Local Students Meet Syndicated Radio Host

At 7:30 a.m. Sunday, April 17 eight students from in Norton, along with three chaperones, including personal finance teacher, Michael Cochran, set out for their destination – Financial Peace Plaza, located 20 minutes south of Nashville, Tenn. Financial Peace Plaza is the home of the nationally syndicated radio program, The Dave Ramsey Show. Dave Ramsey is also the author of "Total Money Makeover." Ramsey hosts a three-hour radio show Monday through Friday discussing basic concepts in finances for the average American.

The New Testament finance class is following the Foundations for Personal Finance curriculum which Ramsey developed to educate high school students in mortgages, balancing a check book, allocating savings, and decision making with a full understanding of consequences. This year, New Testament Christian School high school students have studied real time people wrestling with issues including divorce, college funding and discipline with purchases.

After driving seven hours, the group arrived at their first stop, Messiah College in Grantham, Penn. There, students were treated to a gospel choir performance and then attended a coffee house. They stayed the evening at the college’s youth center.

After many hours of travel, the students finally arrived at Financial Peace Plaza where they viewed a taping of The Dave Ramsey Show at the radio studio as calls were answered and people were counseled. After the show, the group had a personal introduction and tour of the facility. The highlight of the visit was a question and answer session with Dave’s daughter Rachel Cruze. Rachel tours the United States speaking to high school and college groups about the many financial issues and decisions students are facing, or soon will face. Spending less than what you make and not buying it if you do not have the funds are the bedrock principles of the Ramsey philosophy. What used to be common sense is now new and unique. 

Proverbs 22:7 states:  “The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is slave to the lender.”  Making good choices and listening to wise counsel is a great stepping stone to having financial peace.