Most financial planners have a difficult time helping clients reduce their spending habits and start saving. Financial planners wrongly assume that facts will prevail and once the need for change is identified change will be easy and sustainable. Nothing is further from the truth.

Change, especially change of our daily habits, is extremely difficult. It requires months of social confirmation in order to result in lasting change. And most financial advisors are ill equipped to guide clients with spending problems through a process with is less strategic and cerebral and more the frustrating and time consuming process of changing the way we think about money.

For those who are ready to begin the process of getting control of their finances, we’ve found the community and information provided by Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University to be valuable.

The nine week class will help you pay off your debt, save for the future, and learn how to work with your spouse to plan save and grow together. I highly recommend taking the class for those who either do not have financial goals or do not feel like they are making progress toward their financial goals.

The cost is $93 for a family and includes a Lifetime Family membership. It includes all of the required class materials and give you and your spouse the ability to take Financial Peace University anywhere, anytime and as many times as you like.

Dave Ramsey says that the average participant pays off $5,300 of debt and saves $2,700 in the first 90 days.

Often there is some financial assistance available, but some payment is important. A couple that won’t pay the money, won’t benefit from the program because a couple that won’t both attend won’t benefit from the program. But couples who pay and attend all of the lessons will begin the difficult process of behavior change. Attendance has to be long enough for behavior change to begin.

That is another benefit of the Lifetime Membership. Many successful couples take the class twice and then help lead and facilitate their third session. The group social discussion with others who are also struggling with their finances provides a safe environment for open and honest discussion. Preview a class now to feel more comfortable before you sign up.

The Dave Ramsey website has a list of upcoming classes in the Charlottesville area with start dates varying from September 13 through October 11. They include several different days of the week. If you are not in the Charlottesville, Virginia area, you can search for a class in your area.

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