Daughter got a great deal at Bass Pro

Friday night, Isa decided she wanted to go to Bass Pro to buy some kind of stuffed animal to accompany the little deer her uncle Caleb got her. She grabbed some money from her dollar jar, and we headed out.

We first stopped and grabbed a bite to eat at the Ruby Tuesday's right by the Bass Pro. I wanted to eat out since I'm home all day. Good dinner too.

After dinner, we finally drove to Bass Pro and checked out their collection of stuffed animals. Of course, the one Isa picks out costs more than she can afford, so I tried to find something she could buy. She had $15, which is a lot for 6-year old, but still not enough for the one she wanted (that one cost $25).

I finally found a couple that made sounds when you squeeze them, and she loved the little lion cub. I looked at the price, $7.95. Definitely within her price range.

So, we walked over to get Matt, who had sneakily meandered to the gun and ammo section. After following him around for a bit, we finally headed to the register.

Isa gives the cub to the guy at the register who proceeds to ring it up. I looked at the price and was surprised by what I saw. He was surprised as well. The price? A whole $0.97. That's right. After taxes, it was $1.02. Isa pulled out her wad of money, not quite getting the fact that she only need two $1 bills. He, of course, only took the one and we were off. Talk about a great deal.

As we walked to the car, I couldn't help but think what the one she wanted cost. Of course, she could have also bought all of the little squeezable animals. Oh well.

Diane Sawyer learns a little something from Clark Howard and Dave Ramsey

Good Morning America's Diane Sawyer learns about the four walls from Dave and Clark. What are the four walls? Food, shelter, transportation, and utilities.

Mortgage - $744, Grocery budget $400, Look on Dianne Sawyer's face when she finds out to pay credit cards last - priceless!

Check it out for yourself.

Money Clips

I happened across this clip on YouTube. It's the opening video our church used for a financial series titled "SmartMoney." If you're a Dave Ramsey fan, you can tell there's some influence.

College and debt

So, most of you know that I'm a big fan of Dave Ramsey. It's safe to say that Matt and I have bought in to his message and drink the Kool-aid. And, quite honestly, it tastes so sweet. In the few years that we've been on the DR plan, we're moving closer and closer to what DR calls financial peace. In fact, we get to feel it every once in a while whenever emergencies arise simply by having the cash to keep Murphy in his place.

As much as I admire Dave Ramsey, I'm a bit disappointed in him. What? Me? That's right. Let me explain.

Dave offers youth his financial curriculum to help them learn money management tools that's not sponsored by a bank or credit card company. Isn't that crazy? That public schools allow companies like Visa to teach our kids how to handle money. And, we allow it. So, I was excited when I learned that DR has his own curriculum that comes from a consumer perspective, not some financial institution that benefits from teaching kids to borrow money.

Matt and I had the privilege of sitting in one the sessions at our church who are offering Financial Peace for the Next Generation. The video series is the same as Financial Peace University but with youth-oriented intro music and graphics. The workbook questions are also geared more for that age group. But, and that's a big but. I'm disappointed that the actual video content isn't geared to youth.

If you haven't watched any of the video lessons, there are a few things that these kids mentioned in the small group session following the clip, and I have to say that I feel their concerns are valid. Here's what the kids say:

What's with the audience of 'old' people?
This is the question that kicked off the small group session. And, to be honest, how are kids gonna relate to these lessons when the material is obviously aimed at an older audience?

It seems some of the content is geared more for older folks, what applies to me and what doesn't?
This question followed the first. I have to agree. Although most of the content is useful, the fact that you can tell DR isn't speaking to youth can inhibit the learning process. These are youth, they're not thinking about marriage and mortgage debt. It's good to know, but it's not geared to their specific concerns.

As much as I love DR, I think these concerns should be addressed. Especially if these kids are going to be reached before the credit sharks get to them. How can the curriculum be changed to more effectively reach youth? These are my suggestions:

Create a video series specifically targeting youth.
That includes Dave addressing an audience of kids and their specific concerns, which include:

• In depth discussion about student loans and alternatives to borrowing money.


• Less discussion about marriage and money, but addressing how money plays an important role in relationships.


• Why credit scores matter and don't.


• Teach the Drive Free, Retire Rich principle.

Not that this will happen, but I think it's important to reach youth at their level. Don't you?

Nearly half of Americans caught in media spin

I have to say, Americans quite gullible when it comes to politics and the economy. Most of them believe the hype the media creates on a daily basis. And today, I have proof. The CNN Political Ticker posted today that Nearly half think U.S. in recession. Three questions the article never cleared up, and it's a fricking news site: 1) Do the Americans polled know what a recession is?, 2) Why divide the results by only black and white Americans?, 3) This topic belongs in the business section of the site, so why is it in politics? I can answer these questions and I'm not a journalist.

Firstly, if you look at the economy from a neutral perspective. Not republican or democrat, the economy is doing well. Aside from the subprime crap, people can still get mortgages, credit card debt is still growing (which means people are spending), and my 401k is going up in value, not down. Of course, the media will tell you the economy stinks and that it's George Bush's fault. That's about as true as me saying I'm white. I smell an election year, don't you?

Secondly, leave it to the media to play the race card. And, where the heck is the hispanic consensus? If you're going to claim to be fair, make sure that an accurate perspectus is represented.

Thirdly, I know it's an election year by the hint that the economy is in a recssion. No president has sole control over the state of the economy, only the amount of debt we go into or get out of (in Bush's case, definitely in). And, I don't think that'll change if a democrat gets voted into office.

Ugh, I hate to talk politics. But when it comes to inaccuracy from a news site, well, it just ticks me off. I suppose it's to be expected, especially from the Clinton News Network*, er, I mean CNN.

Source: Nearly half think U.S. in recession

*That's what my Army buddy called it. :)

Dave's right, cash is king

I saw this article on CNNmoney this morning that reinforced Dave Ramsey's message of being debt free, even in business. Money Magazine editor Michael Sivy highlighted four American businesses that will beat the recent credit crunch. Which businesses did he mention? Staples, Johnson & Johnson, Illinois Tool Works, and Microsoft.

With banks and lenders tightening up their wallets, companies that rely heavily on credit for growth are having a tough time acquiring capital. "By contrast, businesses with plenty of cash or pristine balance sheets that make them attractive borrowers will be able to expand, acquire weaker players and take advantage of other opportunities."

That's exactly where these four companies fall. They have little debt, with the exception of Microsoft with none, and have tremendous growth potential as a result.

Tell me cash isn't king..

Source: 4 bargains that can beat the credit crunch

College textbooks are expensive

To be honest, it's been a while since I was in a college classroom, but I'm still taken aback by the cost of textbooks. I am well aware of the typical course materials cost for college students. Mainly because I work at a company that specializes in this area.

One of the perks about my job is cheap books. We're able to buy books at discounts not available to the general public. And I take full advantage of that. Especially now that I have a little sister in college. She sends me her booklist each semester, I order the books and ship them to her (also at a discounted rate).

With the new semester starting soon, I recently ordered a total of 13 textbooks for $500. I can't imagine what the books would have cost without my discount. It's just crazy.