Welcome to the Good Cents Financial Coaching Blog!

Welcome to the Good Cents Financial Coaching blog!   I’m excited to share insights and advice with you for using good “cents” to handle your personal finances.  For my first ever blog post, I’ll answer some questions to explain what Good Cents is all about and why I’ve decided to start this endeavor.

What is Financial Coaching?

It’s one-on-one sessions to teach you (and your spouse) common sense techniques to get control of your money.   Topics could include budgeting, debt elimination, saving for emergencies, retirement planning, and so much more.  Sessions can be conducted in person, via Skype, or over the phone.

Why are you doing this?

In early 2012, my husband Eric and I took Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University class. In this video- based class Dave shares practical advice for handling money based on biblical principles.  Everything he taught made so much sense.  Eric and I changed the way we budgeted, saved, and invested.  We truly have more peace regarding our personal finances. Since taking the class, it seemed as if almost everyday I would talk to folks who were struggling in some way or another with money or had a close friend or family member who was struggling.  I loved this new way of doing things so much and after seeing people all around me who needed help, I wanted to teach it to others and give hope that, regardless of your income, financial stress doesn’t have to be a way of life.

Who is this Dave Ramsey guy?

I’ll share more about Dave in future posts, but if you haven’t heard of him, check out www.DaveRamsey.com for his story.

How are you qualified to teach me about money?

Good question!  In April 2013, I attended Dave Ramsey’s Financial Counselor Training in Nashville.  It was four days of intense training on all kinds of money topics and on how to approach one-on-one counseling, taught by Dave’s full-time coaching staff.   It was awesome!  I learned so much and it affirmed that this was something I felt called to do.  My primary career as a civil engineer equips me for the “nerdy” part of personal finance – crunching numbers, setting up spreadsheets, etc.  I also have a Masters in Business Administration so I understand some of the finer points of finance – diversification, opportunity cost, compounding interest, etc.   And I have the heart of the teacher.  Whether it’s tutoring, training at work, or financial coaching, I love to see that light bulb turn on when a “student” gets it.

So, Amy, how are you doing with your finances?

Fair question.  I’m guessing you wouldn’t want to go to an overweight, out-of-shape personal trainer, so I doubt you want to work with a financial coach whose finances are a mess either?  Dave Ramsey talks about being broke as normal nowadays and how we need to break away from normal and learn to be weird with how we handle money.  Well, to tell you the truth, Eric and I have always been a little weird.   And now we are full-blown weird.  (Ok, those of you who know us personally can stop laughing now).   By being weird with our money, we are currently on Dave’s Baby Step 6, which means we have no debt except our mortgage; even our cars are paid for.  We have 6 months of expenses in a money market savings account in case of emergencies.  We invest 15% of our income into retirement accounts and our 4- year old son’s college fund is fully funded, we’re just watching it grow.  The plan is to have the mortgage paid off within 10 years.  Then we get to move to the last Baby Step – Build Wealth and Give.  This is where the real fun is!  I can’t wait!  Did I mention we’ve been living primarily on one income the past four years while I’ve stayed home with our son?  And we give faithfully to our church.  Wondering how we did it?  I’ll share more in future blog posts.

Ok, I’m ready.  Where do I sign up for a coaching session?

Awesome, if you’re interested in coaching or would like more details, shoot me an e-mail at GoodCentsCoaching@gmail.com and I’ll get in touch with you right away!  Not sure if coaching is right for you? No problem, I’d love for you to keep following my blog.  I’ll be sharing more of my journey to financial peace and tips for you to get there too.  Know of someone else who could use my help?  Great!  Please share this blog with them.

So, what is your biggest worry or struggle with money?