Now if you talk to me about money or finances for more than 5 minutes, I can almost guarantee that Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University course will come up in some way. My husband, Eric, and I completed the course many years ago, but it was truly life changing for us.
Yes, the practical steps it gives are awesome, like getting rid of debt with the debt snowball method and using a zero-based budget. Yet, there is so much more to it than just that. If truly embraced, it can be life changing for you as well. There are three life-changing reasons why we love Financial Peace University and so should you.
1) Changes The Way You Think
Before taking Financial Peace University I believed that there two types of debt, ‘good’ and ‘bad’ debt. Good debts are things like student loans and mortgages. Bad debts are things like car loans and credit cards. When we took the course we only had good debt, so I thought we were doing fine and it would only improve on what we were already doing.
Wrong! All debt is bad debt. And if we are truly honest with ourselves, student loans alone place a great weight on so many of us. So if the debt is so good, why does it weigh on so many of us? By changing the way we look at debt, we can start to free ourselves from the weight of it and start the journey to achieve real financial peace.
2) Changes Your Way Of Life
I know some of you look at the word budget like a four-letter word because I did too. A budget seems so restricting and only works for some people. Wrong! Having a budget that works, like the zero-based budget, helps you to stop foolish spending and spend money only on the things that are needed and important to you.
You go from just making sure your bills are paid and doing whatever you want with what is left. To paying your car loan off earlier because you budgeted for the extra payment. Or being able to get your hair or nails done because you budgeted an allowance for yourself. You also go from trying to just live within your means to living below them.
3) Changes Your Marriage
Managing your finances together is so important. It is not about doing things your husband’s way or doing things your way. It is about doing things together in a way that works for both of you.
Before we took Financial Peace University, we managed our finances my way, with very little input from Eric. As long as I made sure the bills were paid, we thought everything was fine. Wrong!
In a marriage, you have to work together and that included managing your finances. If you are not working together, how do you know if you are both working towards the same goals? You are both in this together, playing on the same team, and working towards the same goals. So if you want to achieve financial peace, you have to work towards it together and hold each other accountable along the way.
I probably could go on and on about all the great things I gained from Financial Peace University, and I probably will one day? Yet the changes it can make in your thought process, way of life, and marriage are three top reasons why we love Financial Peace University and so should you.
I’d love to know if you have taken Financial Peace University what you thought
and if you haven’t, would you consider it now in the comments!
I love his books! I’ve heard awesome things about financial peace university!
We have been using a budget for years!! What started as a “have to do” as we were on 1 income at the time has now become something I could never live without! There are so many great things that come from being financially sound, and as you mentioned, strengthening your marriage is one!! We never fight over money because we both have an understanding of it!!
I am glad to see there is someone just as excited about money and saving as me! Love Dave and do his Total Money Makeover! You go girl!!!
I recommend Financial Peace University to my clients in marriage counseling frequently. It would be great if this was part of marriage preparation to get both people on the same page right from the start.
I love Dave Ramsey! We just finished Baby Step #1 and are on #2!
Thank you for sharing!
That’s awesome, Diana! keep up that gazelle-like intensity and you’ll be on baby step #7 before you know it! ?
I looked into it a few years ago but we never joined. I guess I should take a second look.
I definitely would, Elizabeth.? What convinced me to take the class years ago way the testimonies I heard from people at my church. It is so worth a second look.
I’ve heard good things about this program and I think that first step, changing what you think is most important!
SO true, Patricia. How we handle our finances is all about how we look at our money. Stewardship and not ownership is key! ?
I love Dave Ramsey! I did it in college and it completely changed how I view money!
That’s awesome, Christina! I wish I wold have known about him then as well. I know I would not have had a much student loan debt as I did.
It’s so funny that this is your flavor of the month; I’m just finishing his book, “Total Money Makeover.” We are debating getting the at home study, but wasn’t sure if the book covered most of the material? What do you think?
I love the difference it makes when a couple joins together to create a plan that creates peace in our finances in the home Thanks for spreading the word.
Thank you, Michelle, for you kind words. It amazes me how much we can accomplish when we stand united as couples with God at the center. ?
My husband hears a lot of tips from Dave on the radio that we incorporate into our finances. We took a crown financial course before we were married and it too changed my mindset more over spiritual matters than financial. We are blessed to live in a time with so many resources available to us!
Yes we are, Lisa! Taking advantage of all those resources is key. Taking the tips the Dave gives on his radio show is so cool. I know a lot of people who listen to his podcast. I’ve also heard a lot o great things about the crown financial course as well.
Ayanna,
I’ve heard great things about Financial Peace University, and I have to say, your blog post is super convincing! I’m glad to hear that it was a life changing experience for you!
Thanks so much, Kleneice. I think my favorite thing about Financial Peace University is the focus on what God’s Word says about money and how we should steward it. The tips and tools are just a bonus. ?
Thank you for sharing! Can I ask a personal question, did it cause any strain in your marriage? We have read the book and every time I try to get us working together to incorporate the principles, it leads to fighting and frustration.
Yes, Bailey, you most certainly can ?. The answer would be YES, at first. When we took FPU, I really wanted to go and my hubby, Eric, just agreed to go because I wanted to. Trying to get on the same page about your finances is definitely not easy. My hubby was a serious spender and I took saving and being frugal to another level. We both thought our way was better and the other should just follow us. What helped us the most with FPU, was we didn’t make it about Dave Ramsey, but about what God says about money. How we should steward all the blessings God has given us better, and the tips and tools were just a bonus. So my advice would be to pray together about not just your finances, but for God to soften your hearts so you can meet each other in the middle. Take the focus off of trying to follow the steps for a while and allow God to show you what He says about your finances and what is truly causing you both to become frustrated and fight when talking about finances. Eric and I still butt heads about finances from time to time, but we’ve learned the art of compromise to get a win-win. So Eric’s now a better saver and I actually spend a little more. ? I hope this helps and you can always send me a note through my contact page if you have any more questions. Many blessings!?
I read his book Total Money Makeover then took FPU and both were amazing. It did change our lives. I listened to FPU a few years ago but wasn’t ready so I always encourage people who’ve fallen off the wagon to do it again. It can be totally different the second time around.
We have all the books, and I think my husband has read them, but I haven;t we got them as an engagement gift but I was in school so didn’t have enough free time to read them!
Those are great engagement gifts, Grace. And it’s never too late to catch up with your hubby. ?
You cannot go wrong with Dave Ramsey. I bought a friend of mine his pocket planner along with the His book about keeping finances for your children. She LOVED it!
I’m definitely going to check out Daves program. And so cool you got to meet him and his daughter 🙂
That is definitely an awesome gift, Amy. We love it so much, we have given the Financial Peace University Kit as a wedding gift. It was awesome being able to meet them, and once we become completely debt free I want to make a trip to his radio studio to do the debt free scream. ?
I need to look into this. I have heard great things about it.
I totally agree, Kenya. ? If it’s not offered a church near you, you can get the DVD home study kit and do it at home.
Love Dave Ramsey and would love to do this course!
The How-to Guru