10 money frameworks from Dave Ramsey's public books, rewritten in our own words as cards you can use today. Each one is cited, so go read the original.
01
Starter Emergency Fund
Before attacking debt, set aside a small cash cushion ($1,000 in the book) so a surprise bill doesn't go on a card.
How
Pause extra debt payments and investing. Sell clutter, pick up extra hours, cut spending until the cushion is saved, fast. Keep it in a separate savings account.
Example (UOP-original)
A couple sells an unused mower and a spare TV and hits $1,000 in 3 weeks; a flat tire next month costs them nothing on credit.
Source: The Total Money Makeover (Dave Ramsey), Ch. 6 "Save $1,000 Fast". Paraphrased.
02
Debt Snowball
Pay debts smallest balance to largest, regardless of interest rate, so quick wins build momentum.
How
List every debt except the mortgage, smallest to largest. Pay minimums on all but the smallest and throw every spare dollar at it. When it's gone, roll that payment into the next one.
Example (UOP-original)
$400 medical bill, then $2,100 card, then $9,000 truck note. The $400 is gone in month one; its payment rolls into the card.
Source: The Total Money Makeover, Ch. 7 "The Debt Snowball"; also Financial Peace Revisited, Ch. 8 "Dumping Debt". Paraphrased.
03
Fully Funded Emergency Fund
Once consumer debt is gone, grow the cushion to 3–6 months of expenses.
How
Add up essential monthly costs (housing, food, utilities, transport, insurance). Multiply by 3 if income is steady, closer to 6 if it's variable. Keep it liquid and only for true emergencies.
Example (UOP-original)
Essentials run $3,200 a month and income is commission-based, so the target is about $19,000.
Source: The Total Money Makeover, Ch. 8 "Finish the Emergency Fund". Paraphrased.
04
Zero-Based Written Budget
Every month, give every dollar of income a job on paper before the month starts, until income minus outflow equals zero.
How
Write expected income. List giving, saving, necessities, debt, then wants until nothing is left unassigned. Make it together if you're married. Redo it monthly and stick with it at least 90 days.
Example (UOP-original)
$4,800 income: $3,900 bills and food, $600 to the snowball, $300 to a car-repair fund. Zero left unassigned.
Source: Financial Peace Revisited, Ch. 19 "Why Written?"; budgeting forms in The Total Money Makeover. Paraphrased.
05
Cash Envelopes
For categories where you overspend, pay with cash split into labeled envelopes. When an envelope is empty, spending in that category stops.
How
Pick 2–4 problem categories (groceries, eating out, gas, fun). On payday, withdraw the budgeted amount and fill each envelope. No refills mid-month.
Example (UOP-original)
A $500 grocery envelope makes the third weekly trip a pantry week instead of a card swipe.
Source: Financial Peace Revisited, Ch. 19 "Why Written?" (envelope system). Paraphrased.
06
Debt Is Not a Tool
The book argues borrowing adds risk and cost without building wealth, and takes apart common reasons people give for using debt.
How
Write down each "good reason" you have for a loan or card, then price the full interest and the risk if income drops. Choose to save and pay cash instead.
Example (UOP-original)
Instead of a 0% store card for a $1,800 couch, save $300 a month for 6 months and buy it outright.
Source: The Total Money Makeover, Ch. 3 "Debt Myths"; Financial Peace Revisited, Ch. 8 "Dumping Debt". Paraphrased.
07
Save Ahead for Known Expenses (Sinking Funds)
Big costs you can see coming aren't emergencies. Save a set amount each month so they're paid in cash.
How
List yearly or irregular costs (insurance, tires, holidays, a replacement car). Divide each by the months until it's due and add that line to the budget.
Example (UOP-original)
A $1,200 insurance premium due in 6 months becomes a $200-a-month budget line.
Source: lump-sum / irregular-expense planning in the budgeting forms of The Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace Revisited; "sinking fund" term as used on ramseysolutions.com. Paraphrased.
08
Invest 15% for Retirement
After debt-free plus a full emergency fund, put 15% of household income into retirement accounts.
How
Take any employer match first, then tax-advantaged accounts, until you reach 15% of gross income. Keep paying cash for everything else.
Example (UOP-original)
On $70,000 income, $875 a month goes to retirement, starting with the part that earns a match.
Source: The Total Money Makeover, Ch. 9 "Maximize Retirement Investing"; expanded in Baby Steps Millionaires, Ch. 3 and Ch. 6. Paraphrased.
09
Run the Business Debt-Free
Apply the same rules to a business: written budget, cash reserves, and no borrowing to fund operations.
How
Budget the business monthly. Build a cash reserve before growing. Rent or buy used until cash allows more. Grow out of profit, not loans.
Example (UOP-original)
A lawn crew saves 3 months of operating costs, then buys its second trailer with cash instead of a note.
Source: EntreLeadership (Dave Ramsey, 2011), Ch. 9 "Financial Peace for Business". Paraphrased.
10
Lifestyle Cap, Then Split the Overflow
Once wealthy and debt-free, pick a lifestyle income on purpose, then split anything above it by set ratios among more lifestyle, saving and investing, and giving.
How
Decide what monthly income your household actually needs to live well. Budget at that level. Agree on percentages for everything above it, and review them yearly.
Example (UOP-original)
A family caps lifestyle at $9,000 a month; the overflow splits 40% invest, 30% give, 30% lifestyle.
Source: The Legacy Journey (Dave Ramsey, 2014), "planning ratios" section (around pp. 77–78 per secondary summary; chapter not confirmed). Paraphrased.
