right now, these four tips will help you make your money—and Dave's advice—work for you!
Write it down: Dave is a big fan of writing down your goals. He talks and writes about it often. There's just something about writing things down that adds power and tangibility to them. A dream is just a dream until you write it down ... then, it's a goal! When it comes to budgeting, give every dollar a name by spending it on paper, on purpose before the month begins. And remember, the dullest pencil is sharper than the sharpest memory!
Start Small: You know how to eat an elephant, right? One bite at a time! It's like losing weight or getting in shape. If you try big, crazy, extreme plans or diets, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Don't try to take shortcuts. Get on a plan that works, and stick to it. That's what Dave's seven Baby Steps are all about: adjusting your position a little bit at a time until you've completely turned things around.
Get Intense! You've got to get wired up and fired up about where you want to go! Do what it takes to keep yourself motivated, whether it's listening to people scream "We're debt freeeee!" on Debt-Free Fridays, reading powerful success stories, or making stuff with cut-up pieces of your credit cards. Continually think about why you're doing what you're doing. One way to do that is to keep a photo of your loved ones in your checkbook or envelope system, and remind yourself: I'm changing my family tree for them.
Get Support: Personal finance is only 20% head knowledge. It's 80% behavior change. That will make all the difference! That's why it's important to surround yourself with people who have the same goals, so you get the support and accountability you really need. There are thousands of Financial Peace University classes starting all over the nation. Take the step to get plugged into a community of support and encouragement that's a whole lot of fun for all involved. Find a Financial Peace University class in your area. You can attend the first lesson for free! Connecting with our new FPU Facebook page is another great way to get daily motivation to work your way through the Baby Steps! As the season changes, it's your chance to give yourself a fresh start! Good intentions won't change anything, but intentional action will do wonders. Jump in with both feet, and start doing the little things that make a big difference in your life! If you're new to all of this motivational talk and just want a way to get your head around the idea of looking at money differently, why not start at the beginning with Dave's best-selling book, The Total Money Makeover. Another great resource is Dave's Starter Special, an exclusive special for newsletter subscribers.
Thanks for stopping by... and Never Under Estimate The Value Of A Small Amount Of Money.. Grace

David Ramsey and the Legacy Drawer

The following was sent to me through and email from David Ramsey... I enjoy reading his books and listening to him on the radio. You can visit him at http://www.daveramsey.com/
Thought this was worth while sharing with you and printing out to share with my husband. It is now on my to do list in case something happens to either one of us or both of us.

Start A Legacy Drawer Part three in our series of getting your life organized is about the Legacy Drawer. If you've listened to Dave for any amount of time, you've heard him talk about the Legacy Drawer. So what is it?
Basically, it's a drawer that houses all of the important information your family needs in case something happens to you. Preparing for when you are no longer here is not a fun task, but it's crucial to do this for your family. Every household needs a Legacy Drawer. It doesn't matter if you're single with no kids or 76 and have 12 grandkids—you need a Legacy Drawer. It's the last gift you will give your family, so make it a good one. If you truly care about your loved ones, you will take the time to create a Legacy Drawer.
The drawer should be somewhere in your home and contain everything your spouse or family needs to know if you aren't around—anything that has to do with your financial life should be in that drawer. You must organize it in a way that anyone can find a specific document in 30 seconds. All files should be clearly marked, in order, and easy for a grieving family member to find. There's no need to go into extreme detail when creating your Legacy Drawer. Simply include the appropriate documents in an easy-to-understand format, and you're good to go! We recommend that your Legacy Drawer contain 11 things. Although it may seem daunting to gather all of this material together, you will be happy you did once the Legacy Drawer is created.
Cover Letter. This is simply a letter stating the purpose of the Legacy Drawer. Nothing fancy, just a way to introduce your loved ones to the contents of the drawer.

Will & Estate Plans. All information pertaining to your will and estate, including names of the executor and Power of Attorney should be located in one file.

Financial Accounts. Anything that has money in it and your name on it should be listed in the Legacy Drawer. This includes account names, amount and account numbers.

Funeral Instructions. All details and specifications for funeral plans should be listed so the family can fulfill your wishes. If you are married, you need one for you and one for your spouse.

Insurance Policies. All insurance information, including health, car, disability, term life, etc., should be combined into one single document for easy reference. List the type of insurance, who the policy is for, contact information and policy numbers.

Important Documents. Any legal or other important documents you have should be noted in the file. This includes deeds, birth certificates, Social Security cards and titles.

Legacy Letters. Since the intention behind the Legacy Drawer is to keep your legacy going after you've passed away, it's a great idea to include letters to your loved ones.

Monthly Budget. Add a copy of your written budget, so your spouse or loved ones know how to operate your household once you're gone. This will help your family keep track of bills and focus on more important things.

Tax Returns. Keeping tax returns in your Legacy Drawer is like an insurance policy for yourself in the event that you get audited from the IRS. Hopefully you never have to pull them out, but if you do, at least you are prepared.

Safe Deposit Box. Keep copies of all your Legacy Drawer papers in a safe deposit box—you can never be too careful. Include information in your Legacy Drawer on where your safe deposit box is and who has access to it.

Passwords. Write down all passwords, combinations, usernames and PIN numbers. This information allows your loved ones access to any documents, money or information that is left when you are gone.

If you put your mind to it, you can create your Legacy Drawer in 30 days! It's tedious to gather all of the documents and paperwork that goes into the drawer, but it's a necessary task in order to protect you and your family. Interested in learning more great ways to keep you and your family ahead of the game? Check out Financial Peace University, a 13-week course that teaches you about insurance, investments and preparing for the future. During April 5-12, a free FPU lesson will be open to anyone. Don't miss out on this great opportunity! Sign up today!

Hope that you enjoyed reading this and that you will give it some thought. Grace

David Ramsey Baby Step One and Grocery/ Gas budget

One more way I am saving is ... When we moved here to Texas we had to find a bank. The bank that was closest was a Bank of America. They offer a checking account that puts the change from debit card payments into a savings account. Yes it is just pennies but pennies do add up.
Every time I use my debit card for groceries, eating out or what ever the change goes into my savings account.


I have been listening to Dave Ramsey on the radio. His first baby step is to have a thousand dollars in the bank. He also suggest budgeting with envelopes. One envelope for groceries, one for gas and so on. This checking account is my grocery / food envelope. When I get my pay check I deposit it into this checking account. The part that is to pay bills is transferred to my husbands checking account and my food money is left here. I take half of it the first week and the second half the next week to spend on our food and eating out. Our Gas money goes into an envelope that I carry in my purse. For the first time in my life I am budgeting . No more using credit cards for what ever I want. May not be as exciting as before, but feels good to be living within a budget , and I sleep better that is for sure. So far we do not have a thousand dollars in the bank but I am working on it. My plan is to work more hours if possible and try to sell some of the the things I have here that are just collecting dust.
Would love to hear from any Dave Ramsey fans and how you budget