5 Best Dave Ramsey Money Tips To Adopt in 2025

5 Best Dave Ramsey Money Tips To Adopt in 2025

Cara Danielle Brown   Wed, February 19, 2025  GOBankingRates

Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey has become one of America’s most trusted voices for individuals wanting to learn how to take control of their money. From paying off debt to getting on a budget, Ramsey’s guidance has helped millions become educated and empowered.

With 2025’s financial climate off to a strong yet erratic start, some are looking to the finance guru, wondering which of his money tips are most useful to adopt in real time. Here are five that could help put you on the right path.

Pay Off Your Debt

“One of Ramsey’s foundational principles is eliminating debt,” said Melanie Musson, insurance and finance expert at Clearsurance.com. “Instead of seeking out new debt, people should seek to pay off their debts and avoid borrowing more. … Avoiding debt allows you to live freely.”

Consider the current climate: Interest rates remain high at 4.25% to 4.5%, and the Fed has indicated they are in no rush to lower them. Additionally, the global economy is facing uncertainties by way of geopolitical tensions and fluctuating currency values. And, according to Federal Reserve Data from November 2024, big banks are charging the average consumer 22.8% interest on credit cards.

Failing to pay down debt at any time — but particularly in the current economy — will quite literally compound the problem.

Thomas Alessi, president at ARIES Foundation for Financial Education, supports Ramsey’s debt snowball method — a strategy where individuals pay the minimum amount on all their debts except for the smallest one, which is paid off more aggressively. When the smallest debt has been cleared, the next-smallest takes priority, and so on.

Clearing debts in ascending order is a psychological trick that gives people confidence and focus, explained Alessi. “We can start to see our way out, and it allows us to feel empowered in handling our finances.”

Cut Back on Discretionary Spending

When it comes to saving money, Ramsey advocates cutting back on non-essential spending by distinguishing between a need and a want. As a Ramsey Solutions article on his website explained, needs are essentials, like food and shelter, while wants consist of non-essentials you desire but can live without — like home upgrades and entertainment.

TO READ MORE: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/5-best-dave-ramsey-money-150014042.html

This Is the Max Number of Bank Accounts You Should Have

Self-Made Millionaire: This Is the Max Number of Bank Accounts You Should Have

Gabrielle Olya  Wed, February 19, 2025   GOBankingRates

In her book “Crush Your Money Goals,” financial coach and self-made millionaire Bernadette Joy writes that the first step toward achieving financial freedom is to “curate” your financial accounts. This means reviewing every financial account you have open — your bank accounts, credit cards, loans and properties in your name. Once you have a list of your accounts, it’s time to streamline them and consolidate them into 20.

 “When it comes to achieving financial independence, the fewer accounts you have, the fewer opportunities for mistakes or precious money to fall through the cracks,” she wrote.

Think of each of your financial accounts as a separate handbag,” Joy continued. “Having multiple checking, savings and investment accounts and credit cards is like carrying around an armful of handbags with just a little bit of money in each. It’s not efficient and it feels a little silly.”

While Joy recommends having 20 financial accounts total, your bank accounts should be a small fraction of that.

How Many Bank Accounts Should You Have?

According to Joy, you should have no more than three bank accounts — or four if you own a business.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/self-made-millionaire-max-number-190026431.html

4 Best Money Lessons From Elon Musk

4 Best Money Lessons From Elon Musk

July 10, 2023 By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy

Paris: 2023 Elon Musk Vivatech, France - 16 Jun 2023JEANNE ACCORSINI / SIPA / Shutterstock.com

Elon Musk — still the world’s richest man, with a $243 billion net worth as of July 10, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index — is at the helm of several companies. From Tesla to SpaceX, and from Neuralink to The Boring Company — and most recently, Twitter — Musk is no stranger to controversy and is known for speaking his mind.  Not everything Elon Musk has done, financially speaking, has been exemplary. However, Musk’s best money moves are at the center of many commentaries, however, and four follow.

PayPal: An Early Mind for Bold Investing

Musk founded X.com, later named PayPal, and sold it to eBay for $1.4 billion in 2002, according to The Wall Street Journal. He collected $100 million from the deal.

“One of Elon’s best financial moves was placing most of his net worth into Paypal, at a time where the ‘.com’ world was seriously taking off,” said Sebastian Jania, owner of Ontario Property Buyers.

Upon successful growth of this company, he sold it and was paid handsomely — but instead of cashing out of the “entrepreneurship game” and living on the proceeds, he recycled his money into three more businesses which also took off as successes, said Jania.

“This was a very wise decision as he was able to take his successes in the tech industry and diversify across solar, automotive, and space industries. This move protected him in case the tech industry or other industries would crash.”

Musk Reinvests Profits Into his Visions

Elon Musk has made billions of dollars from his ventures but doesn’t all profits on lavish lifestyles or frivolous things, said Anna Koval, co-founder and CMO at Tarotoo.

“Instead, he reinvests his profits into his vision of making humanity a multi-planetary species and advancing clean energy and transportation. This shows his passion, dedication, and long-term thinking, which are essential for any successful entrepreneur.”

TO READ MORE; https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/wealth/4-best-money-lessons-from-elon-musk/?utm_term=incontent_link_3&utm_campaign=1237686&utm_source=yahoo.com&utm_content=6&utm_medium=rss

4 Steps To Take When Your Emergency Fund Doesn’t Cover Your Emergency

4 Steps To Take When Your Emergency Fund Doesn’t Cover Your Emergency

David Nadelle  Mon, February 17, 2025   GOBankingRates

Having a financial safety net to cover unexpected medical costs, the loss of a job or income, or large expenses, like car repairs or appliance replacements, is essential.

However, while you won’t have to look hard to find tips on starting and maintaining an emergency fund, there’s not a lot of useful information out there to assist you when your emergency fund falls short in covering an emergency

Here are four things to do if an emergency has emptied out your emergency fund.

Stop Spending

When inflation and consumer prices stretch your income to the limit, finding extra money to fund an emergency reserve is difficult. However, it’s generally recommended that you sock away three to six months’ worth of expenses as your emergency fund goal, depending on your lifestyle and living situation.

Hindsight being 20/20, of course, you could have saved more to prepare for an emergency. But financial crises are unforeseen and you can’t live your life sacrificing all enjoyment for the sake of hoarding cash. If you do find yourself without the funds to pay an emergency expense, you’ll need to start cutting back where you can by reducing, pausing or eliminating.

Discretionary spending on new clothes, restaurant outings and indulgent services or subscriptions need to be assessed and excised in times of financial burden. If necessary, temporarily downgrade your cell service or insurance needs and start penny-pinching at the grocery store.

Pay the Minimum on Credit Cards

Not having to rely on credit cards or high-interest loans will help you avoid adding to your debt if you have an emergency fund. But what about existing debt that still needs paying off?

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/4-steps-emergency-fund-doesn-190025271.html

Mark Cuban’s Simplest Money Advice That Anyone Can Use

Mark Cuban’s Simplest Money Advice That Anyone Can Use

Jennifer Taylor   Sun, February 16, 2025  GOBankingRates

He’s a billionaire, but many of Mark Cuban’s spending habits are surprisingly relatable. While he owns a private jet, the businessman hasn’t forgotten his middle-class upbringing. Over the years, he’s given plenty of interviews, and often shares money advice that can apply to anyone.

Here’s a look at five of Cuban’s simplest financial tips that you may want to try out.

Live Like a Student

When get your first job, it can be tempting to upgrade your lifestyle, Cuban told Vanity Fair. When he was in this position, he said he was tempted to buy a new car, but didn’t.

Instead, he said he kept his old car, which is decision he’s proud of to this day. Living like a student will keep your bills down, so you can avoid going into debt.

In fact, this advice could be tailored to anyone. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, cut costs by scaling your lifestyle back.

Don’t Use Credit Cards

They’re convenient in more ways than one, but Cuban advised against using credit cards in the interview. Personally, he said he remembers getting calls from bill collectors every two minutes.

If you don’t want to pay with cash, he recommended using a debit card. This will give you the convenience of paying with plastic, without the temptation to overspend.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/mark-cuban-simplest-money-advice-150031872.html

3 Pieces of Financial Advice From Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos

3 Pieces of Financial Advice From Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos Have Stood the Test of Time

Kristopher Kane  Sun, February 16, 2025  GOBankingRates

Jeff Bezos is one of the richest people on the planet, so his insights on wealth creation and management come from a truly unique vantage point. Bezos keeps a low profile compared to some other billionaires, but he has dispensed financial advice from time to time over the years.

His range of strategies and observations are the kind of advice that anyone — from people just beginning their financial journeys to top-tier entrepreneurs and CEOs — can learn from. Here are three of his best pieces of advice that you can apply to your financial planning.

Think Long Term

Bezos is a believer in the “buy and hold” school of thought. Rather than focusing on elusive short-term goals, he focuses instead on more distant horizons. He’s held several investments for 10 years or more.

In the billionaire’s view, a long-term perspective is necessary for success. Success isn’t realized through immediate gains and risky investments but through assets and objectives achieved over time.

Focus On Cash Flow

Bezos emphasizes the importance of keeping your eye on the bottom line. In a 2004 letter to Amazon shareholders, he wrote, “Our ultimate financial measure … is free cash flow per share.”

While he was referring to Amazon’s business model, this translates to personal finances: The value of your investments or savings is linked to — if not dictated by — the state of your current and forecasted cash flow.

An increase in income translates into a greater ability to take advantage of lucrative investment opportunities or bolster existing savings. Improving your future cash flow increases your ability to save or invest more effectively, which positions you in the long term to realize optimal returns on investments.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/3-pieces-financial-advice-amazon-120035808.html

20 Tips for Managing Stress in 2025

20 Tips for Managing Stress in 2025

December 7, 2024  

The new year often brings excitement and optimism, but it can also come with stress from setting goals, balancing responsibilities, and navigating uncertainties. As we step into 2025, let’s prioritize mental and emotional well-being with these 20 stress busters that help you stay tension-free and focus on a healthier, happier life.

1. Practice Mindful Breathing

Take a few moments each day to focus on your breathing. Deep, slow breaths can calm your nervous system, reduce stress, and enhance focus. Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. You can practice Soma Breathing. 

2. Start Your Day with Gratitude

Begin each morning by listing three things you’re grateful for. Gratitude shifts your mindset and helps you focus on the positives rather than the stressors. Listen Gratitude Voice that comes from within.

3. Declutter Your Space

A clutter-free environment promotes a clutter-free mind. Spend 10 minutes daily organizing your surroundings to create a calming space.

4. Stay Physically Active

Exercise releases endorphins, the body’s natural stress-relievers. Whether it’s yoga, jogging, or a quick home workout, physical activity boosts mood and lowers anxiety.

5. Set Realistic Goals

Break down your big goals into manageable tasks. Unrealistic expectations often lead to unnecessary stress, so be kind to yourself when setting resolutions.

6. Try Journaling

Write down your thoughts, feelings, and plans. Journaling can help process emotions, gain clarity, and track progress toward your goals.

7. Embrace Digital Detox

Constant notifications can overwhelm your mind. Dedicate time each day to disconnect from screens and reconnect with yourself or loved ones.

8. Practice Time Management

Stress often stems from feeling overwhelmed. Use tools like to-do lists, calendars, or apps to organize your tasks and prioritize effectively. Learn Time Management Strategy .

TO READ MORE:  https://jiyofullest.com/blog/stress-busters-to-stay-tension-free/

Is This the Biggest Heist of All Time?

Is This the Biggest Heist of All Time?

Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Simon Black) February 11, 2025

We recently received a question from a reader asking for my thoughts on crypto.

He said we’ve been talking about gold a lot lately, the gold price, and how the price could go a lot higher. Shouldn’t we hold the same views on crypto, given everything that has happened with Bitcoin over the last year or so?

We ended up doing a whole podcast about this today, We talk a lot about gold, and a lot about crypto. To clarify, I’m not anti-crypto. In fact, I brought Bitcoin to our audience’s attention back in 2013, when the price was under $100.   But there are some differences to gold.

Right now, I think there are some major catalysts that could drive the price of gold much higher. It’s a matter of arithmetic, and we walk you through the math on it.

The other important thing is that while gold is at an all time high, gold related businesses have been in the dumps for a long time. And that’s a bizarre anomaly that is simply not going to last.

Conversely, that same dynamic doesn’t seem to exist with crypto related businesses.

And we talk about, in today’s podcast, Microstrategy, as perhaps the best example.

This is essentially now a Bitcoin holding company, with 478,000 Bitcoin, valued at around $45 billion. Yet Microstrategy’s market cap is almost double that.

So if the point is to buy Microstrategy stock as a proxy for Bitcoin, you’re actually paying double the price.

Versus with gold, we have the opportunity to pay less than two times forward earnings for gold companies that have an all in production cost of $1,500 per ounce— roughly half the price of gold.

So it’s a completely different dynamic, and we explore all this and more in today’s podcast.

We even talk about the Microstrategy convertible notes, and why it’s frankly wildly inappropriate at this point to even compare “crypto” and gold.

You can listen to the podcast here.

(For the audio-only version, check out our online post here.)

To your freedom,  James Hickman   Co-Founder, Schiff Sovereign LLC

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/podcast/is-this-the-biggest-heist-of-all-time-podcast-152072/

With Gold At an All Time High

With Gold At an All Time High, This Gold Company is Still Insanely Cheap

Notes From The Field By James Hickman (Simon Black) February 10, 2025

And almost on cue, gold is at another all time high today and rapidly closing in on $3,000 per troy ounce.

It’s not hard to understand why.

We’ve been talking about this for quite some time— foreign governments, central banks, and even some large foreign corporations now are trading their dollars for gold. And that’s going to have some unfortunate, negative consequences for the US.

I’m sincerely pulling for Elon and DOGE. I really am. And I think they’ve got a great shot at cutting hundreds of billions of dollars from the federal budget. These guys aren’t messing around and have no qualms about cutting everything that doesn’t make sense.

I also hope Congress and the White House find the courage to make critical reforms to Social Security (though I am less optimistic about that one).

And the final piece to the puzzle of getting America back on track, of course, is slashing regulation and getting back to capitalism. There certainly seems to be a lot of momentum in this direction.

The math is pretty clear: if they manage to succeed at these key challenges, then there is a good chance for the US to grow its way out of debt. But even that is going to take many, many years.

In the meantime the Treasury Department will still need to rely heavily on foreigners to buy (and continue to hold) US government bonds.

I’ve explained before that foreigners own roughly half of all fixed-rate, “marketable” US government debt. So they’re a pretty important lender.

And in order for this turnaround plan to work, the Treasury Department will need those foreign bondholders to keep investing and reinvesting in America’s national debt.

But right now there are a lot of foreign countries that are deeply concerned about holding US Treasury securities. This administration has already threatened even its friends and neighbors with tariffs, and the last administration had an endless fetish for sanctions.

Think about it like this: imagine you hold a good chunk of your money in a faraway bank, and your banker was constantly threatening to freeze your account and cut off access to your funds.

Sure, maybe it’s a very nice and prestigious bank. But after so many threats, would you still keep all of your money there? Would you still want your paycheck direct deposited into that bank, month after month? Or would you start looking around at alternatives?

That’s what’s driving the gold price right now. Foreign governments and central banks are wary about holding official US securities, gold is the most viable alternative. Just like dollars, gold has universal marketability— no central banker is worried about whether they’ll ever be able to sell their gold.

Plus virtually every other government and central bank owns gold, which means it can already be used to settle current and capital account deficits if necessary.

Concern over sanctions, inflation, and America’s gargantuan national debt led foreign officials to buy up more gold over the past couple of years. Overall, they made roughly $80 billion in excess gold purchases in 2023-2024, causing the gold price to jump from about $1,800 to over $2,900.

$80 billion is a drop in the bucket for foreign governments and central banks; they have 100x that much worth of US dollar reserves.

So if $80 billion of excess purchases resulted in a $1,000+ price jump in the gold price, what will happen if they buy $1 trillion or more in gold? That’s the potential scenario that could play out.

Either way, gold is at an all-time high today. But, quite bizarrely, gold-related companies are still at ridiculously cheap levels.

To give you an example, there is a company we presented not long ago to subscribers of The 4th Pillar, our premium investment research service; it’s a profitable gold company with an excellent, clean balance sheet, very little debt, and strong growth. In fact the company even pays a healthy dividend to shareholders.

Yet when we published our research on the company, it was only valued at a mere 5x Free Cash Flow. That’s practically nothing.

The stock has now more than doubled in price as some investors are starting to realize what we discovered and presented to our subscribers many months ago.

But even now, because current and projected earnings have continued to increase, the company is still extremely undervalued even though it doubled in price.

We still see a number of similar opportunities, i.e. gold-related businesses that may be paying strong dividends, have debt-free balance sheets, and are profitable, yet still trade at outrageously low valuations despite gold’s all-time high.

Another report we sent out to our premium subscribers just last week profiled an undervalued gold mining company that has an all-in production price of just $1,500 per ounce. And yet the business is valued at TWO times its expected earnings this year.

It’s really unusual to see such an anomaly, and it almost certainly will not last.

To your freedom,  James Hickman   Co-Founder, Schiff Sovereign LLC

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/trends/with-gold-at-an-all-time-high-this-gold-company-is-still-insanely-cheap-152066/

10 Money Rules To Build Life-Changing Wealth

10 Money Rules To Build Life-Changing Wealth, According to Ramit Sethi

Diana Kelly Levey GOBankingRates   Sun, February 9, 2025

You probably have a few money rules that you made for yourself, like setting a budget when you go clothes shopping, never looking at the menu prices when you eat out or setting aside a certain percentage of your income for savings.

Podcaster, author and financial guru Ramit Sethi isn’t shy about voicing his thoughts on money, particularly when it comes to “money rules.” In a video from his YouTube Channel, “I Will Teach You To Be Rich,” Sethi dove into his top 10 money rules for building life-changing wealth.

As Sethi noted in the video, these are his rules. They make him feel happy and secure, and they allow him to continue building wealth. They won’t all work for us — ahem, most Americans can’t afford to buy a house in cash — but you should be able to find ideas from which you can borrow philosophies to help develop and formulate your own unique money rules.

Set Aside a One-Year Emergency Fund

Sethi acknowledged that he’s one of the few personal finance experts to suggest something that extreme — or should we say conservative? Most money experts recommend an emergency fund to cover three to six months’ worth of expenses.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that Americans spent about $73,000 in 2022, up about 9% over the previous year. If piling up $73,000 for a one-year emergency fund sounds daunting, start small. “If something really bad happens, I have extra cash available to tide things over,” Sethi said.

Apply the Rules of 10 and 20

Sethi said he saves 10% and invests 20% of his gross income at a minimum. In his book “I Will Teach You to Be Rich,” Sethi suggested saving 5% to 10% and investing 5% to 10% as part of a conscious spending plan (aka a budget).  So why are his money rules different?

You need to increase the amounts you save and invest as you earn more money, he suggested. If you followed the popular 50/30/20 rule, 50% of your money would go to necessities, 30% to discretionary items and 20% to savings. How you’d want to split that up between emergency funds, general savings and investing is personal.

Pay In Full for Large Expenses

This money rule suggests you have enough money set aside that you’re able to pay in full for large expenses, such as a wedding or a house. As part of this, Sethi has adopted a no-debt policy in his household. And yes, he said he started saving for his wedding before he ever met his now-wife.

Why so strict on this money rule? “I don’t want cost to be the first reason to make a decision, the second or even the fifth,” Sethi said.

Never Question Spending On Books, Appetizers or Charity

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/10-money-rules-build-life-160025454.html

7 Money Habits That Can Make or Break You

7 Money Habits That Can Make or Break You

 Credit.com    Yahoo! Finance/Thinkstock -

Why do you keep buying things you can’t afford? It makes no sense: it’s not rational. Nobody wants to be in debt.

The answer is simple: debt problems are emotional, not rational. Debt results from unconscious habits and attitudes that cause you to spend more than you can afford.

In other words, everyone knows the first law of finance is to spend less than you make. That is how you stay out of debt. Unfortunately, knowing what to do and actually getting it done are two different issues.

That’s why being on the right side of these seven financial practices is critically important to your financial success. They can close the gap between knowing what to do and actually getting it done – simply by changing your daily habits. It is the easiest way to solve your debt problems and begin building wealth.

The good news is this means you have the power to improve your financial situation no matter where you are at today. You created your habits, and your habits produce your long-term financial results. That means you’re in charge and have the power to make positive changes.

Consider the following seven financial practices that can take you to debt or wealth. The habits you choose will determine your financial success or failure.

1. Emotional Spending

Here is a simple test to determine if you’re an emotional spender:

    Do you use shopping to relieve stress or escape boredom?

    Do you use shopping as a pick-me-up or entertainment?

    Do you celebrate by shopping for a treat?

    Do you ever shop as a form of “retail therapy?”

    Do you use shopping for social connection?

    Do you have clothes in the closet with the tags still attached?

    Do you have more than one of the same item?

    Is your credit card bill so large that you can’t afford to pay it off at the end of the month?

    Do you ever feel an endorphin rush when making a purchase?

    Do you experience anxiety, guilt, or remorse after shopping?

    Do you ever hide purchases from friends or loved ones?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, then you might have an emotional spending problem.

Emotional shoppers become addicted to the temporary endorphin high that comes from buying. You’re genetically programmed to pursue what makes you feel good, turning spending into a physiological habit like a drug. That’s why excessive spending is about the emotional experience from buying stuff and not the stuff itself.

The purchase brings temporary yet immediate gratification (even if it causes debt).

The wealthy habit is to spend based on needs — not wants — and to plan purchases rather than buy spontaneously. A good habit for breaking emotional spending is to force a two-day cool-off period for all non-planned purchases so your emotions can settle down. If you still want it after two days then it may actually be worth buying.

2. Addiction

Closely related to emotional spending is addiction, but this can be an addiction of any kind — not just shopping. Gambling, drug and sex addictions are highly destructive — both financially and otherwise. The ensuing debt spiral may be the least of your worries but is often a consequence.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.credit.com/blog/7-money-habits-that-can-make-or-break-you-64863/