Dave Ramsey

[wadio]

Look, the trouble with Ramsey's one-size-fits-all advice is that it simply doesn't work for everyone. Some people have made fortunes by mortgaging their homes to finance a venture they believed in. Others have lost everything the same way.

If you listen to Clark Howard you might, for example, learn how to save thousands of dollars over several years on cell phone service. That's something practical. Praying to Jesus and becoming involved in multi-ievel marketing (both Ramsey recommendations) won't get you to a better place.

 

[quadraphonic]

Praying to Jesus and becoming involved in multi-ievel marketing (both Ramsey recommendations) won't get you to a better place.

Are ya sure that's not "one size fits all advice?"

 

[storrs19]

What I find interesting is Ramsey's use of certain profanities on his program. While not a regular listener I do listen sometimes while on my lunch or dinner break and have heard him use the term "pi**ed" off several times. That's not very Christian now is it? But then there's no bigger group of hypocrites than organized religion, except for our government of course

As for his advice on not being in debt? Duh! I learned that in high school. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. I'll pass on the stock market and mutual funds though. That's headed for another fiasco like 1987. I'll stick with my gold that I bought between 1992 and 1997 and am quite happy with.

 

[Small Market Guy]

If you listen to Clark Howard you might, for example, learn how to save thousands of dollars over several years on cell phone service.

And if you listen to Kim Kommando, you'll learn how to set up your anti virus program. They're different shows for different things. Clark Howard is general financial advice. Dave Ramsey is specifically teaching people how to live debt free. That's his entire gimmick. If I had a station of my own, I'd consider running both.

 

[quadraphonic]

What I find interesting is Ramsey's use of certain profanities on his program. While not a regular listener I do listen sometimes while on my lunch or dinner break and have heard him use the term "pi**ed" off several times. That's not very Christian now is it? But then there's no bigger group of hypocrites than organized religion, except for our government of course

What's "not Christian" about it?
Because it doesn't meet your idea of "Christian?"
What else do you think determines "Christian" or "not Christian" behavior/hypocrisy?

 

[schmave]

He probably has the best and most affluent demo of any show on radio.

Makes no sense. Why would an affluent person want to listen to Ramsey' pedestrian advice?

They become affluent AFTER following his advice. That's the entire idea of the show. Just listen to how many callers make six figures and are broke.

Of course, advertising on a show that tells people not to spend money is another issue.

Exactly, but this anti-Ramsey vitriol has gone on for what, six pages now? I enjoy his show but am hardly a sheep where his advice is concerned. To each his own.

 

[Small Market Guy]

Exactly, but this anti-Ramsey vitriol has gone on for what, six pages now? I enjoy his show but am hardly a sheep where his advice is concerned. To each his own.

This place is all about bashing anyone who is successful. Almost always without cause.

 

[wadio]

This place is all about bashing anyone who is successful. Almost always without cause.

Sounds like a place you might want to stay away from!

FWIW, I've been critical of Dave Ramsey for years. WABC (NY) carried his show on weekends a decade or so ago and it took me a couple of weeks of listening with an open mind to peg the guy as a fraud. He's not interested in "teaching" anything -- he's a pitch man for Dave Ramsey. The show lasted for less than a year at that time, but back then quasi-infomercials on radio were not so easily accepted.

That's my personal opinion regarding a specific individual, not a blanket bashing of "anyone who is successful." OTOH, your accusation amounts to across-the-board bashing all dissenters in this thread!

... but this anti-Ramsey vitriol has gone on for what, six pages now?

The six pages of this thread contain some salient and well expressed points about what many perceive to be Ramsey's agenda. I wouldn't call it "vitriol."

 

[del_griffith]

Well let's face it. Beck, Hannity and Rush's shows are pretty much infomercials for other things. Beck is hawking his Blaze website. Hannity his Fox TV show and Limbaugh his tea and his subscription web site. (Does he still have his news letter?)

 

[Small Market Guy]

OTOH, your accusation amounts to across-the-board bashing all dissenters in this thread!

Do you even read the threads here? It's one after the other bashing Rush, Hannity, Savage and Dave Ramsey. Nothing but people who listen to too much talk radio and don't get to hear what they want, and people who have been out of the business for 30 years because they couldn't adjust to syndicated content.

 

[wadio]

Do you even read the threads here? It's one after the other bashing Rush, Hannity, Savage and Dave Ramsey. Nothing but people who listen to too much talk radio and don't get to hear what they want, and people who have been out of the business for 30 years because they couldn't adjust to syndicated content.

You seem to like the status quo -- that's fine -- but some people don't. I doubt most people who believe radio in 2013 is as good as it can be even bother visiting radio message boards. Why would they?

Yeah, there are people who want radio to be the way it was 30 years ago and would like to bring back (or keep airing) hosts who are so past their prime that you can almost hear the death-rattle in their voices. But, let's face it, today's partisan political talk shows are very long in the tooth and who says increasing TSL is necessarily a bad thing.

Average listeners will stay with what they know -- hence Limbaugh and Hannity's continued success. People who listen to "too much talk radio" are in a better position to see the need for change. Talk fans who witnessed the rise and downfall of Sonny Bloch and others are more likely to be skeptical of Dave Ramsey. There's room for more than one opinion here, IMO.

 

[del_griffith]

Talk fans who witnessed the rise and downfall of Sonny Bloch and others are more likely to be skeptical of Dave Ramsey. There's room for more than one opinion here, IMO.

Maybe that's why I have a more critical eye toward Ramsey. I did witness the rise and fall of Bloch. Fortunately I never invested/wasted my money in Silver with the D'Angelous Brothers, Wireless Cable in Walla Walla, Broadcast Stations in Gainesville and Hartford, Russian Art and other Bloch advertising. However I did learn some great Mutual Funds to invest in.

 

[JeffM]

WWJB: Who Would Jayzus Bilk?

 

[Small Market Guy]

You seem to like the status quo -- that's fine -- but some people don't.

I think there are plenty of problems with the state of radio currently, especially talk radio. But I also don't pretend to know things I don't and spread falsehoods about hosts that I don't like. If I had my way, there would be a lot less political talk, and a lot more hot talk. But I realize that I'm in a minority, and don't hold a grudge against people who want to go with what works.

Is political talk as big as it was in 1993? Absolutely not. Is it on its last legs? Absolutely not. It's a relatively inexpensive format if done off the bird, and keeps a LOT of AM stations alive. I am smart enough to understand that even though I don't like political talk, guys like Rush and Hannity make it possible for me to be in ANY sort of radio.

 

[wadio]

I am smart enough to understand that even though I don't like political talk, guys like Rush and Hannity make it possible for me to be in ANY sort of radio.

Oh, so it's all about YOU!

No question Rush and Hannity (by riding Rush's coattails) have made a huge contribution to radio -- AM radio and talk radio in particular. But that's no reason to give them a pass on how they're conduction their shows today. Nobody's saying political talk radio is dead, just that the sameness and predictability of these hosts is wearing very thin. There are others doing the format better -- Jerry Doyle and John & Ken, for example. They don't have the numbers because they lack the exposure that's a result of years of stagnation on AM talk radio.

Of course, that's my opinion. It's not a truth of falsehood -- it's an OPINION. You don't need to be a radio insider to express an opinion.

 

[Small Market Guy]

I am smart enough to understand that even though I don't like political talk, guys like Rush and Hannity make it possible for me to be in ANY sort of radio.

Oh, so it's all about YOU!

No question Rush and Hannity (by riding Rush's coattails) have made a huge contribution to radio -- AM radio and talk radio in particular. But that's no reason to give them a pass on how they're conduction their shows today. Nobody's saying political talk radio is dead, just that the sameness and predictability of these hosts is wearing very thin. There are others doing the format better -- Jerry Doyle and John & Ken, for example. They don't have the numbers because they lack the exposure that's a result of years of stagnation on AM talk radio.

Of course, that's my opinion. It's not a truth of falsehood -- it's an OPINION. You don't need to be a radio insider to express an opinion.

I have a theory. People like hearing the same thing over and over, especially when it comes to political opinions. The guys who are repetitive seem to do better. Hannity especially is repetitive, ,even within the same show, and does quite well. It's like audio comfort food. A guy with a radio show says what you want to hear over and over, it makes you feel better about yourself.

 

[wadio]

That's certainly true in music radio so it could apply to talk as well.

But at what point is it "too much of a good thing?" Music fans may be leaving radio for Pandora, etc. not only to avoid ads, but also because they're able to "discover" music that isn't available on radio.

Looking at things only in the vacuum of statistics can result in overlooking societal changes coming out of left field. It's my belief that radio management relies too heavily on statistics, just as many Wall Street investors rely too heavily on trends. As they say, "Past performance does not guarantee future results."

BUT BACK TO DAVE RAMSEY:

Yesterday I heard him trolling for individuals to "teach" Financial Peace University courses. He says there are no financial or educational background requirements, just a big heart and a desire to help. (I'm paraphrasing because I was in the car and couldn't take notes.)

This guy will implode. Mark my words.

 

[Small Market Guy]

This guy will implode. Mark my words.

He'll fade into obscurity long before that.

 

[del_griffith]

Interesting happening last Friday at the Ramsey organization. Blogger, author and speaker Jon Acuff who was brought in by Ramsey to be groomed to be part of the next generation of Ramsey's business abruptly resigned. He was prominently featured in the latest release of Financial Peace University and was appearing on stage with Dave at the new Legacy Journey live events in a integral role as well as being part of the speakers bureau of the Ramsey organization.

All of the Acuff assets that were on the web were shut down. The following message appears on Acuff's blog and web site:

Regrettably, Jon Acuff has resigned from the Dave Ramsey team.

This takes us as much by surprise as it does you. We wish Jon all the best.

Jon wrote on his Facebook page that he has nothing in the wings.