What is the difference between Financial Peace University (FPU) and Financial Counseling/Coaching?
The difference is the level of detail.  Financial Coaching is our most detailed, comprehensive program offered.  We will help you develop a plan specific to your situation. 

Are you available to speak to our group, church, organization or business?
Enthusiastically Yes!  I would be happy to speak at your event about the importance of managing your money and the power of living on a plan.  Please contact me at 972-200-0550 or crossfocuscoach@aol.com to make arrangements.  I will customize the message to fit your particular audience.  Attendees will leave empowered and armed with the knowledge to change their family tree forever.   

Wouldn’t debt consolidation or bankruptcy just be better?
Debt consolidation is dangerous because you treat only the symptom of the problem. The debt and the habits that caused it are still there - you just moved the debt! You will pay about the same amount, which doesn't really help you pay your debts off faster.  Most people take on more debt after consolidating or end up in bankruptcy because they didn't change their behavior.  Bankruptcy is a gut-wrenching, life-changing event that causes life-long damage.  Avoid it if at all possible.  Bankruptcy is listed in the top 5 life-altering, negative events that one can go through. Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which is total bankruptcy, stays on your credit report for 10 years. Chapter 13 bankruptcy, more like a payment plan, stays on your credit report for 7 years.  Bankruptcy, however, is for life. Loan applications and many job applications ask if you have ever filed for bankruptcy.  Ever.  A common misconception is that you can use credit repair services to fix the damage from filing bankruptcy. If you lie to get a loan because your bankruptcy is very old, technically you have committed criminal fraud.

How do I know if I need a coach?
Financial coaching is the most hands-on of any of our services. Our coaches will help you develop a plan specific to your unique situation and help you implement this plan. Whether you're facing a crisis situation – facing bankruptcy, foreclosure, or creditors harassing you non-stop, or you need a plan for building wealth, help with a small business, or if you have some general questions about how to get on the right track with your money, financial coaching could be the right thing for you. Our coaches are trained to handle a wide variety of situations and will help you get very detailed advice and a highly specific plan to make your money work for you!

How can I pay for coaching when I am broke? 
Financial counseling gives you a high level of detail and individual attention.  Although financial coaching can be expensive, for some it is a necessity.  For others, however, it is a luxury.  You will have to decide where to draw the line.  If counseling is a necessity, then you also have to compare it to: 1) the costs of bankruptcy which can be $500-$2,000 in legal fees alone, or 2) the cost of credit counseling, which at $30-$50 per month for 4 years would cost around $2,000.  Our fees are a bargain compared to these options, plus you'll have a plan to change your financial future! Many couples also find that by addressing their financial situation, the stress on their marriage is reduced.

What if my spouse will not come? Can I still work with a coach?
Our policy requires that both spouses attend the coaching.  We have found over the years that counseling only half of the marriage does not work.  This must be a team effort.  Try sitting down with your spouse in a non-distracting environment and communicating how much you love them and how much you want them to participate in the finances.  Do not let this be a time to nag, yell, scream, etc.  Tell him/her that attending financial coaching can be a Christmas/birthday/anniversary gift to you this year.

I want to make an appointment now. What do I do ?
To schedule a free 30 minute appointment call us at 972-200-0550 or you can also email us at  crossfocuscoach@aol.com

How do I prepare for my coaching session?
After scheduling an appointment you will need to fill out paperwork that you can find by clicking here.  This helps me understand your goals, priorities, and what you are hoping to achieve from the coaching session(s). It also makes our time more productive when together.

How often can I contact the coach after our session?  How does the follow-up work?
Your coaching fee includes the initial 2 ½ hour session, a 1 hour follow-up session and 6 months of unlimited follow-up (periodic phone calls, emails, and/or office visits at the counselor's discretion.) 

Will you be able to contact creditors for me?
Our goal is to empower the client and give them the tools to do this on their own. However, in some specific situations, I may contact creditors on a client’s behalf to negotiate payment plans and/or settlement amounts. We make no promises in negotiations; each creditor is different and is not required to negotiate.  Negotiation with creditors is an additional fee.

Why Should I do coaching and FPU?
The purpose of the coaching is to help you get a great jump start to your financial plan and give you HOPE!  However, as Dave says, personal finance is 80% behavior and 20% knowledge.  Your behavior cannot be completely changed in a 2-hour coaching session. Change is a process. That’s where FPU comes in!  FPU provides 13 weeks of accountability, fun, and awesome financial knowledge that you need to know and will change your life forever!  We can point you to the class that is closest to you.

Is my financial information kept confidential?
ABSOLUTELY! Your financial information will NOT leave your counseling session.