[pnh102]

Is it just me, or does it seem like the only people who turn to other people to borrow money are the same ones who get turned down by banks and other sources of credit?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

BUMP/PING!

[momtothree]

Regarding the first letter to Dave, I agree absolutely with what he says but may I add something? We have some friends who were just like this.... husband is a good man with many skills and strengths. However, he wasn’t great with money. So, his wife took over the financial planning, paying bills, etc... In this particular case, they are now doing great financially. Perhaps whatever spouse is more disciplined with the finances... should be the one who deals with the family budget. Just a thought.

[iowamark]

People who write to Dave Ramsey about their problems have a larger problem that they may not know about. Poor judgment about where to turn for advice.

[krb]

"He that has once done you a Kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged." -- Ben Franklin

[HangnJudge]

Repeat after me...

All that I Am,
All that I Have, and
All that I will be is Yours
for as Long as We Both Shall Live

spouses should not make unilateral decisions
to give away money, period.

It is very... stabilizing

[KarlInOhio]

Dear Dave,

My country is $14 trillion in debt with huge expenses in both the near and long term future. We've spent the entire retirement fund and every year we've been adding another trillion and a half to the credit card. Recently we've been paying our bills with money we just print on the laser printer. But still other countries have their hands out and we've been spending money getting into their local squabbles. What should we do, Dave?

Broke people can’t help broke people, meaning only the strong can help the weak. At this point, you guys should be working together to get your own financial house in order. I’m talking about becoming debt-free, with a fully loaded emergency fund of three to six months’ worth of expenses in place, and something set aside for your golden years. Then, once all that has been taken care of, if you have a friend or family member in financial need, you can gift them $300 or whatever you guys agree is an appropriate amount.

[patriotsoul]

That first story was about me. My husband gives others money all the time. I have become so very stressed out worrying about how to make it financially these past few years, I have become unbelievably dysfunctional. Then I took a step back and realized that through it all, God has always provided for me. Never fails me. Something has always appeared in the ‘darkest hour’ to help me through. So perhaps my life lesson is to learn to trust in Him more. Certainly I need to help contain my husband and his spending streaks, but I do not doubt that God will take care of that also. I’m grateful to have a spouse with such a kind heart.

[Logic n' Reason]

Dear Dave,
I happen to have a spouse that is a consumer. That is, if marriage is a partnership; if each partner ought to be expected to put in at least what they are capable of, then I'm in deep trouble. She consumes; she earns nothing; she does not (and refuses to) work; she produces nothing. But she expects all the bills to be paid, one time expenses to be covered, and my earnings put at her disposal to use as she sees fit.
What is one to do?

[Still Thinking]

No discipline is pleasant, but it’s the pain of changing something in your life that eventually leads to a positive result.

God's way ahead of ya, Dave:

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." -- Hebrews 12:11, NIV