New 'Ask Dave' Look and Feel

It always feels good to wrap up a project (even if it's only the first phase). The development team that I work closely with just finished yesterday, rolling out a new look and feel to the "Ask Dave" portion of Dave Ramsey's subscription based Web site My Total Money Makeover. The usability of the old page was simply horrid and was still functioning like a page you would expect to see from the 90's.

However, the redesign is sweet. The developers and graphic artist made this tool an absolutely incredible resource for the Dave Ramsey fan or for the person with financial questions who has no idea what do with the mess they are in. There are a ton of calls and answers from The Dave Ramsey Show archived so that you can search, browse, read, and listen to. The pages and audio load quickly and you can get through a lot of information very quickly. Plus it's always pretty fun to listen to Dave lay into people who are...well..."not the sharpest tool in the shed." The Ask Dave section is like a Cliff Notes version for Financial Peace University.

If you haven't tried our My Total Money Makeover, there is a free trial. I'm not going to sell you on it because you can learn about it over there. I just wanted to post and brag on our boys for a job well done. Way to go fellas! Why not enjoy some screen shots?

The New Ask Dave

The Old Ask Dave

Choosing to be Weird

Let me tell you something. Not only am I blessed to work with an online community that is remarkable, I simply enjoy being a part of it because of the way it makes me feel. Dave Ramsey's My Total Money Makeover is a really neat place. It does cost to be a member, but that is why it is so much better. There's little rift raft involved as a result of people making an investment in the site. But the best thing about it is the fact that the community just reaffirms the decisions I am making with my money.

The whole "being weird" thing Dave talks about isn't just a marketing line. Sometimes, I really do feel that way when it comes to financial decisions. There are people in my life who don't think seriously about financial decisions from big things to little things and when asked my opinion, I really do feel like I am sitting out in right field by myself. I know the looks I get of "Geez - someone else brainwashed by Dave". Yes, those looks make me feel weird.

So as someone who works for this online community, when I do smart things with money, the people there make me feel normal again. I like that.

Here's a blurb from the site:

What would you call someone who has no car payment, no credit card debt and has a lot of cash saved for emergencies? In today's world, you'd call them weird. And that's exactly what they are! Normal is just another way to say broke; so who wants to be normal? Would you rather be weird and have money and peace of mind, or would you rather be broke and just like everyone else? When you join Dave Ramsey's My Total Money Makeover, you'll learn how to be weird; and how much fun it is too!

Gazelle Budget Lite by Dave Ramsey

I am pretty excited about the little tool. It's the Gazelle Budget Lite. Our team just finished this up a few weeks ago. It's a very, very, simplistic budget software that quickly spits out a recommended budget for you based on your income. Each category is based on percentages recommended by Dave Ramsey. After your budget is set up, you can then make adjustments according to where you live and what your situation is. When you click the arrow on each category, you can read more about the items that should be budgeted for that category.

This tool is a small preview of what is available on MyTotalMoneyMakeover.com. The full version of the Gazelle Budget Software has a WHOLE lot more and comes as a part of your membership to the site. Anyway, play around with this tool and create you a budget!

Dave Ramsey's "I Love You Drawer"

If you listen to Dave Ramsey very often, you should know about the "I love you drawer" that he and his wife have put together for each other in the event that one of them passed away unexpectedly. The drawer or folder contains all the information that is needed to help the other one handle all of the pressing financial decisions during a tough time so there isn't any added stress.

Basically, it is one final way to say to your spouse "I love you." It allows your family to focus their thoughts on you and your wishes instead of trying to figure out where the will is or if you had life insurance, etc...

So, our latest project at Dave Ramsey's My Total Money Makeover is putting together Dave's 30-day challenge. We are challenging people to begin assembling their love drawer in 30 days. This is a great New Year's goal. Already we are getting a great response from My Total Money Makeover members. It's something I am definitely going to polish up for 2008. Beyond the essentials, there is still a lot that me and my family need to add to our own drawer.

My Total Money Makeover Money Tools

Dave Ramsey's My Total Money Makeover has just launched the new version 2.0 of the money tools. I have to say I am pretty proud of how this software has turned out. The team has done a remarkable job of building this and it is one of the easiest budgeting softwares I've ever used. Plus, if you are in debt, the software really caters to helping you see the big picture on dumping your debt. Paying off your debt snowball is integrated into the software, along with tracking your daily expenses. Having access to this software alone is worth the cost of membership to the site.

I know this is a shameless plug for My Total Money Makeover, but that's ok...I really do think it's awesome and I am proud to be a part of the My Total Money Makeover team. I can't wait until version 3.0 comes out!

The DEBTective

You may have seen DEBTective in my blog-a-log but I don't think I have ever talked much about it. I had a major hand in getting DEBTective's blog off the ground last year, and I continue to be impressed with the content he adds.

Although I will never let you in on the real identity of the DEBTective, I will tell you that the blog and web site are powered by Dave Ramsey's My Total Money Makeover. I think you'll enjoy it, so check it out.

Debt and Blogs

There are tons of people blogging about their debt to the rest of the world. However, when I say the rest of the world, that excludes family.

According to good ole' Dave Ramsey, 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. There are a lot of "debt people" out there. I think it is interesting to see how blogs and network sites are being used to help people establish accountability and discipline when it comes to improving their quality of life. Whether it is mourning the loss of a loved one or getting out of debt, people are more open online than in person.


Even sites like Dave Ramsey's My Total Money Makeover are providing journals, chat, and forums to allow people to openly discuss their financial situations. The online community is made up of thousands of members from across the globe, sharing and helping each other get out of debt based on Dave's financial principles.

Debt can be a hard thing for people to cope with emotionally. That's why I am proud to be a part of My Total Money Makeover. It's a place that allows people to hope for a better future.