My
Take on Dave Ramsey's
Baby Steps
DYI:
Step 1: Start an Emergency Fund. ...
You have to start some
where. Ramsey it is a $1,000 emergency fund however due to inflation boost that to
$3,000
Step 2: Focus on Debts. ...
Consumer debt will ruin
individuals and families faster than speeding bullet. Trucks range from 50k to 100k is typical and
many times a family will own two vehicles.
Add on credit card debt, student loans, and medical bills before you
know it they’re drowning financially.
Pay these off ASAP or if you have to sell the damn truck. Get out of debt except for the house, duplex, condo if you have one.
Currently today
11-26-2024 housing prices are insanely priced so much so that renting a comparable
property money wise you are way ahead renting versus purchasing. By renting a bit lower than the comparable
property a family will be able to save some serious money.
Step 3: Complete Your Emergency Fund...
If all debts are paid
off (except for the house – if you own a house) DYI recommends at least one
year of expenses and two years is not of the of question.
Here is my roadmap for
your emergency fund:
3 months in checking
3 months in high yield
savings account
6 to 18 months in
Vanguard Short Term bond fund
Any excess once per
year those dollars into a conservative mutual fund my favorite Vanguard Wellesley
Income Fund.
This gives you 4 layers
of protection when the poop hits the van financially. Despite Wellesley Income Fund being in the
emergency category acts as a dual purpose for emergency and when it is large
enough for retirement or special purchases such as a down payment on a house!
Step 3a: Automate Savings!
Automate all of your savings and investments. From your paycheck split 3 ways, checking, HYSA, and 401k. From your HYSA auto-draft monthly those extra dollars into your short term bond fund. Only once per year you will need to call Vanguard and those extra dollars into your conservative stock/bond fund.
Step 4: Save for Retirement. ...
Start with the 401k
match then max out the Roth IRA even if your employer has the Roth 401k set
yours up with Vanguard as the fees will be significantly less and put in the
maximum. If by some miracle you can squeeze
additional dollars for retirement then move progressively to maxing out the
401k.
Step 5: Save for College Funds. ...
I prefer using Vanguard’s
Taxed Managed Fund with 50% in tax free bonds and 50% in high growth stocks
that pay little in dividends or none at all.
This gives maximum flexibility especially if the little whipper snapper
blows off any additional schooling or training.
It also gives you an extra layer of emergency money incase the slim
chance you experience Mad Max level financial crises. If neither occurs then even more money for
retirement or other goals.
Step 6: Pay Off Your House. ...
Before you buy the house have 2 years worth of savings - remaining monies after down payment. Having your own house is wonderful but make no mistake they can easily become money pits!
If by some miracle (how
many miracles do we need??) you are able to make additional payments; that’s
great. However if you are sporting a low
and especially very low interest rate (under 4%) it is better to put those
extra dollars into the Wellesley Income fund or for college money.
Step 7: Build Wealth. …
If you have made it
here you are already building wealth and obviously if the house is paid off
there is more money for investment and having a bit of fun along the way.