I'll tell u guys what, u can go with this or ignore it, it's up to u.
On the drivers help forum of trucking boards,there is a drivers finance help site. On this site,JEFF has got a post on there about financial help from DAVE RAMSEY.
This system,while I don't follow it to the tee,is a really good way to get to debt free and financial peace.
With the changing economy,and needing to change our lifestyles,this system,if followed will take a load of stress off of your back

I'm pretty much debt free myself, and with job uncertainty the way it is, it sure is refreshing not to live check to check. My wife and I, have no financial arguments, because we r both on the same page with this!!

amen I do have the book !! still in baby step 1 and will be on baby step 2 real soon

I'm not trying to brag or anything, just giving a bit of wisdom.

As an economist by education and trade I learned early the secrets of our fairytale banking system, stock market and economy. Ramsey speaks a lot of truth although I disagree with him on some issues. I paid off a 15 yr mortgage in 7 years in 1998 and have been completely debt free ever since. All cars and whatever paid for in cash and our only bills are utility bills and property taxes. To be honest there is no better feeling in the world and if I were to lose my job tomorrow in this godforsaken economy it will not hurt me one iota as I can live for at least three years ( and probably 6 or 7) with what I've saved over the years. As Ramsey always says, the key to survival is to live on less than you make and that has been my mantra for 20 years.

While all my colleagues in the business world and in the trucking industry were buying big screen TV's and the latest SUV's and P/U trucks, refinancing their homes, eating out all the time and running up credit card and home equity debt, I was watching a 21 inch TV, sitting on furniture from 1989, driving a used car, eating at home, taking my lunch to work and paying off my mortgage and debt.

Today I have the big screen TV, eat out often, have new furniture and fear not what may happen in this economy as I prepared. And as I recommended to my terminal manager, I would gladly work half a year in order that another driver may not lose his/her job as I could split it with them and still be comfortable. He said he would get back to me, but I kind of doubt it.

As Ramsey always says, the bible says the borrower will be slave to the lender and I will not fall into that catagory as the United States is doing with China and the countless people who are in debt up to their eyeballs.

Get out of debt by all means as that is the tru key to freedom.

Congrats there BIBBA,thats what I'm talking about !! Ijust have a small amout of mortgage to go and will b even further on to easy street like u. I like u don't agree 100 percent with him,but his basic principles r spot on. I'm a quiet person with fewer words than most,so thanx for that reponse,perfect xmple of what I was trying to relay !! BeerBoy there is another testimonial s to what u r accomplish. A little pain will gain u a ton in short order,and no stress of check to check. That's a ton of burden off my shoulders !!

TY rjjr for not slamming me for "bragging" as it was more a teaching point than anything and is something that is within the reach of anyone who is willing to sacrifice the borrowed gains of today for the paid for gains of tomorrow. Unfortunately many do not listen and I applaud you for taking the steps to not being a "slave".

For anyone who thinks things will get better as they have in the past I have one thing to say to them: Look at Japan. 20 years ago Japan faced the same crisis the US is facing with the boom and crash in the housing market and the stock market. 20 years later the stock market, housing prices and overall consumer prices have not gone up at all. If you bought a house in Japan at the peak of the housing boom you still owe 50% more than what you paid for it and prices overall across the board have not gone up. This is what is in store for the US.

The only difference between Japan and the US is that Japan is a nation of savers who save more than 10% of their income. The US saves 0% or less and, although it has gone up slightly recently in the US it will not match Japan's savings rate due to the massive debt of the US as a whole. Therefore Japan's economy was able to survive these past 20 years. I fear the US will not in the next 20 years.

Also, Japan still has a significant manufacturing base whereas the US is losing manufacturing on a daily basis. The US has only 14% of it's manufacturing base as compared to the 1960's whereas Japan still has about 50%.

Therefore, the key to survival in the US these next few years is to be out of debt completely! However, looking at how our government is indebted to China to the tune of $500 million/week in interest payments and $2 billion per day in loans just so that we may survive, I cannot see the US surviving this crisis.

Just look at YRC and their survival pains to see what is in store for the US. It is a parallel course. As YRC goes, so will the US. Don't get caught up in it.

Get out of debt as fast as you can even if it means selling your home and cars and living in a smaller home and driving used cars. You and your family will be much better for it.

If you lose your job. You can also file chapter 7 and become debt free. 3 months later you can do a credit clean and get you credit built back up within a few years. .... So im told anyhow. Lol