The Financially Responsible Post

This week we started our newest {married couple} endeavor. Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. Have you ever heard of it? Several people on Instagram mentioned attending the class and loving it. Even before hearing that, we were pretty excited. Ryan has been listening to Dave Ramsey pretty much his whole life (his parents are Dave followers). I started listening to him on podcast while I lived in Louisville, and then started sporadic listening habits after moving to Nashville. Dave is actually based here in Nashville, so his radio show is on every single day It's an awesome reminder and great motivation!

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Of course we talk about our finances all of the time....a TON over the last few years, actually. "When we get married" we said! We didn't combine finances until after out big day, so it made sense to wait. Well, there we were, married and sharing finances! It was decided...we were jumping in with both all four feet.

Dave's class is about learning the ropes of budgeting, getting rid of debt, and planning for the future. We have a little experience with a few of the topics, but the last one really stood out to us. We wanted to learn how to plan for our future! We hope to start our lives off together on the right financial foot!

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The class is about managing your dollars and cents...but in reality, it's mostly about dollars and SENSE. Dave wants you to develop good common money sense and learn all about tools you can use to help yourself succeed.

Here are some of the details...

1. We spent around $100 for the materials and to sign up for an in-person class. It's already been fun to meet other couples (remember--surround yourself with people with a like mind/similar goals!) and to have 2 "coordinators" there to guide the class and help us with any questions we may have.

2. We are attending the class in a church. Dave is religious and believes that handling your money in a godly way will benefit you the most. There are things that you can take from the lessons (religious or not), and there are things that people (even our coordinators) decide they are okay doing without. We are all there to learn financially responsibility, and learning in that environment is perfectly fine with us. Plus, the church we are attending the class in is literally right across the street from our home. Funny how things like that work out...

3. We are attending one class a week, for about 2 hours each class, and the whole program lasts 9 weeks. We are set to finish the class up a week after my 25th birthday. Happy Birthday to me!

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Have you ever participated in a FPU or another type of financial planning class?

P.s. You can find a class here or attend online!

All opinions are my own!

Thrifty Tuesday [Real Talk]

I don't know if I've ever completely laid this out there for my readers, but I am a recent college grad who has student loans, a decent job, a 20-something [budgeted] lifestyle, and a dream of a wonderful future! In case you don't know what this means....it means that I have to maintain a very tight ship when it comes to spending, and that I need to keep in mind my goals for the future. I have to remember that I want to own my own house someday (in the near future, please!), but I also want to go out and live it up while I still can! I also want to dress to the nines and feel my best.

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Pretty clothes? Yes, PLEEEEASE!

Over my whole life the last few years I've learned, that if I try hard enough, I can be fashionable. I can feel great about myself. I can stay up to date on trends (or anything that I really want to do). And most importantly, I can stay on top of my budget!

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What's my secret? I have no secrets. It's hard. Every week, day in and day out, I want to buy a new outfit. I'm convinced that, that part of me will never change. I take every opportunity to 'window shop' online. I like to create outfits, create wish lists, and find great deals. Taking my time to find the perfect item at the perfect price has taught me a TON! I have more patience, more understanding of what it takes to get what you want, and the value of a dollar. I now face most parts of my life the same way I face a shopping trip. I'm focused, I know what I want, and I know how to do research! HA! I sound like a nerd, right?

Well, I'm here to tell you that it all pays off. Today, after lots of focused savings, and allocating my money to the right places, I was able to start something I've wanted to for a while. In the spirit of Thrift Tuesday, I'm here to share with you the result of my Thriftiness.....

Yes, that's right! I opened a legit savings account today. Not one that I'm going to throw a few pennies in every now and again. A REAL life account that I'm going to focus on building. If you've ever listened to Dave Ramsey, you know about the 7 baby steps. Well, step 1 is all about your  emergency fund. I've accomplished that and a little more (part of step 2!). I'm about to pay off my first individual loan completely! Hello celebration!
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How do you deal with your money? Do you have a budget? How do you stick to it??

10 Day Challenge~8 Fears

Today is the day that I get to share my fears...so here goes!

1.) I have always been scared that I won't be a good parent.

2.) I am terribly, deathly, insanely scared of bugs that I can't see..and some I can (fleas, ticks, lice, bed bugs, etc.), but I do try to control it.

3.) Being successful--I am always thinking/wondering about my career. Will I love it forever? Will I reach my goals?

4.) Motorcycle accidents. Ryan rides and the thought of any motorcycle accident makes me ill, but most especially if he's on the road :(

5.) Losing those that I love.

6.) I fear that I don't have good enough life goals. I know that I make up my own rules for my own life, but I hope I live a fulfilling life :)

7.) Hurting others. I am harsh sometimes (mostly because I expect a lot from people-but usually because I know they have it in them!), so I fear that I go too far too often.

8.) Financial security. With my career worries I also worry about always being financially secure. I try my hardest but you never know what could happen!

On a lighter note--it's GAMEDAY! Let's go C-A-R-D-S!