How We Hacked the 7 Dave Ramsey Baby Steps to Retire Early

[@wystearya4347]

I want to add something. My family also followed the Dave Ramsey program, to a point. We got out of debt, including our small home before the virus hit. I will always be thankful for it! We ended up being laid off last September. Due to being debt free and our savings, we weathered the storm relatively easily. After having time to breathe, we decided I could, and should be a homemaker. Instead of the "build wealth" step, we have chosen to "build a life". Choosing the wealth of time with family over financial wealth was best for us. I suspect many people would be happier and healthier with the "build a life" mindset over riches. (Obviously savings are important, but a happy life is a treasure also.)

[@gojereme]

That is wonderful! Glad you were able to find happiness :)

[@dbmmatthews5654]

I appreciate your transparency regarding building a life over riches. It is very encouraging. My husband and I have been together 38 years and weathered a lot of storms. Raised four children three of which are first time generation college grads, one is PhD. I don’t say that to boast. We are Christians and we attribute that God continues to keep us through it. But we started out late with saving even though we are debt free including the house. I guess why your post inspired me is because I no longer am going to condemn myself if we don’t meet millionaire status. We are enjoying each other. My husband no longer works and I plan to retire at 60. I am currently 58 years old. I know that if I worked till 65 I would get a greater social security check and a greater pension and savings. But it’s not worth it for me. That is my life choice decision because my health and quality of time is far more valuable.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

What a wonderful approach to life!!!

[@moriahhilburn2577]

💕💕💕

[@dianagarza7412]

Agreed 🙏🏽🌺

[@BradLongCo]

Totally agree with "Step 0", starting with "why". Very well done video.

[@gojereme]

Definitely a step the is overlooked. Thanks you, Zero Debt Coach!

[@josephmulengachomba832]

Yea it's a good thing to sell your idea to your spouse and know that they are willing to support it if at all s/he buys into it.

[@jazminhiggins888]

The universal why of the 7 baby steps is to have Financial Peace ☮️

[@anointedtheoryofgospel6012]

I love that you kept your talk errors in and the baby. Makes the video so natural. I love that you and your wife are on the same page with the Lord. I believe Dave Ramsey plan is a guide and you tweaked it for your personal financial growth. Wonderfully blessed. Thank you

[@kayleighduran3858]

I stay home with my two toddlers. Being a stay at home mom/wife is harder than any other job I’ve ever had! Very rewarding though! Unfortunately we aren’t debt free, so it can be stressful for us financially. We are working on it though, and your videos are inspiring us to get debt free.

[@thecoffeeholicmommy1603]

Same here we have two toddlers I stay home with and are trying to become debt free. Its difficult but sooo worth it!

[@cassa3012]

Lord Willing you guys will figure it out and be debt free soon. We both work but I have a desire to be a stay at home mom & still have the same lifestyle without the stress!! =) Lord Willing!!! =)

[@kayleighduran3858]

@@cassa3012 thank you! Luke 11:9 :)

[@cassa3012]

@@kayleighduran3858 ❤️🙏🏼

[@25esimpson]

My wife is a stay at home mom and homeschool teacher, and she by far has the more challenging job between the two of us. There's no way I could pay her enough lol! I'm so thankful for her.

[@25esimpson]

I think this is my new favorite personal finance channel on YT. I really resonate with your values and decisions. The fact that you are completely debt free (house and all!) and are living a semi-retired lifestyle is exactly why we love the Baby Steps so much. We are currently on Baby Step 6 and should be to 7 by this time next year. I can't wait to join the "mortgage free" club. My wife stays at home with our 2 little ones and we homeschool. I also work remotely for a company and run a freelance design business on the side so we are all home together pretty much all the time. Keep up the good work!

[@cassa3012]

Praise God! 🙏🏼🙌🏼🙏🏼

[@gojereme]

Appreciate this comment, Todd. Baby step 7 is around the corner for ya! We plan to homeschool our children too. So happy for you and your family! Just goes show that we are not alone this journey. God bless bro!

[@seasonsoflife1324]

I have 3 boys and none of them know what they want to do but they all agree to hating school. So the oldest finally decided last year after he graduated to go to college for welding and he’s paying for it himself. We see him working/studying harder than if it was a free pass. Congratulations to you and your family’s hard work on being debt free. Great vids!

[@solaydbak]

I'd rather help with their first house than college or wedding.

[@DoTheDomThing]

Even if you don’t follow DR to the t, his plan does serve as a great baseline to help people make their own plan for their own future. I’ve tweaked it myself and it’s been very rewarding. Plus, YT University truly has shown us different options on how one can achieve and live with financial freedom. Great work Jereme and Grace!

[@gojereme]

Agreed! KZbin is the best! Thanks, Dom!

[@Allan_A]

Good video guys! We just paid off my wife's SUV this week and are debt free except the mortgage! Six figures down :)

[@kimmy_j_kinz]

Yes....agreed on the college issue. Unless you really WANT to be in a specific field that requires "higher" education....then I'd encourage TRADE School if anything! Those are the jobs that pay well...and are always in demand. Encourage his areas of interest...and take classes that are specific to those.

[@oseikwadwoagyapon-ntra7044]

I was skeptical about watching your content, but now I'm glad I did. Thanks! Love from Ghana 🇬🇭

[@shanwilson2655]

We are 9 years away from being more FI here in New Zealand, we have 400k between what we have in our home and savings but cost of living is high here so it will be a few more years before we hit it, big family one income here, we could do it much sooner but we value having a parent at home to be with the kids, can't wait the countdown is on! Awesome video as usual!

[@happyswim1836]

Sounds good. You both got on the same page. I like that Jereme told his wife it was both our money. And, I like even more that the wife thought of the marriage and how to build for the future, rather than let's buy more stuff and get into more debt. Happy for you as a couple. Building a good foundation.

[@jdogg402]

Totally agree with your take on credit cards. For us, we decided to stay away to avoid supporting companies that prey on a majority of our country.

[@CamAndJayToday]

I just love you guys! So straight forward and open and open minded! Keep the videos coming! You guys are great!

[@Kyletthayer]

I love the idea of baby step 0. So important!

[@sj6728]

Your Baby is adorable!!!!!!!!!!

[@mmeb7250]

"pick it and stick with it" - love that last message - once we choose a path, we must take action. Y'all look great and love hearing jr. in the background - so glad he's ok now!

[@gojereme]

Thanks Mme! We love all his sounds too lol Yes, so grateful he's okay. Our greatest joy!

[@TheBushmanFamily]

We're debt free besides our mortgage! I'm a stay at home mom, and work from home. It's the hardest, but the most rewarding!

[@elizabethosborne3606]

"Your why should not just to be debt-free. Dig deeper than that." 👌

[@kristinolan5737]

You two are so smart and "living your best life!" Very encouraging!

[@war5561]

Just put $375 on my CC. 9 more months. Y’all keep putting out content and keeping me strong.

[@bigdogbill8988]

We are on step 7 for about 1 year. so I connect with you completely! And it’s been a rollercoster of emotion. No way around it!

[@nonkululekomtolo1994]

Your son is blessed to have you as parents. I bet he's having the best childhood 👌

[@nikotopnotch2832]

I totally agree with all your points. Choose your financial advice based upon your core values and future goals. Be smart and work it to where it fits your lifestyle and needs. The absolute best part of the video was hearing and seeing that little healthy guy. You guys are doing a great job as parents ❤

[@aprilshower7606]

I believe Gods word when it says owe no man but to love them. I am praying for our own home, l am a single mom with two sons at home. I lost our home of 18 yrs. and had to move in with relatives. Thank you for sharing and giving us hope. God Bless you

[@CoachLewis]

"Pick and Stick" -- I love it! Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@chelseamurray1678]

Thanks for sharing it’s a beautiful story!

[@amoyclarke7785]

I agree with the not wanting to push college on your children. We’re of the same mindset. We still opened a 529 for our son though as it can be used for a lot of things (vocational/trade school, computers) vice college and also we can always change the beneficiary to one of our niece or nephews (apart of our giving plan). Lastly, if there is still unused money we are ok with paying the 10% to cash out the remaining funds. Great video!

[@whitenoiserelaxingnoises2428]

That mobile home was so pretty, kind of got me interested in trying that out for myself instead of buying a whole home at such a young age

[@gojereme]

whatever you buy - make sure to buy it below market value.

[@EricEwers]

I just found your channel today, and I’m glad I did! I think it’s because it’s related to all the Ramsey videos I follow. You guys are very real and transparent. I used to live in Portland for 11 years so I can definitely relate to the affordability. Looking forward to watching your other videos!

[@ashleyvedani2678]

This message you give is a breath of fresh air! Thank you for your courage, your boldness, and your faith!! Thank you!

[@augustine.c8204]

Thanks for sharing!! Also would love to know how u guys went about remodeling your previous manufactured home, design process, people you hired to help...

[@shannonjohnson4314]

I moved from NJ to Michigan a little of 3 years ago and am enjoying it. Just missing my family especially during these quarantine times. I work from home with my 4 and 1 year old and boy is it a challenge. We aren't debt free yet but hopefully with faith and hard work we will vet there. Thanks for the video it's very inspiring! Stay blessed 🙏🏾

[@jassyjasdesan1674]

In 2015 I moved in the cheapest place( mobile home ) I could find which help tremendously. I saved a lot and bought my first house in 2016🙌🏼. . Moving into a mobile home was one of the best decisions of my life . It was a humbling experience that I’ll never forget . I’m now a home owner with money in the bank and no big debt other than my house .

[@BrieKellnerduJour]

Thank you for the cameo, Baby Boy! 😍 Your entire family is blessed and beautiful!

[@carolynedgar7995]

Hello from Indio California. I’m newer to your channel and like how down to earth you both are. My husband and I have a little boy and I found it interesting that you touched on the topic of college. I feel like it’s always been engrained in us that we have to go to college. I agree with you on your opinion of that. I think that unless you know what you want to do after you graduate high school you shouldn’t attend college right away. I did that and wasted a lot of money attending college because I couldn’t decide on a major.

[@laura7682]

Hi Carolyn 👋🏼. I live in La Quinta and my friends name is Carolyn and her husband’s name is Edgar. 😄

[@patriciaguy5230]

Great pointers

[@YR-vz9ew]

Staying home with my two kids ages 13 and 6 is the biggest blessing especially with the craziest time we are living in. If you can do it go for it!

[@leslieann364]

You are a lovely couple! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

For the most part I agree with DR’s baby steps. IMO many people do the steps in fits and stops. It takes time to adjust and make them yours. Some people goes as far as living in a car or van. Some move home. Other need to stay where they are. If your or your child are in High School, take the basic academics and take the building maintenance program. You will learn a variety of skills that you follow you throughout your life. Basic carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, basic HVAC, drywall are skills to maintain, repair and improve your own home and life. You can helps yourself, others and maybe even paid work.

[@christinab9133]

I really like ur perspective on ur sons college and future!

[@ONLY1KUDWE]

The first mention of the steps, Dave Ramsey has definitely mentioned this (many times).

[@michelleleal6435]

Great video! Do you guys have any videos of your mobile home remodel and tips for fixing one up?

[@gojereme]

Hey Michelle, we don't have any videos on the remodel specifically.

[@sj6728]

I did the DR program. I am so grateful. I am saving for a newer car and a tiny home. I also use a credit card and I pay it off every other day. I laugh every time I pull my earnings out!!!! Now the bank pays me.

[@jennybraden6670]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts. You guys seem great! Thank you!

[@phathayamanavong1028]

Loved these tips!!!

[@michaelkeudel8770]

Just hit the debt free milestone 3 weeks ago, the next 3 paychecks belong to me before the 4th one goes to pay the monthly bills and groceries. I'm still pinching my pennies, it hasn't kicked in yet. And I'm still waiting for my escrow check.

[@bigdogbill8988]

On college, I had the same opinion! Until about 5 years ago? Then I made some ground rules.. if they are switching majors, not doing good, don’t go to college, ect.. that money will be passed down to their children, and help them. It’s not easy… period. But now that we’re on the right track, I wouldn’t want any other way. It’s to create a legacy.

[@financiallife3696]

Baby step 0 is probably the most important, good point!!

[@madelinem3216]

I enjoy watching your videos. Such a smart young couple. God bless your family.

[@Thegospelingrained]

Excellent information! You have re-inspired me to work on getting debt free. I plan on coming up with our why together with my hubby. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@J.WinstonCPA]

I'm loving the different perspectives.

[@daniellem5175]

Awesome video and great advise!! Love your Step 0!!

[@sethhoyt6753]

Thanks for your guys videos! You guys are awesome and your videos are inspiring to my wife and I for a debt free journey. Love all the practical tips and the focus on the “why”!

[@hallejuahhour3348]

Greetings to the both of you. You two are a adorable couple. You were talking and kept being tongued tied and said I'm going to stop talking. It's was on cue beautiful ending. You talk about this finance matter so well and stated you took some finances course. You could possible take a course that could do taxes, accounting, or do a teaching on line that can add income. You could still be at home set your hours be in charge of how many accounts you choose. You made two statements that are good phrases you could put on a sticker or t-shirt. People would buy. "Think Big Act Small" and "Pick It and Stick With It" You are on to something Jereme All Glory Belongs To God!

[@cabacungancreatives9343]

Thank you for making this video. You are so natural. Thanks for sharing your experiences, i know many of us are blessed. Good stewards. God bless your family. 😍🙏☝️

[@MadameSarah]

Another awesome video. Thanks for the tips 😊

[@vickyleonard7223]

Hello! I have watched and liked several of your videos I just subscribed today. I have to say I am so happy for you and your family to find financial peace at such a young age, I started this journey much later in life, so I am working hard to dig out but I will get there! I have always struggled with finances I really made a lot of bad decisions. I finally started following Dave's videos and things started clicking. FINALLY!!! I will be 60 in April and my birthday gift to my self is to be debt free my then. Your A-frame is beautiful, and the pics of the mobile home, WOW! You two have great style! Oops almost forgot to mention the baby, soooooo cute!!!😍 Thank you for all the good information and great tips you have shared with us. All the best to you and your beautiful family!

[@gojereme]

Happy for you Vicky! April is not too far away! 🙌🏽 thank you so much for watching:)

[@Tabfort]

We use a credit card that always gets paid off also. I think part of Dave’s philosophy on it though, is just that you end up spending more because it doesn’t hurt like letting go of cash does. Like I said though, we use a card also.

[@malynnkosnik5395]

I just found your channel! I really love it so far. Love the mindset

[@gojereme]

Glad you are here :) Thanks!

[@abeagleslife]

Hey guys. So happy for you! Beautiful story. Beautiful baby. Beautiful life.

[@jrsfavs6382]

Thanks for sharing your journey and the insights you had/have through it!

[@cutetoo1301]

New subscriber. Love your video! Good information and very cute baby. 😘😘💕

[@jill1452]

Great video - thank you! We are on baby step 7 as well and love that we have the freedom to live our lives the way we want!! Such great advice you give!

[@BrenaeJ]

I love this channel ❤️

[@jennifernicholas1912]

Hi GUYS! We did the mobile home thing too! Where we live houses are 400 thousand and rent is 2000 and up. We turned in this really nice neighborhood in 2020. The school district is amazing as well for my son. We are all in under 800 a month. This will help us pay down our debt. I love our mobile home it is like a little ranch house. Our neighborhood is all seniors and they love us. We were going to get a tiny home but in Baltimore, they do not allow them. So now we have 1800 square feet 3 beds 2 baths. The home was ugly we painted everything white new floors added some cool farm lighting. Our friends make fun of us till they come over and they are like OMG this is so nice. When I go to scream we are debt-free I am going to tell Dave this is the new modification to his book. I would definitely talk with you guys about this decision on a video if you wanted. :)

[@PlannerMemaw]

Debt snowball vs avalanche-I did sort of a hybrid. Instead of looking at the debt amount vs the interest rate, I looked at how much interest I was paying per month. That is the one I worked on first but it wasn't always the lowest amount or the highest interest rate.

[@boneshakauhaahaa]

This is so good! Thank you for sharing!

[@kara2162]

Agree with you on credit cards. We have never had an issue paying ours off every month and we get miles on our card.

[@lorenasanchezvillalobos7610]

Congrats! Happy for you! Are you SDA?

[@michaelpatrick6984]

I think you guys have a great plan and are doing things for the right reasons. My only fear is that inflation will go so high that even feeding your family healthy food will become impossible without vast wealth. We have almost exactly the same plan as you guys, but we are also trying to make as much money as possible. I have 4 kids and things get more expensive everyday. I have 10 chickens and a small garden, but it will take a few years to even break even because of the cost to build the infrastructure.

[@amya108]

Congratulations

[@mlbmachine99]

Hey guys. New subscriber. I am on the same wavelength with y'all in so many ways: Christian, Dave Ramsey 'appreciator,' and in the same stage of life where you are. Totally agree on hacks! Thanks for sharing.

[@Tahania1]

Great Video. Dave Actually does say what is your WHY? He just doesn’t say it’s step 0 but he definitely says it all the time. I don’t use credit cards at all but that’s my preference. Because if I have the $ I just spend the $ . That way I don’t have to pay anything back at a particular day. And if I want to enjoy a trip or something I save for it and pay it all up front so I don’t have to figure out how to beat a system and blah blah blah. But so Happy for you guys ❤️❤️❤️😻😻😻

[@ed-steminator6688]

New watcher thanks to the KZbin algorithm. Like your content 1hr in overall. Slightly disagree if I understand you take on college. Going to community College and taking from psychology, finance, astrology to marketing help me figure out what I was passionate about and not surprisingly good at as well. CC was a great stepping stone to discover myself in a focused way. No structure can lead to disaster from some lesser focused individuals imo.

[@ruthspillman546]

Great vedio!!! Thanks for sharing. I am alone and plan to move next year. I haave cut out much in spending to let my Lord have more of my time. GOD BLESS YOU!!!

[@aprilshower7606]

God bless you guy’s thank you for being a blessing ✝️❤️

[@rickdrop5971]

Some of your affiliate links are not working. Thanks for the video

[@nataliemarie3208]

This is very inspiring. Thanks for sharing your story!

[@GinaSherman-gc2cx]

How did u get rid of your credit cards ?

[@EmpressoftheLibrary]

Just putting it out there: as of right now, money from a 529 plan can be used to pay for two-year programs and for trade school, not just for a traditional four-year college degree. Also, there is no time limit for using the money, so if your son decides to go to college later in life, he can use it then. If he never uses it at all, you can transfer the money to any future children, grandchildren, or even to yourselves if you decide to go back to school at some point.

[@josie6311]

Mobile homes is kinda iffy in FL because of hurricanes

[@DrLewis82]

Love it. 🙏🏼❤️

[@joshuaschroeder851]

What church do you go to in Michigan?

[@Justjames89]

Great content 👌🏼

[@Love-like-Lucy]

Thanks so much for sharing this information with us. I just turned 50 and would love to retire by 60. Debt free besides my mortgage. I need to get this mortgage paid off ASAP!!

[@anointedtheoryofgospel6012]

Pay on the principal and hit it hard monthly. No matter how small or large ($$)… every dollar counts. Make sure you put in the note principal only

[@anointedtheoryofgospel6012]

You can do it!!!

[@gojereme]

You totally got this 💯

[@daniellecorb]

Video gold.

[@cindyann6488]

Great video. But I’m curios of the profit you got from the sale of your mobile home? Also I think that it’s awesome that you guys waited to live and have a child together until after marriage and paid off debt. Props to the both of you! Keep up the good work.

[@RAWNREALFAITHUNLEASHED]

Please share a video about how to use credit cards, especially for traveling and paying them off! 🙏🏼✝️🌺THANK YOU!! Ps. Totally agree on the college aspect! Well said.

[@ameliedebazouges9408]

I have 9000 euros debt from a car loan that is slowly getting down. I have been trying to inject money in it to reduce it. It is hard but it is getting there. It used to be 25 000 euros. We work very hard to get rid of it. No more loans after that.

[@cortniek89]

How long did step 2 take you? I'm currently working through this and have been for a year. I have at least 1 year before CCs are paid off and many before student loans are...

[@itsme-itsme]

Your home and your mobile home were both very nice. Perhaps Grace should consider interior design - offering her services for those who wish to stay on budget. There is a real demand for this!

[@gojereme]

good idea! How much would you pay for a room design/makeover with grace (lets say 2 calls and the actual design items/colors)?

[@southernjulip2403]

Great perspective on Christian marriage - before finances.

[@royalpriesthood02]

yes to marriage and savings series

[@Thisguy418]

Question, I understand that you guys are debt free but is it not deceptive to say that you “retired early” when essentially you’re still required to work but just not for a company that isn’t your own? If you’re still required to work in some way then you’re technically not retired from working, you’re just self employed.

[@gojereme]

Hey Joshua, I think you are missing the point because you may not have seen all my videos. I'm challenging the idea of traditional retirement. Most people think they have to save a "million" to start living the life they want or have to wait til 60+ to even enjoy life. It's just not true. The time that I have now by paying off a small home has allowed me to design a life I don't want to retire from by pursing different passions/opportunities that I wouldn't have had the time for if I was working a regular 9-5. Most people that retire or retire early are just looking for alternative lifestyle do to do more of what they want. Most that actually retire early (meaning they don't have to work ever) end up semi-retired because "sitting on a beach all day" not working is also not fulfilling. So why not just aim to be "semi-retired" from get go? Now I get to wake up and live life the way I want to everyday. Most don't think that is possible or don't think they can be happy if they don't have tons of money in the bank. But's that's not true. You ever hear the quote, "do what you love and you will never work a day in your life"? I found it to be true, even though I didn't used to. My goal is to show people that there is another way to live a great life without being rich or waiting til their 65.

[@Thisguy418]

@@gojereme Thank you for your reply. I enjoy watching your channel and appreciate your perspective. Since a goal for many people is to genuinely be in a position where they are not required to work at all, even doing something that they enjoy, hearing “retire early” signifies a lot.

[@betweencoffeeandsleep2713]

@@Thisguy418 agreed. The word “retire” means a specific thing, and it’s disingenuous to cash in on that by way of drawing viewers with the appeal of that word. “Semi-retired”, “living on our terms”, “financially advantaged”, etc are better pieces of language to describe what is presented here. Jereme, I appreciate the heart behind your message here. My only quibble so far has been that word. The rest is gold.

[@sgist7824]

I guess though you could still say it's retiring from the rat race, or from the Matrix 😀

[@Thisguy418]

@@betweencoffeeandsleep2713 Exactly! I want to be in a position where if I don’t feel like working at all, I have that option. Being able to do what you love is great but even that can becoming overwhelming. @Sophie Gist Retiring from the rat race is even debatable because many entrepreneurs work more hours than employees and on top of that may be at the mercy of their clients and customers.

[@campoida]

Yes on the college thing

[@rachelelizabeth4619]

My hardest habit to break is skipping baby step #1 and going to #2.

[@lisanilluka2024]

I pray one day we can get debt free with babies. I want Godfrey to be able to just hangout with Gideon, Lazarus when he gets here and I . If you have some advice for us please hit Godfrey up. Missing you guys and we love y’all so much ♥️♥️♥️

[@jackieferrarimusic]

I’d add on a step 0B. If you are in debt stop going into more debt as Dave says

[@campoida]

The mobile home value depends on the State. Where ever home buying prices are outrageous then you may be ok.

[@mamas010]

I agree about the college but I'm trying to figure out good alternative ways to save for my children.

[@A.S2400]

CDs are safe and interest earning