We attended the first meeting of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. Besides the obvious reasons for joining the class, I also need to attend in order to be qualified for certain scholarships.
The class was painful. Not because of the lesson, the leader or the other students. Dave didn’t say anything on the video that I didn’t know. We’ve already read his book, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness. But for some reason, it all made me want to throw up. I couldn’t help but look at all the other couples and think, “If you added up all their combined debt, we probably still owe more.” No where in the book, filled with success stories and testimonials, did anyone owe nearly as much money as we do.
It just seems like a cruel joke. Like offering someone a children’s Tylenol when they have a migraine. Or an Elmo Band-aid when they’ve cut off a finger.
I know this system works. It can get the average person out of debt pretty quickly. Our estimated payoff time seems more like a prison sentence. “Five to Seven” or was it “Ten to Twelve”? Maybe I’ll get time off for good behavior.
I don’t know everything about your situation, but I thought I would send a site you could check out.
http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com
Mary Hunt was in debt over $100,000 of unsecured debt (that doesn’t include any interest or fees they ended up having to pay). It took them 13 years to pay it all back, but they did it and now reach out to others. She’s has the above website, has written several books, does a monthy magazine Debt-Proof Living, and a free e-zine. I have enjoyed and learned a lot from her.
Check her out!
Love,
Sarah
Comment by Sarah — 2/13/2006 @ 11:59 am
Thanks Sarah.
Comment by Amy — 2/13/2006 @ 12:04 pm
Hi Amy,
Somehow I got to your website. I am a mother of two and I was looking for information on Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace workshops in Amarillo Tx. I just briefly perused your notes and will go back later when I have time, but they look hilarious.
We are in debt and in denial! I am speaking to myself specifically. God is trying so hard to help me make better choices. MY housekeeper, (yes, I have a housekeeper that I cannot afford) asked my yesterday, “What does your budget allow for me, that I can count on every week?”
Budget? What budget? I think God had her ask me that question to wake me up!
I am rambling, but want you to know that God has the answers if we will just listen (I am still trying to learn this!) We then need to swing into action! (Difficult part)
I have read countless “Money Makeover” type books. I am sure they all work
IF YOU DO IT!
Anyway, for some reason, God wanted me write you today.
I feel like He wants me to tell you…
“Be still and know that I am God.”
May God bless you Amy and know that nothing is insurmountable
ps I have never responded to anyone I didn’t know on the computer, so this must be a God thing.
In His love,
Stacey
Comment by Stacey — 2/17/2007 @ 12:45 pm