Helping others budget is her business

Sherry Ridge assists the person wanting to eliminate debt, as well as the couple having a tough time paying their mortgage.

Ridge, owner of Sherry Debt Free, teaches people how to get out of debt and create and follow a budget.

"It's all about choices," says Ridge, a Round Lake Beach resident for 20 years. For example, Ridge never buys a brand new car. She gives clients easy tips on how to save money. For example, she says that if women don't wear makeup one day a week, they'll save $60 a year.

For the past decade, Ridge has led Debt-Free & Prosperous Living workshops. She was certified by and works as an independent contractor for the Wisconsin-based company that sells the workshops.

Ridge is proof that the program works. Before she started teaching the method, she tried it herself. She paid off her 30-year mortgage in less than seven years.

She's now attempting to help others follow a simple budget.

"Money can't buy happiness. But your debt can stop a lot of things," she said.

Ridge said she works with clients living paycheck to paycheck and who don't have a plan.

Mainly working with couples, Ridge said she meets with clients twice, once to create a budget looking at all expenses, from manicures to golf outings. She creates a budget tailored to the client's needs and then creates a debt-elimination plan.

Ridge, 44, said the cost for the two-session consultation is $399.

She also holds a variety of workshops at area schools and park districts, including the College of Lake County, Harper College, Libertyville and Mundelein high schools and the Gurnee Park District.

Beginning in January, Ridge is attempting to reach more people. She will host a new weekly radio show addressing household budgeting, debt elimination, personal cost-cutting efforts and more.

The show airs at 1 p.m. Wednesdays on WRLR 98.3-FM or via the Web at www.wrlr.fm.

The first four shows will address the housing market. She will talk to mortgage brokers who will discuss foreclosures and what a new homeowner needs to look for when getting a mortgage. February will address tax returns.

Ridge also wrote a book titled "Practical Household Budgeting." She sells it for $25 on her Web site at www.sherrydebtfree.com.

Ridge, who grew up in Las Vegas, also volunteers in the community. For the past seven years she has taught English as Second Language classes at Mono A Mono Family Resource Center in Round Lake Park.

She hopes to soon launch less costly Internet sessions addressing how to get out of debt.

For more information, call (847) 740-9178.