Financial Peace University This Fall

When the kids head off to school this fall, consider taking a course  yourself:  Financial Peace University.  This is a program created by Dave Ramsey, known for his syndicated radio show and speaking engagements. 

I consider myself a pretty savvy consumer, and my husband is also a conservative guy. He frequently listens to Dave's show during his commute, so when a course was offered through a nearby church last year - childcare included - we decided to see if ol' Dave could teach us anything.

I admit we had misgivings.  Would we be asked to divulge personal information?  Would balance sheets be illuminated on a PowerPoint slide?  What sort of people would be in the class?  We speculated on a whole cast of characters.  They could be seniors who had lost their nest eggs gambling in Vegas, bankrupt entrepreneurs, or maybe families living hand-to-mouth.  We were none of those things, and were maybe even a bit prideful, admiring Warren Buffet over Donald Trump.

We needn't have worried.  The sessions were like a book club, only with video of Ramsey's seminars.  There was discussion, but it was more along the lines of negotiating for better deals, evaluating necessities, and avoiding all forms of debt.  Several participants were engaged couples or newly expecting parents, which I thought spoke well of their preparation for the next phase of their lives. The highlight of the class was near the end, when some participants ceremoniously cut up credit cards with an industrial pair of shears in a procedure known as a "plastectomy".  My greatest personal discomfort was in the realization that bringing a Starbucks cup into class would not reflect well on my judgment.

Dave's program is faith-based with frequent references to scriptures, though the program does not emphasize any denomination. Most church-sponsored programs charge only for materials, which last year were around $70.   In our case, I think we benefitted most from having a weekly "money date" that allowed us to review our expectations and appreciate progress toward our common goals. 

 Birmingham Area Financial Peace University classes beginning this fall include (click below to view):