Stretching for Financial Peace

Are you READY for Financial Peace??? Well, your facilitators are certainly ready to assist you in reaching your goals! When you get a little discouraged and want to go to SPEND money, watch the video above and keep in mind that it is really the simple things that make us all happy! We have a wealth of information to share with you after last week’s class, so please stay tuned!

***If you have not been able to attend class yet, we’re happy to share with you that we are starting a Tuesday class IF neither the Monday or Saturday dates work for you. Class starts 2/26/2008. Kits are available in the bookstore. Please encourage those you are telling about the class to come out to class or the interest meeting on 2/19/2008.***

1. Have you completed your quickie budget yet? If not, get to it. If so, congrats – you know where you stand. I promise you that if you were to completely get it right the first time, you’d go down into a not yet developed hall of fame. Keep at it – it will work out!

2. You will notice that there is a package of envelopes in your box. Please read through the notes included, notice the categories on your quickie budget that have astericks by them. These are the recommended areas to start going ‘cash only’. Start making plans to RELEASE the debit card for all of your transactions. It is scientifically proven that you tend to be a lot less emotional when swiping the card (even if it is debit) for your transactions. The envelope system is key to Financial Peace success!

3. Emergency Fund – have you started to save yet? If not, please give serious thought as to how you could begin to set funds aside to fund your $1,000 emergency fund. Keep in mind that if you’re not yet saving, technically – you’re not yet on Baby Step #1. The on-line savings accounts are excellent resources to start your savings. http://www.ingdirect.com/ or http://www.oneunited.com/ are great. ING has a referral program, so if you set up an account, let me know, I’ll be happy to refer you – we’ll both receive a contribution from ING for the referral! As your tax refunds arrive, please keep in mind that the FIRST debt on your debt snowball is to fund your emergency fund. Stay focused!

4. We are announcing a contest amongst the small group break out sessions! On Monday, we have Carlester, Jason and Shica’s group. On Saturday, we have Mark, The Mercer’s, and The Humphrey’s groups. Start brainstorming for your group’s name.

The contest will be based on the following:

-class attendance – couples are counted individually.
-Total Amount Saved
-Total Debt Eliminated
*the final results will be calculated based on the triplicate form included in your FPU kit that tracks all of the information!


5. Remember to complete your class reading for the week!

BONUS – Suze Orman has written a book, announced on Oprah, that she’s circulating on-line for FREE! If you desire to have a copy of this book electronically, please let us know (e-mail), we’ll be happy to forward it to you electronically!