FPU Reflections

Last Sunday evening we finished our most recent Financial Peace University (FPU) class. As always, it was good for us to go through the material. We are constantly learning and growing along with the class each time we coordinate. Just like a good novel or Scripture, the is gold to mined for our lives each time that inevitably applies directly to whee we are in our current journey.

This class is harder than most for me to say goodbye to. Believe me when I say that I am happy to reclaim the hours back into my schedule. Yet, the diversity and insight that these class members brought was very enjoyable. I know that these families will do well. And the Kingdom will be better for it. Here's a snapshot of the couples involved:

• There always seems to be a level of attrition for any FPU course. This couple was unable to continue do to childcare issues and concerns over pregnancy complications. They were really growing. They are starting a home based business. My hope is that they will build in the foundation of the first 4-5 weeks and jump into another class when life settles for them a bit.


• This couple in their late 40's came because her mother and father paid for then to do it. They were reluctant and missed several classes but you could tell that they were seeing the benefit of the material. The mother who paid the way passed on during the course which I think helped them want to honor the gift. They too I hope will build upon what they have and return to it again.


• My third couple are remarried and just beginning the "empty nest" stage. They came into the class looking to learn each week and you could see it in their reactions and looks to one another as the videos played that it was sinking in and they were "getting it". They are type A personalities and they are going to kick down their debt and begin to pass the baton to others, you can just tell.


• The next couple is in their 20s and yet to have their first child. They fire me up because they are starting out on a road that will involve a much smaller hole to dig out of and the building process and winning will come more quickly. They are bright and gifted and I can see them free to do the work they are wired to do and never have to have a plain old "job" just to make the ends meet -- VERY COOL


• The last couple is by no means the least. This pair included a very reluctant spouse. The husband came (barely) to the opening classes because his wife dragged him along. After the budgeting lesson they put the wheels in motion that have revolutionized their finances, and I believe their marriage and lives. He works independently and travels a lot. He mentioned Sunday that the ability to not have to worry about where the money is coming to cover the week's expenses has given him peace. They killed all of their credit card debt during the class and their debt snowball is really rolling. The extra cool thing is that they did it while she is not working. This stuff works!

I'm not sure at what point we will be offering the class again but I encourage everyone, no matter how well off you are, to get into FPU and explore God's and grandma's way of handling your finances.

Dave Ramsey's 3 things to do if you are struggling with Hope

If you were not able to attend a venue or listen via radio to Dave Ramsey's Town Hall for Hope last night you definitely missed out. There is much to talk about from the event but I wanted to post the 3 things he shared in closing. Addressed specifically to those who have lost or are struggling having Hope during these uncertain days.

1) GET UP -- TAKE ACTION

- You will never win sitting still

- "there is a great place to go when you are broke ... to work"

2) DONT PARTICIPATE IN LOSER TALK

- your attitude determines your altitude

- be a reader/ feed your mind

3) LEARN TO GIVE AGAIN

- America is the most well off, we need to rediscover giving

- give not just money, but time

For more information, resources, and to find out what you can do next; check out townhallforhope.com .

One Week Until The Town Hall For Hope

One week from tonight is the big event. Join us at CRMC and hear what Dave has to say.

Dave Ramsey Town Hall For Hope

We are hosting this event at CRMC. Join in saying, "I am an American and I refuse to participate in this recession!"

Dave Ramsey's Common Sense fix to the money crisis

Years of bad decisions and stupid mistakes have created an economic nightmare in this country, but $700 billion in new debt is not the answer. As a tax-paying American citizen, I will not support any congressperson who votes to implement such a policy. Instead, I submit the following three steps:

Common Sense Plan.

I. INSURANCE
A. Insure the subprime bonds/mortgages with an underlying FHA-type insurance. Government-insured and backed loans would have an instant market all over the world, creating immediate and needed liquidity.
B. In order for a company to accept the government-backed insurance, they must do two things:
1. Rewrite any mortgage that is more than three months delinquent to a 6% fixed-rate mortgage.
a. Roll all back payments with no late fees or legal costs into the balance. This brings homeowners current and allows them a chance to keep their homes.
b. Cancel all prepayment penalties to encourage refinancing or the sale of the property to pay off the bad loan. In the event of foreclosure or short sale, the borrower will not be held liable for any deficit balance. FHA does this now, and that encourages mortgage companies to go the extra mile while
working with the borrower—again limiting foreclosures and ruined lives.
2. Cancel ALL golden parachutes of EXISTING and FUTURE CEOs and executive team members as long as the company holds these government-insured bonds/mortgages. This keeps underperforming executives from being paid when they don’t do their jobs.
C. This backstop will cost less than $50 billion—a small fraction of the current proposal.

II. MARK TO MARKET
A. Remove mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Tier III bonds/mortgages. This keeps companies from being forced to artificially mark down bonds/mortgages below the value of the underlying mortgages and real estate.
B. This move creates patience in the market and has an immediate stabilizing effect on failing and ailing banks—and it costs the taxpayer nothing.

III. CAPITAL GAINS TAX
A. Remove the capital gains tax completely. Investors will flood the real estate and stock market in search of tax-free profits, creating tremendous—and immediate—liquidity in the markets. Again, this costs the taxpayer nothing.
B. This move will be seen as a lightning rod politically because many will say it is helping the rich. The truth is the rich will benefit, but it will be their money that stimulates the economy. This will enable all Americans to have more stable jobs and retirement investments that go up instead of down. This is not a time for envy, and it’s not a time for politics. It’s time for all of us, as Americans, to
stand up, speak out, and fix this mess.

For more info, and how to contact your congressmen... GO HERE

Dave Ramsey on the Proposed Economic Bailout

Dave Ramsey's take on the bailout

Give this a listen, give it some thought, and take action. Unless we speak out we have no right to complain about the outcome