First FPU class tonight...

**jills55** · 09-07-2010, 09:15 AM

I'm very excited!! But wondering what to expect? I'm not really sure what all we need to bring, what we'll get, etc. Anyone have any insight for us?
Oh and the church said they offer "free" baby-sitting but did say that a donation would be "appreciated". How much do you think we should give? This isn't our home church, so I have no idea.
Thanks!
Jill

**Greebo** · 09-07-2010, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by jills55

I'm very excited!! But wondering what to expect? I'm not really sure what all we need to bring, what we'll get, etc. Anyone have any insight for us?

Do you have your kit yet or are you expecting to receive your kit at the class?

Basically, bring a pen or pencil and if you have it, your kit.

Oh and the church said they offer "free" baby-sitting but did say that a donation would be "appreciated". How much do you think we should give?

You should ask the class coordinator.

**jills55** · 09-07-2010, 10:19 AM

I think we get our kit tonight and pay tonight.
I'll see what I see other people giving. I did ask the director and didn't get much beyond "whatever you feel appropriate".... which I consider a non-answer!

**Greebo** · 09-07-2010, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by jills55

I think we get our kit tonight and pay tonight.
I'll see what I see other people giving. I did ask the director and didn't get much beyond "whatever you feel appropriate".... which I consider a non-answer!

Well what would you usually pay a baby sitter?

**kita** · 09-08-2010, 11:09 AM

I wouldn't pay what a babysitter costs. Baby-sitting is free at a church function but a donation would always be welcome. If you donate I would make it clear that it is for babysitting so the church can put it in that budget area. It might improve art supplies or snacks for the kiddies over the seminar time...

**Greebo** · 09-08-2010, 11:10 AM

So how was the class?

**jills55** · 09-08-2010, 11:38 AM

We didn't kick in anything for the sitting and neither did anyone else. I think we might try to find some items to donate though, it looked like they could use some.

The class was good. Lots of different types of people there but a few that seem to be in our same boat. You know, credit card debt related to buying stupid stuff, etc etc. Then one odd lady who said she never thought about an emergency fund because she just cashes in some of her stocks when she needs some money.... I'm not sure she's in our league

But I think it will be good to share experiences and ideas and especially accountability with others!

**StanleyJohnson** · 09-08-2010, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by jills55

We didn't kick in anything for the sitting and neither did anyone else. I think we might try to find some items to donate though, it looked like they could use some.

The class was good. Lots of different types of people there but a few that seem to be in our same boat. You know, credit card debt related to buying stupid stuff, etc etc. Then one odd lady who said she never thought about an emergency fund because she just cashes in some of her stocks when she needs some money.... I'm not sure she's in our league

But I think it will be good to share experiences and ideas and especially accountability with others!

What was the age range?

**Greebo** · 09-08-2010, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by jills55

We didn't kick in anything for the sitting and neither did anyone else. I think we might try to find some items to donate though, it looked like they could use some.

The class was good. Lots of different types of people there but a few that seem to be in our same boat. You know, credit card debt related to buying stupid stuff, etc etc. Then one odd lady who said she never thought about an emergency fund because she just cashes in some of her stocks when she needs some money.... I'm not sure she's in our league

But I think it will be good to share experiences and ideas and especially accountability with others!

She might be stealing from her retirement to pay for the present. Don't assume anything.

**kita** · 09-08-2010, 04:22 PM

Cashing in stock to pay for emergency still sounds like bad finances. Just a little different scale. Still bad.

**Greebo** · 09-09-2010, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by kita

Cashing in stock to pay for emergency still sounds like bad finances. Just a little different scale. Still bad.

On the contrary - if the stocks are simply held in an ordinary brokerage account, then cashing in stocks to eliminate debt can be an excellent move.

Look at it like this - would you borrow money in order to buy stocks? If not - then why would you keep stocks when you have borrowed money?

The reason you don't touch *retirement* money (that being money in tax favored accounts like IRAs) is because of the massive opportunity cost and possible penalties you face when doing so. If that's not in play, no reason not to use it.

**frugalwarrior2** · 09-09-2010, 09:13 AM

You are assuming there is a babysitting fund to pay the girls at church? The girls get paid what you give them. If you use this service you should pay something. Churches are not so rude as to put a price on it. I would say $5 would at least be a gesture.

Our class was a large cross section of people too. Some earning hours to qualify for Habitat Humanity homes,us-trying to recover financially after a medical tragedy, a few w/ CC debt, A few w/ upside down mortgages, young couples learning where to put there money and how not to get into debt. A lady who is dealing w/ her DH's disability and money. It definately wasn't about people who just spent foolishly.
I learned tons from all sorts of people I wouldn't have known otherwise. It's an amazing journey and I am sad that next week is my only week left.

**Greebo** · 09-09-2010, 09:31 AM

How is putting a price on a service "rude"?

**jills55** · 09-09-2010, 09:35 AM

The "nursery" had kids in it whose parents were attending other activities at this church as well. And it was staffed by two adults who were volunteers. I'm assuming it works the same way as our church does, if nursery workers are paid it comes out of the church's budget. This was a large church with lots of activities going on.

**kita** · 09-09-2010, 09:46 AM

I guess I think it is bad to sell stock for anemergency because then Murphy is tellilng when to sell the stock not you.
So if you lost your job in the recent stock market downturn, you couldn't wait to sell when the price was better. You took a hit in the market and then paid your mortgage with it. And I am guessing that you would have to pay your mortgage with it because if you have money in the market your lifestyle would correspond and the maxed out unemployment rate wouldn't cover your expenses.
Okay, that is a lot of guessing...but still. I wouldn't put emergency fund in the stock market.