Denver Catholic

BY JULIE FILBY Kristi Meleney is a nerd. Her husband Patrick, a free spirit. This according to a course the newlyweds are taking to help get their marriage off on the right foot financially. Kristi, 27, and Patrick, 26, married last September at St. Mary Church in Littleton, are five weeks into a nine-week course at their parish called Financial Peace University (FPU). It's a part of a wider parish campaign to build stronger families. "Opposites attract," Kristi said of the two. "And the class has re- ally helped us with our commu- nication style." Arguing about money is the top predictor of divorce, according to Kansas State University research- er Sonya Britt, in a study released last July. Her findings indicated couples who argued about mon- ey early in their relationship were at a greater risk for divorce. As the "nerd" in the couple, according to the course material, Kristi is analytical about house- hold finances. While Patrick, be- ing a "free spirit," is involved in the process but not as likely to lead it. "Because I do the budget ev- ery month doesn't mean Patrick doesn't have a say," she said. "We're doing it together; making decisions together." Financial Peace University en- courages households to become debt-free, a countercultural mes- sage in today's buy-or-charge- everything-you-want society. The Meleneys, who both gradu- ated college with student loans, are debt-free just four months into their marriage. "I'm really passionate about paying down debt," Kristi said. Kristi, who works at the Re/ Max corporate headquarters, paid off $25,000 in student loans in four years while earning an annual salary of $28,000 at her former job as a youth director. Patrick, director of youth minis - try at Pax Christi Church in Little- ton, just made the last payment on his $20,000 student loan debt this month. Both attended Fran- ciscan University of Steubenville. "It's not about your income," she said. "It's about your willing- ness to make sacrifices." Another motivating factor for the couple: a baby on the way, due next September. "Sometimes people don't want to have kids because they feel financially out of control," she said. "We knew we wanted to have children." They learned about FPU though Kristi's father, Peter Ugran, director of stewardship and development at St. Mary's. He coordinates the course, along with Erin Monroe, parish recep- tionist, as part of the parish vi- sion "Towards a Family Friendly Parish" established by pastor Fa- ther Alvaro Montero of the Dis- ciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary last October. "This ministry, like many oth- ers developed as staff and parish- ioners, asked: 'What can I do to contribute to this vision?'" Ugran said. "We are a stewardship par- ish and Financial Peace Univer- sity is an offering that we can give to our parish and local commu- nity that benefits the family." About half of the 65 peo- ple from 30 households participating are parishioners and the other half from neigh- boring communities. "We're all called to be good stewards of our money," he said. "And if we don't manage and di- rect it, it can manage and even enslave us." Personal finance authority Dave Ramsey, an evangelical Christian, created FPU, a pro- gram based on scriptural themes and prayer. "(It's) helped millions of fam- ilies using biblical principles to address some the money myths of our society," Ugran said. "And challenges us as families to be countercultural and address the need to make a budget and get out of debt." Members in the current class range from their early 20s to a participant in his 80s. "Regardless of age, we all can benefit from a financial re-boot at any stage of life," said Ugran, who has participated in the pro- gram twice. "The average family sees a financial improvement of over $8,000 in just 90 days through reducing their debt and increasing their savings. "When we do this as Chris - tians," he added, "we can better serve our greater community." For more information or to find a class, visit www.daveram- sey.com. Julie Filby: 303-715-3123; julie.filby@archden.org; www. twitter.com/DCRegisterJulie FINANCIAL I 11 DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER I FEBRUARY 5, 2014 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI congratulates on his ordination to the permanent diaconate and we welcome him to our parish. DEACON GEORGE THIERJUNG Do Your Investments Reflect Your Faith? Diane Zing Vice President of Investments Investment Advisor Representative (303) 749-6115 www.dianezing.com Securities and advisory services offered through National Planning Corporation (NPC). Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Trilogy Financial Services, T.M. Howes Financial LLC, Catholic Way Investment, LLC and NPC are separate and unrelated entities. Teresa M. Howes CLU, ChFC, CASL, AIF® Investment Advisor Representative (303) 697-6118 www.tmhowesfinancial.com Comprehensive, Multi-Generational Financial Planning Faith-Based & Socially Responsible Investment Options Small/Medium-Sized Businesses & Self-Employed Retirement Plans Retirement Income Strategies Trust Asset Management Life, Long Term Care & Disability Insurance Tax-Efficient Insurance & Investment Strategies Licensed, bonded, and insured. All rights reserved. Senior Helpers locations are independently owned and operated. ©2014 SH Franchising, LLC. Visit us on facebook (keyword: Senior Helpers) or at www.youtube.com/SeniorHelpersNat Bathing, Dressing, Personal Hygiene Assistance Ambulation & Transferring Assistance Specialized Care for Alzheimer's & Dementia, Brain Injuries, Neurological Disorders Neurological Disorders Disability & Hospice Support • • • • • • • • • • Caring Companionship Errands & Transportation Meal Preparation & Nutrition Management Medication Reminders Housekeeping Services 1-hour up to 24-hour Care 1-hour up to 24-hour Care including Respite Let us ease your mind with a complimentary in-home assessment. Call today to learn more. 303-452-6500 303-452-6500 970-667-6400 Metro Denver Boulder County Northern Colorado seniorhelpers.com/Denver seniorhelpers.com/Boulder seniorhelpers.com/NoCo From Colorado's Home Care Leader Quality of Life, Independent Living, and Peace of Mind Couple learns path to financial peace FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY Nine weekly lessons cover the following topics: • Reasons you should save money • Communicate and work together • Learn how to budget • Truth about credit • Influence of marketing on buying decisions • The world of insurance • Figuring out retirement and how to plan for college expenses • Real estate ins and outs • Generous giving PHOTO PROVIDED PATRICK and Kristi Meleney, pictured here on their wedding day Sept. 28, 2013, are working on their communication skills when it comes to money through a course at St. Mary Church in Littleton, Financial Peace University.

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