HSMom2One Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 If you were interested in a basic introduction to DR's methods, had never read his books, attended classes, etc. but were interested in a financial overhaul, where would you begin? If money was tight and you just couldn't afford the seminar route due to a potential job lay-off on the horizon, what book should you begin with? And finally, would it be hard to begin DR's methods if you are in the midst of a crisis? Thanks for any input you may have. Blessings, Lucinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 We borrowed The Total Money Makeover from the library. I created a spreadsheet in Excel that mimicked his budget. I think you can start any time. I found budgeting, in general, very freeing for me. I don't have a sense of crazy, out-of-control spending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Yeah, create a budget and then also work toward putting $1000 away for emergencies (true emergencies, not I-found-a-great-deal-on-a-couch "emergencies"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCoppock Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Borrow The Total Money Makeover book from the library. It will lay everthing out for you and show you how to make a budget. When you are in crisis mode you will not follow the plan exactly, because you will not be paying down debt first you will be saving for emerencies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Don't forget his subscription service - $10 a month for the budgeting software, goal trackers, debt charts, forums to ask questions, podcasts and his endless "Ask Dave" articles. You could try it for a month or two until you get a handle on things and then cancel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherGoose Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 The Total Money Makeover is the place to start, probably, and in the midst of a crisis is the perfect time to begin. He will help you keep from going MORE into a hole during the midst of your crisis, even if you don't make much progress on getting out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryCatherine Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 I'm certainly agreeing with borrowing The Total Money Makeover from a library. Also, someone upthread briefly mentioned his podcast - well, they are AWESOME!! Go to his site, find his podcast, and subscribe for free. They will show up everyday on your iTunes, then you can download them and listen to all his shows without commercials at your convenience. These shows are inspirtional and educational - lots of bang for NO dollars! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 If my library didn't have the book, or I was having to wait to borrow it, I would go to his website and start following the steps. As for starting in the middle of a crisis, don't. Start listening to Dave's podcasts (you can listen to an hour for free every day), and you'll find that it's next to impossible to follow the plan in a crisis. He says get through the crisis, wait until the dust has settled, and then evaluate and start up. Blessings! Dorinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Borrow The Total Money Makeover book from the library. It will lay everthing out for you and show you how to make a budget. When you are in crisis mode you will not follow the plan exactly, because you will not be paying down debt first you will be saving for emerencies. :iagree: His radio show is on many local stations. Check his website for availability in your area. Once the emergencies are passed, you can then use the money you've saved (if there is any left) and use it to pay on debt after your $1000 baby emergency fund. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornflower Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 The Total Money Makever book is all you need to implement Dave's plan. We were almost out of debt by the time we went through the class. The other thing I would recommend is listening to his radio program everyday day if you can. Turn it on while your fixing dinner or in the car. That's what kept us going. We paid off 32K in 18 months. You can do it. Take care, Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cindie2dds Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 I watched his past shows on hulu.com since I didn't want to buy the books before I knew if I like his ideas. They were very informative and really helped. Basics ~ ~cut up your credit cards (all of them). ~use cash only for everyday purchases and debit for online purposes when needed. (I use my debit card at the gas station and write a check for everything else. It's easier for me to keep track. Cash is too hard for me to budget.) ~sell everything you can to build up an emergency fund of $1,000 as fast as you can so you don't need the credit cards. ~call and try to get the interest rate on credit cards lowered. ~create a budget with savings in there automatically deposited in your savings account if you can. That's just the starters I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMom2One Posted July 8, 2010 Author Share Posted July 8, 2010 Your responses help more than you'll ever know. Dh and I will talk about it all this evening. Blessings, Lucinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 You can also go to the Living Like No One Else forums. You'll learn a lot there. http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/index.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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