Baby Step Two – Pay-Off Debt with the Debt Snowball

Welcome back to my continuing break down of Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps.  These are the steps he teaches in his books, and radio and TV shows to millions willing to listen and follow his advice. I personally find these steps simple and easy to follow but also elegant and effective. In previous installments I covered: Baby Step 1 – $1000 Emergency Fund Today, we’ll examine Baby Step Two. Baby Step...

Baby Step One – Starter Emergency Fund

Today I’m launching a new series. Actually it is the very first installment of what I envision as an ambitious 3 series set in which I plan to cover some personal finance basics from different angles.  Call it a “Back to the Basics” bundle if you will.  I expect this series to take shape over the next couple months so stay tuned.  I hope you’ll enjoy and engage the discussion. In some ways...

Financial Infidelity

  So, when was the last time you cheated on your spouse?  What?  It’s a fair question, no need to get all bent out of shape.  We all cheat on our spouses from time to time.  Heck, I know I’ve done it twice, at least that I can recall.  Some folks consider it sport or simply a normal way of life.  That’s just how some households roll. Now to be sure, I am not talking about marital infidelity. ...

2009 – A Year In Thanks

About this time a year ago my wife and I talked about how good 2008 had been to our household.  It was a fun moment of connection, and reflection, and celebration, and optimism.  In a demonstration of faith we agreed that 2009 would be an even better year for us.  And so it has been. Of course 2009, for our house, began with tremendous questions in the air.  Walking away from a long term employer...

You Owe What You Owe

Our society is given more and more to laziness and victim mentality, or so it seems.  I’ve conducted no scientific research but the prevailing winds of conversation, and print stories, and news ‘events’ seem to prevent as much.  Perhaps this is just the vocal minority – I so hope – or perhaps we’re on a horrible downward trend. A pair of illustrations resonated, or more accurately collided,...

Link Round-up – Thanks In Advance edition

  Hello everyone, today I want to take pause and share with you some good stuff from other sites I’ve been keeping an eye on.  I hope you’ll check out the efforts from these talented and insightful folks. I also want to call your attention to a 2 part series I am launching next week on the issue of Healthcare Reform.  The timing of last weekend’s vote and my article is ironic...

Too Smart For Their Own Good

  I was listening to a Dave Ramsey show podcast and just had to offer up a brief rant about one of the callers.  It seems that this couple was calling under the guise of wanting to buy a larger home and did not know if they were ready.  That is not such an unusual question and Ramsey certainly has a sound theory on the characteristics that indicate when someone is ‘ready’. However, as he started...