Dave Ramsey Classes

[Country Lady]

I'd like to know if anyone on HT has taken a Dave Ramsey course. If so, I'd like your opinion, and are you still sticking with the program? I've been thinking about taking the online course, but am afraid it wouldn't be as effective as being in a class setting with others. I've heard really good comments about his program.

[PoorLiLRichGirl]

We had several friends take it and out of probably 6 couples that paid for the class only 2 are screaming "Debt free but the house!"
They're still working on the house. It's been really tough for them though. You have to make sure both of you are committed 100%, enough to say "no" and put your foot down.
We actually invited them both out on several occasions and they turned us down, even when we told them we'd pay.
Cookouts were a great success though. No pressure and we still get to visit.

So 2 out of 6 isn't bad. 1 of the couples is divorced due to money problems, but they quit the program after a couple of months.

I don't know the ratio of online vs physical class takers, but I do know that both of the successful couples attend meetings.

Best of luck! Seems like a successful program if you pitbull it.

-PLRG

[clovis]

I have helped teach FPU.

I really like the classes. Even though I started working Dave's plan in '97 or so, I had never gone to any of the classes.

We are still working the plan. Thank the Lord that Dave came into my life. We have never been big spenders, live frugally, and far below our means. Due to health problems, my income was slashed significantly. I am extrememly thankful for the DR plan because we could have been in dire trouble. We are still happily debt free except the mortgage, which is really low.

There will be some real quitters in the class. One wife attended with great enthusiasm. Her husband showed up at the third class, and declared that no one in the world was going to tell him how to spend his life or money. That was the last we saw of either of them. It is sad, too, because he has taken a demotion since then, and a cut in pay, yet they have massive consumer debt.

You will see some that just thrive because of the classes. One couple is completely debt free now, except for the mortgage. Just a year earlier, they were drowning in a mess of debt. It really is neat to see folks like this really get a grasp on money, and thrive like no one else!!!!!

One couple in the class is now divorced. This is not Dave's fault. The wife clearly rejected the plan, but the husband followed thru. He is debt free except for the mortgage, and happily raising his 2 kids in their own home.

It is encouraging to talk and share with others in the same place you are. It serves as a support network, if you will, for those seeking freedom from debt.

Clove

[Alice In TX/MO]

I think it depends on your personality. If you are organized, willing to learn, willing to change, and motivated, then you will succeed at Financial Peace, no matter if you simply read the book and do the exercises or go to the classes.

I live remotely, so the classes are not an option.

The book is very good. The set I have includes computer disks with budget materials and DVDs with presentations.

We are debt free, but we were before Dave.

I have, however, become less acquisition oriented.

[Windy in Kansas]

I'm a fan of the radio show and enjoy listening.

Most impressive to me was a young couple with a total household income of around $18,000 that were able to declare debt free after paying down a fairly large (in comparison to income) amount. I believe they even had a child.

When you bite the bullet and begin paying yourself with interest savings instead of paying others you find you gain money quickly.

[halfpint]

We took the class but were pretty much debt free already, but it has helped us with teaching our children finances and keeping a little better on budget. I don't necessarily agree with some of his investment advice, but as far as handling your everyday finances and getting out of debt the class is great.

I know a couple that it saved their marriage as although they don't completely follow it, they now talk about finances together and discuss large purchases when in the past they would each purchase large ticket items without consulting the other.

We had a couple of dropouts in our class also, but even most of them are applying some of the principles which is a start.

I would highly recommend it, and he makes it quite entertaining.
Dawn

[reese]

We're not taking the classes, but we're doing the program and got the homeschooling version for the kids. We're fairly frugal to start with, and live simply as well, so it wasn't a far stretch to do his program, just adjusting how we pay off our debts which is working much better.

My brother and his wife are doing the program and have gone to classes.

We all LOVE his method and have surprisingly quickly eliminated debt we thought we'd never see go. My brother was a money juggler and just had no grasp on his finances and they were looking at selling their house and renting some place that cost less, then they started Dave's plan and confidently keeping their home.

My teen went through the homeschooling plan, and hopefully he will be a responsible adult with his finances. As of now, he's really good most of the time with his saving/spending and such.

Even the younger children are learning this method.