This was SO fun to get to visit with Rachel! Here are a few more videos where we talk about getting out of debt: Our tips for getting out of debt quickly: th-cam.com/video/JRbM51qv2vE/w-d-xo.html (second half of video) More tips and ideas: th-cam.com/video/xp-zmdt8m48/w-d-xo.html Driving Two Prius' to get out of debt: th-cam.com/video/lr8UYKVn2vU/w-d-xo.html ...we love you and believe in you!! Dawn
Hey Dawn, thanks so much for this video! I love the days you have new videos and this one was great and perfect timing! We are currently looking at vehicles and trying to decide what is best for our soon to be family of 6. (We currently have a Highlander that is not wide enough) Any ideas of a good solid vehicle for an awd (Wyoming life!), and 3 carseats plus one booster seat. Mini vans are not going to pull the camper and that is fairly important to us. My husband is looking at new options and I would love to know what else is out there. Anything from 1990s to now, make and model, etc. Tom, (and the community) feel free to chime in here too!
Please reminder people to still check their credit rating. Sadly, I was billed not in debt, yet had my IDENTITY STOLEN. Didn't find out intill, I was moving into a different area. This was more than 20 years ago.
You should really interview Gabe Bult. He's an up and coming minimalist youtuber and a new dad. He is such a kind and sincere guy and his videos in conjuction with yours have just been so helpful. He has a goal for himself for more subscribers right now and i think a lot of your followers would benefit from hearing from him. Thanks for everything, Dawn. :)
Thanks to FPU, my husband and I are debt free (except the house)! This has allowed us to each leave stressful careers and start our own businesses. My business, Project Declutter, has been a blessing to me and those I've served. You are an invaluable resource to me and I often refer clients to your site and channel. So grateful to have in common our Faith in Jesus Christ, financial peace, minimalism, and first name!! Blessings to you Dawn!
driving our rusty paint chipped old minivan with nearly 200,000 miles on it was such a big exercise in learning to not care what people think! After six years of driving that thing around we finally saved up enough to purchase a new vehicle but let me tell you I am the same person, the same mom, the same friend whether I’m driving a beat up old minivan or our new vehicle! Thank you for the encouragement, ladies!
We drove a Toyota van that had fixed windows, the slider didn't work and the AC didn't work. The kids had to climb out over the engine mount to get out. The school families called it the Mussermobile. We called it The Grapes of Wrath. This was with five kids.
Natalie! Yes. We just bought an old rusty van that we lovingly call The Tank. She is a 2007 with too many miles for $5000. We could've spent $10,000 on a 2011 with almost as many miles. It just wasn't worth it! We need something to get our soon family of 5 around not a shiny new piece of stress. Love everything about this: Ramsey, Cruze, Dawn, and Natalie. This is why I continually watch you guys while I'm doing my dishes 🥰😂
I’ve said this before….at the risk of sounding like Forrest Gump, my Mama always did say, “We wouldn't worry so much about what folks think of us, if we knew how seldom they do.” 😘
Exactly. Or what has been my experience, they think about us only as long as it takes them to dump on us either verbally or silently, and then they move on to dumping on someone else.
I’m a low income senior and have been debt free for 9 years now. I’ve been driving the same car for 20 years, have saved over time, and am in the process right now of buying a new car for cash. Such a good feeling! Minimal living and debt free = freedom.
I am in the same position! Low income senior, debt free for a number of years. Two months ago i traded in my 20 year old car and bought a new car for cash. Hoping this car will last as long as i do. ☺
I love that right at the end Dawn “unfollow the people who sell you stuff and follow the people who help you get out of debt”. So true! I need to do that!
Dawn Madsen and Rachel Cruze - two of my favorite personalities - together!! “People don’t think about you nearly as often as you think they do…they’re thinking about themselves” said my mother to my teenage self! Love this collaboration! 💕
This video is so good. Society has a problem thinking about other people's lives instead of working on their own lives. There is way too much judging between people and not taking into effect that people really do work hard & save for their purchases. We had a 2004 & 2001 SUV's that we just got rid of last year because of too many repairs too often. We didn't have a car payment for 12 years & I wasn't looking forward to getting a new car but it was time. Yes, people judged us for driving a 16 & 20 year old car but because we didn't have car payments we were able to save and go on amazing vacations!
Talking about worry of what others think of you and your stuff... years ago, I lived in a small house owned by my in-laws which we gutted and re-built. It was in the poor side of town and we weren't finished, but I had a handful of features that were EXACTLY what I wanted (still on the inexpensive spectrum - but what I WANTED) and my very successful brother (was the "golden child" of the family with his Phd, living in a five bedroom house - etc) came over for something before leaving town... and I overhear him commenting that the house was nice and he wished he had our monthly housing expenses instead of his! Totally blew me away! Another beauty of this is his humility... saying that his Phd AND $2 would get you a cup of coffee (this was pre 2000)
Seriously 2.5 years ago I started watching you while nursing my baby swimming in stuff!! Today, I was able to take a nap (5 months pregnant with 3rd), play with my kids, spend time outside and STILL have time to leave my house in a sanitized state before our trip tomorrow!! And I was able to make us lunches and breakfast for our road trip. And none of it stressed me out. I packed, cleaned the house and didn’t yell at my kids…. I think it’s all because of minimalism!! You introduced me to it and it’s taken a long time but we’ve also moved 3 times in the last 2 years and had babies! But today I was so thankful for it!! So so so thankful. Also when it comes to saving money… I have no desire to purchase to bring stuff in that I have to manage. And that’s coming from a previous shopaholic!! Thank you for making it so simple to take the steps! But you’re right it’s totally an onion… it’s layers and layers.
Yes, yes, yes! The Lord lead us to get out of debt, declutter, and lose alot of weight over the last 2 years. They actually go together well. And when our 18 year old decided to start his own business this year, it felt so good to be able to help him out financially now that we're debt free, even though we're a big family on a very humble ministry salary. God is good!
The car I drove for 30 years I paid $2,300 for used, it helped that it was a beautiful '72 Mustang convertible that was in excellent condition because what I saved on payments I spent on maintenance (mechanical and cosmetic). After driving it for 30 years I sold it for $6,000.
Both you ladies are wonderful...I am 56 years old...and I had adopted many of your life thoughts and have been putting them into practice in my home. My family is calmer and so much happier. Husband and I still have our adult children at home b/c of their special needs so...we are a family of 4 and the peace we are living in now after following you two for the past 4 months is amazing.
We did Dave’s plan, started about 6 years ago and finished in 3 years, $55k gone! That included downgrading 2 brand new cars we had for about a year or so. Then we saved up and sold our small mobile home, moved half way across the country and bought our first real home with property! We still only have a mortgage payment! We aren’t exactly living large but we are happy and living within our means and not owing on credit cards. It’s a real joy that our kids have a yard to play in. That was a big deal for us. Then the minimalism journey was along side with debt free journey and it helped us move more cheaply. Been watching both of you since you both started! ❤️ you both! You have made a huge difference in our lives!
My friend made herself car payments every month for like three years then she took that money and went to the dealership and paid cash for her new van plus they took a lot off the cost because she was paying cash.
My husband and I are older and we can afford to have nicer cars, but we choose not to, it’s not a priority for us. We’d rather spend our money on other things. I don’t care what people think, which I think gets easier as you age.
When they talked about not feeling safe with the debt I applauded! I am in charge of our family finances and put money into a savings account that was a huge blessing when my husband was “let go” when we had a 2 year old and a newborn. The look on his face was priceless when i told him we had our living expenses covered for 6 weeks. He got a better job and I put more in that account so that 7 years later when his company “down-sized” and he was out of a job again we had 6 months to find another job. I’m hoping he sees the same benefit with my de-cluttering my stuff, ha. Sooooo glad I found Take Your House Back and learned the steps to decluttering.
❤️❤️❤️❤️ Please don't feel embarrassed talking about this subject Dawn, I love hearing about your debt free journey! I was following you for a couple of years before I came across yours and Tom's debt video, and I was so relieved to see that someone else had been through the same troubles as us and had come out the other side happy! I immediately read Dave Ramsey's books and we started our debt snowball. First you turned me into a minimalist with an organised and peaceful home, and now started us off on our debt free journey and I couldn't be more grateful! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I have shared this story before, I will share it again. I entered medical school at the age of 38. So right away, I was an outlier! And that helped make me immune to judgment. Prior to medical school I'd had a really great work life in pharmaceutical research (a math and science type all my life :-)) and at the same time took my wise dad's lessons to heart about not keeping up with the Joneses. I bought my Toyota Tercel in 1992, left for medical school in it in 1994, drove it from Montreal to Arizona to start residency in 1998, kept driving it all through the years, parking it proudly in the doctor's parking lot at the hospital where I worked amidst the BMWs and Mercedes. That car became something of a badge of honor - I took a lot of flak for it, mostly good natured, from my physician colleagues more inclined to display their wealth. But I drove it ultimately for 23 years and only finally in 2015 did I buy my new car - a Honda Fit, which I expect to keep for 23 years too! The point is, I found that I was on my own pathway and was not influenced by outside opinion about any "shoulds." This took me a very long way during the 12 years it took to retire my medical student loan debt (from 1994 to 2006), and at the time I used to post on The Motley Fool about the process. If I had been aware of Dave Ramsey then, I am sure I would have followed each of his baby steps, which is basically what I did anyway. How delightful to have Dawn and Rachel together on the same sofa! Thanks for the great day-brightener!
Wow Rachel said exactly what my mom told me years ago. No one thinks about you as much as you think they do. My car is 16 years old with less than 100k miles. The headliner is falling down, but it gets me where I want to go.
Had neighbors who drove the nicest of cars (leased, of course), wore the fanciest clothing, and mom had all designer handbags. Their younger daughter had holes in the bottom of her tennis shoes, and their electricity and phones got cut off regularly. When I read “The Millionaire Next Door,” I realized that one cannot tell about folks by looks. My own dad used to bank where Sam Walton banked. That man was so down to earth, according to my dad.
Who loves Dawn rocking the RED top! Took this debt free journey many years ago and it was totally worth it. I drive a 2009 Honda Accord and she is my baby.
I love this! I remember the day my husband and I paid off our home... the burden released was unbelievable. The air smelled so much sweeter. We could financially purchase another nicer home, but that would mean house payments, that would mean packing, that would mean struggling... again. We drove clunkers and I must admit it was embarrassing to me, but not so much for me, but for my children being picked on. When we were able to pay for a newer vehicle with cash it also felt amazing. We still owe on a few things, but we are getting there. We don't really follow the Dave Ramsey plan because we have extenuating circumstances because of health issues and children with disabilities and we adopted our twin granddaughters. It's been a wonderful ride. It's been worth every moment of the road. We were on a great path when the granddaughter we had guardianship of died the night of her first birthday and things sort of collapsed for a little while. Thank God we had Him. The one thing I personally know is when we think about what others think, we are focusing on the wrong things. It doesn't matter what others think, it matters what is the right thing is for you and to follow the path God has for you, even when it is hard and often times hazy. Thanks for this segment ladies. I will be sure and subscribe to Rachel to get the girls side of freedom.
@janabuchheit I can totally relate. We've adopted 4 grandkids and soon will adopt the youngest. Also tragically lost one in 2019....that's just impossible to completely understand if people haven't dealt with it....its definitely hard in every way, including budget. We have a lot of support and are very glad for it. God bless you.
My favorite takeaway: unfollow the people who sell you stuff. That’s so true! Because if you don’t see it, you won’t have the fear of missing out. If it’s something you actually need, then go look for the best deal. But with all the ads I constantly feel like I need things that I really don’t.
Our older minivan has been such a blessing to us. We are so thankful for it, we don't care what people think. It is needed right now. Like Dave Ramsey says..."Things are never the way they appear." Someone you know may have all kinds of things and they are paying for it too. It is just stuff. Health and happiness are more important. What you save in car insurance is so good. When times are better, a newer used car sounds ok, but paying over $18,000 for a vehicle is absolutely ridiculous in our opinion. Car payments are a waste. Save up and pay cash and you will save so much.
It's so hard to watch everyone around you upgrade thier lives while mocking you at times for being on your own path. The green monster on envy is easy to sucome to. This was a great reminder to own our own journey and focus on our goals!
It is hard! You’re not alone! Just remember that you may deserve a new car, new shoes, new whatever, but you deserve financial peace, security, & freedom more!
I became SO much better at repairing things, cleaning things the proper way (extends their life), sold a whole bunch of junk in the attic, and decluttered my room. They’re not necessarily upgrades from spending money, but by consuming my things wiser if you will. I live at home, and I get annoyed when my parents refuse to renovate certain parts of the house, but I get it it’s expensive. However, we don’t have the same priorities. They want to buy a vacation home, while I want to upgrade the one we live in. My mom wants to do the backyard, while I want to do the bathroom we use everyday, while we use the yard a few times in the summer.
Years ago my dad tried to introduce me to the Dave Ramsey plan and I just brushed it off as another get rich quick scheme my dad was trying again. A few years later I started on my minimalist journey and shortly after started listening to Dave radio show (not realizing it was the same Guy my dad was talking about). That was in 2013. 2 years ago we paid off our house and it has been amazing. I just wish my Dad would have stuck with it himself, but he moved onto the next get rich quick thing and is still in debt.
I've been a single parent for many years I went to work one day I sometimes ran in putting my hair up or kind of looking like a single parent on the run I had one of the most elegant men that I worked with always dressed so nice always had his haircut to perfection just the epitome of put together. I told him he always looked so nice it would be nice to be so put together everyday He said he envied me (SHOCK) He wished he could be more comfortable with himself I had no idea until he told me that day He was so put together because every day he worried sooo much about what people thought I remember also He did not acknowledge God Were everyday I was thanking God For his gracious blessings in my life I think when we remember to thank God for what we have We don't worry about what we don't have⚘
This is the ONLY Minimalism Channel I really learn things and get challenged and inspired! Dawn is really gifted in bringing her thoughts to words and on point! Thank you so much!
I drove my van until the front axle was one big pothole from breaking and the air-conditioning went out in the middle of summer-- 17 years. I didn't care what it looked like, but didn't want to put more money into repairs. I double payments when I can on my new car (which I hope to drive for a long time, too).
So we became debt-free in 2019 (including our house). We paid off almost $47,000 in 12 months. We were on top of the world. Unfortunately, Murphy's Law paid us a visit when our furnace went out and several other major house repairs all happened within the following year that we were not prepared for. Currently, we are only a few thousand in debt again, but we are working hard at becoming debt-free again this year. This weekend, we are driving our very old and rusty minivan to a family function that we have been nervous to show up to. Everyone in the family seems to have the very best cars, homes, boats, etc, but none of them have a paid-off home. They are all deeply in debt, but they treat us as if we are the weird ones. LOL We have heard the comments from the family about "how poor you all must be to drive that old thing", but we refuse to have car payments. I'm dreading the comments, but I have to remind myself that it is only temporary. Soon we will be debt-free again and will be sure to save enough money for the dreaded "Murphy" visit. Thanks Dawn and Rachel! Love the two of you ladies!
Congratulations for being owners 👏👏👏. And success on paying your debt. Don't think to much about what are saying. But ....think how good you sleep in YOUR house 😊. Not the banks 😁. Family is family. Nothing is good for them.
I’m the oldest of seven kids, and all of us except my oldest brother live within our means, his wife just has to owe and keep up with others; who I’m sure are also in debt
We followed the Dave Ramsey plan several years ago to get out of debt and I swear by it! I have so much more peace in life, so much less anxiety. The only debt we have is our mortgage. And simplifying your life/living more minimally contributes so much to becoming debt free.
Love the Dave Ramsey plan, glad you are featuring it. My husband and I are 6 months from paying off our house...and then NO debt, zero. BTW, you two look lovely here.
I have to say, I am "slightly" envious right now! What an amazing opportunity to sit down with Rachel. We started FPU/Dave Ramsey 12ish years ago and paid off all our debt other than our mortgage. And because of it, we were able to build our dream home. It wasn't an easy process for sure, I cried myself to sleep the night we did our first "simple" budget. Seeing all those numbers, it was SO HARD! But it has been so, so worth it. And as you have found, being debt free goes hand in hand with decluttering. I also found that using a "budget" doesn't just apply to money. I budget my time, my energy and if you are on a weight loss journey, you budget your food/calories/exercise. Thank you Dawn for sharing your journey!
OMG I was so excited seeing you on the couch with Rachel! My husband and I went through FPU about 4 years ago shortly after our son was born. It was such a relief to get out of debt and it has helped us on our minimalist journey. It is much easier to declutter knowing that if I get rid of something that I end up regretting, I can just buy another one and not have to worry about coming up with the money for it or putting it on a credit card. Being debt free is pretty cool. Can't wait till the day we pay off our house! (BS 4,5,&6)
What a surprise!!!!!!! Me and my friend became friends because of Dave Ramsey, she watches your videos too and we were talking the other day how being debt free (with the baby steps) and minimalist (because of you and others) have changed our lives ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ This combination is hands down the best combination to be successful in having less (stuff) and owning more (money) Love if of you ladies! I will never forget how with your help God changed my future (on earth, because I’m going to heaven when I die)
This was fantastic. Thank you for doing this video! Minimalism and spending go hand in hand for me. I am SO good at decluttering... but periodically I stop and think, "Why is there always more to declutter?" It is sometimes just the slow creep of random things, but the bigger problem is that I love to shop! I have been working really hard on sticking to my budget and not buying "things", and it gets exhausting, so I needed this right now!
I know this is not totally what this video is about, but I used the Ramsey method to get out of debt, and I cannot even put into words how much stress that removed from my life. I am 1000 percent happier, calmer, and feel safer now. It has made a huge improvement in my financial comfort.
A great combination of encouragement today! Love Dave Ramsey principles AND The Minimal Mom principles!!! Both work beautifully together, which equals a stress free life!
8:40 I love what she said about this. This was a driving factor in my divorce with my ex husband. I was essentially a single mother in raising our children, running the home, caring for them and making sure they had what they needed to thrive and taking care of finances while he unfortunately lived like he didn’t have to care and provide for a family. I was exhausted and resentful of the life it was creating. When I met my now husband, I was VERY upfront about my weaknesses as a partner but also what I needed from him to feel supported and like I was part of a team. We share financial responsibility and communicate about what’s being purchased and brought into our home. I have to remind myself it’s okay to go without items I don’t necessarily need still sometimes but minimalism has helped me and him subconsciously in a lot of ways.
I understand. It can be hard but worth it. We had a rusty old Caravan we drove until it’s end. It was 6 years old when we bought it and 16 years old and rusty when we said goodbye. So thankful for my husband who didn’t care how he looked driving it. He always volunteers to drive the oldest, ugliest vehicle (both vehicles are always used). We replaced our rusty van with a Buick SUV 4 years old, paid in cash. So driving that rusty van was so worth it. In the end we never have car loans. And then when you have a nice car again, you appreciate it that much more. We plan to drive all our vehicles to the end, or near end.
Oh my word!!! So good! I clicked so fast when I saw this video pop up. Such encouragement, ladies. My husband and I paid off $27,000 of debt in 2 1/2 years while cash flowing a new baby/hospital bills. While it's challenging, the freedom is real when you don't go back into debt. Way to go, Dawn. So proud of you! ❤️
I remember once as a child my mother went to Korea for a softball tournament and so my dad was in charge of dinner. He asked us what we wanted and we said hot dogs and cereal, so that’s what we had. A lady from church came over and saw our dinner and tried to put us on church welfare, which was insane since we were not only not poor but already donating $ to the church welfare. People will find things to judge no matter what, and it’s more often than not because they care not because they think less of you.
Two of my favorite ladies! We followed the baby steps and we are now paying cash for my sons college!! I never thought it could happen! Debt free is awesome!
This was such a fantastic collab!! The best way to get others on board is leading by example, 100%. It’s the only thing that’s truly worked for me. Luckily my husband and I have always been on the same page, but I’ve seen family members & friends struggling. My husband and I started selling things (including his car) and friends and family asked us what we were doing and why, we explain we basically just care about achieving financial independence and a simple, sustainable lifestyle. Now I see them decluttering & getting their finances together! It’s amazing. I have friends who will send me a pic of them decluttering a kitchen cabinet or they’ll let me know excitedly that they decided not to buy a new pair of shoes at the store, etc. Truly just live your truth & others will join when they see how you’re feeling better, they’ll crave it too.
Also I’m totally sending this video to the other women in my life!! Particularly my mom & mother in law! Probably going to rewatch this video again, it’s just so good and speaks to my soul. Sometimes this journey can feel lonely as you see everyone consuming/buying/spending so much, so it helps to know there are other people out there who share values/goals with you!
We have only 1 vehicle payment left. We paid all credit cards off, one personal loan, And now 2 of 2 vehicles. Nice thing is we did debt snowball and got them paid off faster and before they fall apart. We have two financing loans (for windows and a furnace), my student loans, and our mortgages still but we are chipping away at them one by one using the snowball method and budgeting. One day we will get debt free.
Dawn, you are such a breath of fresh air! I find myself happily working through different phases of de-cluttering and simplifying life with my family of 5. Sometimes when everything is getting flustered or I need a little push I always watch one of your videos, you seem so grounded and personable and I always feel recharged after hearing your perspective. You look amazing on this show, you are growing and it fits you! Thanks for all you do.
Great video and I completely agree with everything you both said! My husband and I are minimalists and completely debt free thanks to great examples such as yourselves, and I can attest to the freedom and confidence that comes from this lifestyle. Owning little and owing nothing makes the future look bright and exciting and we can’t wait to see what opportunities God sends our way! Thanks for everything you both do!
I got onto Ramsey when you talked about it in another video. Thank you so much! Changed my perspective and it is really so good for stress levels to get rid of debt!
This is so awesome!! We just went through FPU and been watching the Minimal Mom for a while. Decluttering has helped me to take more control of my spending too! Budgeting is so important and taking inventory of our stuff has helped tremendously!!
The neighbor kids use to make comments about the very old red van our kids picked them up in to drive to school. I was embarrassed when I heard them joke about the slow heater and broken A/C. Then one day my son turned to his friend and said, "At least my parents have a car we can drive to school. If you dont like it, you can walk." That is when I realized that we paid higher car insurance premiums (an extra car and three teen drivers), we provided gas (only once in 3 years were we paid $20 for gas), we paid highschool parking passes and we shared our transportation with five families living near us. Not one of those families had a 'kids car.' Sending their kids to school in our old red van, was saving the parents of those complaining kids a lot of money. Instead of an embarrassment, our old red van became a source of pride.
What a great collaboration! Following Ramsey’s plan to get out of debt and then finding your channel and becoming minimalists has made our lives so much better! It’s so encouraging to hear you both talk about this and show how it really does make life better and easier!
Two BRILLIANT Ladies right there!!! 💛 I LOVE the fact that you combined Minimalism AND being Debt Free! THAT is what an enjoyable and peaceful life looks like to me, how life was MEANT to be lived!!!
To get your housemates onboard with minimalism, take the series of before/after pictures. Those are your “facts” that help to convince the others in your house that the path of decluttering is impressive.
Oh my gracious, my two most favorite ladies on TH-cam, TOGETHER!!! If Diana had been on with y'all, this is thr only way it could have gotten any better! 💗💗 thank you all so much for the content you put out to us, and for us 💗
I just found you a few days ago, & I LOVE your content! You are totally speaking my language, as I also am a big fan of decluttering, and having minimal items. Total treat to see this collab with Rachel, as I also follow her :) Thanks so much for the great tips!
Have followed Dave for years and the feeling of being out of debt is just as great as clearing my house of all the clutter. Both are so freeing. Life is so good!
Wow two of my favorites collide!! Thank you Dawn & Rachel for all that you do! I’m in my 20’s and look up to you both so much (when it comes to living simply, managing money, and faith). Thank you for being such positive role models. 🙏🏼💛
Its funny how financial debt and too much clutter (inventory) both feel VERY similar (to me). We used the snowball strategy to pay off 122k in 4.5 years.. and have been debt free since 2019 - just in time for the pandemic and forced retirement. No income? No problem. Praise God. Now we are living minimally and the WEIGHT is off! ... Good episode, Dawn.. good information - I pray many women understand that even if hubby isn't initially on-board, seeing them start will spur them to join in. (mine did!). God bless
Great vidoe!!! Two women that have great wisdom. It's so hard not to compare yourself to other and live in a state of contentment. Our newest car is a '07. But we 100% debt free, house completely paid for, and did this all on 1 teachers salary (im a stay at home mom.) The freedom that comes with financial freedom is AMAZING. [But I have to say I struggle with a scarcity mind set from childhood/earlly adulthood that still brings up anxiety and uncontenment.] If your on the debt free journey KEEP GOING, you will not regret it in the end.
So excited for you Dawn and Tom that you're debt free! And exciting to get to sit down with Rachel. I hadn't heard of her and didn't know she was Dave Ramsey's daughter. 👍🏻 We have very little debt 🎉 we just need more income. 😅
That little thing that you said at the end needs to be said so much more! "Unfollow the people that sell you things" -- so much wisdom in that little step!
Love Financial Peace! Best quote - “No one else is going to rescue me.” That is SO true for so many areas of our lives. We’ve got to want to do it - whether it’s debt free, decluttering, eating right, exercising etc.
I totally agree with you!!! I love Dave Ramsey‘s plan and it works!!!!! I have been doing his plan for about 22 years now retired I sleep well because I don’t have to worry about debt !!!!!!!
I’m so proud of you Dawn. Such a cool moment to see you with some of the best you tube personalities such as Joshua Becker and now the Ramseys. So cool! Thank you for all you do while staying humble. You’re inspiring :)
Omg Dawn!! Watching the two of you together was awesome! I love Rachel and Dave and love this Minimal Mom collaboration 🎉 I hope they add you as a personality on one their shows, it would be perfection!
This is so we'll timed. We needed a bigger car to fit our growing family, and we made the decision to pay cash so we don't have a car payment. It was a cheap car, lots of miles but we felt it was right so we aren't weighed down for the years to come. It's taking sacrifice now but we know it'll pay off in the long run
Yay! How exciting that you got to interview Rachel! I just visited Ramsey Solutions headquarters last week on vacation. You could be a Ramsey Personality that promotes being debt free thru minimalism. 😊
I drive a 22 year old Buick. No one knows it’s that old. You don’t have to tell everyone everything 😆 it looks fine and runs. I haven’t had a car payment since 2000.
Single Mom here driving a vehicle with odometer that just turned to 303,000 it does make me nervous but cannot afford a car payment. We all want to look nice but as long as I am taking care of another human it is my job to make sure a roof is over the head and food in the house above all before nice clothing and newer car. Thanks for your video with Rachel! Dawn..you, Cas and Natalie every week help us all and I thank you all...I just adore the 3 of you!!!
Two books that changed my life: "When Spending Takes the Place of Feeling" and "The Millionaire Next Door". Those helped me to get out of debt, stay out of debt, and sleep at night. They changed my entire perspective about status, things, and my emotional fulfillment from needless purchasing.
This was SO fun to get to visit with Rachel! Here are a few more videos where we talk about getting out of debt:
Our tips for getting out of debt quickly: th-cam.com/video/JRbM51qv2vE/w-d-xo.html (second half of video)
More tips and ideas: th-cam.com/video/xp-zmdt8m48/w-d-xo.html
Driving Two Prius' to get out of debt: th-cam.com/video/lr8UYKVn2vU/w-d-xo.html
...we love you and believe in you!! Dawn
I love seeing collabs with someone my fave TH-camrs!
Hey Dawn, thanks so much for this video! I love the days you have new videos and this one was great and perfect timing!
We are currently looking at vehicles and trying to decide what is best for our soon to be family of 6. (We currently have a Highlander that is not wide enough) Any ideas of a good solid vehicle for an awd (Wyoming life!), and 3 carseats plus one booster seat. Mini vans are not going to pull the camper and that is fairly important to us. My husband is looking at new options and I would love to know what else is out there. Anything from 1990s to now, make and model, etc. Tom, (and the community) feel free to chime in here too!
Please reminder people to still check their credit rating. Sadly, I was billed not in debt, yet had my IDENTITY STOLEN. Didn't find out intill, I was moving into a different area. This was more than 20 years ago.
You should really interview Gabe Bult. He's an up and coming minimalist youtuber and a new dad. He is such a kind and sincere guy and his videos in conjuction with yours have just been so helpful. He has a goal for himself for more subscribers right now and i think a lot of your followers would benefit from hearing from him. Thanks for everything, Dawn. :)
Thanks to FPU, my husband and I are debt free (except the house)! This has allowed us to each leave stressful careers and start our own businesses. My business, Project Declutter, has been a blessing to me and those I've served. You are an invaluable resource to me and I often refer clients to your site and channel. So grateful to have in common our Faith in Jesus Christ, financial peace, minimalism, and first name!! Blessings to you Dawn!
driving our rusty paint chipped old minivan with nearly 200,000 miles on it was such a big exercise in learning to not care what people think! After six years of driving that thing around we finally saved up enough to purchase a new vehicle but let me tell you I am the same person, the same mom, the same friend whether I’m driving a beat up old minivan or our new vehicle! Thank you for the encouragement, ladies!
'A palace of gold, gold, gold for you!' Thanks for your videos TH-cam Mommies!!!
Ha ha 😂 currently driving a rusty '04 Prius with 3 kids so I sympathize.
The truth is people really don’t care. I bought my step fathers 10 year old car for cash and people were constantly telling me how nice it was!
We drove a Toyota van that had fixed windows, the slider didn't work and the AC didn't work. The kids had to climb out over the engine mount to get out. The school families called it the Mussermobile. We called it The Grapes of Wrath. This was with five kids.
Natalie! Yes. We just bought an old rusty van that we lovingly call The Tank. She is a 2007 with too many miles for $5000. We could've spent $10,000 on a 2011 with almost as many miles. It just wasn't worth it! We need something to get our soon family of 5 around not a shiny new piece of stress. Love everything about this: Ramsey, Cruze, Dawn, and Natalie. This is why I continually watch you guys while I'm doing my dishes 🥰😂
I’ve said this before….at the risk of sounding like Forrest Gump, my Mama always did say, “We wouldn't worry so much about what folks think of us, if we knew how seldom they do.” 😘
Exactly. Or what has been my experience, they think about us only as long as it takes them to dump on us either verbally or silently, and then they move on to dumping on someone else.
This is gold!
I’m a low income senior and have been debt free for 9 years now. I’ve been driving the same car for 20 years, have saved over time, and am in the process right now of buying a new car for cash. Such a good feeling! Minimal living and debt free = freedom.
I am in the same position! Low income senior, debt free for a number of years. Two months ago i traded in my 20 year old car and bought a new car for cash. Hoping this car will last as long as i do. ☺
I'm so happy for you!
I love that right at the end Dawn “unfollow the people who sell you stuff and follow the people who help you get out of debt”. So true! I need to do that!
Dawn Madsen and Rachel Cruze - two of my favorite personalities - together!! “People don’t think about you nearly as often as you think they do…they’re thinking about themselves” said my mother to my teenage self! Love this collaboration! 💕
Same ! I said it to my kids !
This video was SO GOOD! You and Rachel are amazing together!
This video is so good. Society has a problem thinking about other people's lives instead of working on their own lives.
There is way too much judging between people and not taking into effect that people really do work hard & save for their purchases.
We had a 2004 & 2001 SUV's that we just got rid of last year because of too many repairs too often. We didn't have a car payment for 12 years & I wasn't looking forward to getting a new car but it was time. Yes, people judged us for driving a 16 & 20 year old car but because we didn't have car payments we were able to save and go on amazing vacations!
@ClutterBug I couldn’t agree more!! I loved this video and when it ended, I said out loud to myself, “That was awesome!”
Whaaaaaatttt?!? On Rachel's show!!! 🤯🤯🤯 Congratulations, Dawn!!! You so deserve that. You've helped SO many people, definitely to include me!
I actually think Rachel.was on Dawn's show ;)
Talking about worry of what others think of you and your stuff... years ago, I lived in a small house owned by my in-laws which we gutted and re-built. It was in the poor side of town and we weren't finished, but I had a handful of features that were EXACTLY what I wanted (still on the inexpensive spectrum - but what I WANTED) and my very successful brother (was the "golden child" of the family with his Phd, living in a five bedroom house - etc) came over for something before leaving town... and I overhear him commenting that the house was nice and he wished he had our monthly housing expenses instead of his! Totally blew me away!
Another beauty of this is his humility... saying that his Phd AND $2 would get you a cup of coffee (this was pre 2000)
Seriously 2.5 years ago I started watching you while nursing my baby swimming in stuff!! Today, I was able to take a nap (5 months pregnant with 3rd), play with my kids, spend time outside and STILL have time to leave my house in a sanitized state before our trip tomorrow!! And I was able to make us lunches and breakfast for our road trip. And none of it stressed me out. I packed, cleaned the house and didn’t yell at my kids…. I think it’s all because of minimalism!! You introduced me to it and it’s taken a long time but we’ve also moved 3 times in the last 2 years and had babies! But today I was so thankful for it!! So so so thankful. Also when it comes to saving money… I have no desire to purchase to bring stuff in that I have to manage. And that’s coming from a previous shopaholic!! Thank you for making it so simple to take the steps! But you’re right it’s totally an onion… it’s layers and layers.
Yes, yes, yes! The Lord lead us to get out of debt, declutter, and lose alot of weight over the last 2 years. They actually go together well. And when our 18 year old decided to start his own business this year, it felt so good to be able to help him out financially now that we're debt free, even though we're a big family on a very humble ministry salary. God is good!
The car I drove for 30 years I paid $2,300 for used, it helped that it was a beautiful '72 Mustang convertible that was in excellent condition because what I saved on payments I spent on maintenance (mechanical and cosmetic). After driving it for 30 years I sold it for $6,000.
Both you ladies are wonderful...I am 56 years old...and I had adopted many of your life thoughts and have been putting them into practice in my home. My family is calmer and so much happier. Husband and I still have our adult children at home b/c of their special needs so...we are a family of 4 and the peace we are living in now after following you two for the past 4 months is amazing.
We did Dave’s plan, started about 6 years ago and finished in 3 years, $55k gone! That included downgrading 2 brand new cars we had for about a year or so. Then we saved up and sold our small mobile home, moved half way across the country and bought our first real home with property! We still only have a mortgage payment! We aren’t exactly living large but we are happy and living within our means and not owing on credit cards. It’s a real joy that our kids have a yard to play in. That was a big deal for us. Then the minimalism journey was along side with debt free journey and it helped us move more cheaply. Been watching both of you since you both started! ❤️ you both! You have made a huge difference in our lives!
My friend made herself car payments every month for like three years then she took that money and went to the dealership and paid cash for her new van plus they took a lot off the cost because she was paying cash.
My husband and I are older and we can afford to have nicer cars, but we choose not to, it’s not a priority for us. We’d rather spend our money on other things. I don’t care what people think, which I think gets easier as you age.
When they talked about not feeling safe with the debt I applauded! I am in charge of our family finances and put money into a savings account that was a huge blessing when my husband was “let go” when we had a 2 year old and a newborn. The look on his face was priceless when i told him we had our living expenses covered for 6 weeks. He got a better job and I put more in that account so that 7 years later when his company “down-sized” and he was out of a job again we had 6 months to find another job. I’m hoping he sees the same benefit with my de-cluttering my stuff, ha. Sooooo glad I found Take Your House Back and learned the steps to decluttering.
❤️❤️❤️❤️ Please don't feel embarrassed talking about this subject Dawn, I love hearing about your debt free journey! I was following you for a couple of years before I came across yours and Tom's debt video, and I was so relieved to see that someone else had been through the same troubles as us and had come out the other side happy! I immediately read Dave Ramsey's books and we started our debt snowball. First you turned me into a minimalist with an organised and peaceful home, and now started us off on our debt free journey and I couldn't be more grateful! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I have shared this story before, I will share it again. I entered medical school at the age of 38. So right away, I was an outlier! And that helped make me immune to judgment. Prior to medical school I'd had a really great work life in pharmaceutical research (a math and science type all my life :-)) and at the same time took my wise dad's lessons to heart about not keeping up with the Joneses. I bought my Toyota Tercel in 1992, left for medical school in it in 1994, drove it from Montreal to Arizona to start residency in 1998, kept driving it all through the years, parking it proudly in the doctor's parking lot at the hospital where I worked amidst the BMWs and Mercedes. That car became something of a badge of honor - I took a lot of flak for it, mostly good natured, from my physician colleagues more inclined to display their wealth. But I drove it ultimately for 23 years and only finally in 2015 did I buy my new car - a Honda Fit, which I expect to keep for 23 years too! The point is, I found that I was on my own pathway and was not influenced by outside opinion about any "shoulds." This took me a very long way during the 12 years it took to retire my medical student loan debt (from 1994 to 2006), and at the time I used to post on The Motley Fool about the process. If I had been aware of Dave Ramsey then, I am sure I would have followed each of his baby steps, which is basically what I did anyway. How delightful to have Dawn and Rachel together on the same sofa! Thanks for the great day-brightener!
Wow Rachel said exactly what my mom told me years ago. No one thinks about you as much as you think they do. My car is 16 years old with less than 100k miles. The headliner is falling down, but it gets me where I want to go.
Had neighbors who drove the nicest of cars (leased, of course), wore the fanciest clothing, and mom had all designer handbags. Their younger daughter had holes in the bottom of her tennis shoes, and their electricity and phones got cut off regularly.
When I read “The Millionaire Next Door,” I realized that one cannot tell about folks by looks.
My own dad used to bank where Sam Walton banked. That man was so down to earth, according to my dad.
Who loves Dawn rocking the RED top! Took this debt free journey many years ago and it was totally worth it. I drive a 2009 Honda Accord and she is my baby.
I love this! I remember the day my husband and I paid off our home... the burden released was unbelievable. The air smelled so much sweeter. We could financially purchase another nicer home, but that would mean house payments, that would mean packing, that would mean struggling... again. We drove clunkers and I must admit it was embarrassing to me, but not so much for me, but for my children being picked on. When we were able to pay for a newer vehicle with cash it also felt amazing. We still owe on a few things, but we are getting there. We don't really follow the Dave Ramsey plan because we have extenuating circumstances because of health issues and children with disabilities and we adopted our twin granddaughters. It's been a wonderful ride. It's been worth every moment of the road. We were on a great path when the granddaughter we had guardianship of died the night of her first birthday and things sort of collapsed for a little while. Thank God we had Him. The one thing I personally know is when we think about what others think, we are focusing on the wrong things. It doesn't matter what others think, it matters what is the right thing is for you and to follow the path God has for you, even when it is hard and often times hazy. Thanks for this segment ladies. I will be sure and subscribe to Rachel to get the girls side of freedom.
@janabuchheit I can totally relate. We've adopted 4 grandkids and soon will adopt the youngest. Also tragically lost one in 2019....that's just impossible to completely understand if people haven't dealt with it....its definitely hard in every way, including budget. We have a lot of support and are very glad for it. God bless you.
My favorite takeaway: unfollow the people who sell you stuff. That’s so true! Because if you don’t see it, you won’t have the fear of missing out. If it’s something you actually need, then go look for the best deal. But with all the ads I constantly feel like I need things that I really don’t.
Our older minivan has been such a blessing to us. We are so thankful for it, we don't care what people think. It is needed right now. Like Dave Ramsey says..."Things are never the way they appear." Someone you know may have all kinds of things and they are paying for it too. It is just stuff. Health and happiness are more important. What you save in car insurance is so good. When times are better, a newer used car sounds ok, but paying over $18,000 for a vehicle is absolutely ridiculous in our opinion. Car payments are a waste. Save up and pay cash and you will save so much.
What a fabulous collab! Dawn, you’ve re-energized me to get back on the debt free journey. This was a sign, I haven’t watched Rachel in forever.
Same!!
It's so hard to watch everyone around you upgrade thier lives while mocking you at times for being on your own path. The green monster on envy is easy to sucome to. This was a great reminder to own our own journey and focus on our goals!
It is hard! You’re not alone! Just remember that you may deserve a new car, new shoes, new whatever, but you deserve financial peace, security, & freedom more!
And then a natural disaster happens or a fire or a war and all those upgrades are gone 🤷
I became SO much better at repairing things, cleaning things the proper way (extends their life), sold a whole bunch of junk in the attic, and decluttered my room. They’re not necessarily upgrades from spending money, but by consuming my things wiser if you will. I live at home, and I get annoyed when my parents refuse to renovate certain parts of the house, but I get it it’s expensive. However, we don’t have the same priorities. They want to buy a vacation home, while I want to upgrade the one we live in. My mom wants to do the backyard, while I want to do the bathroom we use everyday, while we use the yard a few times in the summer.
Asking for prayers as my family begins this journey. Thank you!
Praying for you and your family as requested!
You can do anything you put your mind to. Go for it
Prayers to you and your family. I didn't think I could do it, but thanks to Dave Ramsey I've been debt-free (including the mortgage) since 2013.
Years ago my dad tried to introduce me to the Dave Ramsey plan and I just brushed it off as another get rich quick scheme my dad was trying again. A few years later I started on my minimalist journey and shortly after started listening to Dave radio show (not realizing it was the same Guy my dad was talking about). That was in 2013. 2 years ago we paid off our house and it has been amazing. I just wish my Dad would have stuck with it himself, but he moved onto the next get rich quick thing and is still in debt.
I've been a single parent for many years I went to work one day I sometimes ran in putting my hair up or kind of looking like a single parent on the run
I had one of the most elegant men that I worked with always dressed so nice always had his haircut to perfection just the epitome of put together. I told him
he always looked so nice it would be nice to be so put together everyday He said he envied me (SHOCK)
He wished he could be more comfortable with himself
I had no idea until he told me that day
He was so put together because every day he worried sooo much about what people thought
I remember also He did not acknowledge God
Were everyday I was thanking God
For his gracious blessings in my life
I think when we remember to thank God for what we have
We don't worry about what we don't have⚘
This is the ONLY Minimalism Channel I really learn things and get challenged and inspired! Dawn is really gifted in bringing her thoughts to words and on point! Thank you so much!
I’m driving my beat up van around until I won’t work anymore. No payments = freedom and I love it! Great video
I drove my van until the front axle was one big pothole from breaking and the air-conditioning went out in the middle of summer-- 17 years. I didn't care what it looked like, but didn't want to put more money into repairs. I double payments when I can on my new car (which I hope to drive for a long time, too).
@@sharontesi4273 this is great!
So we became debt-free in 2019 (including our house). We paid off almost $47,000 in 12 months. We were on top of the world. Unfortunately, Murphy's Law paid us a visit when our furnace went out and several other major house repairs all happened within the following year that we were not prepared for. Currently, we are only a few thousand in debt again, but we are working hard at becoming debt-free again this year.
This weekend, we are driving our very old and rusty minivan to a family function that we have been nervous to show up to. Everyone in the family seems to have the very best cars, homes, boats, etc, but none of them have a paid-off home. They are all deeply in debt, but they treat us as if we are the weird ones. LOL We have heard the comments from the family about "how poor you all must be to drive that old thing", but we refuse to have car payments. I'm dreading the comments, but I have to remind myself that it is only temporary. Soon we will be debt-free again and will be sure to save enough money for the dreaded "Murphy" visit. Thanks Dawn and Rachel! Love the two of you ladies!
Experiences are what is important, not Material things. You are the smart one.
Are you forced to go ? U
I mean, family is important but they seem really mean and obnoxious !
Good for you! That is so awesome!!
Congratulations for being owners 👏👏👏. And success on paying your debt. Don't think to much about what are saying. But ....think how good you sleep in YOUR house 😊. Not the banks 😁.
Family is family. Nothing is good for them.
I’m the oldest of seven kids, and all of us except my oldest brother live within our means, his wife just has to owe and keep up with others; who I’m sure are also in debt
We followed the Dave Ramsey plan several years ago to get out of debt and I swear by it! I have so much more peace in life, so much less anxiety. The only debt we have is our mortgage. And simplifying your life/living more minimally contributes so much to becoming debt free.
Love the Dave Ramsey plan, glad you are featuring it. My husband and I are 6 months from paying off our house...and then NO debt, zero. BTW, you two look lovely here.
I have to say, I am "slightly" envious right now! What an amazing opportunity to sit down with Rachel.
We started FPU/Dave Ramsey 12ish years ago and paid off all our debt other than our mortgage. And because of it, we were able to build our dream home.
It wasn't an easy process for sure, I cried myself to sleep the night we did our first "simple" budget. Seeing all those numbers, it was SO HARD! But it has been so, so worth it.
And as you have found, being debt free goes hand in hand with decluttering. I also found that using a "budget" doesn't just apply to money. I budget my time, my energy and if you are on a weight loss journey, you budget your food/calories/exercise.
Thank you Dawn for sharing your journey!
OMG I was so excited seeing you on the couch with Rachel! My husband and I went through FPU about 4 years ago shortly after our son was born. It was such a relief to get out of debt and it has helped us on our minimalist journey. It is much easier to declutter knowing that if I get rid of something that I end up regretting, I can just buy another one and not have to worry about coming up with the money for it or putting it on a credit card. Being debt free is pretty cool. Can't wait till the day we pay off our house! (BS 4,5,&6)
What a surprise!!!!!!!
Me and my friend became friends because of Dave Ramsey, she watches your videos too and we were talking the other day how being debt free (with the baby steps) and minimalist (because of you and others) have changed our lives ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
This combination is hands down the best combination to be successful in having less (stuff) and owning more (money)
Love if of you ladies! I will never forget how with your help God changed my future (on earth, because I’m going to heaven when I die)
This was fantastic. Thank you for doing this video! Minimalism and spending go hand in hand for me. I am SO good at decluttering... but periodically I stop and think, "Why is there always more to declutter?" It is sometimes just the slow creep of random things, but the bigger problem is that I love to shop! I have been working really hard on sticking to my budget and not buying "things", and it gets exhausting, so I needed this right now!
YES it’s so hard to keep the shopping at bay with ordering online being so easy 😢
Karen here. Shopping gives us a dopamine rush.
I know this is not totally what this video is about, but I used the Ramsey method to get out of debt, and I cannot even put into words how much stress that removed from my life. I am 1000 percent happier, calmer, and feel safer now. It has made a huge improvement in my financial comfort.
A great combination of encouragement today! Love Dave Ramsey principles AND The Minimal Mom principles!!! Both work beautifully together, which equals a stress free life!
8:40 I love what she said about this. This was a driving factor in my divorce with my ex husband. I was essentially a single mother in raising our children, running the home, caring for them and making sure they had what they needed to thrive and taking care of finances while he unfortunately lived like he didn’t have to care and provide for a family. I was exhausted and resentful of the life it was creating. When I met my now husband, I was VERY upfront about my weaknesses as a partner but also what I needed from him to feel supported and like I was part of a team. We share financial responsibility and communicate about what’s being purchased and brought into our home. I have to remind myself it’s okay to go without items I don’t necessarily need still sometimes but minimalism has helped me and him subconsciously in a lot of ways.
I understand. It can be hard but worth it. We had a rusty old Caravan we drove until it’s end. It was 6 years old when we bought it and 16 years old and rusty when we said goodbye. So thankful for my husband who didn’t care how he looked driving it. He always volunteers to drive the oldest, ugliest vehicle (both vehicles are always used). We replaced our rusty van with a Buick SUV 4 years old, paid in cash. So driving that rusty van was so worth it. In the end we never have car loans. And then when you have a nice car again, you appreciate it that much more. We plan to drive all our vehicles to the end, or near end.
Oh my word!!! So good! I clicked so fast when I saw this video pop up. Such encouragement, ladies. My husband and I paid off $27,000 of debt in 2 1/2 years while cash flowing a new baby/hospital bills. While it's challenging, the freedom is real when you don't go back into debt.
Way to go, Dawn. So proud of you! ❤️
I remember once as a child my mother went to Korea for a softball tournament and so my dad was in charge of dinner. He asked us what we wanted and we said hot dogs and cereal, so that’s what we had. A lady from church came over and saw our dinner and tried to put us on church welfare, which was insane since we were not only not poor but already donating $ to the church welfare. People will find things to judge no matter what, and it’s more often than not because they care not because they think less of you.
This talk was everything!! Thank u for putting this out there.. we were all thinking it.. but no one was brave enough to discuss this fear!! ❤️
Two of my favorite ladies! We followed the baby steps and we are now paying cash for my sons college!! I never thought it could happen! Debt free is awesome!
This was such a fantastic collab!!
The best way to get others on board is leading by example, 100%. It’s the only thing that’s truly worked for me. Luckily my husband and I have always been on the same page, but I’ve seen family members & friends struggling. My husband and I started selling things (including his car) and friends and family asked us what we were doing and why, we explain we basically just care about achieving financial independence and a simple, sustainable lifestyle. Now I see them decluttering & getting their finances together! It’s amazing. I have friends who will send me a pic of them decluttering a kitchen cabinet or they’ll let me know excitedly that they decided not to buy a new pair of shoes at the store, etc.
Truly just live your truth & others will join when they see how you’re feeling better, they’ll crave it too.
Also I’m totally sending this video to the other women in my life!! Particularly my mom & mother in law! Probably going to rewatch this video again, it’s just so good and speaks to my soul. Sometimes this journey can feel lonely as you see everyone consuming/buying/spending so much, so it helps to know there are other people out there who share values/goals with you!
We have only 1 vehicle payment left. We paid all credit cards off, one personal loan, And now 2 of 2 vehicles. Nice thing is we did debt snowball and got them paid off faster and before they fall apart. We have two financing loans (for windows and a furnace), my student loans, and our mortgages still but we are chipping away at them one by one using the snowball method and budgeting. One day we will get debt free.
Dawn, you are such a breath of fresh air! I find myself happily working through different phases of de-cluttering and simplifying life with my family of 5. Sometimes when everything is getting flustered or I need a little push I always watch one of your videos, you seem so grounded and personable and I always feel recharged after hearing your perspective. You look amazing on this show, you are growing and it fits you! Thanks for all you do.
It was so fun to see two of my favorite people together! Thank you for your examples and work you are making a difference!
Great video and I completely agree with everything you both said! My husband and I are minimalists and completely debt free thanks to great examples such as yourselves, and I can attest to the freedom and confidence that comes from this lifestyle. Owning little and owing nothing makes the future look bright and exciting and we can’t wait to see what opportunities God sends our way! Thanks for everything you both do!
I got onto Ramsey when you talked about it in another video. Thank you so much! Changed my perspective and it is really so good for stress levels to get rid of debt!
This is so awesome!! We just went through FPU and been watching the Minimal Mom for a while. Decluttering has helped me to take more control of my spending too! Budgeting is so important and taking inventory of our stuff has helped tremendously!!
The neighbor kids use to make comments about the very old red van our kids picked them up in to drive to school. I was embarrassed when I heard them joke about the slow heater and broken A/C. Then one day my son turned to his friend and said, "At least my parents have a car we can drive to school. If you dont like it, you can walk." That is when I realized that we paid higher car insurance premiums (an extra car and three teen drivers), we provided gas (only once in 3 years were we paid $20 for gas), we paid highschool parking passes and we shared our transportation with five families living near us. Not one of those families had a 'kids car.'
Sending their kids to school in our old red van, was saving the parents of those complaining kids a lot of money.
Instead of an embarrassment, our old red van became a source of pride.
Van is better than a school bus.
What a great collaboration! Following Ramsey’s plan to get out of debt and then finding your channel and becoming minimalists has made our lives so much better! It’s so encouraging to hear you both talk about this and show how it really does make life better and easier!
I LOVE seeing you Ladies together, it honestly made my heart JUMP FOR JOY!!! 😊
Two BRILLIANT Ladies right there!!! 💛 I LOVE the fact that you combined Minimalism AND being Debt Free! THAT is what an enjoyable and peaceful life looks like to me, how life was MEANT to be lived!!!
To get your housemates onboard with minimalism, take the series of before/after pictures. Those are your “facts” that help to convince the others in your house that the path of decluttering is impressive.
Oh my gracious, my two most favorite ladies on TH-cam, TOGETHER!!! If Diana had been on with y'all, this is thr only way it could have gotten any better! 💗💗 thank you all so much for the content you put out to us, and for us 💗
I feel like I just got validated and given the language to speak where I am coming from in this interview. Thank y’all for sharing this.
I did a double take when I saw this video as you and Rachel are two of my favorite videos to watch! This was great to see you two together!
I just found you a few days ago, & I LOVE your content! You are totally speaking my language, as I also am a big fan of decluttering, and having minimal items. Total treat to see this collab with Rachel, as I also follow her :) Thanks so much for the great tips!
Have followed Dave for years and the feeling of being out of debt is just as great as clearing my house of all the clutter. Both are so freeing. Life is so good!
This is a match made in heaven!!!! Love you both!
Wow! Love this Dawn!! So exciting to see you chatting with Rachel!! I love you both!!
Loved seeing you on Rachel's show and love that some of my favorite TH-cam hosts are together and uplift each other. Great seeing the unity.
Would love to hear more about finances from a Minimalist perspective
Wow two of my favorites collide!! Thank you Dawn & Rachel for all that you do! I’m in my 20’s and look up to you both so much (when it comes to living simply, managing money, and faith). Thank you for being such positive role models. 🙏🏼💛
Its funny how financial debt and too much clutter (inventory) both feel VERY similar (to me). We used the snowball strategy to pay off 122k in 4.5 years.. and have been debt free since 2019 - just in time for the pandemic and forced retirement. No income? No problem. Praise God. Now we are living minimally and the WEIGHT is off! ... Good episode, Dawn.. good information - I pray many women understand that even if hubby isn't initially on-board, seeing them start will spur them to join in. (mine did!). God bless
Ahhhhhh!!!! My favorite TH-camrs!!!!
This was the video I didn’t know I needed!!!!!!!👏🏻
Great interview, just chart your own course and don't worry about what others think.
Great vidoe!!! Two women that have great wisdom.
It's so hard not to compare yourself to other and live in a state of contentment. Our newest car is a '07. But we 100% debt free, house completely paid for, and did this all on 1 teachers salary (im a stay at home mom.) The freedom that comes with financial freedom is AMAZING. [But I have to say I struggle with a scarcity mind set from childhood/earlly adulthood that still brings up anxiety and uncontenment.]
If your on the debt free journey KEEP GOING, you will not regret it in the end.
This is so serendipitous! My copy of Baby Steps Millionaires came in the mail today AND my fave minimalist is interviewing Rachel Cruz?! Love it!
Best collaboration ever! My two favourites. ❤️Thank you girls. You are both so inspiring. God bless you both.
Oh my goodness. Two of my favorite people on TH-cam right in the same video!!!
So excited for you Dawn and Tom that you're debt free! And exciting to get to sit down with Rachel. I hadn't heard of her and didn't know she was Dave Ramsey's daughter. 👍🏻
We have very little debt 🎉 we just need more income. 😅
That little thing that you said at the end needs to be said so much more! "Unfollow the people that sell you things" -- so much wisdom in that little step!
You and Rachel are so amazing together!!! Thank you for sharing! Great info!
The collab I didn’t know I needed!!!! Love both of these women so much!
Love Financial Peace! Best quote - “No one else is going to rescue me.” That is SO true for so many areas of our lives. We’ve got to want to do it - whether it’s debt free, decluttering, eating right, exercising etc.
So excited to watch this episode!!! Two of my favorite people.
Wow this is awesome, you both have been a blessing to me as well as my family!
Exactly 💯 % 💜
I totally agree with you!!! I love Dave Ramsey‘s plan and it works!!!!! I have been doing his plan for about 22 years now retired I sleep well because I don’t have to worry about debt !!!!!!!
I’m so proud of you Dawn. Such a cool moment to see you with some of the best you tube personalities such as Joshua Becker and now the Ramseys. So cool! Thank you for all you do while staying humble. You’re inspiring :)
Is this really happening? My two favorite TH-camrs are together! All is right with the universe right now!
Omg Dawn!! Watching the two of you together was awesome! I love Rachel and Dave and love this Minimal Mom collaboration 🎉 I hope they add you as a personality on one their shows, it would be perfection!
Love this!!! This is so awesome! Incredible opportunity for you and your family! Well deserved, Dawn!
Yeah my husband always says. "I need to see the numbers. You can't just come to me with feelings"
Wow! What a fun surprise to see you two together! 🙂
Well this was a fun surprise! We paid off all our debt after we got married following FPU. It was great to see you two together 😊
This is so we'll timed. We needed a bigger car to fit our growing family, and we made the decision to pay cash so we don't have a car payment. It was a cheap car, lots of miles but we felt it was right so we aren't weighed down for the years to come. It's taking sacrifice now but we know it'll pay off in the long run
Yay! How exciting that you got to interview Rachel! I just visited Ramsey Solutions headquarters last week on vacation. You could be a Ramsey Personality that promotes being debt free thru minimalism. 😊
I drive a 22 year old Buick. No one knows it’s that old. You don’t have to tell everyone everything 😆 it looks fine and runs. I haven’t had a car payment since 2000.
Single Mom here driving a vehicle with odometer that just turned to 303,000 it does make me nervous but cannot afford a car payment. We all want to look nice but as long as I am taking care of another human it is my job to make sure a roof is over the head and food in the house above all before nice clothing and newer car. Thanks for your video with Rachel! Dawn..you, Cas and Natalie every week help us all and I thank you all...I just adore the 3 of you!!!
Just yes. I love this and how you guys collaborated!
As a Financial Peace University graduate, THIS is the crossover I’ve been waiting for ❤️
Two books that changed my life: "When Spending Takes the Place of Feeling" and "The Millionaire Next Door". Those helped me to get out of debt, stay out of debt, and sleep at night. They changed my entire perspective about status, things, and my emotional fulfillment from needless purchasing.
Rachel and Dawn - my heroes!!!
Two of my favorite people! Inspirational and influential!