Thursday, March 25, 2010

Financial Peace


Our church is finally offering Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and Phil and I went to our first class last night! I REALLY am looking forward to getting rid of our debt, but I'll admit I was a little bitter last night about the realization that we are going to have to buckle down. Ugh!! All I could think about were the things we really need to buy before we dive head first into this. What I'm most impressed with so far is that when we go to figure our debt we take our contribution and savings off the top, it's not even counted as part of our income. I LOVE that, just wish we would have started it years ago.
Something Dave talked about in his video, which was very good btw, was an example of a 19 yr-old saving $2,000 annually into an account that earns him 12% interest. After only 8 years, age 26, he wouldn't have to put anymore money in that account and by the time he turned 65 he would have over $2.2 million dollars saved. That just blows my mind. We talked to Parker about this last night and I think he's going to start putting money towards his savings. He's always had good money sense.
Dave also quoted several scriptures in his video, another thing I really appreciated. One that really spoke to me was from Psalm 62:10, "If riches increase, do not set your heart on them." I know I have a tendency to look at what we'll 'possibly' have in the future and start spending it, in my head anyway, before we actually have it. I know this is a bad trait and I hope this class will help me train myself not to be like that anymore.
I'll try to keep you updated on our progress. I WON'T be sharing our debt, it would probably blow you away! Ha!! Our homework for this week is to go through our budget, something Phil has wanted to do for a long time and I've successfully avoided! Not anymore!! Sheesh! Pray for us that we don't get into any knock-down-drag-outs...SERIOUSLY!!!
Step 1: As quickly as we can we have to put back $1,000 in savings.

2 Shout Outs:

Maria said...

Love this! We havent taken Financial Peace U., but we definitely have tried adopting several of Dave's philosophies. Such great advice!!

Danielle said...

My husband and I took the class at church 2 years ago. We started the process but easily steared from it. Oh how I wish we could be so disciplined. I've had several friends live by his "rules" and have become debt free. I'd love to be able to say that. Maybe we should give it another shot. He's a pretty smart guy. Good Luck!!!