For all the attention Dave Ramsey is getting lately... Here's my story about the "Ramsey Method"

Dave Ramsey's financial seminars are just short of a total scam. My parents signed me up for the series a few years ago when I was "going through some shit" and being deeply in debt was a major part of the problem.

The seminars don't contain any deeply insightful knowledge, they don't contain any secrets they don't want you to know. I don't care what DR says, he's wrong. And giving money to the church when you're on the rocks is goddamned stupid. If you're religious, follow your heart I guess.

There is exactly 1 thing that DOES matter: cash budgeting.

When you are so fucking broke that you can't even afford food, the snowball method doesn't matter. But... The process of sitting down and looking at your budget, and strictly limiting where you spend your money is extremely valuable.

Here's a trick I used. Don't screw yourself out of things that make you happy just because you're broke. Put "fun money" into your budget. Be good about not pilfering from your other sources, but set aside some money every payday for you to spend any way you want. Buy weed. Get yourself a 6pack. Be honest with yourself about that. Don't tell yourself you're going to stop doing it. Bring broke is fucking depressing, and you're going to need some kind of normalcy.

But start being completely honest with yourself and your partner (if you have one) about where the money is going. Stop beating yourself up (and each other) over the little things and accept it.

I find that a Venmo (whatever, prepaid) debit card is a suitable substitute for cash, although it does take some time for money to get into the account. At least then I'm able to use a gas pump without 3 trips into the store.

Things are better for me now, but I also made some big changes in my life that helped me get here. And I'm still an idiot about budgeting.

#DaveRamsey #RamseyMethod #Poverty