tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445393245406196085.post2946808157243959656..comments2023-09-19T09:37:18.710-04:00Comments on Saving and Giving: Frugal Friday: Be WeirdJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05511703689947793049noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445393245406196085.post-19924051152540496062009-10-30T22:06:33.470-04:002009-10-30T22:06:33.470-04:00Anonymous (2) - Congratulations!! Isn't it am...Anonymous (2) - Congratulations!! Isn't it amazing how you can not only live but prosper on one income?Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05511703689947793049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445393245406196085.post-22470058742061561532009-10-30T15:25:09.993-04:002009-10-30T15:25:09.993-04:00When we took the Dave Ramsey course this year ther...When we took the Dave Ramsey course this year there were 20 families represented. Of those families there was $800,000 worth of consumer debt excluding mortgages. I know how much debt a couple of people in the class had ($0) so there must have been a lot of other people with hugh debts. It's really scary. Fortunately, we'll be debt-free, including our house, by Christmas even though I lost my job early this year and haven't worked since. We are extremely blessed and apparently very weird.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445393245406196085.post-48469168363814708132009-10-30T12:02:04.549-04:002009-10-30T12:02:04.549-04:00Anonymous - You are a rare find then. I don't ...Anonymous - You are a rare find then. I don't know too many people who don't know anyone who's in debt. The increase in forclosure and bankruptcy rates alone is an indicator of how many people are overcommitted to creditors. <br /><br />Dave Ramsey does indeed encourage people to cut up credit cards. However, if you read any of his books or take any of his courses, you'll find that he's all about learning to be satisfied with what we have. In fact, he has a book out called "More Than Enough" that talks about contentment rather than the pursuit of things.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05511703689947793049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445393245406196085.post-20780788548184635402009-10-30T10:41:45.339-04:002009-10-30T10:41:45.339-04:00You know, I'm not so sure it's weird to be...You know, I'm not so sure it's weird to be debt-free. Statistics can be vague. For instance, the one about credit card holders having an average of $6200 in debt. Remember that it's a snapshot in time. If a snapshot had been taken of our credit card debt 4 weeks ago, it would have shown around $5k in debt. But what it doesn't show is that we paid it off (electronically) even before the bill came in.<br /><br />Most folks I know don't have debt - no car loan, credit card debt, student loans, or mortgage. And these are working folks, not particularly wealthy people. <br /><br />But while I realize there are many people in debt, cutting up credit cards and other things Dave Ramsey advises is not the answer. That's only treating a symptom. It takes a shift in mindset to be financially responsible. It takes a shift in focus from attaining the goal of 'things' to attaining a goal of personal accomplishment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445393245406196085.post-57970224133602662102009-10-29T22:44:08.350-04:002009-10-29T22:44:08.350-04:00Donna - We did read the Millionaire Next Door, and...Donna - We did read the Millionaire Next Door, and it was quite eye-opening. I love the fact that most millionaires wouldn't even consider buying a new car! <br /><br />Mary Ellen - Keep being weird!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05511703689947793049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445393245406196085.post-58920237209851711032009-10-29T22:34:18.525-04:002009-10-29T22:34:18.525-04:00Amen, we have the same goal. We have paid off all...Amen, we have the same goal. We have paid off all the extra credit stuff and tomorrow are refinancing the house. Hopefully that will be paid off in less than 10 years.<br /><br />We don't have car notes either. And have been able to help our 4 boys purchase their vehicles.<br /><br />Don't know if you have read any of the books by Thomas Stanley (Dave recommends them). The first book is the Millionare Mind and then The Millionare next Door. Both are excellent and disspell alot of the myths folks have about the lifestyle and their spending habits.Greg and Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00971301563589708491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445393245406196085.post-27115350799593163342009-10-29T22:23:39.010-04:002009-10-29T22:23:39.010-04:00Good for you for being weird!! We are weird too an...Good for you for being weird!! We are weird too and have been debt free for several years now! THere's nothing like it!!<br /><br />blessings<br />maryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com