Brandon Twp.- Eriks Mezsets knows financial hardship.
More than a decade ago, Mezsets, and his wife, Kris, had thousands of dollars charged on credit cards and exorbitant car payments. Mezsets was a UPS plant manager making what he describes as good money, but his checks were spent before he got them. Kris owned her own business, but had to close it. They were forced to declare bankruptcy and their home was foreclosed on.
Today, the township residents are debt-free.
Mezsets credits their turnaround to financial guru Dave Ramsey and wants to help others improve their lot by teaching Ramsey’s secrets to financial success in a free workshop, ‘Total Money Makeover,? planned for 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 7, 14, and 21, at the library, 304 South St.
‘It’s open to anyone who wants to take control of their money,? said Mezsets, now an executive pastor at Lake Louise Church of the Nazarene. ‘The program is designed to offer hope to those out of a job, unemployed, who can’t make ends meet. It will get you back on your feet financially.?
Eriks and Kris Mezsets were introduced to the Ramsey budgeting plan by another couple in 1995 and it required major changes and some basic ones, too.
They began by establishing a budget, which to that point, they’d never had. They identified and established priorities, started an emergency fund, began paying themselves an allowance, and learned how to save.
Some of the changes were painful. They had to sell some things they owned and Kris took on a part-time job in addition to caring for their children, Justin and Mara.
‘We had to learn to prioritize and learn how to not spend it before we got it,? said Mezsets. ‘We began to control our money instead of the money controlling us.?
Using the program taught Mezsets how to refocus and repurpose goals and snowball debt to pay off his credit card in half the time.
During the Feb. 21 class, Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School Principal Jeff Beane will present a different perspective as he gives a co-seminar called ‘Marriage and Money.?
Beane, who is also a licensed financial representative with Primerica, will talk about the importance of being properly insured, creating and sustaining an emergency fund, and eliminating all debts, as well as determining where saving for retirement and children’s college education fall into the financial picture.
‘Essentially, I will teach you how to safely and securely allocate your money into your marriage,? he said.
Beane read Ramsey’s book two years ago, when, he said, he had enough debt to keep him awake at night. He has since made what he calls huge strides in getting out of debt from college loans, car loans and a mortgage.
‘Financial stress is a cancer in this country,? said Beane. ‘It’s tied to heart attacks, depression and divorce. When you can teach someone how to become free of that stress, it will spread into the rest of their lives and create a feeling of freedom. I really feel like even though I live in America, if I owe someone money, I am not free. We are on a plan and it is working.?
Beane and his wife, Mary, now know the date they will be debt-free, as well as their financial independence number? the amount of money they need to acquire in order to never have to work again.
Although the workshops are free, participants need to buy the Dave Ramsey ‘Total Money Makeover? book and workbook, each about $12-$14, prior to the classes. Scholarships are available. Seats are limited and registration is required for the workshops. For more information, call Eriks Mezsets at 248-236-5141 or 248-705-0404.