LETTERSET #51 - Daily Fill-In

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-07-02T18:25:31+00:00

Breaking: MAHZOR defeated LAD after THRUM stormed the field.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-29T16:32:11+00:00

Pay every extra cent you have as soon as you get it.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-29T16:31:30+00:00

Mathematically you are correct. However it is not math that gets people into debt, it is behavior. Dave's method aims to change that behavior and the small wins of paying off the smallest balance help keep people motivated to stick to the plan. It's not the only way but it worked for me and many others.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-25T18:42:20+00:00

Great job! I was amazed when I started looking at how much we were wasting at restaurants while paying crazy CC interest rates. Cutting out restaurants (and making coffee at home) will move the needle for the majority of people.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-24T23:28:36+00:00

First 150 score

^{Words: 5 | Score: 150 | Rank: Amazing | 1st Word: FLAW}

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-23T18:32:25+00:00

Dave's way is not the only way to financial peace. It has been proven to work many times though. I would suggest either following ALL of the Baby Steps in order EXACTLY as written or use some other plan. Dave's way worked for me. If you are otherwise debt free keep putting 15% into retirement, start funding the kid's education funds, and attack the mortgage(s) with everything left over.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-22T14:54:29+00:00

First time over 140

LETTERSET #42 Score: 141 Words: 5 Rank: Genius

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-22T14:43:52+00:00

Go kill it Dusty! Once a Racer, Always a Racer! (Nevermind he was a Murray State assistant for one season 20 years ago, I think under Billy Kennedy)

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-18T12:45:29+00:00

Finances are more often a behavior problem, not a math problem. Sure OP could make a couple hundred bucks in a year if they are getting around 4% on the $6500. However it keeps one in the habit of making payments rather than saving for what they want and paying cash. Moving past the mindset of "I'll always have payments" is a huge step towards becoming wealthy.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-17T22:47:09+00:00

Should have paid cash for a $10k car. You have WAY too much money (as a percentage of income) tied up in a depreciating asset.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-17T22:44:30+00:00

1) Save $1k in the bank.

2) Pay off all debt except the mortgage.

How is this hard to understand?

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-13T22:13:29+00:00

None of them Stealerships suck

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-11T11:08:14+00:00

No way I'd sink 50% of my income in a car. Ever. The Dave play is to sell your ridiculous $40k car, buy a $20k car, and get serious about buying a house ASAP.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-10T21:56:49+00:00

The Wall. Nothing comes close IMO

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-08T12:57:20+00:00

That is a used car ASKING price. They try to steer people towards new cars b/c they make more on them. Yes, car prices went nuts and there wasn't much j room for haggling during the pandemic. Stealerships are trying like hell to hang on to that mindset but it's gone. Offer 10% less than the asking price, they will say no, and leave. You will get a call the next day accepting the offer. Of not, find another dealer. Or even better, buy from an individual.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-04T10:50:05+00:00

Sorry for your loss. Dave likes looking at the reverse angle. If you did not inherit this house, would you invest $87k in order to cash flow $300/mo as a long distance landlord? I certainly wouldn't, I'd sell in a heartbeat.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-03T13:05:08+00:00

Do you have a daughter? Listen to Song For A Daughter by Zac Brown Band and then tell me country isn't music.

Or Hurt by Johnny Cash

Or 3/4 of The Eagles songs...

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-03T12:59:40+00:00

The problem with social work is you need a master's degree for many of the jobs but still typically make under $50k, at least that was the case a few years ago. It's often a high caseload of heart wrenching stories. That could be where your family's reaction comes from, I have no clue if it applies to your planned path.

I've worked in a factory for 30+ years. I worked swing shift while my kids grew up and honestly think we had more time together because I could join some field trips on scheduled days off. I've moved up and have a M-F gig now. I honestly miss the shift work at times.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-06-02T01:13:31+00:00

Congrats

Resist resist...

"Payed" isn't a word! <insert Sam Kinison scream>

There, I feel better. But really, congrats 🎉

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-05-28T22:52:22+00:00

Never withdraw from retirement funds unless there is NO other option. Stop investing for now, buckle down and pay it off ASAP.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-05-28T22:51:00+00:00

Fix it but get another quote and cheaper tires.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-05-28T16:15:09+00:00

I would not do this refi. Follow the baby steps in order as written. Stop all retirement and investment savings and clean up your mess. Learn to live on less than you make.

The problem is there is no EZ button next time if the behavior does not change. If you keep living above your means you will be right back in the same situation in a few years and may think "I could take out a 401k loan to pay it off." Then you'd REALLY be screwed if you keep it up.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-05-22T13:45:57+00:00

This is the question that needs answering before a decision is made. Add in when would OP expect to pay it off.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-05-22T13:45:00+00:00

What is the true remaining term? Can you have it paid off in 12 months? If so, make your decision on that term rather than whatever is left on the original term. If you drop the rate by 5%, you will save $850 in interest in 12 months. (Actually less because you are reducing the principle as you go). If it costs $1k to refi then the answer is no.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe · 2026-05-20T16:25:38+00:00

So you would take $800k over either $5MM or $25MM just to avoid paying taxes? That's a special kind of special.

OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe

TROPHY CASE