For many, the name Dave Ramsey is synonymous with getting your finances in order, kicking debt to the curb, and building lasting wealth. His straight-talk approach often cuts through the complexities of money management, advocating for a return to simple, powerful principles.
Ramsey’s philosophy often emphasizes practical, everyday habits that may seem small individually but create a significant ripple effect over time. These aren’t just abstract theories; they are actionable tips & techniques that countless individuals have used to transform their money lifestyle.
Let’s see some of his classic frugal recommendations that can help anyone gain control of their budget and accelerate their journey towards financial peace.
Have a Bigger “Why” for Your Money
What’s your “why” for doing things differently with your money this year? If you haven’t already thought about it, take a moment to consider it now. Write it down. Do you want to budget so you can feel in control and confident with your money? Do you want to be debt-free so the burden of monthly payments no longer keeps you awake at night?
Don’t Stop Investing
Saving for retirement comes right after you’ve built that fully funded emergency fund. If you’re at that point, don’t just stop investing because the market’s down. Retirement investing is a long game. Think of it like a roller coaster – and you know what happens when people jump off a roller coaster in the middle of the ride? They. Get. Hurt. Ride out the ups and the downs. Keep investing.
Get on a Budget
It all begins with a budget – your game plan for your money. Now, budgeting sometimes gets a bad rap, with people thinking it’ll strip away their freedom. But honestly, budgeting is incredibly empowering. Why? Because when you budget, you’re telling your money exactly where to go. No more wondering where it vanished to! If you haven’t been doing this, make a budget. Pronto. It’s the absolute first step to taking control and being intentional with your cash.
Budget for Inflation
Have you ever heard people say they feel like they’ve gotten a raise when they start budgeting? With inflation hitting us hard, that “raise” is something we could all definitely use, right? Budgeting is about creating real financial margin. When you plan where every dollar goes, you’ll easily spot areas to cut back or trim. And if you decide a side hustle is necessary to combat rising costs, your budget ensures that extra income goes straight to your needs, not on random checkout-line candy or those sneaky one-click impulse buys.
Pay Off Your Debt!
While you’re at it, pay off all your debt! Debt ties you to the past, stealing countless opportunities from you, both right now and down the line. Not sure where to even begin? Use the debt snowball method to kick those payments out of your life, one by one. You’ll start with the smallest debt, then roll that momentum into the next, building confidence and motivation with each “paid in full” stamp.
Pay Attention to Your Online Spending Habits
Here’s another crucial money move: Get a grip on your online spending habits. The ability to buy something instantly and have it at your door ASAP feels like magic, right? But that genie can quickly drain your bank account with every click of that “buy now” button.
Make Sure Your Emergency Fund Is Fully Funded
This one depends on which Baby Step you’re on. What are Baby Steps? They’re the proven, guided path to saving money, paying off debt, and building wealth. Setting up your emergency fund is a key part of that journey. If you’re carrying debt, you only need $1,000 in savings as a starter emergency fund. Then, you tackle that debt using the debt snowball method. After that, you build up a fully funded emergency fund.
Don’t Sit on the Sidelines If You’re Ready to Buy a Home
If you’re truly prepared to buy a home, then just go for it! Don’t let the fear of future rates or prices hold you back. Waiting for that “perfect” moment, where everything aligns magically, can often mean missing out entirely. Analyses by The Mortgage Reports show that even if mortgage rates dip slightly, a 5% rise in home prices over a year can add $15,000 to $25,000 to the cost of the same house, effectively costing you far more than any monthly savings from lower rates, and delaying your chance to build equity. Your financial readiness is key; the market’s whims shouldn’t dictate the big steps in your life. When you’re stable and ready, that’s your green light.
If You’re Married, Get a Joint Checking Account
When you get married, the two become one. And that absolutely includes your finances! This means living with an “ours” attitude, not constantly dividing income, bills, and payments. All that financial division can create real division in your marriage. However, when you work as a team, you’ll achieve financial success more quickly. Research indicates that couples who manage their finances jointly experience significantly higher levels of financial well-being and marital satisfaction. Communicate. Combine dreams. Go toward the same main goals.
Have Hope for Your Money
Speaking of thriving, take heart. Have hope. If you’re feeling discouraged right now, you are definitely not alone. But you also aren’t stuck. It’s incredibly easy to feel down when your money isn’t stretching as far as it used to, or when you feel like your goals are slipping further away.
Brown-Bag Your Lunch Instead of Eating Out
The average American spends nearly $4,000 annually on food away from home, including restaurant meals and takeout orders. That’s more than $300 every month just on eating out. For many people, lunch represents the most significant opportunity for savings in this category. Grabbing lunch from restaurants, food trucks, or even the office cafeteria can easily cost $10-$15 per meal, adding up to $200-$300 per month just for weekday lunches.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025—No Experience Needed
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025
I used to think investing was something you did after you were already rich. Like, you needed $10,000 in a suit pocket and a guy named Chad at some fancy firm who knew how to “diversify your portfolio.” Meanwhile, I was just trying to figure out how to stretch $43 to payday.
But a lot has changed. And fast. In 2025, building wealth doesn’t require a finance degree—or even a lot of money. The tools are simpler. The entry points are lower. And believe it or not, total beginners are stacking wins just by starting small and staying consistent.
Click here and let’s break down how.
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
We all click on them with the hope that just THIS time the secret to changing a bad habit or adopting a healthy one will be revealed and we’ll finally be able to stick to that diet, stop that one or ten things that might in the moment make us feel temporarily good but really just make us fat, unhealthy, sad, mad or just frustrated with ourselves.
