A: This is a Relief Society Enrichment activity group designed to provide accurate and authoratative information about personal finances. Neither the church, ward, nor group leader is rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. This is a group to discuss financial matters, learn about money saving tips and tricks, and getting information to help you make a educated decision on how to pay off debt, build an emergency fund, save money, and be financially prepared for the future.
Q: Who can attend this group?
A: Anyone who is interested in attending the meetings is welcome. Both members and non-members alike are encouraged to attend. Husbands may accompany their wives, if they so desire. High School Seniors are also encouraged to attend.
Q: Do we have to be having a financial hardship to attend?
A: No, anyone can attend - regardless of financial situation. A millionaire can benefit from the information provided.
Q: Will what is talked about in the group be kept confidential?
A: It is my deepest hope that anything discussed in the group will be kept within the confines of the group. The material, of course, should be discussed with spouses; however, the details that other people choose to share should be kept in confidence and not spread to others.
Q: When will the group meet?
A: Our meetings will be held on the last Tuesday of every month (except for December due to the holidays). The meetings will start at 6:30 p.m.
Q: Where will the meetings be held?
A: The first meeting (on January 27) will be at the Gallatin Ward building. We will meet in the Young Womens room (near the Mother's Lounge - opposite of the primary room). After this initial meeting, we will most likely alternate months between Portland and Gallatin. The Portland meetings will be held in Clarisse Warren's home, and the Gallatin meetings will either be held at the church or at a home of a member of the group. Locations will be announced, and carpools will be set up.
Q: Who is teaching the group?
A: Clarisse Warren, a member of the Gallatin Ward, will be teaching/leading this group.
Q: What are her qualifications?
A: While I am not a professional financial counselor, I have become well versed with personal finances, and helping others deal with their financial circumstances. I have read many books on personal and family finances. I have attended Financial Peace University - a 13 week comperhensive course offered by Dave Ramsey. I am an administrator of an online network of over 600 women, and have helped over a hundred of these women with various questions about their financial lives. My husband and I have also been able to work our way through our debt. About 3 1/2 years ago we were in about $70,000 of debt. By budgeting, working through our debt, and following Dave Ramsey's plan, we have been able to pay off $44,000 of that debt - while having 3 children in the process. We live on a very humble income, but we've learned to adapt our lives. We have learned a lot throughout the process, and are still learning as we go. It is my hope that we can give others the tools they need to win with money, to find HOPE in their situation, and to change the way they veiw money. It is indeed a liberating feeling to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Q: What financial professionals will be referenced in this class?
A: This class will mostly be based on Dave Ramsey principles and information; however, Larry Burkett and Suze Orman's information will also be presented in several areas. The purpose of the group is not to promote a specific individual, but to provide information and allow people to decide for themselves if they wish to proceed further with one plan or another. Talks from various Prophets, Apostles and other General Authorities of the Church will be referenced as well. Scriptures pertaining to finances will also be discussed and referenced.
Q: What topics will be covered in class?
A: We will basically cover anything that has to do with personal finance. We will discuss the following topics in depth: Budgeting, Building an Emergency Fund, Paying off Debt, Saving Money on Everything, Finding Great Deals, Insurance (what you need, what you don't), Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Saving for College Educations, Using Coupons, Mortgages, Building Wealth, Being a Good Steward, The Blessings of Giving, Free Family Fun, Christmas on a Shoestring, and more.
Q: Since a lot of the topics are based on Dave Ramsey teachings, will this be like Financial Peace University (FPU)?
A: Yes and no. There is a lot of valuable information in FPU. It is a 13 week, very concise and compact class; whereas this group will be spread out throughout the year - once a month. While some of the topics covered are also covered in FPU, there are many topics that are not covered - such as shopping with coupons, free family fun, etc. This is essentially a collaboration between FPU, other plans and ideas, and things that I have found that work. I will be adding my own knowledge about local sales, where to find the big bargains, and how to get many things for free using sales ads and coupons. Things that a financial professional cannot cover, since they reach a broad national (and international) audience.
Q: What should we bring to class?
A: First and foremost, bring an open mind and heart. The prophets and apostles have encouraged all of us to get our financial houses in order, and I pray that the Lord will bless us all in this endeavor. Secondly, it would be helpful for you to bring paper and a pen so that you can write down notes and any thoughts you have. Third, there will be "homework" assignments between classes. Nothing too hard, but something to keep the information in the front of your mind, and to help facilitate change.
Q: What other things should we know?
A: 1. This class is meant to be both informative and fun. Looking at your finances does not have to fill you with dread and fear. My goals are to remove those from your lives, give you a plan, and give you hope.
2. There may be moments of tough love. There may be moments where we rejoice together, where we celebrate accomplishments together, where we cry together, or when we can vent about the things in our financial lives that are affecting us.
3. The moment that you (and your spouse) can become real about your financial situations and begin to make changes, is the moment that you will feel an overwhelming sense of hope. When we become good stewards with the money the Lord blesses us with, the windows of heaven will be opened to us. It is my firm belief that this group is the answer to many prayers, and that it will benefit the lives of any who attend and begin making changes.
So come, let's learn together, laugh together,
and make sense of your dollars and cents.
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