Final Fantasy 30: Financial Peace
So a friend bought us a copy of Dave Ramsey’s book “The Total Money Makeover“, and Jennie and I have both read it. Dave also offers a 13-week class called “Financial Peace University“, which is being offered here in Omaha, and Jennie and I are taking that as well; orientation was last weekend, and the first actual session is this afternoon.
Dave’s “Total Money Makeover” plan centers around seven of what he calls “Baby Steps“:
- Save up $1,000 to start an emergency fund
- Pay off all debt (except the mortgage) using the Debt Snowball
- Grow the emergency fund until it will cover 3-6 months’ expenses
- Invest 15% of household income for retirement
- Save for college fund
- Pay off home early
- Build wealth
Now, obviously this is not a “get rich quick” scheme, but I’m sorry, those ain’t baby steps. I’m a programmer in an XP shop, so I know that a “baby step” is something you can do in five minutes — and then run the tests to make sure you didn’t break anything. And I don’t think I can save $1,000 in five minutes. (Or if I did, I’m sure I’d fail a few unit tests.)
So I’ve been trying to think of them in terms of something bigger in scope. Like, say, the big bosses in a Final Fantasy video game (Final Fantasy II/IV is my personal favorite). You know, something you can’t even finish in one sitting (though I may try again this New Year’s…)
At first, I was thinking about Dave’s steps as corresponding to the Four Fiends of Elements. But that doesn’t work so well, because there are only four Fiends of Elements (of course)… and besides, the game is far from over by the time you’ve defeated Rubicant, the fourth Fiend. So I think it’ll be more in terms of strategic bosses and/or major plot points spread throughout the entire game.
I’ve already worked out which of Dave’s “baby steps” correspond to each of my Plot Points, but it’s on the other computer, so I’ll post it later. For now, we’re working on Major Plot Point One: climbing Mount Ordeals to face our dark past and become a Paladin. (Sure, it’s kinda cheesy, but you gotta have fun, right?)
September 26th, 2005 at 2:42 pm
Just last night we had a Church gathering where someone shared Dave Ramsey’s book "The Total Money Makeover". Then today I read your post. That is amazing timing.
Tell me how his class goes. I am planning to buy the book. . .
September 27th, 2005 at 1:35 am
Well you break those steps down in even smaller steps. I think Dave provides excellent advise on how to get our of debt on a behavioral level.
September 27th, 2005 at 9:30 am
Oh, absolutely; his advice is terrific on a lot of levels. I just disagree with the name "baby steps", because they’re really these huge things that each take months and need to be broken into smaller pieces.
That’s another reason I like the "plot point" metaphor, since Final Fantasy games in particular tend to have an awful lot of minor plot points between the major ones.
January 3rd, 2006 at 8:46 am
Dave is a saleman with a superior product.
I was first introduced to Dave by a customer by finding out about his website. From his website I researched it all the way until I was hooked into the system. Then that very same day I asked my in-laws if they’ve ever heard of him (trying to gain more credibility) and lo and behold they had the Total Money Makeover, and actually gave it to e right there right on the spot.
Four days later I finished the book and it has changed my financial outlook for the positive.
The reason why I started this post stating that Dave is a salesman is because he knows who his target audience is. The last thing he wants to do is call the process of getting wealthy and out of debt "an almost impossible arduous take that’s going to take years of difficulty, parallel to fighting off Final Fantasy war lords."
Yes, he says we must get all-out intense in this battle for the buck, but he coins the steps Baby Steps to give us comfort and a bit of a psychological edge.
Two weeks into the system and I am so very anxious for the next months bills to come in to see them get wiped away! No joke!
Mark B.
January 3rd, 2006 at 9:21 am
Oh c’mon. (grin) Final Fantasy games take maybe twenty or thirty hours to finish. Even in terms of in-game time, it’s probably on the order of a month or two, depending on how often you stay in inns or use your Tents and Cabins. Getting out of debt takes most people a bit longer than that.
Besides, I think it’s a lot more satisfying to talk about vanquishing mighty foes than it is to talk about toddling across the living room floor.
But it’s great to hear that you’re making progress toward the final boss. Or the coffee table, whichever suits you. (grin)