My Weekend With Dave Ramsey

Yup, that’s me on the left, my darling wife Melanie on the right, and in the center- Dave Ramsey himself.  How did that happen?  How did we go from having a simple, cheap, weekend planned to being backstage with Dave Ramsey himself?  I’m still not quite sure.  But here’s what I remember…

It all began back at the end of last year when Dave announced that he would be coming to Orlando, FL for both his EntreLeadership 1-Day Event and Dave Ramsey LIVE! in March.  Melanie and I have been working on Dave’s Total Money Makeover for just over a year now and we’re down to our last debt (my car, I’m an idiot, and it’ll be paid-off by December).  We had missed Dave’s live event the year before and we promised ourselves if he came back to Florida, we’d go.  So when the email alert popped in my mailbox that we could get advance tickets at a low price I thought- “Score!  See Dave AND save money!  That’s just a double good idea!”

 So Melanie and I looked at all the ticket prices and options.  The DRLive Team has so many great ways to enjoy these events.  VIP seatings, lunches, backstage meetings- the works!  But being on Baby Step 2, Melanie and I opted to go cheap- the lowest priced, general admission tickets to both events and a deep discount hotel night.  Everything paid in cash and a weekend trip that wouldn’t follow us home.  Turns out, it’s one that will stay with us forever.

Friday, March 16, 2012; EntreLeadership 1-Day Event

Mornings and I have always been “frenimies.”  I appreciate them, but I hate them.  My bed is ridiculously comfortable (we call it the marshmallow) and getting out of it just seems stupid.  So to have to wake up at 5:30 am is asking a lot.  But there we were, up and getting ready for EntreLeadership.

I’d been once before to a simulcast last year.  It was a game-changer for me and gave me a completely new perspective on how I approach people, leadership, and my work.  Melanie had never been, but was a big fan of the Podcast.  So we were both looking forward to a great day.

And a great day it was.  We got motivated.  We got informed.  We even got to meet Chris LoCurto, Dave’s VP and one of the original EntreLeaders!

Me, Chris, and Melanie at EntreLeadership 1-Day!

It was an amazing day filled with great knowledge and huge inspiration.  I filled a note book with ideas and my Twitter timeline with quotes (you’re welcome followers- the rest of you missed out BIG!). 

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be writing a lot about my take-aways, but let me start with this; you have more power to influence and affect your work, your team, and your success than you realize.  Want to make changes?  Want things to improve?  Start with you and the rest will follow. 

Saturday, March 17, 2012; Dave Ramsey LIVE! Event

After such an inspiring day for work on Friday, I couldn’t wait for Saturday to be inspired about my own life and money.  I had no idea just how amazing it would become.

We planned to arrive at the UCF Arena around 11:00am.  The event didn’t start until 1:00pm, but the bands play early, there are opening speakers, and the seating was general admission.  So we wanted to be early and ready to take full advantage.  So there we were, standing in line with our $20 tickets, listing to Dave’s IT team rock the stage.  When suddenly, this couple comes up to us and says, “come with us, we’re going backstage.”  Turns out, they were from Magnify Credit Union in our very own town of Lakeland, FL.  They had purchased the full Backstage Experience and somehow had extras.  Without knowing anything more than “we were there” they decided to extend to me and Melanie the chance of a life time.  Within moments, we were being taken around the side of the building and ushered into the VIP area where we ordained with badges and put in a line to meet Dave Ramsey himself.

Our Key to the Kingdom!

The day was incredible.  Want to know how good our seats were?  Check out these photos from our seats to the stage…

I had one big goal for the day- to meet Jon Acuff.  I am such a huge fan of his blogs, his books, and his work.  So my day wouldn’t have been complete if I hadn’t had the chance to have him sign a book for my brother and take a quick picture.  And wouldn’t you know it…

That’s an official “Side-Hug” right there.  Doesn’t get much better.

I still am not sure how it all happened.  Frankly, the math just doesn’t add-up.  We spent a total of $300. That included the event tickets, the hotel room, Financial Peace University at the event price, and a couple of books.

I ran the math.  We ended up with almost $700 worth of stuff! 

I think Dave would be proud of that.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be writing a lot about what I’ve learned.  While the suitcase is empty and the laundry is done, I’ve still got a lot of unpacking to do from that weekend.  But right now, I just have to say this.

Thank you.  Thank you to Dave Ramsey, Chris LoCurto, Jon Acuff, Rachel Cruze, and Becky from the DRLive team.  And thank you to each and every team member and volunteer.  You all made for one of the most memorable, inspiring, and truly incredible weekends I’ve ever had in my life.  The memories are priceless and I can’t wait to take everything I’ve learned forward.  It deserves to be shared and share it I will.  So thank you all for the gift and know that I plan on using it to the fullest.

Thank you to the people of Magnify Credit Union in Lakeland, FL for unexpectedly making our day that much better.

And thank you most to my wonderful wife, Melanie, for making it that much more fun by being there to share it all with me.

Now, time to get to work…