Financial Peace is a great adventure and life-changing for those who participate. We intend to live like no one else so that one day we can live like no one else. The class will start on September 15, 2010. 

[ Watch the Preview Session ] [ Register Online Now ]

For more information: read a snapshot of what Dave Ramsey teaches, as reported by the Religious Herald, the newspaper of Virginia Baptists: Debt keeps families and churches from reaching their potential. For more information, contact Scott Chafee.

What You Will Receive:

• Participant Workbook. This 177-page manual is filled with teaching, listening guides, examples and exercises.
• A pack of audio CDs with all of the lessons by Dave.
• Dave's Award-winning book, Financial Peace University.
• Dave's budgeting envelop system.
• Reinforcement that occurs having been a part of a small group experience.
• Dave Ramsey's DVD teaching, 13 session, one each week.

What it Will Cost:

The FPU materials will be $100. The regular rate is much more, but through the church, we are able to get materials at a substantial discount.

When I Will Register:

Since the class begins on September 15, materials must be ordered by August 25. Make checks payable to King's Grant Baptist Church and we will order the materials for you. This class is open to the community.

[ More Information on FPU ]

• [ Financial Peace University FAQ's ] 

• [ The Bible and Money ] 

• [ Miracle in Franklin - the Power of Giving ] A Powerful Video on Generosity.

• [ The Truth vs. Myths We Believe ]

Below are just a few myths that we believe about debt, and Dave's answer to set us straight; and what FPU is all about. How can we NOT get our financial houses in order? 

FPU is the most important step to changing your financial future. It is your Total Money Makeover Program. It takes the knowledge from God and turns it into real action in our lives through a step-by-step process taught by best-selling author and financial counselor Dave Ramsey. 

FPU is a 13-week life-changing program that empowers and teaches you how to make the right money decisions to achieve your financial goals and God's plan for your life. The course includes practical lessons on eliminating debt, building wealth, giving like never before, and much, much more! 

It's for EVERYONE!...from the financially secure to the financially distressed. Over 650,000 families and individuals have attended Financial Peace University. 

Applying God's Word radically changes your life. On average, FPU graduates have paid off over $5,300 in debt and saved $2,700 during the 91-day program! 

In this life-changing program you will learn:

1. Step-by-Step Cash Flow Planning 

Luke 14:28: "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it." 

2. Debt Snowball Plan Technique to Eliminating Debt

Proverbs 22:7: "The borrower is slave to the lender." 

3. How to Invest Wisely 

Ecclesiastes 11:2: "Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land."

Here's what people just like you are saying about FPU:

"We've actually relieved ourselves of over $50,000 worth of debt in two years just from using these principles." - Russ and Mary Lee

"It made us sit down as a couple and communicate... and it gave us an instant pay raise!" - Paul and Lynesa Benson

Myth: Debt is a tool and should be used to help create prosperity.
Truth: Debt isn't used by wealthy people nearly as much as we are led to believe.

Debt is dumb. Most normal people are just plain broke because they are in debt up to their eyeballs with no hope of help. If you're in debt, then you're a slave because you do not have the freedom to use your money to help change your family tree.

According to a recent USA Today article about debt, 78% of Baby Boomers have mortgage debt, 59% have credit card debt, and 56% have car payments. It takes a lot of will, discipline, courage and help to slay the debt monster. But it can be done. Imagine how much you could put toward retirement if you just didn't have a stinking car payment? This is how the wealthy really build their wealth. Debt is dumb. Welcome to the real world! 

Myth: Debt consolidation saves interest, and you have one smaller payment.
Truth: Debt consolidation is dangerous because you treat only the symptom.

Debt consolidation is nothing more than a "con" because you think you've done something about the debt problem. The debt is still there, as are the habits that caused it - you just moved it! You can't borrow your way out of debt. You can't get out of a hole by digging out the bottom. True debt help is not quick or easy.

Larry Burkett, noted financial author, says debt is not the problem; it is the symptom. I feel debt is the symptom of overspending and undersaving. Our certified counselors will not recommend debt consolidation for a client. Why? Because debt consolidation doesn't work.

Myth: Aren't there positive uses of a credit card? Like rebates and airline miles?
Truth: Responsible use of a credit card does not exist. Credit card debt is a major problem in America.

There is NO positive side to credit card use. You will spend more if you use credit cards. Even by paying the bills on time, you are not beating the system! But most families don't pay on time. The average family today carries $8,000 in credit card debt according to the American Bankers' Association.

Now let's talk about the rebates. If you were using a credit card at 5%, you would have had to have spent $80,000 to get $4,000 rebates on new cars that lost $6,000 of value when you drove them off the lot. That is not a good deal!

When you pay cash, you can "feel" the money leaving you. This is not true with credit cards. Flipping a credit card up on a counter registers nothing emotionally. If you use credit cards instead of cash you will spend 12-18% more. This is money you could have saved.

If you "have to" use plastic, I suggest a debit card. I use them for travel and the occasional convenience of ordering something over the Internet or phone. Other than that, I use cash.

Personal finance is 80% behavior. You need to cut out habits that make you spend more. You do not build wealth with credit cards. Use common sense. When you play with a multi-billion dollar industry and you think you're going to win at their game, you are naive. You cannot beat the credit card companies. 

After You Complete a Class, Share FPU with Others:

There are several ways to share your Financial Peace experience with others. Choose the one or more that best fits you.

1. E-mail a Friend - Share your FPU experience with your friends and family. Your testimony is very important so don't forget to include how FPU has changed your life. If your friend lives locally, invite him or her to come with you to a class preview. We will be doing this again at some point in 2010.

2. Start an FPU Class in our Area - Coordinating a class is easy! As you know, Dave does all the teaching by video. So, if you have the ability to...

• Start and stop a DVD player

• Put chairs in a circle 

• Laugh and cry with people 

• Volunteer 2 hours a week to help others like yourself

Final Thoughts About Our 2008 Class:

FYI, here are the totals from this semester:

• 69 people registered, 25 graduated (at least 12 of 13 sessions)

• 29 couples, 11 singles registered; 10 couples, 6 singles graduated

• Total class debt paid = $100,815

• Total amount saved = $38,200 + one member has a fully funded Baby Step 3

• Total debt avoided, credit card offers = $290,750

As we attack our debt with gazelle intensity, I thought that none of us should be like the gazelle in this clip. [ Go ]