Managing your money is a lifelong task. From the moment you get your first job (or even before) until long after you’ve sailed into the twilight of retirement, you need to think about how to save and spend in ways that help you achieve your goals in life. And sometimes you may feel afraid of not measuring up. Maybe you’re not saving enough. Debt may be weighing you down or the prospect of long-term planning may be overwhelming.
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Many people in your position turn to financial experts, especially those who have become famous for sharing their advice through the media. For those looking for tough, heartfelt love, Dave Ramsey, founder and CEO of Ramsey Solutions, is a popular choice.
Known for his radio show where he provides financial wisdom to people from all walks of life, Ramsey offers tried and true methods to overhaul your finances and realign your goals.
One of Ramsey’s claims to fame is his Baby Steps program: a series of seven tasks designed to help you achieve financial stability and eventually prepare for retirement. The first step is to save $1,000 for a starter emergency fund.
Once you’ve accomplished that, it’s time to focus on paying off all your debts except the mortgage using the snowball method. With this approach, you prioritize paying off your smallest debt first and put in as much extra as you can until it’s paid in full. Then move on to the next smallest debt and continue the process until all non-mortgage debts are eliminated.
The next step involves saving three to six months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund. In the fourth step, you invest 15% of your household income for retirement. If you have children, they are the focus of step five, which involves saving for their college education. Your house is the centerpiece of step six, because you’ll be paying it off early. Finally, step seven encourages you to build wealth and donate where you can.
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Anyone who has ever listened to Ramsey’s show knows that one of his key messages is this: Live below your means. He is clear about the dangers of lifestyle change, especially if you’ve earned a raise or find yourself making more money. To avoid overspending, it’s essential to set a budget that is realistic and challenges you to live frugally.