The new year generally rings in a hope for a new beginning for those who wish to seek one. From shedding extra pounds of Christmas ham to sticking to a cleaning routine, New Year's resolutions can span a wide selection of choices for those to amend in the next 365 days.
Recognizing this need for change, and that help is often required, St. Paul's Lutheran Church will be holding, for the first time, a Financial Peace University to help California residents get back on track financially.
Financial Peace University is a program financial guru Dave Ramsey started about 25 years ago. After crawling back from a devastating financial decline, Ramsey created the program to help others do just the same. Since then, the courses have been offered around the country.
Debra Lake, who will be teaching the class at St. Paul's, said the courses are a way to help those with a common problem.
"We're just looking to make sure that we're providing tools to the community and congregation to ensure they have the necessary tools to live their best financial lives," Lake said.
Lake said there are nine separate sessions that will begin Jan. 15 and continue until March 12 which will walk participants through facets, such as making sure a monthly budget is laid out and making sure a plan for retirement is developed.
"The courses also make sure proper insurance coverage is understood and what that looks like," Lake said. "It also helps with planning for larger purchases."
Millions of people have gone through the program and as a result, Lake said, they have been able to pay off a substantial amount of debt through "putting pieces into practice on a regular basis."
"What do you have to lose?" Lake said. "Why not trust a proven expert on the area and have the opportunity to look at a simple plan you can enact over the next couple of months to see what we can do?"
The courses will begin 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 and the enrollment fee will cover a workbook that coincides with classes, "The Legacy Journey," by Dave Ramsey, which offers a six-lesson course on building wealth and even financial education for children.
In order to take part in Financial University, sign up on the organization's website at fpu.com/1078590, which will direct those interested to local classes at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Also, Moniteau Advent church will offer a free meeting of Financial Peace University 1:30-3:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Call 319-640-7009 for more information.