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Dave Ramsey x Khizer Baby Steps

What is this guide?
Who is this guide for?
Where do I disagree with Ramsey? Where do some people disagree?

0) Learn How to Budget.

How?
Useful videos:

1) Build a starter emergency fund. This is $1000.

Why?
Useful Videos:

2) Use the Debt Snowball Method to pay off ALL DEBT

How?
Examples
Useful Videos:

3) Save six months of expenses in an emergency fund.

Congrats on being debt-free! After this step, we can ease up on the intensity.

Why six months?
What should my budget look like in this step?
When can I use my emergency fund?
After a 6-month emergency fund, we still remain intense.

4a) Invest 5% of your income into retirement accounts

Why?
What order should I invest in retirement?
What should my budget look like in this step?

4b) Save towards a downpayment

How much do I need to save for a downpayment?
What should I look for when buying a house?
Can I buy things like cars, shoes, and dope things at this stage?
Useful Videos:

5) Get a Mortgage

This is where the path REALLY deviates from Ramsey, and I’ll dive into specifics. First, I will define a few terms, explain why I believe his approach is unrealistic for most people living in California, and then highlight a more realistic balance.

Once you’ve secured the mortgage, shift back to 15% for retirement.

Definitions for common mortgage terms
How does interest impact a mortgage over 15 years?
How much home can you afford using Dave’s rule?
What is the advice I’d give to Californians?
How much home would you get approved for under traditional guidelines?

Now that a mortgage is secured, we can go from intensity to intentionality. We are back to the plan. These next steps occur at the same time.

6) Invest 15% of your income into retirement accounts

What order should I invest in retirement?
What should my budget look like in this step?

7) Invest in wild stonks/treat yourself

8) Pay off the home early.

9) Give and share with others.