My wife told me not to say anything stupid!

Got a credit card? CUT IT UP! I have been fully-100% converted. I am a disciple of Dave Ramsey and Jesus-of coarse. This past Thanksgiving when I was at my in-laws, my brother in-law, Brian, was looking up stocks on the internet. I asked him what he was doing. Brian informed me that he was making some adjustments to his retirement portfolio before the end of the year. He started talking the jargon of finance guys and my head began spinning. At that moment I realized I was FINANCIALLY ILLITERATE! I felt so overwhelmed, however for the next hour or so he patiently answered my questions and wet my appetite for financial knowledge. Before the night was over Brian laid out some steps to take before we met again at Christmas.

A few days later I was listening to Focus on the Family podcast, and they were playing their #1 requested show before the end of the year. The show consisted of an interview with a crazy Christian financial guy named Dave Ramsey. In the show, Ramsey layed out the step of finanical freedom called the Baby Steps (Brian's are similar). The Baby Steps are as followed:

1. Save an Emergency Fund of $1000
2. Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
3. Put 3-6 months of Expenses in savings
4. Invest 15% of household income into a Roth IRA's and pre-tax retiremnt
5. College Funding for children
6. Pay off home early
7. Build wealth and give (Dave teaches tithing-no matter where you are at in the Baby Steps)
Invest in mutual funds and real estate

Jody and I started the baby steps in January with a plast-sectomy. We vowed to not used credit cards ever again. We have started a budget and set several goals and are on our way to becoming financially fit. We have almost become a little obsessive in following the plan. Jody and I listen to Dave Ramsey's podcast everyday-check it out! The cool thing about all this is how God has blessed us in our pursuit of financial responsibility.

Luke

Resources
Websites
www.daveramsey.com
www.money.com
www.mvelopes.com (Budeting software-evelopes style)

Books
Total Money Makeover-Dave Ramsey (about: Wealth building tools and knowledge) Excellent
The Wealthy Barber-David Chilton (about: Solid financial knowledge and investing) Very Good

Publications
Money Magazine

Podcast
David Ramsey
Money Matter (Crown Financial Ministry)

GO OPRAH!!!

Oprah's Leadership school in South Africa