The First and Last Time.

I am 31 years old and have never borrowed money before. I am now borrowing money to build this house. Borrowing money from the bank is a pain in the butt. This is the first, and last, time I borrow money. It makes me wonder if I should have just waited two more years, saved up, and then just paid cash for the house.

You Have No Money? Really?
I recently had dinner with several acquaintances. I mentioned how excited I was that Jawana and I were going to see Dave Ramsey next weekend in Nashville. One of the girls asked if I liked Dave Ramsey, and I replied of course I do. He's changed my entire outlook on life. I've basically been on his plan since Summer 2001, and it works. What's amazing is, it works 100% of the time for everyone who follows it.

She then proceeded to tell about how her last boyfriend tried to, "Dave Ramsey" her, and she would basically have nothing to do with it. Twenty minutes prior, she was complaining about how she didn't even have enough money to buy a belt for her outfit. All I could think was, "Hmmmm… I wonder why."

I acknowledged that Jawana was doing pretty good with her money and I wasn't trying to "Dave Ramsey" her, but at this point was mostly focusing on getting her retirement portfolio in order. Then this girl gave me the wave of the hand gesture and said, "I haven't even begun thinking about retirement yet." That is very sad, because she is 30 years old and is paving a hard road ahead in life if she doesn't change her ways.

I tell people all the time who come to me for financial help, "If you've got friends or family telling you how to handle your money and they have any of the following:

(1) A 30, 40, or 50 year mortgage or Reverse mortgage
(2) Car payments or a Car Lease
(3) Rent to own payments
(4) Live in a trailer
(5) Sell whole-life life insurance
(6) Credit Card Debt
(7) No money
(8) Live paycheck to paycheck

You should pretty much run like a scared little girl and do the exact opposite of what they say. Otherwise you'll end up like them, and that is not where you want to be.