Did you take FPU classes?

[GirlBoyGirl]

I really want to take them but can NOT get DH on board! He thinks we already know what we are doing financially. Yes, we are frugal and don't have credit card debt, so that is good. But there is still a lot we could learn! Also, right now we are pay check to pay check (with no extras like cable tv or eating out, etc- just the basics) because he was laid off his 2nd (PT) job and I am not working now because of the influx of babies in the house, lol So he says that anything we learn we couldn't even put to practice because he thinks all you learn is to save your money and we can't really do that now anyway. But even if that is true for us now, it won't always be! I am going back to work in a couple months and we are also moving to a lower COL area so we will have extra money one day. Also, I think we owe it to our kids to be as financially responsible as we can possibly be. If you have taken FPU, what did you learn? Did you learn more than just being told to save your money and not spend? If you don't have CC debt, isn't it still worth it? Sorry this post is long and rambling but I wanted to give you some background so you can say that yes we still could learn from FPU and that DH is wrong (as usual, haha j/k). Thanks!

P.S. Is there a cheaper way to buy the materials you need? We can't afford the $100 for them right now.

[hopefulfaith]

I don't know. 

I received money for Christmas and bought the FPU DVDs...for me and my dh to watch together.  I read the book but my dh is not a reader and would never pick up a book about finances .... but he will watch TV.  I'm hoping if I make FPU a "date night" with popcorn and a DVD that it will be appealing to him, because I would really like him to be on board.

I'll be watching this thread to find out.  :) 

I know this didn't answer your question, OP, but I just wanted to throw my support out there for you.  I'm not sure my dh will be on board, either.  He already thinks we're frugal.  Little does he know.....  ;)

Oh, and when I was looking for the FPU materials, there were a few sets on eBay for less than half of what you could get on DR's website.

[GirlBoyGirl]

Originally Posted by hopefulfaith 

I don't know. 

I received money for Christmas and bought the FPU DVDs...for me and my dh to watch together.  I read the book but my dh is not a reader and would never pick up a book about finances .... but he will watch TV.  I'm hoping if I make FPU a "date night" with popcorn and a DVD that it will be appealing to him, because I would really like him to be on board.

I'll be watching this thread to find out.  :) 

I know this didn't answer your question, OP, but I just wanted to throw my support out there for you.  I'm not sure my dh will be on board, either.  He already thinks we're frugal.  Little does he know..... 

Oh, and when I was looking for the FPU materials, there were a few sets on eBay for less than half of what you could get on DR's website.

Thanks for your reply! The DVDs are a great idea because my DH will also never read a book. Thanks for the suggestion!

[frugalmama]

I took FPU - honestly I'd just buy the DVD's as that's pretty much all our class was. I learned quite a bit, but now I'm an FPU dropout as Murphy has moved in for the last 2 years and I can't get ahead due to not being able to work.

[fierrbugg]

Originally Posted by frugalmama 

I took FPU - honestly I'd just buy the DVD's as that's pretty much all our class was. I learned quite a bit, but now I'm an FPU dropout as Murphy has moved in for the last 2 years and I can't get ahead due to not being able to work.

I have to admit to being a bit disappointed in my FPU experience.  Loved the kit w/ all of the CD's and workbook and stuff - but with our FPU, the instructors decided to do it out of order (it was through our church so they did giving before debt snowball, which I totally understand - giving IS important - but for dh and I it wasn't until we paid off some credit cards entirely that we were able to even think about giving charitably) and then they shaved off 3 weeks.  Dh was already going to miss a few weeks due to his work schedule and then to have them do 3 less sessions - it just honked us off and killed our excitement/momentum for going.  But we'd both already read the books and we still listen to the CD's so it was worth it to us to get the full kit.  We might try it again in the future through another organization though. 

[stephbrownthinks]

My husband wanted to take the FPU classes as a social thing because a few of our friends were. I thought they were expensive and a waste of money because I had my own system that worked well and I was very organized about our finances. Compared to all of our friends we didn't really have debt (but what we did have never seemed to go down). They had free wine so I figure what the heck, drink some wine and visit with some friends! I am soooo glad we took them. I learned so much and we went from paycheck to paycheck to having NO debt, and a very nice savings account! By the end of the year we will also have 20% set aside for a down payment on our first home! FPU totally changed my way of thinking and has made such a difference in our lives.

That said, I don't think the classes are really necessary. You can get the books at the library and they explain everything. See if there is someone that can loan you the DVD's (although the books alone would be fine). The point is, you have to actually DO it. If I were in your situation I would check out the books at the library (or buy or borrow them) and then afterwards see if you feel like taking the class.