Donating 10 percent of ur income when u make under $3k is nuts I believe in giving back once ur out of the hole

She does this every time it’s a lower budget. She did one with a single person bringing home 4k/month and just ✨magically✨ added 1000/mo to make the budget work. Hello! We want a video showing you budgeting with these incomes, not just making money appear out of nowhere! Love the Baby Steps, but these income budgeting videos are a bit out of touch.

Giving doesnt always involve money. The power of a budget is working with what is actually coming in now

I understand the giving part, but I say they can put that on hold and use that money to pay off there own debts first as them being financially stable is more important than worrying about other people if I’m honest

How would you budget $3,200? Increase budget to $4,350…. 🤦‍♂️

Why would you ever recommend giving 10% of their income when they are drowning in debt. Telling them to make more money and use your app is not that helpful. If Ramsey considers you a budget EXPERT, then I'd be concerned about your teaching overall.

For those asking, this is our real budget! We don’t have a Costco or Aldi anywhere near us. We’ve already scraped our monthly budget down as much as possible. Rachel, I had a feeling you would suggest an increase in income.. we are working on it! Thank you!

This isn’t how you’d budget $3200 like the title suggests. You had to increase their income to pay off debts. Go back to the 2800 they originally had and show how you’d budget $2800 and free up margin so they can pay off debts with their current income like you said you was going to do in the introduction. Have them go to Aldi to save on groceries, have them cut subscriptions so basically they are on utilities, transportation, and food until they can pay off debts. If you wanted to show her gazelle intensity and the debt snowball you could’ve titled your video differently so it fit with your presentation. I spend less than $2600 monthly, it can be done!

I think giving 10% is too much. Only give, if you can.

This really makes me angry. Before she added$280 for giving they had almost $200 extra and their budget which they could use for their emergency fund or to start paying down their debt. It's sad that Ramsey solutions has to stick to their talking points rather than making budgets flexible to fit people

I love the budgeting videos but giving 10% with that income and the amount of debt they have doesn’t make sense.

The adding income thing is important, but I don’t think it’s helpful to just go “here, we’re gonna add in X”. Finding a side hustle is difficult, same with finding a job with higher income. We gotta deal with what we got. Even if this budget isn’t meant for long term, should maybe at least say “for the next X months till we find a new job”. 🤷

That's a no to giving. You can be a good person and not give monetarily

I would not give if you can’t afford it. I would give max $10 a month. That’ll leave you money to pay off your debt. Cancel subscription

"How I would budget $2800 a month" "I wouldn't"

Giving 10% with this income is just way too much at this point. Try 2% or something!

Charity begins at home, they need to keep that 10% to help pay their debt.

I usually love these videos but honestly this was really disappointing.

I wish these videos excluded adding the fictitious additional income to the budgets. Not everyone can make additional income…

If you expect them to give 10% every month, the giving needs to go up with each increase in income - you completely left that out 😮

How I Budget Living Debt-Free on $2500 Social Security & Pension = Housing $1175, Utilities $75, Phone $15, Bus Pass $50, Food $200, Health Insurance $150, Subscriptions $55, Clothing $20, Personal Care/Household $20, Miscellaneous $40, Savings $700.

I’m totally a big Ramsey fan but I do agree with these comments. They both could definitely be working more but the giving almost $300 in such a time of need is s bit much

I don't think they should give money. Their budget is already tight. They can volunteer to give!

If I was advising this couple I would tell them to cut out there giving for a while that's $280 that they can put and beef up their miscellaneous or emergency fund without having to go out and get another job

So the answer is, they don’t make enough money… they asked for help with the current budget. Obviously everyone would like to make more money but that shouldn’t be the go to answer in this situation. What can they do with what they already have?! Also you can’t help others if your own house is on fire… stop donating!!! Until the debt is paid off.

This is very interesting because I have similar income but it seems like the answer for the Ramsey family is always to get another job and that's not always possible. I'm on disability and I'm almost 63 years old so working a job isn't an option for me. I would prefer that you didn't add extra income from jobs to budget reviews like this to see what other suggestions you would have. That being said I do agree with the giving because I believe that giving releases God's blessings on us I personally have done that but I have slacked off and it hurts my soul little bit!

I don't understand why they had to give 10% which put them over the budget. Couldn't they just stop for a little while or give $10? What if the husband can't put anymore towards the income because it's all going into his business? What if they are both putting more time in the business? A side hustle is tiring and what if they have a lot of kids? I mean come on. Believe me... most side jobs aren't paying $20 an hour and she didn't account for the taxes in the side hustle which would have lowered the money they would gotten.

That’s so silly - they simply can’t afford to give $280 You literally added some more money , instead working w/ what they presented to you - meh

Americans waste 40% off food on avg a year. If you started to write the food down that is wasted each week/ month in your household. You can base your food budget on what you actually eat and not what you think you want to buy. Might not work for everyone but can help some people cut their food bills down. Freezing fresh produce is a great way to cut down on waste

Her budget is pretty lean. Maybe she could find a cheaper internet service provider. They are going to have to increase their income. I would have added a deadline for the gym to turn a profit or else the husband needs to get a full time job. That’s the biggest issue. There are so many chain type gyms that mom and pop gyms don’t often survive. Most do better doing personal training as a good side hustle with no overhead. Do it at the client’s home or a room in your home.

Why tell them to give money when they are so tight.

give to the poor, give them a blanket , some food etc until you get in a better place financially. You are still giving or u can always give you time to something or even give out hugs, listening ear etc. give according to where you at

This is exactly what I’m thinking this I have about the same income and there is nothing else I can cut so now I realize I HAVE to increase my income no other way at the moment 😢

250 to a church WITH THAT INCOME is wiiiild

Maybe she will win the lotto also.

I was expecting you would make a budget based on the $2800 as it currently is and not talk about what might happen in the future. Increasing income might not be realistic for everyone. This is contradictory to "The 7 Baby Steps" which says to give at step 7 after paying off debt, saving 3-6 months, investing, saving for college, and paying off the house. I don't think it's financially responsible to give $280 when $18,000 in debt. To give a little is fine or give with time, but not at that proportion, as you said it's already a slim budget. What's your reasoning behind giving such a high amount? However, I do believe this is a great video of what they should work toward, and is inspiring to show what they could have in the future.

Can we take a week off from the telestrations ad please 😂 As someone who watches all of your videos it's really wearing me down lol😅

I was hoping for some real help when I seen the title...I'm 63 working nights cleaning, getting a second job at 20 dollar an hour isn't a possibility for me, and I wont use an app that has access to my bank account, I was hoping for something not using that every dollar app. Can you please do another video working this budget just using $2800 a month without all the "what if's" or your company app.

I agree with everyone else about 10% giving being too high for this scenario. I also want to point out the additional $140 for selling household items isn't a guarantee to help balance this budget every month. Some months will be higher, others are going to be lower, some months will end with payments pending, etc. and at a certain point (if we're following Dave's old school tactics) there won't be anything left to list. To be more realistic, that monthly income should be less than 2700. 😕

She saw that this budget is barebones on today's world, so she had to add "what if " scenarios have anything to offer. - and besides, i think these series are just ads to get people to download and pay for their premium app. - " Drink your ovaltine," iykyk

Heres the giving hack: Find someone you work with that makes the same as you and is also drowing in debt, then give each other $280 a month (10%) as your charity. Boom, got your giving covered and no longer in the red.

We are faithful givers to our church; we feel good when we practice generosity 10%

Okay so how are you able to keep a miscellaneous category that low? Ours is at least $300 and we still go over all the time. For example last month this was our miscellaneous spending: kids bowling birthday party $125, kid lost shoes $50, school pictures $17, license a vehicle $55, hair cut $45, unexpected doctor bill $250.

Now I now why I Don’t usually watch these . You usually don’t help .

I don’t really understand this Rachel you could do much better in a lot of different categories and helping these this couple. Now I understand 10% for the church but if you cannot give to the church because you’re struggling that should be the first thing easily to give up and I know that God would want them to first clean their own house before helping others. It’s similar analogy to first put on your mask before putting on someone else’s mask in an airplane when some emergency happens right you can’t help others and you can’t Help God if you can’t help yourself. No outside of the giving which is 10% of their budget. Their electricity is very high for a less than $800 mortgage home in the area that I live in in the country that’s a very small starter home 800 ft.² I was able to get my electric bill down to about 150. They can definitely do some things around the electricity to lower their bill. Now groceries. $350 I’m sure that two people can budget less than $250. There are multiple ways of doing this one. I would say look at things like Aldi and Costco what people don’t realize is that you can get someone to give you a Costco gift card without being a Costco member that’s a little bit of a hack, but that would save them a lot of money and also budget groceries, if they save another hundred dollars in this category they’re almost at the $500 mark that you were mentioning here these are all low hanging fruit . I don’t know how they have a phone for $10 a month and a random subscription for $12 but I will say again these aren’t needs. This is an emergency they should be putting everything to loans. They shouldn’t be any subscriptions. There shouldn’t be any thing that they don’t need. Fact, if you look at Clark Howard, there are some phone providers that are free now you only get 500 minutes and no text messaging but if you only need a phone to communicate once in a while and you’re in an emergency why not do that that would bring their bill down to zero. I was expecting to see a bit more hacks suggestions, but all this was the first part of this was selling something then again, selling their own product for their budgeting software, and then she didn’t even do anything she didn’t provide any guidance other than increase your income, almost anyone could say that This is very sad … in fact, a lot of the numbers don’t make sense to me why would you have a monthly doctor bill? Does that mean that that’s a debt that she’s paying monthly because that’s not in their debt section here there’s other things in this that make no sense like no money in childcare no money in various other categories that almost everyone has a little bit of budget that they need to put in there so this looks almost like a fake budget that she’s just talking about this fake Anne and then she doesn’t even give Anne any pointers . I mean I can tell anyone oh well you need to pay off your debt maybe you should get a second job that’s easy what’s hard and just like Americans is actually cutting what about rice and beans that her father talks about all the time and this scenario, they should be rice and beans and rice and beans.

I would love to see how Ramsey Solutions budgets social security checks for elderly people in poverty who cannot physically go back to work.

Did I miss them not having rent or a mortgage??? In real life that’s where the most of our income goes . Then groceries , utilities, debt

I sure hope they are not going to Publix with such small margin. Should have said Walmart

Here is the million-dollar question for us Rachel. Hope you can help. We have zero debt. Mortgage paid in full. Newer cars paid in full, no CC debt, no loans, NOTHING. We have a healthy cash savings, SEP IRA, Roth IRA, investment portfolio and a state pension $$ coming in. Household income still at 200K. Here is the problem. We are uncomfortable being comfortable! Raised very poor like so many in America. We sacrificed vacations and many things to be debt free and build our retirement wealth. NOW it's so hard to spend our money. I agonize over buying anything over $300.00 anymore because we have lived being frugal most of the time. Afraid of being poor again ALWAYS ways in my mind when purchasing things. Even though we can pay cash for just about anything we may want and not even hurt us at all. How do we now get passed this mindset of its okay now to spend what you have saved and earn still. I am 59 and wife is 62. Any help would be great on how to enjoy it now. What steps to help change that mind set Rachel. You may share this question and answer if you like on your show because I know there has to be others out their just like us.

I understand the need for giving back, but if you can't give your money, give back your time. Sometimes charitable givings are not in the books

Giving definitely is a protective hedge for simple obedience. Too bad everyone wasn't raised with this knowledge. Hopefully one day everyone can understand.

I’m making $3,440 before taxes and taking home $2,640 per month. So how can she be taking home $2,800, can someone explain?

I think some people in the comments are missing the fact that she makes videos like this as guidelines and ideas. If you dont like a certain part, dont do that part. Just because there are some parts you dont like doesnt mean that the entirety of the video is bad advice. Take bits and pieces and fit it to your own budget/life.

I can understand some people's frustrations about increasing their income rather than finding areas in their budget to improve. The fact of the matter is they have a tight budget with a lot going towards debt and small income. They need more cash flow.

Absolutely ridiculous that these people should give anything until they are out of debt. I'm aware of what her dad Dave Ramsey says about this subject but it should be based on disposable income - what's left after the essentials are paid for. It costs everyone exactly the same amount for basic living costs. The choices you make after covering the basics can be significant if you are a multi-millionaire or zero if you have a budget of $3,000/month. Be realistic!

I could be totally wrong but I know that the Bible says to donate 10% of your income and if she's using that as the guideline and forcing that onto their budget I think that is not okay. The Lords word does tell us to not owe another and if she has debt then she should solely focus on paying that debt off and once freed from the debt she can begin to donate to her church. They're literally living at the BARE minimum and asking for guidance and adding a whopping $230 to donation is WILD! At least, if you feel so inclined, just start with $10. Some is better than none.

This isn't real life budgeting. She is just adding and should drop giving for a little bit..

I was looking forward to see what she could do with a tight budget. What in the make believe was this? 😂 Why even do a tight budget? This was not helpful 😂

Where can we get the budgeting sheet? :)

In this scenario, it would be feasible to cut the $85 dollars from the tithes. I understand working extra hours and all. But I have health issues and I can’t work any more than I currently do. So this is possibly for healthier individuals.

Sell the gym. It’s a sink hole. No profit is a bad sign.

you said their budget is slim and have debt. 2800 is not a lot a month. they're in NO postion right now to give away 280. maybe after debt is paid.

The husband brings in zero dollars. She’s saying he needs to bring something in. He can do doordash or Uber on the weekend and make a few extra hundred dollars a month. They can’t make it on just her income with this kind of debt.

Not realistic! Do the budget with what they actually are making! This imaginary world thing just makes people feel like something is wrong with them because they aren’t there. It isn’t realistic for most people to just start making more money because they want to. It is a fantasy! So horrible for psychological wellbeing.

I love this series!!!!

Thats the power of your imagination. How do you teach someone to budget on low income... give 10 percent when you cant and work more when her husband cant.... learn what your customers are asking

I think I’m just here for the same opinion. Why give $280, it’s 2024 and I feel like giving would be tipping or something else. Obviously this is just a template no hate, but I just don’t think realistically it is reliable to give $280 a month to church when you have kids or even animals. You could make that money work for you. I like giving but not unnecessarily.

I wish I could use the every dollar app :(

Bruh take out the 10%

Too much Giving, Pay yourself

Tax cuts disguised as "giving out of your good heart" is fine if you are a millionaire but suggesting 10% giving for someone on low income is disgusting. Shame on you.

Lower the giving category. Simple.

God definitely wants us to give our 10% each paycheck. However, God understands life can put a money wrench 🔧 in our lives. Scripture states in Leviticus 27:30-31. If one wishes to redeem part of their tithes. One can do so. But you must add a 1/5th to the tithe when you’re able to pay the entire 10%. God knows all. So if you cannot give your whole tithe. Give what you can. When you are able to give your 10% then do so!

That’s not budgeting for 2800. That’s saying it’s impossible so let’s pretend that actually 2800 isn’t your budget, let’s just add in another 1500 that doesn’t exist! So in fact she budgeted for 4300!! Disappointing, not everyone can have a side hustle…

You’re not budgeting what she has just making money come out of nowhere. 😅

I really wish every dollar was available in Canada

This doesn't help. What if you are in 60's? If your debt, you don't have extra money to give.

Guess what.. people with no debt who are on a fixed income STILL live paycheck to paycheck! You are CRAZY

Rachel has seen hundreds, if not thousands, of real people come in to Ramsey Solutions to do their debt free screams, and the reality is that most of them, especially the lower income people, had to sacrifice and work long hours for a short season in order to have the margin to pay off their debt. She is not out of touch with reality. She sees it all the time in her line of work! Bottom line, you can't expect to make progress with $2800 a month. If the numbers don't work, change them! :)

Who’s paying less then 800 for rent or mortgage.. that’s not realistic

I am appalled at all of you slamming Rachel for the giving of 10%. As a single mom for many years and as a Christian woman, I found that by tithing 10% even when I felt I didn’t have it to give, God provided with a raise or a bonus and most recently with family members living with me paying rent helps me with my mortgage. Don’t knock til you try it. Oh and I did work 2 sometimes 3 jobs.

This is not that helpful of a video. I am a teacher and my take home pay is $2,800 a month. I wanted to see a budget with that amount like the title suggested. Her advice was to make more money lollll… wow. I work soooo many hours as a teacher that getting a second job is not really an option. I have been trying to just leave education all together 🙃 and this video was a reminder of why

mmmkay, she just kept adding in more and more money. I feel like that's not really that helpful. If they had more money they may not have needed help budgeting. I understand sometimes you need to take up side hustles or a second job to make ends meet but she's just making these numbers up out of the blue.

Nice info, but SLOW DOWN. Don't talk like you're shot out of a cannon. Before it registers in my brain WHAT you're doing, I completely missed the HOW. I'll have pause and/or play back at a slower speed. Thanks.

So funny her first to steps is to spend money someone doesn't have, and then get more money! HAHAH what a joke.

Yeah, I thought about opening my own farm, but its a long and complicated process. Im just investing in Cannafarm ltd farms and earning every day

So you created a 10 minute video.. you put a sponsored ad for 30 seconds made zero changes to the expenses magically added 12 hours of extra work without accounting for taxes… (which means her side hustle would pay more than her job per hour)… and you want $500 from an unprofitable gym driving the family further into debt… like come on just cause you have a radio audience doesn’t mean you don’t put any effort into these videos… that’s pure lazy. No one would even pay you $20 an hour for videos like these Rachel… “bless your heart” Ramsey solutions should stick to creators like George that think through stuff before posting it and don’t work in fantasy land (where a side hustle pays more than your job)

For those saying they don’t need to give 10% clearly haven’t read their Bible. The scripture talks about tithing as a commandment and the word tithe means 10%. Tithing is about giving back to God a portion of what He has already given you. It’s about saying “Lord, even though I don’t have much to give, I’m going to trust you to provide my needs.” I have found it to be true that God will definitely supply all of your needs. God bless 😊

Even then I’m taking home 2300 a month working at Lamborghini dealership driving cars around all day… Still can’t make ends meet

She is giving too much if her budget is this tight & she has to sell things from her home.. cut that in half. She can’t afford it. I usually watch your videos but this one is ridiculous sorry. I had to stop it halfway through.

Terrible

Can you do a budget on $1,300 a month

Giving $280? I was thinking maybe 50 or something.. Jesus.