25 Mar
The Dad is the Instigator in FPU Class
Best friend, Jon, once asked me if the detention I got was worth it after a particularly good quip that exploded laughter from my seventh grade English class. I wasn’t always that successful. Like the time I pulled the chair out from under Christy T. in the sixth grade and she fell on her bottom. Off to the Principal’s office for that one.
Nonetheless, whether appropriate or not, I’ve always been comfortable speaking up in a classroom setting.
This past Sunday The Wife and I started Dave Ramsey’s thirteen-week Financial Peace University class at a local church. We debated about attending, feeling as though we were motivated and making progress on our own without spending another $100 on a class plus the commitment every Sunday night and potential babysitting charges.
A week before the class’ first night The Wife went to an orientation and decided this was definitely for us. In addition to the philosophies on finances, debt and savings that we were already coming to believe in so fervently, the class offered additional materials (a new book, envelope system, 13 audio cds) and, more importantly, weekly accountability to a roomful of people.
A roomful of strangers, yes, but if we commit to honesty with each other, I think the next thirteen weeks will ingrain a totally new pattern of behavior in both of us.
Halfway through Sunday’s class we were asked to stand in turn and introduce ourselves, say why we were there and what we hoped to learn. The dozen people before us gave very polite and text-book answers to much somber head-nodding.
This would never do, I thought.
Old habits kicked in as our turn came and I stood, stated our names and announced “We are in a Metric Butt-load of debt and live in a house we can barely afford!”
Once the laughter died down the room felt very different. The Wife chimed in saying her parents never spoke of money or taught its use. The rest of the introductions were less formal and more personal with several people referring back to what The Wife or I said with a smile in our direction.
Maybe they were just laughing at my public pot-stirring, but I’d like to think they were glad someone opened up the honesty bag and dumped a steaming pile of it out for everyone to see.
Either way, I’m not sorry to have spoken up.
To this day, however, I am sincerely sorry about Christy’s bum and sincerely hope she has totally forgotten me.
the Dad
Posted by Tutu on 03/26/09 at 3:08 pm
Terrific Posting. The Power that is available to us just in telling the truth and claiming our part in a situation is HUGE. You and your wife have such a great way with words and the ability to look yourselves square in the eyes and say “this is who we are; now how do we go forward with change?” Asking the “how” questions, makes a space for answers to fall into. Personally, although it was the very LAST thing I ever wanted to do, participating in a group with other people in the same situation who were committed to change, has been INVALUABLE. It’s saved me, saved our marriage and made life truly worthwhile. How great that you listened to your still small voice and spoke up – sounds like it helped the whole group mightily! Can’t wait to read the next installment – it’s the first thing I check every morning. Thanks!
Posted by Danielle on 04/01/09 at 7:53 am
The same thing happened at our first FPU class. Everyone was being polite. Giving textbook introductions. I was fully prepared to be the first to stir the pot a bit and make our intro quite funny. Someone beat me to it, though. It was refreshing when he spoke because it really did lighten the mood. So instead I followed suit. And was still funny. Just not the first funny one of the day. =)
Hope you’re liking it! Come check out our newest Debt Snowball Subtotal – http://thehatcherfam-debtfree.blogspot.com We’re stoked!
Posted by Jennifer on 08/06/09 at 2:15 pm
That’s great! I enjoyed FPU but do wish my class was a bit more open with each other. I tried to be the one to start – sharing the big debt load numbers and such (I’m not really very funny, hubby is but he didn’t come to FPU with me), but our class never really got on a personal level – which I would have liked. Good for you!