FINANCE
Let a Little Life Happen First
CBN.com
– These days it pays to be smart about money. That's why it's important to take this wise counsel from financial expert Dave Ramsey.
Dear Dave,
I'm 19, and I have a job making $30,000 a year. I've also got about $40,000 in stocks and $10,000 in savings. I want to buy a house in the near future. Should I pay cash and buy it outright, or is a 15-year mortgage okay?
–Sam
Dear Sam,
I love the idea of paying cash for a house, but I'm even more impressed that you've got so much you could put toward a house and a job making $30,000 a year at age 19. Man, you're really kicking it!
But the thing that keeps sticking in my mind is that you're still just 19-years-old. Now, there's nothing wrong with being 19, but there's also nothing wrong with waiting a few years and getting a little more life experience under your belt before you take on a mortgage.
At times like this, I think about what I'd tell my own son at your age. And honestly, I think I'd advise him to wait and let life happen for a while. You've done some amazing things, but I think the best thing would be to keep piling up cash. Then, take a look and see how you feel and what your life is like in four or five years.
You've got lots of time and a huge head start already. When the time is right, either pay cash or do a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage. And if you take out a mortgage, make sure the monthly payments are no more than 25 percent of your take-home pay.
– Dave
For more financial advice and a special offer to our readers, please visit www.davesays.org.
 Dave Ramsey is America's trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, EntreLeadership and Smart Money Smart Kids. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 8 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.
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