Course helps couples get control of finances

"Financial Peace University, or FPU, is a godsend for couples whose trouble with family finances is disrupting the harmony of their marriages," said Philip Bouknight, associate pastor at Trinity Ecumenical Parish and the pastoral counsel for a financial well-being program that will be offered at the church in January.

"The reactions from participants in our first FPU class, held last spring, were overwhelmingly positive," said Bouknight. "Every couple that attended discovered practical ways to curb spending, reduce debt and dramatically reduce marital conflict over their family finances."

FPU is a national program created by Dave Ramsey, a Nashville, Tenn.-based money-management expert and author of The New York Times' best-sellers "The Total Money Makeover," "Financial Peace" and "More Than Enough." Himself a victim of a financial meltdown, Ramsey has since recovered and devotes himself full time to helping others deal with financial distress.

David and Jennifer Church of Hardy were one of 10 couples who, along with six other participants, attended TEP's first FPU series in January. Married for 17 years and parents of a 13-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter, they chose to enroll in FPU because, Jennifer said, they were tired of being in debt and never seeming to have enough money to do things they needed to do.

"It still surprises me how much money you can save when you pay attention to where every penny you spend goes and decide where it is going before the month starts," said Jennifer.

"FPU has taken away the stress of finances, which has a remarkable effect on how you view your everyday life," Dave added. "Even our kids are learning very valuable lessons of responsibility about money."

There were a few other surprises, said Jennifer. Among them: "How easy it was to pay off debt and how quickly you can save when you take responsibility for how you act with your money," she said.

While the FPU curriculum provides specific strategies for getting couples' financial lives under control, it touches their spiritual lives as well, Bouknight said.

"One of the participants expressed surprise that the church would teach about finances," he said. "I explained that God has given us over 800 scriptures dealing with money because it is the single greatest thing we allow to pull us away from serving Him."

The Churches said they found the spiritual aspects of FPU reminded them of how blessed they were, which frictions over their finances sometimes made them forget.

"There is no doubt that we would not be where we are today without our faith in Jesus. We thank Him every day for all the wonderful things He blesses us with, including our financial well-being," Jennifer said.

Each two-hour FPU class involves a video-taped presentation followed by discussion between participants and facilitators and small-group discussions among the participants.

"Attendees get to know one another and their respective situations pretty well," Bouknight explained. "They learn from each other's past mistakes and the steps each couple takes to get control of their financial future."

"The introductory session will help couples determine whether they are ready to take this step toward marital harmony and financial peace," said Lisa Baron, who will be the lead facilitator for the 13-session course that begins on Sunday, Jan. 10 and runs through April 11, excluding Easter Sunday.

"The timing of this course is intended to help couples deal with the stresses of paying for their holiday spending," Baron said. "Beginning with the first class, participants will discover new strategies for managing their bills."

Course participants will be asked to pay $100 for course materials.

For more information, visit fpuonline.daveramsey.com or www.daveramsey.com/fpu/home. Interested couples can register for a no-obligation introductory session by calling the TEP office at 721-4330 or e-mailing TEPFPU@gmail.com.