About Us
Jim Jones, Certified Financial Counselor, Budget Trainer & Blogger:That's me and my dad back in the 80s. Since then I've done a lot with money... mostly really stupid stuff.
About that time I was also getting my feet wet with computers, which became an obsession with me, and eventually, as an adult, the computer world became my source of income. I'm a Network Administrator for a rural telephone company in Kansas, where I presently live with my wife and six children. I'm also the Manager of Computer Systems and Professor of Computer Science at a private college; since 1994.
My background: I started an internet service provider and ran it for four years. Simultaneously, I worked for an international company and traveled about the globe setting up networks. My business at home was shaky. Finally, I sold it and went to work for the folks who bought it. Financially, I've been in tough scrapes - debt up to my ears, living (barely) from paycheck to paycheck.
I was stupid about money - I'll admit it! But my parents did put some good sense into my head at some point, and I realized that I had to become responsible about my money and control it, before it dictated my life and controlled me. So I started looking around - and gratefully, was introduced to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. I read his books, listened to his CDs, and started putting my financial life in order. In 2005, my wife and I attended FPU, and, together, we got our personal finances under control.
I owed over $100,000 to banks, friends, and family. Now, I am almost debt free. And I am determined to help people -help them avoid similar situations or help them to get out of similar situations.
In March of 2007, I attended Dave Ramsey's Certified Counselor Training, and became a certified financial counselor. My goal now is to help you learn how to manage your money so that you can live a peaceful, financially worry-free life and look forward to a secure future.
Joe Bryan, Budget Trainer:
The first smart thing I ever did in my life was marrying Jim’s sister. After that, babies started appearing left and right in the late 80s and early 90s. Luckily, I was in the Navy and they didn’t cost an arm and leg. I was an E-5, and we were a one income family with six kids. While we did keep control of our finances, we had no real budget or game plan. Since we lived in base housing, the only thing we owed on was a van. Not bad for an enlisted guy without the aid of food stamps or other assistance, but that is a story for a whole different blog.
Finishing my bachelor’s in finance (minor in economics) at the University of North Florida opened a lot of doors – especially Officer Candidate School and then Supply Officer School. I served a tour as a disbursing officer aboard ship and I got to see what it is like to write a check for $700,000 and actually cash it! After that, I had a short tour working on some logistic special projects for the Atlantic Fleet and then reported as a comptroller with a $12 million budget for a command in Washington, DC.
It was in DC that I finally finished my MBA. From DC, I switched programs and became the commanding officer of a reserve center in Iowa. While there, I was able to start teaching in the classroom for two colleges and received my qualification as a Master Training Specialist from the Navy. I had one more tour left and was able to get the only reserve center in Kansas. While I was working in Kansas, I started teaching for Regis online for a few years.
About that time, Jim turned me on to Dave Ramsey’s DVDs. I’ve studied budgeting, but this guy not only shows you a budget plan, he shows you a life plan. Now that I am retired from the Navy, I work for the State of Kansas. We are expecting our tenth child, I have no debt except for our house, we own three cars, my children attend a private school, and I give at least 10% of my income to our church. It can be done – get on a budget and enjoy life!
The only way to do this is to get a handle on your money, and that starts with budgeting. "Budget" can be a scary word - it sounds restrictive. But it isn't! The key to budgeting is flexibility, simplicity, and frequency. Check out my Personal Finance Links, Online Classes, or one-on-one financial counseling (if you live in the area).
Find out what it means to be debt free and financially secure - you'll find out that the grass really is greener!
NR from KS says, "THANKS SOOO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT!!!!!"
