On Nerds and Overgrown Toddlers (or Death Do We Part)

Hello folks, let’s chat… My man and I have been going through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University with a group from our church, facilitated by our number one son. Confession? I’m finding it surprisingly enjoyable. Who knew Mr. Ramsey was so funny? Okay, obviously a lot of people, but it was news to me and it sure helps the money medicine go down. By the way, this isn’t a paid advertisement, though I’m not “agin it” as the old farmer would say. (Dave, have your people call my people. I’ll even toss in some tips for your next seminar.)

Seriously, I’m learning a lot, like why money issues are the leading cause of divorce in this country and how my initial reluctance to the program can be traced to what Dave calls my financial personality. Yeah, Mr. Ramsey identifies two types of financial folks, money nerds and free spirits. Money nerds love budgets and spreadsheets, free spirits are allergic to numbers and planning. Dave says money nerds can come off as control freaks and free spirits as overgrown toddlers. For what it’s worth, I’ve noticed that money nerds aren’t interested in free spirits leaving them cute little stories on their check stubs, either. (That’s free right there, Dave. I threw it in to sweeten the deal.)

My classmates and I agree that it gets interesting when nerds and free spirits marry, and by interesting we mean carrying the potential for violence.

At least that’s been the takeaway from our small group discussions. We’re convinced Mr. Ramsey is doing more than rescuing budgets. He’s saving lives, as evidenced by one charming couple, whose names I’ve hereby changed so I won’t have to go into the witness relocation program. In the first session, Dave prompted us to introduce ourselves to the group along with our reason for taking the program.

The husband went first. “My name is John Doe,” he began. “I’m here because my wife made me come.”

To which his spouse added, “My name is Jane Doe– and I’m here so I won’t kill him in his sleep.”

Hugs,Shellie