Dave Ramsey

Borrowing for in-vitro?

Question: Tyler and his wife are 25 and have been trying to have a baby. They are considering in-vitro fertilization, but each treatment costs $12,000. They are debt free but the house and have an emergency fund, but they don't have that kind of money. She wants to take out a loan to do it, but he wants to save up for it. How can he explain that to her?

Dave Ramsey's advice: I'm not sure that anyone can explain that to her right now, because she desperately wants a child and wants to do what it takes to get one. There's a relatively high probability that you'll do it and won't get pregnant. You don't want to make payments on a pregnancy that didn't happen.

I'm not against that or adoption. I'm with you in terms of how great it is to have kids. I think you should do some more shopping and learning. This isn't the first time I've been asked this question, and I've heard about different pricing plans for this kind of thing. I've heard as low as $7,000 for this and as high as $24,000.

You are investing in a process here, and you don't want to put money in something until you know all you can about it. By understanding it, you save your wife pain. I'm not saying don't have it done, but you don't want payments on it considering the emotions that are around it. If you stop fertility treatments, you can fund it that much faster. But get more information about it so you don't have unrealistic expectations.

Hear the call

Download Dave's show, commercial free, right here!

Podcast Dave's show!

Small income, HUGE lifestyle

Question: Darren is 23 and has $20,000 in credit card debt and a $26,000 car loan. He makes $23,000 a year. He's looking at debt settlement companies and wonders if he should do that. Dave tells him the reasons to stay away, and addresses a serious lifestyle issue.

Dave Ramsey's advice: How in the world is it possible to own a $26,000 car when you're $20,000 in debt and make $23,000 a year? It's not logical; it's freakin' crazy and out of control stupid! Sell that car! You have a Rolex, a BMW and make $23,000 a year.

You can't rich while you are trying to look rich. Do you see the pattern here of trying to look like something you're not? The average millionaire looks like they are a lot less than they are. Your casino world is all about flash and looking good. When I was 26 I started from nothing and ended up wearing a Rolex and driving a Jaguar. I ended up broke.

You can probably get $5,000 from selling the watch. Sell it and the car, and that will help your cash flow. If you don't have any car payments, that's the best method to build wealth. Work an extra job and you can pay this debt off in a year and a half.

Hear the call!

Download Dave's show, commercial free, right here!

Podcast Dave's show!

Making it YOUR problem

Question: David is trying to bail his daughter out of a financial mess. All of her debts went to one collector, and he is trying to get all the debts taken care of because she's applying for a loan. Something about that, and a mistake on his part, sends Dave's alarms blaring, as he discusses.

Dave Ramsey's advice: You gave them YOUR checking account number?! The problem is that it's technically wrong for them to take money out of your account that you have not authorized. Now, the problem is you have given authorization and they may very well do that. Talk to your banker about putting a block on any electronic access to your account for 30 days, and call these people and tell them you'll be mailing them a cashier's check overnight. You've given them permission to withdraw from your account, and now you're taking that permission back.

If you can't block it, you stand the risk of them cleaning this account out. I personally would close this account if you can't block it. Now that you've learned your lesson on this, don't do it again!

Hear the call!

Download Dave's show, commercial free, right here!

Podcast Dave's show!

More Entries