What's Happening
11 minutes ago

Why Altcoins Were Tumbling on Thursday

foolfool.com
18 minutes ago

Bitwise, Ramaswamy’s Strive file for ETFs investing in companies with Bitcoin treasuries

theblocktheblock.co
26 minutes ago

Why XRP Is Sinking Today

foolfool.com
38 minutes ago

Looking for a Safer Stock With High Growth Potential? This May Be It!

foolfool.com
3 hours ago

Netflix NFL Games Show Off Super Bowl Contenders, MVP Frontrunner: Benzinga Poll Says 27% Watched

benzingabenzinga.com
3 hours ago

SEALSQ Corp Shares Are Moving Higher After Hours: What's Going On?

benzingabenzinga.com
3 hours ago

'Zelle Became A Gold Mine For Fraudsters': Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Lawsuit (UPDATED)

benzingabenzinga.com
3 hours ago

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin ‘adopts’ viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng with $293,000 donation to Thai zoo

theblocktheblock.co
3 hours ago

Cannabis Use Among Teens Plummets To 30-Year Low, Study Finds

benzingabenzinga.com
3 hours ago

Why BigBear.ai Stock Is Skyrocketing Today

foolfool.com
3 hours ago

Super Saturday Foot Traffic Surges, Sales Hit $157 Million: Potential Winners Emerge

benzingabenzinga.com
4 hours ago

12 Communication Services Stocks Moving In Thursday's Pre-Market Session

benzingabenzinga.com
4 hours ago

12 Health Care Stocks Moving In Thursday's Pre-Market Session

benzingabenzinga.com
4 hours ago

12 Industrials Stocks Moving In Thursday's Pre-Market Session

benzingabenzinga.com
4 hours ago

12 Information Technology Stocks Moving In Thursday's Pre-Market Session

benzingabenzinga.com
4 hours ago

Why C3.ai Stock Is Gaining Today

foolfool.com
4 hours ago

This Is What Whales Are Betting On Trump Media & Technology

benzingabenzinga.com
4 hours ago

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With POET

benzingabenzinga.com
4 hours ago

Microsoft's Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know

benzingabenzinga.com
4 hours ago

Freeport-McMoRan Unusual Options Activity For December 26

benzingabenzinga.com

3 Dave Ramsey Personal Finance Tips You Should Stop Following in 2024

An upset person with a creased brow looks at their smartphone screen.

Image source: Getty Images

If you spend any time in personal finance groups or reading about personal finance, you’ve likely heard about Dave Ramsey. He’s an author and personal finance expert, likely best known for his book The Total Money Makeover and his step-by-step program for getting out of debt. Many people struggling with debt turn to him for help paying down debt and building wealth.

He says you should live below your means and use the snowball method to pay off debt. This method involves tackling your smallest debt first, then using that freed-up payment amount to take on the next debt, gradually building momentum as you go. That’s solid advice for anyone.

But he has some questionable hiring practices (like requiring spouses to interview as well as potential employees) and some even worse advice. Here are three pieces of his advice you should definitely reconsider.

1. Don’t invest until debt is paid off

Dave Ramsey’s “The 7 Baby Steps” are meant to help people take control of their money by creating an emergency fund and paying off all debt besides your house. Then (and only then) are you supposed to start investing for retirement.

Getting out of debt is important, but the average American has more than $6,000 in credit card debt and nearly $24,000 in auto loan debt. That could take years to pay off — years you’re missing out on compounding interest and, possibly, a 401(k) match from your employer (which is essentially free money for retirement).

Instead, try to put at least enough into your 401(k) to get the full match. If you have high-interest debt, aim to pay that off quickly, but don’t entirely put off saving for retirement until all other debts are paid off. Taking a balanced approach will help you get out of debt and build momentum for retirement.

Need help getting out of debt? These budgeting apps help you track where your money goes.

2. Don’t focus on your credit score

Ramsey argues that credit scores are unimportant, calling them an “I love debt” rating. But here’s the thing: A good credit score doesn’t mean you’re planning to take on more debt. And a personal finance expert telling people to ignore their credit score isn’t just bad advice; it’s downright dangerous for some.

Having a good credit score can help you afford a safe place to live, either by landing a lower mortgage rate or being able to rent an apartment in a safe area. Employers sometimes use credit scores when they do background checks for potential hires. Car insurance companies and cellphone service providers may base your rates on your credit score, so a low credit score can cost you money.

Having an 850 credit score doesn’t mean you’ve reached the pinnacle of financial success. But having a good credit score (or even a bad one!) is not a moral failing, and it’s important to remember that credit scores are used for more than just opening lines of credit.

Comparing rates can lower your car insurance costs, no matter your credit score. Check out the cheapest car insurance companies.

3. Pay off your mortgage early

Ramsey typically advocates for paying off your mortgage early. He says being completely debt-free, including mortgage debt, provides financial freedom and security. Once other debts are paid off and you have an emergency fund, he suggests directing extra funds toward your mortgage.

But it doesn’t always make financial sense to pay off your mortgage early, especially if you have a lower interest rate. I recently wrote about how I stopped making extra payments on my mortgage because once I did the math, it didn’t make sense.

My mortgage rate is below 4%, while the S&P 500 has an average return of 12.8% over the past 10 years. That means I can likely earn 8% more by putting money into investments. There are risks of market fluctuations, of course, but the potential return is worth it — at least in my case.

There are some times when it makes sense to pay off your mortgage early. If you’re planning to retire soon and want to get rid of your largest expense, for example. Or maybe you just want to lift the burden of having to make that payment every month.

Just take the time to make sure it makes sense for your financial situation and your goals — in fact, that’s a good idea no matter where you get your personal finance advice.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Related Posts

Many people find retirement to be a beautiful time. After years of working and sacrificing, it’s a moment finally to enjoy the fruits of your

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals the government makes you take from most retirement accounts beginning the year you turn 73. If you

Got a 401(k)? This employer-sponsored retirement account makes it easy to make pre-tax contributions straight from your paycheck. Your contributions lower your taxable income in

You’ve decided that 2025 is the year you’re finally going to claim Social Security. Perhaps it’s the year you’re retiring as well. It’s an exciting