www.ramseysolutions.com
Open in
urlscan Pro
13.32.121.85
Public Scan
URL:
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps
Submission Tags: falconsandbox
Submission: On November 28 via api from US — Scanned from DE
Submission Tags: falconsandbox
Submission: On November 28 via api from US — Scanned from DE
Form analysis 1 forms found in the DOM
<form role="combobox" aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="listbox" aria-labelledby="downshift-0-label">
<div class="sui-search-box"><span id="rs_mastheadSearch_box" class="rs-Search-form u-spacingInsetSquishSm u-visuallyHidden">
<div class="rs-Masthead-body">
<div class="rs-Search-close"><button class="rds-Button rds-Button--neutralSubtle rds-Button--iconOnly button sui-search-box__submit" data-transaction-name="search submit" type="button" value="Search" id="rs-close-Button"
aria-label="Close"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" height="24" class="rds-Icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true">
<path fill-rule="evenodd"
d="M1.3 1.3a1 1 0 0 1 1.4 0l9.3 9.29 9.3-9.3a1 1 0 0 1 1.31-.08l.1.08a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.42L13.4 12l9.3 9.3a1 1 0 0 1 .08 1.31l-.08.1a1 1 0 0 1-1.42 0L12 13.4l-9.3 9.3a1 1 0 0 1-1.31.08l-.1-.08a1 1 0 0 1 0-1.42L10.6 12 1.3 2.7a1 1 0 0 1-.08-1.31z">
</path>
</svg></button></div>
<div class="rds-Input sui-search-box__text-input "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" height="16" fill="currentColor" class="rds-Input-icon" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M10 1a9 9 0 0 1 7.03 14.62l5.68 5.67a1 1 0 0 1-1.42 1.42l-5.67-5.68A9 9 0 1 1 10 1zm0 2a7 7 0 1 0 4.94 11.96v-.01l.02-.01A7 7 0 0 0 10 3z"></path>
</svg><input id="downshift-0-input" name="q" autocomplete="off" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-labelledby="downshift-0-label" data-transaction-name="search input" placeholder="What are you looking for?" value=""></div>
<div class="rds-Stack rs-AutoComplete rs-AutoComplete-mastheadDropdownContent"></div>
</div>
</span></div>
</form>Text Content
Skip to Main Content
Sign In Get Started
* Products
Products
* Pay Off Debt and Build Wealth
* Financial Peace University
* Start FPU
* Coordinate a Class
* Join a Class
* FPU for Churches
* Ramsey+
* EveryDollar Budget App
* The 7 Baby Steps
* Ramsey Education for Schools
* Financial Coach Master Training
* Talk to a Coach
* Lead Your Business
* EntreLeadership Elite
* Advisory Groups
* Executive Coaching
* SmartDollar Financial Wellness
* See All Products
* Shows
Shows
* Shows
* The Ramsey Show
* Listen or Watch Now
* Latest Shows
* Be a Part of the Show
* Advertising and Syndication
* The EntreLeadership Podcast
* The Rachel Cruze Show
* The Ken Coleman Show
* The Dr. John Delony Show
* The Fine Print
* Smart Money Happy Hour
* George Kamel
* Real Estate The Ramsey Way
* See All Shows
* Get the Ramsey Network App
* Events
Events
* Events and Conferences
* Money and Marriage Getaway
* Smart Conference
* EntreLeadership Summit
* EntreLeadership Master Series
* Real Estate Reality Check
* Student Loan Debt in America
* See All Events and Conferences
* Personalities
Personalities
* Ramsey Personalities
* Dave Ramsey
* Rachel Cruze
* Ken Coleman
* Dr. John Delony
* George Kamel
* Jade Warshaw
* See All Personalities
* Trusted Services
Trusted Services
* Home Buying and Selling
* Real Estate Agents
* Mortgage
* I’m an Agent
* Retirement and Investing
* SmartVestor Pros
* Insurance and Protection
* Car Insurance Agents
* Home Insurance Agents
* Term Life Insurance
* Disability Insurance With Zander
* ID Theft Protection
* Will and Power of Attorney
* Taxes
* Tax Services
* Tax Advisor
* Ramsey SmartTax
* Be a Recommended Pro
* RamseyTrusted ELP Services
* SmartVestor Pro
* Find a RamseyTrusted Pro
* Free Tools
Free Tools
* Budgeting
* EveryDollar Budget App
* EveryDollar Guide to Budgeting
* Budgeting Forms
* Budget Calculator
* Retirement
* Retirement Calculator
* Investment Calculator
* Net Worth Calculator
* Compound Interest Calculator
* Retire Inspired Quotient (R:IQ)
* Estate Planning Guide
* Debt
* Debt Snowball Calculator
* Student Loan Payoff Calculator
* Insurance
* Coverage Checkup
* Term Life Insurance Calculator
* Getting Started
* Get Started Assessment
* Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps
* Ramsey Newsletter
* Real Estate
* Mortgage Calculator
* Mortgage Payoff Calculator
* Cost of Living Calculator
* Home Sellers Guide
* Home Buyers Guide
* Am I Ready to Buy or Sell Quiz
* Mental Health
* Anxiety Test
* Career
* Career Clarity Guide
* Resumé Guide
* Interview Guide
* Taxes
* Tax Pro or Self-File? Quiz
* Tax Guide
* Wills
* Online Will vs. Lawyer? Quiz
* Saving
* 14-Day Money Finder
* Business
* Business Assessment
* College
* College Savings Calculator
* See All Free Tools
* Articles
Articles
* Topics
* Debt
* Saving
* Budgeting
* Retirement
* Home Buying
* Home Selling
* Insurance
* Taxes
* Business
* Career
* Personal Growth
* See All Articles
* Store
Store
* Store
* Books
* Digital Courses
* Bundles
* Events
* Kids and Teens
* Sale
* Featured
* The Total Money Makeover Book
* EntreLeadership Book
* From Paycheck to Purpose Book
* Get Clear Career Assessment
* Shop the Store
Sign In Get Started
We're Hiring! See Openings
You can take control of your money! Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps will show you how
to save for emergencies, pay off all your debt for good, and build wealth. It’s
not a fairy tale. It works every single time!
Find Out Which Step You're On
Step 1: Save $1,000 for your starter emergency fund.
Learn More
Step 2: Pay off all debt (except the house) using the debt snowball.
Learn More
Step 3: Save 3–6 months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund.
Learn More
Step 4: Invest 15% of your household income in retirement.
Learn More
Step 5: Save for your children’s college fund.
Learn More
Step 6: Pay off your home early.
Learn More
Step 7: Build wealth and give.
Learn More
WHY THE BABY STEPS WORK
Forget everything you know about money-management plans. With Dave’s 7 Baby
Steps, you don't need a degree in finance to take control of your money. Anyone
can do it! With each step, you’ll change how you handle money—little by little.
EDUCATION
Learn how to better manage your money.
ENCOURAGEMENT
Build momentum with small wins along the way.
EMPOWERMENT
Make financial decisions with confidence in every aspect of your life.
WORK THE BABY STEPS
Follow the proven plan that’s helped millions of people ditch debt and build
wealth!
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY
Take the course that's helped millions of people beat debt, build wealth, and
live and give like no one else.
Learn More
THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER
Get Dave’s #1 bestselling book and read inspiring stories of people who have
learned how to manage their money the right way.
Buy Now
BABY STEPS MILLIONAIRES
You can baby step your way to becoming a millionaire. Learn the quickest right
way in Dave's newest book.
Buy Now
FREE CUSTOMIZED PLAN
We’ll create a custom plan just for you to help you take control of your money.
It only takes three minutes—and it’s FREE!
Take the Assessment
BABY STEP 1: SAVE $1,000 FOR YOUR STARTER EMERGENCY FUND
In this first step, your goal is to save $1,000 as fast as you can. Your
emergency fund will cover those unexpected life events you can't plan for. And
there are plenty of them. You don’t want to dig a deeper hole while you’re
trying to work your way out of debt!
Create Your First Budget
BABY STEP 2: PAY OFF ALL DEBT (EXCEPT THE HOUSE) USING THE DEBT SNOWBALL
Next, it’s time to pay off the cars, the credit cards and the student loans.
Start by listing all of your debts except for your mortgage. Put them in order
by balance from smallest to largest—regardless of interest rate. Pay minimum
payments on everything but the little one. Attack that one with a vengeance.
Once it's gone, take that payment and put it toward the second-smallest debt,
making minimum payments on the rest. That's what's called the debt snowball
method, and you’ll use it to knock out your debts one by one. Find out your
debt-free date with the Debt Snowball Calculator.
Get Rid of Your Debt
BABY STEP 3: SAVE 3–6 MONTHS OF EXPENSES IN A FULLY FUNDED EMERGENCY FUND
You’ve paid off your debt! Don’t slow down now. Take that money you were
throwing at your debt and build a fully funded emergency fund that covers 3–6
months of your expenses. This will protect you against life’s bigger surprises,
like the loss of a job or your car breaking down, without slipping back into
debt.
Start Saving Money
BABY STEP 4: INVEST 15% OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN RETIREMENT
Now you can shift your focus off debts and what-ifs and start looking up the
road. This is where you begin regularly investing 15% of your gross income for
retirement. Because if you're still working at 67, it should be because you want
to, not because you have to. An investing pro can help you build a solid
strategy.
Find a SmartVestor Pro
BABY STEP 5: SAVE FOR YOUR CHILDREN’S COLLEGE FUND
By this step, you've paid off all debts (except the house) and started saving
for retirement. Next, it's time to save for your children’s college expenses
(that is, if they pass Algebra II and Chemistry). We recommend 529 college
savings plans or ESAs (Education Savings Accounts).
Learn to Save for College
BABY STEP 6: PAY OFF YOUR HOME EARLY
Now, bring it all home. Baby Step 6 is the big dog! Your mortgage is the only
thing between you and complete freedom from debt. Can you imagine your life with
no house payment? Learn how extra money put towards your mortgage can save you
tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars in interest with our Mortgage
Payoff Calculator.
Talk to a Mortgage Expert
BABY STEP 7: BUILD WEALTH AND GIVE
You know what people with no debt can do? Anything they want! The last step is
the most fun. You can live and give like no one else. Find out your current net
worth, then keep building wealth and become outrageously generous, all while
leaving an inheritance for your kids and their kids. Now that's what we call
leaving a legacy!
Calculate Your Net Worth
BABY STEP 1: SAVE $1,000 FOR YOUR STARTER EMERGENCY FUND
In this first step, your goal is to save $1,000 as fast as you can. Your
emergency fund will cover those unexpected life events you can't plan for. And
there are plenty of them. You don’t want to dig a deeper hole while you’re
trying to work your way out of debt!
FREE RESOURCES FOR BABY STEP 1
HOW TO MAKE A BUDGET: YOUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
Budgeting can seem overwhelming, but you can do it. Learn how in just five
steps.
Read More
30 EASY WAYS TO SAVE UP TO $1,000
Saving money doesn’t have to be hard. Check out these quick, simple ways to find
up to a grand.
Read More
34 WAYS TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY
Who couldn’t use extra cash? Here are 34 ways to line your pockets with more
money.
Read More
BABY STEP 2: PAY OFF ALL DEBT (EXCEPT THE HOUSE) USING THE DEBT SNOWBALL
Next, it’s time to pay off the cars, the credit cards and the student loans.
Start by listing all of your debts except for your mortgage. Put them in order
by balance from smallest to largest—regardless of interest rate. Pay minimum
payments on everything but the little one. Attack that one with a vengeance.
Once it's gone, take that payment and put it toward the second-smallest debt,
making minimum payments on the rest. That's what's called the debt snowball
method, and you’ll use it to knock out your debts one by one. Find out your
debt-free date with the Debt Snowball Calculator.
Get Rid of Your Debt
BABY STEP 3: SAVE 3–6 MONTHS OF EXPENSES IN A FULLY FUNDED EMERGENCY FUND
You’ve paid off your debt! Don’t slow down now. Take that money you were
throwing at your debt and build a fully funded emergency fund that covers 3–6
months of your expenses. This will protect you against life’s bigger surprises,
like the loss of a job or your car breaking down, without slipping back into
debt.
Start Saving Money
BABY STEP 4: INVEST 15% OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN RETIREMENT
Now you can shift your focus off debts and what-ifs and start looking up the
road. This is where you begin regularly investing 15% of your gross income for
retirement. Because if you're still working at 67, it should be because you want
to, not because you have to. An investing pro can help you build a solid
strategy.
Find a SmartVestor Pro
BABY STEP 5: SAVE FOR YOUR CHILDREN’S COLLEGE FUND
By this step, you've paid off all debts (except the house) and started saving
for retirement. Next, it's time to save for your children’s college expenses
(that is, if they pass Algebra II and Chemistry). We recommend 529 college
savings plans or ESAs (Education Savings Accounts).
Learn to Save for College
BABY STEP 6: PAY OFF YOUR HOME EARLY
Now, bring it all home. Baby Step 6 is the big dog! Your mortgage is the only
thing between you and complete freedom from debt. Can you imagine your life with
no house payment? Learn how extra money put towards your mortgage can save you
tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars in interest with our Mortgage
Payoff Calculator.
Talk to a Mortgage Expert
BABY STEP 7: BUILD WEALTH AND GIVE
You know what people with no debt can do? Anything they want! The last step is
the most fun. You can live and give like no one else. Find out your current net
worth, then keep building wealth and become outrageously generous, all while
leaving an inheritance for your kids and their kids. Now that's what we call
leaving a legacy!
Calculate Your Net Worth
BABY STEP 1: SAVE $1,000 FOR YOUR STARTER EMERGENCY FUND
In this first step, your goal is to save $1,000 as fast as you can. Your
emergency fund will cover those unexpected life events you can't plan for. And
there are plenty of them. You don’t want to dig a deeper hole while you’re
trying to work your way out of debt!
FREE RESOURCES FOR BABY STEP 1
CREATE YOUR FIRST BUDGET
Check out EveryDollar—our zero-based budgeting app that helps you track, plan
and save with just a few swipes.
Try It for Free
14-DAY MONEY FINDER
This free two-week series teaches you how to find extra money in your budget
each month—to the tune of $2,000 more a year!
Start Saving
GET STARTED ASSESSMENT
After you answer just a few questions, we’ll give you a money plan that meets
you right where you are.
I’m in
BABY STEP 2: PAY OFF ALL DEBT (EXCEPT THE HOUSE) USING THE DEBT SNOWBALL
Next, it’s time to pay off the cars, the credit cards and the student loans.
Start by listing all of your debts except for your mortgage. Put them in order
by balance from smallest to largest—regardless of interest rate. Pay minimum
payments on everything but the little one. Attack that one with a vengeance.
Once it's gone, take that payment and put it toward the second-smallest debt,
making minimum payments on the rest. That's what's called the debt snowball
method, and you’ll use it to knock out your debts one by one. Find out your
debt-free date with the Debt Snowball Calculator.
Get Rid of Your Debt
BABY STEP 3: SAVE 3–6 MONTHS OF EXPENSES IN A FULLY FUNDED EMERGENCY FUND
You’ve paid off your debt! Don’t slow down now. Take that money you were
throwing at your debt and build a fully funded emergency fund that covers 3–6
months of your expenses. This will protect you against life’s bigger surprises,
like the loss of a job or your car breaking down, without slipping back into
debt.
Start Saving Money
BABY STEP 4: INVEST 15% OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN RETIREMENT
Now you can shift your focus off debts and what-ifs and start looking up the
road. This is where you begin regularly investing 15% of your gross income for
retirement. Because if you're still working at 67, it should be because you want
to, not because you have to. An investing pro can help you build a solid
strategy.
Find a SmartVestor Pro
BABY STEP 5: SAVE FOR YOUR CHILDREN’S COLLEGE FUND
By this step, you've paid off all debts (except the house) and started saving
for retirement. Next, it's time to save for your children’s college expenses
(that is, if they pass Algebra II and Chemistry). We recommend 529 college
savings plans or ESAs (Education Savings Accounts).
Learn to Save for College
BABY STEP 6: PAY OFF YOUR HOME EARLY
Now, bring it all home. Baby Step 6 is the big dog! Your mortgage is the only
thing between you and complete freedom from debt. Can you imagine your life with
no house payment? Learn how extra money put towards your mortgage can save you
tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars in interest with our Mortgage
Payoff Calculator.
Talk to a Mortgage Expert
BABY STEP 7: BUILD WEALTH AND GIVE
You know what people with no debt can do? Anything they want! The last step is
the most fun. You can live and give like no one else. Find out your current net
worth, then keep building wealth and become outrageously generous, all while
leaving an inheritance for your kids and their kids. Now that's what we call
leaving a legacy!
Calculate Your Net Worth
WHO IS DAVE RAMSEY?
More than 25 years ago, Dave Ramsey fought his way out of bankruptcy and
millions of dollars of debt. He took what he learned and started teaching people
God's and Grandma's ways of handling money. Since then, Financial Peace
University has helped nearly 10 million people take control of their money for
good. Today, The Ramsey Show, formerly known as The Dave Ramsey Show, reaches
more than 18 million listeners every week on the Ramsey Network radio show and
podcast.
GET A FREE CUSTOMIZED PLAN FOR YOUR MONEY!
Answer a few questions and we’ll create a custom plan just for you to help you
take control of your money. It only takes three minutes!
Take the Assessment
* Get Started
* Careers
* Contact Us
* Newsletter
* Newsroom
* Ramsey Press
* About
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram
* Debit Card Policy
* Privacy Policy
* Terms of Use
* Accessibility
* Editorial Guidelines
©2023 Lampo Licensing, LLC. All rights reserved.
x