KirbyAndersen.com

   Happy Independence Day! I’m thankful for our country and proud to be an American. Yet, honestly, I have to admit that I’m totally preoccupied today with financial freedom.

Something unusual happened to me this past Monday which I still can’t explain. It must have been the culmination of a number of things running in the background of my mind. All I know is that when I woke up early Monday, I was absorbed in financial thoughts. Before I’d gotten out of bed, I felt compelled to pick up a copy of Dave Ramsey’s book, The Total Money Makeover.

I had it bought by mid morning and completely read by Wednesday evening. It was obviously perfect timing for me and I’m still reeling over what I’ve read. Most are familiar with Dave Ramsey and his nationwide syndicated daily radio talk show. Dave’s a no-nonsense financial coach to anyone who will listen. Drawing from his own financial blunders, study, biblical principles and resultant success in achieving financial peace and independence, he encourages others to break free from the pull of our culture’s normal as it applies to how we use and abuse money. The book challenges readers to live debt-free and build wealth for financial peace and giving. His motto: “If you will live like no one else, later you can LIVE like no one else!”

Over twenty years ago, I put together a 6-hour seminar entitled The Financial Stewardship Seminar. So I was familiar with much of what Dave taught - at times I wondered if he’d attended my seminar! We obviously have drawn from many of the same sources. What Dave did, however, was to lay out a step-by-step plan for achieving financial freedom through The 7 Baby Steps. So much of what we all wrestle with in life isn’t a lack of knowing what we should do, but the order in which to do it. Personally, that’s been my biggest mistake over the years - getting off track by the whim of the moment, particularly in working on some investment opportunity, instead of taking care of other things first like fully funding an emergency fund.

Honestly, I have mentally ascented to things like living debt-free, not using credit cards, paying off the mortgage early - “radical” stuff - yet never totally bought in. I’ve changed that this week. The testimonies of real, everyday people like us along with Dave’s Mythbusters scattered throughout the book changed me. No - made me a fanatic!

Gail and I have been talking non-stop this week about our next steps - and we are excited! Even though we are talking about “radical” things, there isn’t a sense of dread - only exhileration.

As a pastor, I’ve been in contact with Dave’s organization and will be talking with several of his team members next week about how to launch his Financial Peace University in our church as well as Generation Change in our youth ministry. I highly recommend to you his books, The Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace Revisited, as well as his extensive website at daveramsey.com.

If you have implemented any of Dave’s teachings, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment here or email me at kirby@kirbyandersen.com. Again, Happy Independence Day!