Personal Budget Counseling

The Hope Financial Ministries team of experienced Christian budget counselors can help you draft and implement a spending plan that will help you work through your debts. During the one-on-one counseling sessions, you will be given strategies, goals, and action plans to successfully guide you along your way to being debt free month by month. This ministry is a free service and is open to any regular attendee of Hope Community Church.

Personal budget counseling sessions are generally held the first Thursday evening of each month unless those dates fall on scheduled holidays. Remaining financial counseling dates through 2010 include:

• Thursday, September 16; Sign up online by September 15
  
• Thursday, October 7; Sign up online by October 6
  
• Thursday, November 4; Sign up online by November 3
  
• Thursday, December 2; Sign up online by December 1

Before attending, please fill out our online registration form, which asks for basic financial information in order to help the counselors better assist you. Once you register, a member of the Financial Ministries team will contact you to schedule/confirm your appointment.

FAQS
Is counseling done in a group format or in a one on one format? All counseling is done one on one so that your counselor can take the time to understand your specific situation and provide personalized advice.

Is the information discussed confidential? Yes, all of our counselors have signed confidentially covenants. The only sharing of your personal information would be among the counselor team when collaborating debt reduction strategies.

Does the financial ministry team help pay bills or provide financial assistance? No, our team is trained to teach you debt reduction strategies that have proven to be very effective. These strategies center around using Biblical insights as you make each financial decision. If there is an emergency need for financial assistance, please contact the Hope Benevolence team and complete an aid application.

How long does it take to get out of debt? It depends on how much debt you have and how we can help you create savings in your monthly budget, the length of time to completely shed your debt can vary. It is common that folks become debt free in 18-36 months after starting this process.
How long does the counseling process last? As long as it takes. Typically as you begin substantial debt reduction, it is not necessary to meet as often. However, we are committed to helping you until you are completely free from debt.

Will I always have the same counselor? Usually you will work with the same counselor. There are some situations where other members of the Financial Ministry team may assist or substitute if your primary counselor in unavailable or not equipped to meet a specific need.

What if Thursdays are not a good night to meet? We have counselors that are available at other times if you cannot make the regular 1st Thursday monthly meeting. Please indicate that Thursdays are a conflict for you on your online registration form.

If you have additional questions or need additional information, please complete the online registration form and indicate your question in the priorities / goals section. One of our team members will generally contact you within 48-72 hours.