Working my plan (the 7 Baby Steps), the average person can pay off all their debt in 18 to 24 months. Some folks can do it faster, and for some, it takes a little longer. But during this time, your financial focus should be on nothing but getting out of debt. Once that’s done, you’ll find you have a lot more control over your biggest wealth-building tool—your income. | Dave Ramsey

When you’re working through the first three Baby Steps, you need to attack them with everything you’ve got. Save $1,000, pay off all your debt using the debt snowball, then build a fully funded emergency fund of 3–6 months of expenses. Once you do that, you’ll feel a level of freedom and peace you’ve never had before. No more stress, no more payments—just breathing room and control over your money. But to get there, you have to commit. You have to be so focused that your broke friends think you’

The 7 Baby Steps are a proven, step-by-step plan to take control of your money and build wealth. First, save $1,000 as a starter emergency fund. Then, knock out all debt except your house. Once you’re debt-free, build up 3–6 months of expenses. From there, you’ll invest, save for college, and pay off your home early so you can live and give like no one else. Follow this plan and you’ll change your life forever. | Dave Ramsey