Forget stock tips or get-rich-quick schemes. Radio talk-show host Dave Ramsey knows the key to financial independence is behavioral change.

"It's not just intellectual," says Ramsey, who was a millionaire in the 80s, then lost it all when the market collapsed. The lessons he learned he regularly shares with listeners of his radio show, as well as in live seminars, a newspaper column and several books.

The number one issue, Ramsey says, is changing how you manage cash flow.

"Most people live hand-to-mouth," he says. "There's wadded up receipts in the ashtray and they can't figure out why their taxes are so high, or why there's no money for groceries."

For truckers, who spend so much time on the road, it's vital to develop a written monthly budget, with a plan agreed upon by your spouse, for how much discretionary money can be spent and in what circumstances. Neither side can deviate from the plan without first communicating with the other.

"This saves the trucker from spending the grocery money on a movie when he's on the road, or the spouse who is at home from buying new furniture with money needed for gas," Ramsey says.

For owner-operators, Ramsey counsels having a separate checking account for your business and home. Use a debit card (credit cards are evil according to Ramsey) for each account. That way, when you're on the road, your fuel, meals and maintenance costs draw from the business account.

"You want to squeeze every dime out of your business to pay down debt," Ramsey says. "That means your plan must be not to buy a fancy piece of equipment while there is debt to pay."

Ramsey's mantra of "Beat debt, build wealth," offers a 12-step strategy to pay off debt and build a savings account. That, he can tell you from experience, is the key to financial independence.

Tune In

The Dave Ramsey Show is syndicated on 152 radio stations, as well as Sirius and XM Satellite Radio. To find out when the show airs on your local station, go to www.daveramsey.com.

Got Money Questions?
Ask financial expert Dave Ramsey