A few years ago, the recession had taken almost everything: 40% of my husband's income, 100% of our retirement, 100% of our savings. As a one-income family, we were staring down the barrel of mounting credit card debt and a house rapidly decreasing in value. Our home was still above water and so we decided to sell it and use the profit to pay off our debts and start over with a clean slate. Then we found Dave Ramsey. We went to a cash-only/envelope system, made huge cuts to our family budget and within a year, our financial situation improved. Most importantly, we were able to stay in our home. Here's the thing: I didn't really know he was a Christian until after we'd been using his system. I didn't really care whether he was a Christian. His little cash-envelope system worked and THAT'S what mattered to me.

Maybe I'm clueless but I never once thought Ramsey was teaching a get-rich plan. His advice was practical and accessible and for someone who hates all things money-related, Ramsey's system was easy-to-follow.

I've had family members and friends in desperate financial straits for whom Ramsey's system worked wonders. All this to say, I'm really grateful for Dave Ramsey and honestly, I find the criticism against him baffling.

A recent list of "20 Things the Rich Do Everyday" that was posted to his website has stirred up a bunch of controversy. I dunno. I read it and was like: huh, makes sense to me. Sure, I wondered where he got his stats. But for the most part, I didn't see what was so crazy-awful about it. Reading books and exercising---these are good things, right? There are reasons successful people are successful and I'm not entirely sure I understand why stating these things is Horrible, Awful, Prejudicial and Shaming?

I did find Rachel's piece on CNN helpful inasmuch as she pointed out that "Corley and Ramsey have confused correlation with causation here by suggesting that these habits make people rich or poor." Good point!

Still, I'm not entirely convinced this means Ramsey is "wrong about poverty" as a whole. What am I missing? Someone explain it to me? (Long comments OK! Just don't call me ignorant or immature, k? :) )

Speaking of name-calling, that's when I started feeling uncomfortable with Ramsey. When he  started calling his critics immature, doctrinally shallow and ignorant and then failed to provide answers to honest questions about where he got his stats for that post (at least, I haven't seen them anywhere), I suddenly felt queasy. Then he took on the martyr mantle by claiming he was receiving "abusive" criticism. Does he really not understand how social media works? 

To be honest, I couldn't understand why he was so defensive. If he stands behind what he teaches, why stoop to name-calling? As someone who often gets criticized for her blog content, I understand how difficult it is to respond to criticism. The attacks often feel personal. I've made mistakes in how I respond and I've learned the hard way that responding with personal attacks; ie. name-calling, getting overly defensive, etc. only makes one problem into two.

I mean, I like Dave Ramsey's system but now I'm not sure I like Dave Ramsey. His debt-elimination plan is awesome but he's kinda acting like a jerk online. And these days, business is just as much social-media savvy as it is IRL practical advice.

I mean, if Dave Ramsey acts like this online, I've gotta guess he might be a meanie IRL, too. Something just smells fishy, is all I'm saying. What is going on, here???

Still, I like my little cash-envelope system. Excuse me while I go check my emergency cash fund.

UPDATED AT 12:20PM PST: I've been listening to Dave Ramsey on the radio this morning. And it's just really sad. His posture is prideful. He's refusing to engage the actual substance of those who have questioned him. He's mocking. He's mean. He's only taking calls from people who agree with him. Just whoa. WHOA. Very telling.