Last night my husband and I graduated from Financial Peace University. FPU is a 9 week Biblical based class that teaches people how to handle our money God’s way. The great thing is whether you are a Christian or not you can get amazing results following this program.
I’d like to tell you in the past 9 weeks we have paid off all our debt and are sticking to our budget and investing in our future, but that would not be the truth or real life. See most families, couples and individuals are living out of control when it comes to finances. They spend more than they make, they think they can out earn their purchases and they don’t have any idea what they have for retirement or how they will live. We were not much different. In 2007 we were introduced to Dani Johnson’s WAR ON DEBT and have paid of over 6 figures in debt.
Then our income went up, babies came and we made some not so thought out investments that proved to be drains on our family’s income. Bleeding is what Dave Ramsey calls it. When you make a paycheck every month or every other week and have the money to pay your bills, you can many times get careless with your finances and stop looking at them carefully. So many individuals carry debt that BLEEDS your income and takes from your family.
Debt, especially credit card debt, with as little as 8% interest still can rob you and your family or the world from income that could be used for serving others or benefiting your family.
One of the key things I learned from taking this training is that I needed to change my mindset and thinking about debt and start REALLY HATING IT. For me I put it in perspective of helping children in desperate areas of the world get clothing, schooling, and food daily.
Compassion International is a reputable charitable organization that does just that. When I look at just 1 credit card bill, the interest alone could sponsor 2 children a month at $38 dollars each. And let’s not talk about the THOUSANDS I PAID in STUDENT LOAN Interest LAST YEAR. A WHOLE VILLAGE could have food and education for that BLEEDING.
So this is my resolve… HATE DEBT… owe no man nothing:
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Proverbs 22:7 ESV
I think I have been in slavery for a long time but didn’t realize it because I was earning such a great income. It’s not how much you make but HOW MUCH YOU KEEP.
So this is my new MINDSET and to really take it into practice at a deeper level and a level of accountability, I am going to take the class again. It really is excellent, and usually if you are a graduate you can take it again complimentary. I am very grateful for the men and woman who have gone before me and lived out these principles so I can see the benefits of living a life DEBT FREE, growing WEALTH and GIVING.
Check out Dave Ramsey’s website and find a class near you. It costs around $100 dollars but the average family can pay off about $5000 dollars in debt in 90 days if they get serious.
One of the accomplishments we have started is lowering our grocery bill. I love love love my friend Claudia Looi’s book How to Save Lunch Money and Take Your Family on a Yearly Dream Vacation.
I have been using at least 2 recipes a week out of the book and can save almost $50 dollars a week on the bad choices I was making before including grabbing an expensive salad out, or purchasing 20 dollars in lunch meats a week.
Saving money is FUN, paying off debt is really rewarding and building wealth so you can help someone else or even help entire families is AWESOME!
Let’s get out of debt together. WHO IS WITH ME? Who wants to take the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University or maybe RETAKE IT? I will be doing it I hope you will too. You can get back on track with your money or make it YOUR SLAVE.
God Bless your success,
Mary Starr Carter
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.