Major kudos to Dave Ramsey. I read his book and it got me out of debt! You will never see me using a credit card ever again!

L-O-V-E the browns coast!
Just don't put to much stock in my NFL plays. It's not really my sport, and my statistical models rarely ever find much value in the lines; as the NFL is so heavily bet and studied now, that the lines-makers are pretty much dead on the money every week.

Cleeeeeeeeeeeeevland???...Have you lost your mind boy!!
Is that a tip off to your 3* play? Have to chase you around 3 sites now to get your takes.

Ahh screw it, just head to Vegas and put everything you got on The Browns + the 5.5 over the Cowboys this Sunday!
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In all seriousness there really is a MAJOR credit problem in this country. I firmly believe it is going to lead us to a very long term down turn in the markets and economy. Not only do everyday people spend way our of control, and fall in huge debt, the government in most all states, and in Washington, have way over spent and are in MASSIVE debt.
It all stands to be a huge problem, and your all ready starting to see the effects of it with a weakening dollar which have drove up oil and commodity prices. Many banks and mortgage lenders are on the verge of bankruptcy, because they extended credit to high risk borrowers, who are now defaulting.
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I think we as a country have really fallen into a spend spend spend habit, and worry about paying later. The effects of which are going to have dramatic effects as the country now kind of teeters on a credit collapse.

I have no doubt the church program is a great program. I also don't doubt that the $93 fee is a tall order for many people. I'm part of a leadership development program that teaches financial common sense on a daily basis. Here is a book that helped change my whole financial situation like you cannot believe! The books is "God's Plans for Your Finances" by: Dwight Nichols
Also, there are very inexpensive audio programs that can be used to self teach right out of your own home available as well. The best programs are one's not based on theory and don't have hidden agenda's that are designed to make the teachers rich. They truly want to help make a difference.....

If you rob Peter to pay Paul, you get a sore Peter.

I cannot say enough good things about Mark Zugay of what used to be called Rock County Mortgage. I believe there is a new name. They are located in downtown Janesville next to Rock County Appliance and across the street from Carousel Consignments. My husband and I went to Mark for credit counseling and without his help we never would have been able to purchase our house. He counsels for free! The whole staff is wonderful! If you need financial help, give Mark a call. He seems too nice and too good to be true, but he's 100% genuine :)

"Why is it that when something good is done within the community it is always met with scrutiny and harshness?"
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Maybe because a cardinal rule concerning anything of a "financial" nature is to approach with a healthy dose of skepticism. And then proceed cautiously.

Why is it that when something good is done within the community it is always met with scrutiny and harshness? Is it because on this type of forum its easy to hide behind a screen name?

Geez why make comments, just accept the story for what it is... a service offered for the community. nothing more...nothing less.

It is this reason why people do less and less for society. They get beaten up for every good thing that is tried while other choose to sit on the sidelines and complain that nothing is being done

If you go on Dave Ramsey's site, the cost for the kit if purchased individually is $149.95. They give a break for groups doing it, so that the kit is $93 + shipping. Ramsey's group requires each family unit to purchase a kit. That is out of the church's hands. BTW, the class is from 10-12, not 9-12.

if such a "community service" why a fee?

Just a simple comment from me about whether the article would have been better as a paid advertisement brought unusual criticism about issues that weren't even mentioned by me. Churches don't charge money, they ask for donations. How much does the Salvation Army charge for housing, feeding, and keeping someone from dying? How much does the House of Mercy charge to let an entire family stay there for weeks on end, feeding them, getting them clothes, a job, a place to live? I'll tell you how much - nothing. Now tell me how this is money thing is such a great deal? Tell me how rotten I am for asking a very honest question. Ask yourself why you're so upset over something that was never said.

Don't attend New Life, but I used to. Pastor Todd has a heart for this community. You nay sayers need to check your attitude at the door. What a miserable way to live...finding fault with everything.

Well, it's pretty obvious that Ramsey has found a way to get out of debt ....
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I'm sure a lot of it is good advice, and may well be worth the $100, but it's also advice that is easily available elsewhere for much less money.
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For instance, this is a list of 50 top "frugal" blogs:
http://www.creditpanda.com/blog/2007/top...
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They give financial advice, often hard-won lessons, every day for free.

proartist, it is sad you feel so harshly against church. It would seem you have some kind of grudge you hold against it as a whole. Maybe if you learned to forgive whatever wrong was done you, you would have more peace in your life and not so much negativity. You will sleep better at night this way :)

Anyone who thinks the church is doing this out of completely out of the "goodness" and "Godliness" of their mission needs to look further [ https://www.daveramsey.com/momentum/inde... ] As this website of the Financial Peace University says, perhaps they're just "Tired of preaching about tithing?" Churches are just as interested in growth and making a buck as any other institution. In our day, churches are also big business. But unlike other businesses that might feast at the public tax-payer trough, they're also tax-free. Churches could demonstrate their piety to irrefutably attain more reverence if only they humbly concentrated on their message rather than empire building.

Zoom - LOL. Nice.

kleej is right. Corporate America has had the best tool to influence the consumer to part with their money called the TV. Many people have been influenced since they were babies by this media. Programs like the one New Life is offering out is a true gift for people if they'll just be open minded and choose to do something different. There are still good people out there who actually really do care about their fellow brothers and sisters. You just need to reach out and let them help you.

The first session is three hours. Even if the other 12 sessions are only 1 hour long, that amounts to only $6.66 per hour...HEY!!!...

lovetoscrap
yes, isn't it funny when people reach out to help others it's automatic to many people "what's the catch" or "what's in it for me"?? I can understand too. Our culture has become a "me-me" culture. Nobody is trusting in one another anymore. It's because people don't live lives with moral value in them. If we did, there would be more trust! It's so uncommon for people to do something nobel, like New Life is, that when someone actually reaches out and wants to help, people sneer at it or poke it with a stick. Sannio, it's a good thing. Even if it's something you don't need, others do. When you get info. outside of the mainstream media that can benefit you, take it! It'll change your life if you take it to heart and apply it. I'm living proof. Allow them to earn your trust.

ryno66nmu,
If you order the product from daveramsey.com you won't be able to use a credit card. You either have to use a debit card or mail in a check.

From the article:"Some people rob Peter to pay Paul."
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That's the tactic that politicians use to get elected.

Sannio, the church isn't making money off of it. It is a community service like so many of the other good services this church provides. Be thankful they are willing to help those with financial problems. There are many classes out there and most of them cost a lot more than this. Any self help set by Robbins or others are pretty high priced. This seems like a good deal for what you get. And I have heard good testamonials from it as well. It would seem to me that considering what is happening in our community that more people would want to be better prepared for harder times. This would help.

thats funny ryno;)

Shouldn't this have been a paid advertisement rather than a news article?

Anyone want to bet that this course accepts credit cards as payment?

Maybe members of congress should be required to take this class.

Just having the emergency fund gave us peace. Saving and paying down debt is fun! Dave Ramsey is the man!!

I was excited about this class until I read how much the fee was. Like mentioned previously most people who need this class cannot spare the hundred bucks and I am one of these people. If a option was given to pay as you go....spread the fee over the number of the weeks the class meets, I would definitly welcome this option...even if the fee was somewhat higher. I know this is not a reality that will happen but its great that this class is being offered!! thanks for the opportunity!!

The unfortunate thing is that many people who need this class can't even afford the fee. Many financial institutions offer free financial help to members. Ask your bank or credit union if they offer classes similar to this.