Personal finance.

Well, I guess this discussion goes here...

There is a Christian financial counselor named Dave Ramsey who has a 12 week course called "Financial Peace University" (FPU), and if you have never heard of him or it you should seriously look into it.

My wife and I have taken this course, and it has completely transformed our financial lives.

Art and money rarely flow together smoothly, and it is vital that we are smart with those resources that the Lord has given us. FPU will give you smart, solid, biblical principles on how to handle money- from everything from income to mortgages to insurance to retirement.

It is well worth the time. I would encourage you guys to find a church near you that is hosting the class, sign up, and enjoy.

Just thought I'd mention it.

Shalom.

In a very small nutshell, here are the things he teaches-

Pay off your debt. Scripture says "...the borrower becomes the lender's slave." (Proverbs 22:7) Debt is a burden, and ought to be treated as such. The other side of this coin is the teaching to NEVER borrow money. Credit cards are out.
Live below your means for now. The one repeating catch-phrase Ramsey uses is "Live like no one else, so later you can live like no one else." We sacrifice now so later in life, after we have managed our money well, we can live very comfortably. (Not necessarily rich, mind you, although that is very possible, but financially secure.) Budgeting, being smart with savings and investments can generate incredible funds compounded over the years. The sooner you start the better.
Later he amends his little mantra by saying "Live like no one else, so later you can GIVE like no one else." He makes the case that a church that is not only financially sound can change the world. Money can be a powerful tool in the works of righteousness, and imagine the blessings you would be free to do if money was not an issue. A person in financial bondage can only extend themselves financially so far.

He also says that "normal" these days is broke. So, his goal is to be completely weird.

My wife and I have applied his teachings, and I cannot tell you the impact it has had. In just under three years we managed to pay off our debt. (About $32,000.) So, we are completely and totally debt free.

We have no credit cards, haven't had them for about 5 years, and have built a financial cushion that can (and has) handled any emergency (car, house, etc.) that has come our way.

But to get there took time, and sacrifice, and as Ramsey says, "this is hard stuff." It really is not easy, but it was done essentially with budgeting, and watching our spending. Literally accounting for every penny that comes in the house. ...So much money slips through our fingers without us know where it goes. Well, now we control where it goes.

But, I'm rambling... check out the 25 minute preview. It is worth it.

Replies

Steve Crespo February 6, 2012 at 6:28am
In a very small nutshell, here are the things he teaches-
- Pay off your debt. Scripture says "...the borrower becomes the lender's slave." (Proverbs 22:7) Debt is a burden, and ought to be treated as such. The other side of this coin is the teaching to NEVER borrow money. Credit cards are out.
- Live below your means for now. The one repeating catch-phrase Ramsey uses is "Live like no one else, so later you can live like no one else." We sacrifice now so later in life, after we have managed our money well, we can live very comfortably. (Not necessarily rich, mind you, although that is very possible, but financially secure.) Budgeting, being smart with savings and investments can generate incredible funds compounded over the years. The sooner you start the better.
- Later he amends his little mantra by saying "Live like no one else, so later you can GIVE like no one else." He makes the case that a church that is not only financially sound can change the world. Money can be a powerful tool in the works of righteousness, and imagine the blessings you would be free to do if money was not an issue. A person in financial bondage can only extend themselves financially so far.
He also says that "normal" these days is broke. So, his goal is to be completely weird.

My wife and I have applied his teachings, and I cannot tell you the impact it has had. In just under three years we managed to pay off our debt. (About $32,000.) So, we are completely and totally debt free.

We have no credit cards, haven't had them for about 5 years, and have built a financial cushion that can (and has) handled any emergency (car, house, etc.) that has come our way.

But to get there took time, and sacrifice, and as Ramsey says, "this is hard stuff." It really is not easy, but it was done essentially with budgeting, and watching our spending. Literally accounting for every penny that comes in the house. ...So much money slips through our fingers without us know where it goes. Well, now we control where it goes.

But, I'm rambling... check out the 25 minute preview. It is worth it.

This reply was deleted.