Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Financial Coach and a Financial Investment Advisor?

A financial coach sits down with you often and teaches YOU how to control your money on a day to day, week to week, and month to month basis. We set up monthly budgets, help walk with you through crises, and help you become self-sustainable to where you don't need a coach anymore. We will teach you about the basics of retirement investments, insurances you need, will/trust questions, and any other money topic that comes up. However, all we sell is our knowledge and have zero financial interest in those other products.

A financial investment advisor holds certain state and federal licensees to invest money into the stock market. They generally sit down with you only a couple times a year to go over your investments but not your day to day or month to month budgets.

If you need retirement, investment, will/trust, and/or insurance products, I can recommend some people to you. These are the people I personally use or would use if I needed those products.



How often will we meet?

The frequency that we meet at will depend on your individual situation. Some people will need to meet a couple times a week, some will only need to meet once a week at first, and then once a month after that. We will set up an individual plan for you to make sure that when you leave us, you will never need to come back to us for financial concerns! (although you still can.) I suggest at minimum about two to three meetings. Most will need more than that to stay on track. This really isn't fixing a bunch of money issues but instead is fixing you and your habits. Psychology has studied breaking and building habits and it takes somewhere around 20-70 days. I know it took my wife and I about six months to have good money habits and to adjust to our new way of living. After the first couple of months we were about 90% there, but there was definitely some refinement done and still being done today.



What is a Dave Ramsey Certified Financial Coach?

A financial coach is someone that teaches YOU how to handle money and become debt free. Really our job is to make ourselves obsolete. We are certified by Dave Ramsey after taking and completing Financial Coach Master Training and will abide by all of Dave Ramsey's principles. We will teach you and walk with you (and your spouse) on how and when to set up a budget, show you the steps to get out of debt, show you what insurances you should have in place and when, whether a will or trust is right for you, how to plan for retirement, and any other question you have that relates to spending money. Once we have taught you all of this, you will hopefully no longer feel that you need our help because you know what to do.



How do I pay? Is it all up front or before each meeting?

You can pay with cash or DEBIT card. Since we are following Dave Ramsey's steps, we ask that you do not pay with a credit card. This is why the FREE consultation is very useful. During that first meeting we will determine what is the right plan for you and get it in writing. Whether you pay all up front or before each meeting will be determined by your situation. It doesn't matter to us.



Do you accept credit cards?

We accept Debit cards and cash. We are trying to get you out of debt, so we don't want you going farther into debt!



Does my significant other/spouse need to attend?

YES! Both you and your spouse need to be on the same page with money. Money fights are one of the biggest reasons couples get divorced. If both of you are not attending, it is just going to become an even bigger issue. We don't want to be the reason someone gets divorced so if one spouse is unwilling to participate, you do not need a financial coach but a marriage counselor. We can recommend a marriage counselor if you need some recommendations.



What is the difference between Financial Coaching and Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (FPU) course?

Financial coaching and FPU have a lot in common and I would even suggest doing both of them at the same time.

However, financial coaching is more personal than FPU. We will sit down 1 on 1 and discuss your exact situation for an hour at a time. We can discuss any financial matter with you. A Dave Ramsey Financial Coach has also gone through a certification program and has supports in place if we are unsure of something from the Dave Ramsey Organization.

FPU has you in a room with a bunch of other people learning a set curriculum. If your situation is different than the curriculum, that generally will not be addressed. Also, while some FPU coordinators have taught the class a lot and may have even went through Financial Coach Master Training, most have not. Quite a few are going through FPU for the first time with you, they just signed up to lead one in their area to help others. Which is a great thing! But, I learned quite a bit going through the financial coach master training that I did not know prior to the training.