Topic: Dave Ramsey

The Simple Dollar Are personal finance seminars for you? The pros and cons.

Personal finance seminars should offer you something beyond what you can get for a very low cost through a blog or at the library. Especially for those who learn through listening, personal finance seminars can be quite helpful. 

The Simple Dollar 401(k) plans: A way to save for house down payment?

401(k) plans sometimes allow you to borrow from them. So are 401(k) plans a good way to save for buying a home? Question No. 6 in this reader mailbag.

Retirement question: In college. Working. How do I save for retirement?

Retirement saving: If you're starting early, try a Roth IRA. Retirement question is No. 10 in the reader mailbag. 

Can a Gap card wreck your credit rating?

Store credit cards, Roth IRA vs. 401k's, and other reader questions

America's new culinary renaissance

We're becoming a nation of food fanatics, signing up for cooking classes, turning into gourmets in the kitchen, and making dining in or out the equivalent of a cultural event. Is America the new France?

Life insurance: Best to keep universal life policy – or drop it?

Life insurance packaged in a universal life policy is rarely the best investment. Term life insurance is cheaper; other investments, better. See question No. 4 in this Reader Mailbag.

Can financial education prevent blunders?

Consumer education and personal finance classes may do little to improve financial behavior

Social Security retiree: Should I invest? Answer: It's not top priority.

Social Security recipient wants to invest; how to rebuild savings; and other questions answered in the reader mailbag.

Emergency fund: Paranoid or practical?

What is an emergency fund, how big should it be, what should you use it for, and when are you just hoarding cash?

Create a debt repayment plan

In December and January, The Simple Dollar is posting a daily series focusing on specific activities you can do right now to set the stage for a great 2011. Out with the old, in with the new.

Reader question: How do you survive a rough patch?

This week, I’m going to take a look at a few of the longer questions that have been languishing in the reader mailbag. These questions were too long for a regular mailbag post – and deserve a longer answer – but are well worth discussing on The Simple Dollar.

Tax-savings account: Should you switch to a Roth IRA?

Tax-savings account like a Roth IRA make sense, especially if taxes rise. See question No. 3 in this reader mailbag.

F.E.A.R.

A Christian Science perspective.

Entrepreneurial advice from Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey, personal financial guru and author of bestseller Total Money Makeover, offered advice to entrepreneurs. Not surprisingly, he recommends avoiding debt and diversifying investments.

Financial freedom and the power of community

You could take a financial planning class, or get the benefits without the tuition by creating your own community of people working towards financial freedom.

How to progress when you're running to stay even

Sometimes, the only way out is a very challenging short term.

Reader Mailbag: Tips on handling a debt snowball

A look at a reader's debt snowball and how to go about paying it off.

How much should you save for retirement?

There's not one answer to suit everyone, so consider some of these factors when determining what's right for you.

Reader mailbag: Golf

Reader mailbag: Should I pay off debt with the highest interest rate first?

It's OK to first pay off debt on the loan with the biggest payment. With your improved cash flow, you can then tackle the loan with the higher interest rate.

Reader mailbag: planning ahead

How to get out of debt

Reader Mailbag: The Nascent Musician

How to relate with money: Tips from Financial Peace University

Tips on managing money for singles, married couples, and parents.