*The Dave Ramsey 'Baby Steps' Thread*

[enzy65]

I guess I don’t get out much, we spend less than 100.00 a month eating out and sometimes it’s 0. Blows my mind what people spend.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

And I've asked my employer to keep the meals out at 2 per week. They were wanting to do more. But I told them I couldn't afford that (I just hope that doesn't lead to me losing my job).

If the employer isn’t paying for your lunch you don’t go. They are required to give you lunch time. They can’t mandate where you take that personal time.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

If the employer isn’t paying for your lunch you don’t go. They are required to give you lunch time. They can’t mandate where you take that personal time.

Ordinarily, I would agree with this if you're working for a large company. But if you work for a small entity, rocking the boat could put your performance under a microscope. You don't get fired for rocking the boat. You get fired for not dotting every i and crossing every t. I don't know the OP's work situation but there must be something that makes him concerned for his job if he pushes back too much.

Me. I'm the troublemaker in the workplace. I'll point out any and every violation to a supervisor. We had one immediate supervisor that insisted we clock out on time but continue to work (without pay, let alone overtime) if a run wasn't completed. It made her look good on paper because her overtime numbers were so low. Some employees were too concerned about their jobs to defy her. I didn't care and I threatened to go to the state department of labor about it. Of course, that would have been the last rung on the ladder. I would have gone to her direct supervisor first and then escalated it from there if the behavior didn't stop. The threat was sufficient but she did scrutinize my work for errors for months afterward.

 

[AquaDame]

And I've asked my employer to keep the meals out at 2 per week. They were wanting to do more. But I told them I couldn't afford that (I just hope that doesn't lead to me losing my job).

Is it just coworkers going to lunch, or how does this come up..? Mine go almost every day, so there is pressure there, but I bring my lunch and only go out when and if I want to. Is going out required or just implied..?

 

[DanceDisney23]

Is it just coworkers going to lunch, or how does this come up..? Mine go almost every day, so there is pressure there, but I bring my lunch and only go out when and if I want to. Is going out required or just implied..?

It’s probably best if WDW_fan_in_TX responds, but we have discussed this topic several times in another thread. It sounds like a mandatory lunch meeting at a restaurant where everyone has to pay their own way. I don’t recall if clients are involved, but it definitely sounds like something that should be reimbursed.

 

[AquaDame]

It’s probably best if WDW_fan_in_TX responds, but we have discussed this topic several times in another thread. It sounds like a mandatory lunch meeting at a restaurant where everyone has to pay their own way. I don’t recall if clients are involved, but it definitely sounds like something that should be reimbursed.

Gotcha... that is highly unusual. It is usually the opposite... if you are required to work through lunch, dinner or any other meal where I am at they grant you a per diem to pay for the meal or pay for whatever you order if they are there. If we are actively working through it, whether with other folk or not, they ALSO pay overtime for that time since they are keeping you from your mandated off time.

 

[barkley]

Gotcha... that is highly unusual. It is usually the opposite... if you are required to work through lunch, dinner or any other meal where I am at they grant you a per diem to pay for the meal or pay for whatever you order if they are there. If we are actively working through it, whether with other folk or not, they ALSO pay overtime for that time since they are keeping you from your mandated off time.

that's the way it worked for me in that situation as well. I recall one instance where the department had scheduled a series of trainings for our classification at one of our locations that while fairly close to some eateries was not exactly conducive traffic wise to leave/grab even 'fast food'/return in 60 minutes. after the first training when many arrived back late the facilitator realized the situation and scrambled to get lunch catered in for all the subsequent sessions.

I think it's interesting to note-the o/p works in Texas which has not so much as a law that requires a private employer to offer a lunch OR 'coffee' breaks. most of us take these for granted but there's no requirement under federal law so Texas follows it.

 

[DanceDisney23]

I think it's interesting to note-the o/p works in Texas which has not so much as a law that requires a private employer to offer a lunch OR 'coffee' breaks. most of us take these for granted but there's no requirement under federal law so Texas follows it.

That’s crazy and makes me glad I don’t work in TX.

But if this employer requires work meetings at a restaurant, they should either cover the cost of the meals or not require everyone to order a meal. Just order a soft drink and eat your brown bag lunch at your desk before/after.

 

[AquaDame]

I think it's interesting to note-the o/p works in Texas which has not so much as a law that requires a private employer to offer a lunch OR 'coffee' breaks. most of us take these for granted but there's no requirement under federal law so Texas follows it.

That is seriously blowing my mind.... seems like abuse when you've lived on the other side!

 

[barkley]

That is seriously blowing my mind.... seems like abuse when you've lived on the other side!

it blew my mind when I found out this was not a federal law. it seems like such a basic right.

 

[MattB2G]

You could just order water at the lunch....... and make it awkward for everyone thus ending this ridiculous work requirement. I know if I didn't have money for lunch, I would try something like this if reasoning with my boss didn't work.

 

[barkley]

just a heads up for anyone wanting to take FPU classes to keep your ears/eyes open for great opportunities this time of year. I just saw on our local news 'community announcements' that one local church is offering it starting in a week or so/open to all community members for only $30 ALL IN (that's 10 in person classes plus all the materials for an individual/a couple/entire adult family-so the adult kids could attend as well). quite the deal!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Free Ramsey livestream from last week.

10 people won $2000 each, just for watching!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Here are some quick-start guides for 2026:

Tax Filing Cheat Sheet
Includes filing deadline, tax brackets, standard deduction, credits, etc.

Retirement Cheat Sheet
Contribution limits, catch-up amounts, Roth eligibility, Social Security info, RMDs, etc.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

January and February wrap-up...

--The year got off to a rocky start due to unexpected medical costs. We never plan for more than free preventive visits and a few co-pays, but that will have to change. We've already paid a couple thousand dollars this month, with more pending, and more yet to accrue. Our federal tax refund was earmarked for other things, but it had to be used for the medical bills. It's a bummer, but thankful we had that as an option.

--We previously started a sinking fund for annual expenses, and since it's working so well, we completely re-worked our budget to add other similar categories to the fund (medical, car, school, and larger household expenses). We've been getting by with spending bare minimums on some of these things, but we really had to be honest with what life is costing us now and in the future. We can't afford to be derailed by large unexpected bills, so we really need to focus on accruing these funds. We haven't had the monthly margin for all these things, but we had to find it as this point. The goal is to pool a set amount of funds into a single savings account, and then draw from it as needed for those five categories. These categories also have their own line item in the budget now (instead of being grouped together as general expenses), so that we can see at a glance which category is consuming the most resources each month.

February budget is closed out and March is set (also really liking the EveryDollar app after six months!).

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

January and February wrap-up...

--The year got off to a rocky start due to unexpected medical costs. We never plan for more than free preventive visits and a few co-pays, but that will have to change. We've already paid a couple thousand dollars this month, with more pending, and more yet to accrue. Our federal tax refund was earmarked for other things, but it had to be used for the medical bills. It's a bummer, but thankful we had that as an option.

So sorry to hear this. This is what I'm afraid is going to happen. That's why I'm so hesitant to pay things off so quickly when I get to that point.

February budget is closed out and March is set (also really liking the EveryDollar app after six months!).

My Feb. 27-March 26 budget is 4 days in. It's always tough on us at the beginning of the month due to rent. But we were able to get our EF started. I started using the ED app a few months ago. Really took hold of it last month. I still do my spreadsheet to compare the 2 and because the spreadsheet lets me know how much we have left (can't figure that out on ED).

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Just an update two months in (mainly because I forgot about this thread).

We got caught up on all bills and have started building our EF. Want to get it to $2k. Hopefully that'll happen by the end of the spring. Then we'll start tackling debt. So as of right now, we're just paying all of our bills as scheduled.

 

[FreeTime]

Just an update two months in (mainly because I forgot about this thread).

We got caught up on all bills and have started building our EF. Want to get it to $2k. Hopefully that'll happen by the end of the spring. Then we'll start tackling debt. So as of right now, we're just paying all of our bills as scheduled.

Glad to see you are making progress. I hope since you are now saying “we” instead of “I” that your wife has gotten onboard. You are making great strides in your debt and health journey. Keep up the great work!