Family App of the Week - Ask Dave

So, you’ve got your iPad and you’re not sure if it’s a must-have or just another thing that demands a cord.  Or perhaps you have an iPhone and aren't sure what apps are worth having and which are a waste of precious memory space.

We’re here to help, bringing you the best family applications for the iPhone and iPad. There are many apps vying for your attention, but SixSeeds is here to bring you the best ones available for families:

Title: Ask Dave

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

What It Does:  Dave Ramsey is one of America's best financial counselors for normal people trying to figure out how to not only get ahead but raise kids who are savvy with their cash too.  This new app is basically his show -- at your fingertips, divided up into various categories. Got a question about insurance? How do you raise kids to know how to give, save, and spend wisely?  Does your teen need a car?  Now you don't have to wade through info on his website or listen to his three hour show in the hope he'll touch on that subject.  Just download the app, find the category you're interested in, and listen to his no-nonsense advice.  His motto?  "We give you the same advice your grandmother would, except we keep our teeth in."

How does it help the family?

When Mom and Dad are wise with money, everyone benefits. In fact, many couples start to try to figure out their finances once they have children and realize that ramen noodles won't work in the long run.  So this app is helpful for parents generally trying to figure out their finances.  (How much should a family spend on groceries per week, for example?  If you get laid off and can't pay your VISA, how should you handle it?) However, it has more than practical advice about how to manage money, or a lack of money. 

It also has a lot to say to parents who are trying to raise children who know how to think of money in the correct way.  The Kids and Money category includes a wide range of topics, including, "Save for College Before a Roth IRA," "Teach Them Early,"  "How Should I Save for College," "Teaching them How to Spend," and several other topics from which to choose.

Because, let's face it.  Wouldn't it have been much easier if we'd grown up knowing not to put all out college text books on a credit card just because Visa was offering a free tee shirt and a slice of pizza that week in the quad?

Features: 

• Listen to clips from his radio show, on topics you select.
• Choose instead to read the question/answer when you are in places where audio isn't appropriate.
• Need some inspiration?  On Friday's shows, Dave asks people who have recently paid off their debt to call in and do the"debt free" scream.  Now, you can hear these callers any day of the week.  It makes it better that the producers also play Mel Gibson's "Freedom!" yell from Braveheart to coincide with the scream.
• If you find a call particularly inspirational, share them with your friends and family through e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter.

Price: Dave Ramsey is famous for hating credit cards.  He feels so passionately about this that you can't even use a credit card to buy his books off his website.  However, this app doesn't require a debit or credit card.  Because it's FREE.

Our Rating: 6 out of 6 Seeds