Dave Ramsey talks debt-free living
Paying off debt can be very difficult, but it's not impossible. Tess Vigeland talks to Dave Ramsey, author of "Total Money Makeover," about how to get rid of debt forever.
Dave Ramsey, author of Total Money Makeover. (Dave Ramsey)
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TEXT OF INTERVIEW
TESS VIGELAND:I'm going to say a name right now and then sit back and wait for the swoon. Ready? Dave Ramsey.
I mean, what other radio host would let you go on air and yell at the top of your lungs that you are debt-free? Rush? Probably not. Suze? Nah. Me? I'll think about it.
Meanwhile, we invited Dave to join us, because a. Lots of you listen to him and us, and b. credit and debt are his passion and we wanted to get his perspective on the mess we all find ourselves in.
Dave Ramsey of the Total Money Makeover and the Dave Ramsey Show welcome to the Marketplace Money show.
Dave Ramsey: Well, I'm honored to be with you Tess. Thanks for having me.
Vigeland: Now I want to start with a news item from last week, because it's right up your alley. And this is the credit card reform bill. Now this has been hailed as really big step in personal finance, reining in some of the industries most egregious practices. But based on what I've read in your book and heard you say on the air, this is no giant leap for all of us.
Ramsey: Well, I reined them in years ago. I used a pair of scissors. If you chop up these things, you don't have a problem with these people. I'm sorry. It's great that universal default is gone, it's great that we're trying to get companies that misbehave to behave, but you know, there's the other side of the coin and that's the consumer has to take responsibility. If a company's not a blessing to you, quit doing business with them.
Vigeland: Yeah, you know I think I read that you haven't used a credit card in, what, 20 years or so?
Ramsey: Thereabouts.
Vigeland: What's that like? Because I don't know.
Ramsey: Well, I use a debit card. I can do anything that you can do, I just can't go in debt.
Vigeland: -You know, your big message to all of us, is that the only real way to have stability and to build wealth, is to get rid of debt. Although, you do make an exception for mortgages. Now a lot of us in personal finance talk about, say the differences between good debt and bad debt. Credit cards, bad. Student loans, good.
You want us all, the entire nation, to never use debt, that none of it is good. Why is there no such thing as good debt?
Ramsey: Well, it's really simple. I've looked at people who've built wealth. By and large, they stay away from debt. They don't discuss good debt. Only financial planners discuss good debt. And as a matter of fact, when the Forbes 400, the wealthiest 400 people in America, were surveyed, 75 percent of them said the best way to build wealth is get out of debt and stay out of debt.
Vigeland: I want to ask you about your views on credit scores. I think you've called the FICO score an "I love debt" score, is that right?
Ramsey: Mathematically, that would be accurate.
Vigeland: We talk on this show -- and we're certainly not alone -- about the necessity of a credit score, so you can get a mortgage and insurance companies use the score, employers pull credit reports. How do you function in this particular banking society, without one?
Ramsey: The FICO people tell us that 35 percent of the accumulation of your FICO score is based on your debt history, 30 percent is based on your level of debt, 15 percent is based on the length of time you've been in debt, 10 percent is based on new debt and 10 percent is based on types of debt. I can hand you $10 million cash and it will not change your FICO score one penny. It's not an "I'm winning at life" score, it's an "I've been kissing the bank's butt on a regular basis" score.
Vigeland: As an average consumer, who is not a multi-millionaire, when you promote this notion that you shouldn't worry about your FICO score, isn't that really hard for a lot of other people who can't otherwise function?
Ramsey: Well, I certainly didn't start out a multi-millionaire. It's pretty easy to function without one, honestly. It's just that you're not running around trying to borrow money all the time. Now, if you're going to borrow money all the time, then you need to worship at the altar of the great FICO. But if you're not worried about borrowing money all the time, then the FICO score is really not a big deal.
Vigeland: Let's talk about your debt snowball. This is part of your "Get out of debt" program and you encourage people to pay off the smallest debts first and go from there. Whereas, on other personal finance shows, this one included, we talk about paying down the debt with the highest interest rate first. What makes your plan better?
Ramsey: Well, to start with, anyone who gets somebody out of debt, I'm in agreement with. The thing that we discovered is this: Personal finance is about 80 percent behavior. Once we understand that my problem is the guy in my mirror, if I can control him, he can be skinny and rich, then I start to understand that "Gosh, personal finance is about relationships." Now when we take that as an answer to the question, then we would say, "Gosh, if I pay off the smallest debt, I feel like I got traction."
It's kind of like going on a diet and losing weight the first week. If you go on a diet and you don't lose weight for three months, you quit going to the Y. I mean, bagels here we come, you know? But if I pay off two or three little debts, I get excited. And by the time they get to their largest debts, they've got so much emotional momentum that they can plow right through a $15,000 or a $20,000 student loan or a $15,000 or $20,000 car debt, and not even look back. Is it mathematically correct? The weird thing is, Tess, we've done case studies on this, it's only about one or two months difference. The difference is, people keep doing it.
Vigeland: Your books are really full and your airwaves, of all kinds of success stories. Is anyone ever right in, having tried the system and it just didn't work, despite what they really think was really true commitment?
Ramsey: No. I'm not saying they're not out there, but I just don't get that letter. I guess they think, I would probably challenge them on their commitment, because I would. Now are there times that someone calls me and they agree and I agree, because of something going on in their life right now, we're going to push pause on that? You know, it works when people are able to work it.
But not everybody's able to work it at this moment in time in their lives. A guy called me today on my show and he just got laid off. And he said, "What do I do about paying off my debt?" You don't right now. You eat. You take the severance package and you set it aside as a huge emergency fund, because dude, you are square in the middle of an emergency. But now when you get back to work, that severance package becomes a signing bonus and let's accelerate your total money makeover then.
Vigeland: Dave Ramsey is author of "The Total Money Makeover" and also the host of the Dave Ramsey show. Thank you so much, it's been a pleasure talking with you.
Ramsey: Tess it was an honor to be with you.
Comments
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From El Paso, TX, 08/05/2009
I challenge all people who post or posted a comment that were negative toward Dave Ramsey's views -- Are you out of debt??? If not, then you can't understand what it is like to be out of debt and you honestly can't relate.
I look at negative comments from people who are critical and in debt and think, "how foolish".
Debt is not the problem here. It's the thinking that debt is okay to have, that it's correct, and that you should have it.
I got out of debt (including the house), and my WHOLE LIFE CHANGED! Everything feels different. You would not believe how much less pressure there is in life!
Was it hard? Yes! Like a chick breaking out of an egg, it brings life. But it's necessary that you do it because it changes you and makes you stronger.
But you can't understand that unless you have already done it.
From Bronx, NY, 08/05/2009
I am very disappointed about this interview. All those discussions miss the point. This whole debt issue is not just about having debt. It is the whole credit card/credit score system that is nonsense. I come from a western European country where debt is not that common, having a credit card is not that common. A country that got rid of checks and deals with instant transfers from bank to bank. Credit cards are in most cases tied to your bank account and money is deducted from your account � automatically once a month! I remember my mother asking me about the "new" credit card offer they recently got. The bank offers them to only pay the minimum payment and for the remainder my parents would be charged interest. She was totally confused about that for it did not make ANY sense to her. When I came to the US, I could not get a phone without security deposit. Why? Because I had no credit. When we moved, I was asked WHY I had no credit score. In order to get a credit score, I needed a credit card. But almost no bank was willing to give me a credit card because I had no credit score. Vicious cycle! How ridiculous is that? I have to make debt to prove I am a responsible payer? This credit score system here in the US is so nonsense. Good spending aka no debt is punished by paying higher interest rates on mortgages, paying high security deposits for phone, apartments etc. The credit card lobby is so strong, they hold everyone in their hands and politics is scared of changing it. Everyone thinking logically should see that the problem lies in the system � not the people. People take what they can, especially if there is barely any good financial education. Banks asking for a minimum payment of 25 USD for a balance of 2000 USD � this is criminal deception. Why not changing from a debt FICO score to a score that reports when you are in debt, how often you have not paid etc? We have something like that � if you are willing to look it up, it is called SCHUFA. SCHUFA records positive issues and for about 25 USD you can get information on yourself for the rest of your life. http://www.schufa.de/en/home/index.jsp Then, people like me that have no debt would finally be able to �show� that we are trustworthy responsible payers. I am still hoping that eventually in this regard the US will make it into the 21st century and people finally wake up.
From Lansing, MI, 07/06/2009
I largely agree with Mr Ramsey's approach - and I dig his homespun wisdom, even though I am not religious in the slightest. I am just not sure, however, exactly how one avoids student loan debt these days, given that college education is both fantastically expensive and a necessary ticket to a high paying job.
Perhaps he means minimizing student loan debt by choosing inexpensive schools, if possible and living within your means as a student (no credit cards, that goes double if ou are not even working). I mean, I went into debt for my ivy league diploma and i have to say that was a pretty good investment for me.
From DC Metro, 06/06/2009
I disagree.
I appreciate Mr. Ramsey's dedication to helping people live sound financial lives. The number of people who credit their success to his method is wonderful, but it's a lopsided approach that is limiting.
As a daily money manager, I'm well acquainted with the fact that money has an undeniably high emotional quotient. The people who benefit from Mr. Ramsey's methodology may need a black and white perspective in order to successfully manage their finances, but I believe there's a healthy balance between "Credit is evil," and "I live beyond my means."
Credit is a tool, not a way of life. When used appropriately, it provides a safety net for emergencies, allows one to leverage money to enhance daily life (such as financing a purchase at a low rate over a term), and smooths cash flow during periods of inconsistent income or extra expenses. Taking these things off the table eliminates a number of options that can provide peace of mind, as well as a way through difficult times.
From FL, 06/03/2009
Shame on you Tess. I can not believe Marketplace Money "interviewed" Dave Ramsey.
Dave recommends investors buy "A" shares from his "Endorsed Local Provider" network but neglects to mention they pay Dave referral fees.
Furthermore Dave insists that an 8% withdrawal rate is safe because stocks return 12% annually. Oops!
Very disappointing.
Buz Livingston, CFP
From Salt Lake City, UT, 06/02/2009
I've echoed Dave's opinion of credit as a stupid tax in many online forums and years before I caught him on the radio.
I use a credit card for miles, convenience, and protection, but I would never carry a balance on it because a little money at 17% + fees will quickly swamp the 2.3% that money market accounts pay these days. Credit cards are legally bound to offer better fraud protection than debit cards. They can also get money back from abusive merchants which your bank wouldn't be so happy to do for your money. so I look for the best miles/cash back card without fees that I can get.
If you really want to buy something that you don't have money for (i.e. the source of credit card balances), do the math to figure out how much work it will take you to pay it off. Look at cheaper alternatives and whether you even need more stuff anyway. When you see the true cost of an expensive meal as half your day's work, then you can make the choice of whether it's really worth it.
From NC, 06/01/2009
Great!
But the larger point here is the example for our country. The current problems are rooted in too much debt. If only the politicians would understand that you cannot borrow your way to prosperity.
From columbus, OH, 05/31/2009
Finally! You 'smart' guys at npr broadcast someone who really knows about money. Have been a fan of Dave Ramsey's for years. First heard him driving the backroads of the Bluegrass State as a home health nurse. He made me laugh, cry, cut up my credit card and pay off my mortgage. I was always getting 'financial advice from broke people'. Now when making financial decisions - I say, 'what would Dave do?' I don't do this perfectly. But, am doing it a lot better now.
From Paris, TX, 05/30/2009
Because of listening to your show on the radio while traveling from Indiana to Texas, my husband and I became debt free. My husband passed away recently, and thanks fo your show, I am debt free!!!
From Richmond, CA, 05/30/2009
Dave makes it simple: Don't use a Credit Card use a Debit Card; Don't wary about the Credit Score; Pay the smallest debt first and work your way to the bigger ones --key here is to continue Paying--; and if you are unemployed take care of your survival first because you will have your debt when you get back on your tracks. I enjoyed the interview. Thank you.
From Kalamazoo, MI, 05/30/2009
Thank you for bringing on Dave! On the 4/17 show, Rico Gagliano was in search of a fico score higher than his. PLEASE give him one of Dave's books! :)
From Columbus, OH, 05/29/2009
Great story about a christian author that has established a pattern to help people out of debt. My wife and I started Dave's program in Oct, 2005 when I was deployed overseas by the Army in Kuwait. In June, 2009 my wife and four children and I celebrated being debt free, all but the house. Because I am military, Dave's on-line program was free to me. Thank you for covering a philosophy that has helped my family have peace of mind during troubling times. Respectfully, MAJ Shaw
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