Clark Howard vs Dave Ramsey - What a difference!

[gatormom2tots]

As an Atlantan, I am very familiar with Clark and he does give very sound advice!

As far as Dave- never paid for his stuff......the book pretty much explains it all and many of the worksheets you can find online.

Dave should us how to get out of debt with a structured plan. Clark has been great at showing us HOW to live on our budget.

WE take what we need from both....and are almost completely out of debt, and paying everything in cash (inlcluding next months trip to DIsney staying at BLT!!!!!!!!)

Both have their place- especially if you listen to Clark and check Ramsery's book out from library and download worksheets for free.

Yes, Ramsey is more self-promoting. But if you listen to Clark you recognize this and take what you need for free from him!

 

[sookie]

I love Clark Howard! He is great at building people up. Love him... Ramsey seems really out of touch and gets on my nerves.

 

[Swimalie]

Also Clark Howard has gotten where he did to day from being extremely thrifty, working his way through school( I believe he worked at somewhere like IBM during the day and got some work assistance for college.) Started his own business, worked, hard, invested in rentals etc. Listen to him for a day and you will see how his viewpoint toward customer service etc. would lead to him being extremely successful. Don't believe any of it was luck. He still takes great pride in being frugal to an extreme. He is huge priceline, costco fan. He won;t shop in a store that does not have concrete floors. He makes frugal seem cool in a geeky kind of way. No name brands etc. which I completely am on board with. He would not make fun of you if you did by name brands but he completely would not get why? He has some funny antedotes and stories about where his wife has had to draw the line on their frugalness.

I agree. He worked hard to build up his business. I wouldn't call it "luck".

I love when he tells stories about going to Costco and seeing on his receipt $7 for socks for himself and $3000 for a ring for his wife (or some other high amount). He has such great stories and I love listening to him. Sadly, he's rarely on where I live now. I travel to Atlanta and the first thing I do is turn on AM 750

 

[2disneyboys]

As an Atlantan, I am very familiar with Clark and he does give very sound advice!

As far as Dave- never paid for his stuff......the book pretty much explains it all and many of the worksheets you can find online.

Dave should us how to get out of debt with a structured plan. Clark has been great at showing us HOW to live on our budget.

WE take what we need from both....and are almost completely out of debt, and paying everything in cash (inlcluding next months trip to DIsney staying at BLT!!!!!!!!)

Both have their place- especially if you listen to Clark and check Ramsery's book out from library and download worksheets for free.


Yes, Ramsey is more self-promoting. But if you listen to Clark you recognize this and take what you need for free from him!

ITA! I took the DR FPU class though our church (free to our church members although I do know that the church paid for it) anywhoo.. I took alot of the structure DH & I have used in past 6 months and have applied it to our lives and we are truly living a changed life. I do like how positive CH is though! in life, I find that its' rare that I agree 100% w/ someone or follow 1 philosphy 100% so I just take what works from both of these (and other fincial guru's) and make it work for my family. The important outcome is just being aware of your financial picture and having a plan...

 

[Green Tea]

Good analysis of the two show hosts. I like Clark Howard.

Agree!

 

[Green Tea]

He makes frugal seem cool in a geeky kind of way. .

Love it! Haha. And so true

 

[windycitymom]

Actually, I discovered Clark Howard before Dave Ramsey. I like CH. However, I love reading about personal finance so I've read all the books by Suze Orman, David Bach, Dr. Thomas Stanley (The Millionare Next Door), Jean Chatzky, Mary Hunt, Dave Ramsey, ETC!! My favorite financial book is The Millionaire Next Door - I highly recommend it!! I take away something from everybody, but Dave Ramsey is my favorite for overall sound advice.

The biggest difference to me is that Clark gives "tips" on how to save money while Dave has an actual plan (Snowball) to get you out of debt. I don't listen to his podcasts, but took his Finacial Peace University (FPU) class through a local church and it was awesome. I highly recommend everyone take his FPU class. You won't be disappointed.

Dave is a really nice Christian man but it sounds like that message isn't getting through when all you hear is a commercial for buying DR staff. Every famous financial planner sells stuff - don't be upset because he learned how to package his formula for getting people on track with their finances. You can read his books for free through your library

There are lots of messengers out there. It's more important that you GET the message to begin with!

 

[sarah4770]

So ,
i have never heard of this clark man, but will check him out.... thanks op.
As far as Ramsey, I found it funny that he is asking ppl to spend money in order to help them save money.

 

[jessica52877]

I love Clark! I have never heard DR on the radio to compare the two shows. I am thinking that they both would be useful if you had debt. Take what you need from Dave. I am not big on paying for something that I could get for free, but I think just from reading here I get what DR says and does. I love what Clark does for the area!

 

[walkdmc]

Thanks! I'll have to check out Clark Howard.

 

[si-am]

CH is a major celebrity here in Atlanta; everyone loves him! I listen to his radio show whenever I get a chance.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I have been a fan of Dave since the 1990's. I saw him live in 1994. I still listen to his show. Several things have changed about Dave. I notice that he often spouts off now about things that he knows nothing about. A caller today had a child with Sensory processing disorder, a serious disorder, and Dave referenced how he would fix that problem with a belt. Really ignorant comment.

He often makes references to fat people. Dave struggles with his weight and has ever since I can remember, and he should be more forgiving. His comments are often offense with respect to weight.

As for timeshares, there are alot of people out there who get alot of use and really know how to use timeshares to get value and it is a hobby of sorts for them. Dave just says it is all bad. He just once again is not aware of the right way to benefit from the timeshare over time. And although most timeshares are WAY too expensive to purchase new, they can be great bargains on the secondary market if you know what you are doing.

 

[sunshine1178]

DR really rubs me the wrong way. I would *love* to see him caught up in a big nasty scandal. His "holier than thou" attitude and constantly having his hand out are incredibly unattractive.

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

Well since we're talking comparisons, I'd like to point out that Clark's a lot easier on the eyes.....

 

[Green Tea]

Clark Howard is on HLN (Cnn) every morning for a short savings tip or ripoff alert. His show is on every Sunday, I think. At least on the Sirius radio version.

You can follow him on Twitter as well. He has links to various articles from his website (Not like Dave Ramsey trying to sell his own stuff)

 

[Microcell]

I have listened to both for years now and they both offer a perspective I agree with. I was not good with my money so I dug myself a hole, and Dave Ramsey's method is helping me dig out! His selling of everything backfired on me because I take to heart very seriously the idea of devoting every penny to debt so I won't pay hundereds for his class!

Clark Howard has helped me with his ideas on consumer activism and I love his voice! I need Dave to get me out of the hole and will probably need Howard to keep me out!

 

[happygirl]

I have prefer Ramsey, I just can't get into Clark at all

 

[hsmamato2]

I like them both....Clark always seemed....nicer.
but much less intense with money advice. Which,when you're as desperate as many people are who call, probably NOT a good thing. He is helpful to many,just not as intensely helpful when it comes to real debt issues,IMHO.
I like Dave too,b/c of how intense he is,if you focus and do what he says(many don't) you will be debt free.Maybe not warm and cuddly,but debt free. But I always hated how Dave called people names,like moron,stupid,etc. I think for someone who bills himself a follower of Christ,calling people names all the time doesn't fit well.
I enjoy both their shows though! I'm a talk radio junky anyway.....

 

[SunnieRN]

I have listened to both for years now and they both offer a perspective I agree with. I was not good with my money so I dug myself a hole, and Dave Ramsey's method is helping me dig out! His selling of everything backfired on me because I take to heart very seriously the idea of devoting every penny to debt so I won't pay hundereds for his class!

Clark Howard has helped me with his ideas on consumer activism and I love his voice! I need Dave to get me out of the hole and will probably need Howard to keep me out!

I had to comment on your non ticker! I understand karma. My son in law was recently retired from tha army. In the years he was in, we would have a trip planned and have to change everything, often within a month. We also had to cancel several trips. So, bottom line, have a great ummm day in Sept.!!

 

[disneychic2]

Dave is a really nice Christian man but it sounds like that message isn't getting through when all you hear is a commercial for buying DR staff. Every famous financial planner sells stuff - don't be upset because he learned how to package his formula for getting people on track with their finances. You can read his books for free through your library

There are lots of messengers out there. It's more important that you GET the message to begin with!

This is the main point. It doesn't matter if you get it from reading books, attending a seminar or whatever, as long as you DO something about it.

DH and I love Dave Ramsey. We did a FPU seminar at our church more to learn about retirement since we had no credit card debt or car payments and we learned a great deal. The reason he charges for the seminar is so that people have a vested interest in continuing the class. Anyone who has ever taught a class or seminar knows that the first couple of weeks the attendance is pretty good, but eventually it thins out. Dave wants people to stick it out.

I'm glad there is a Mr. Howard. Sounds like a fantastic guy. IMO Dave Ramsey is a fantastic guy as well. There is room for them both and it sounds like DR is the one with the blueprint to follow more so than Howard. Suzy Ormond is also a good one to read. Her kits are not free, in fact they are quite expensive, but very helpful and worth the money.

Yea that there are several trustworthy, knowledgeable financial gurus out there. Heaven knows our culture needs them! (I'm going to check out Mr. Howard...he seems like a great guy!)