Anyone who knows me knows that I love to read, especially if it's a great book where I can actually apply it to my life. I'm not much for fiction books, so they will barely make it to my bookshelf or Kindle Fire, but if it's non-fiction, well then, we can talk! (or read!)
A couple of months ago the church that we were attending offered a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class. We signed up, but I will admit I did have my doubts. We have tried a couple of budgeting ideas that we either came up with ourselves or heard about, but nothing really worked, so we just didn't stick to it. We were trying basically to pay some things off and grow back up our savings account, because in four years, we moved four times! I was praying that this one would be different because I was tired of failing! Dave Ramsey is a pretty well- known fella, so what did we have to lose, but maybe our minds for trying yet another get-out-of-debt, financial peace plan that was easier said then done.
We knew that if we were going to do this, we were going to do this 100%. So every Sunday night we went to the class and something weird happened. Every night we were actually learning something and Dave (Ramsey) made it fun! I never thought learning how to do a $0 budget would be fun!! There were a few times I was a stinker because his envelope system didn't sound like it was for us, but you know what?!?!?!? It's actually perfect for us! I can't imagine NOT doing it! This has made such a difference in our lives too! We only use our debit card (for this like gas and online purchases) and we ONLY use cash for everything else!
Since it's working so great for us, we wanted to pass this along to our kids so that they don't end up in debt like most people today. Over the summer I read another must read by Dave Ramsey and his daughter Rachel Cruze. It's called Smart Money Smart Kids. This is a MUST read for ALL parents. It talks about how your child(ren) can go to college without student loans to pay for the next 30 years after they graduate, it talks about how to warn your child(ren) about the pitfalls of credit cards and the debt that follows. It also talks about how to start your child(ren) out onto the right path at a young age. My kids have now started to make commissions and using their own money to buy things that they want. They LOVE it and it is so easy to do!
They have a chart with all their chores listed out for them. When they completed the chore for the day, they check it off. Every Saturday night, I look at their charts and then put their commissions into an envelope that they get Sunday morning. When they get up Sunday morning to get ready for church, they get their enveloped and count their money. They take a dollar out for offering and the rest is theirs that they divide into saving and spending! It's a no brainer!!!
Now if you have child that is a senior, don't feel that your too late. It's NEVER too late! The first step is to buy the book and read it, (it took me three days to finish because it's too good to put down) and then apply it to your situation!
Please check out all the other awesome books that Dave has and you won't regret it! You will only regret not doing it sooner! Dave Ramsey
