#135. Dave Ramsey
If Dave Ramsey ever ran for president of the south he would win by roughly 19 billion votes. Seriously, it’s hard to drive the highways in the southeast without seeing a billboard for his nationally syndicated radio program. (I need folks on the West Coast and abroad to confirm if Dave’s gotten that big.)
My wife and I read his book on financial freedom a few years ago and liked it. It’s simple stuff on managing money and eliminating credit debt for the most part, but in a complicated world, simple stuff can feel like gold. There are three things I like about Ramsey:
1. He used to be poor.
He was bankrupt at one point. I like that he’s been to the bottom and back again. That lends his message a degree of credibility. Not that ever drug counselor needs to have been a drug addict, but it does help create a good vibe for Ramsey.
2. He’s got a great hook.
My favorite Ramsey idea is, “Act your wage.” That’s cheesy, I agree, and maybe he didn’t write it first, but I still think that’s smart.
3. He hasn’t become Rick James.
Despite the millions of dollars and insane success Ramsey still seems like he’s being himself. Me? I can be a jerk with about a nickel in my pocket. That’s my biggest fear about this blog. If it becomes a book ever and I make $19, I’ll probably be about five minutes from going to a bar in downtown Atlanta and yelling “make it rain,” while throwing dollar bills at people like Puff Daddy, P-Diddy, Diddy, Sean John, Sean Combs.
