Dollars and $ense was founded in 2007 by Paul McGuire, a Dave Ramsey Certified Counselor.  After undergoing a significant financial transformation himself, Paul wanted to share his story and in the process help others find their way to financial freedom. Paul and his family lives in Clay, Alabama, yet serves the Birmingham, Anniston,  and Gadsden areas. He is the father of three and his devoted wife Kami is a realtor serving the Birmingham area. They are members of ClearBranch United Methodist Church. Paul’s story can be found below.

Paul grew up much like many of you, with well-meaning, hard-working parents who did everything within their power to provide a good life for their family.  He learned the typical myths of money management - that protecting your credit at all costs is the key to having whatever you want in life, and that car payments, credit cards, and mortgages are just a normal way of life. In fact, he lived the first few years of his adult life practicing just those behaviors. While never accumulating significant credit card debt, he did have car payments and mortgages and protected his credit rating like it was gold. When he did borrow money, he paid it off on time or early, but always found himself stressed by the prospects of having payments and obligations to others.  In 1994, his father died at the young age of 54, and he quickly learned what it means to have no money in the bank when your family depends on you for their support.

Then, in 2001, Paul underwent both a divorce and a job loss. He had a car payment, a house payment and two children, in addition to child support and alimony obligations, but no money in the bank. He made the sacrifices necessary to keep from financial disaster. He sold his house at a small loss, bringing $700 to the closing table. He sold the car and paid cash for an eight-year old Camry, then moved into an apartment through the storm of the divorce. Paul also took a step back to get into a position to win in his career. Today, Paul is remarried with a third child. Their house is paid for and the Camry is long gone, replaced with a nice 2004 truck that he always wanted. This year Paul will make 50% more than my 2001 salary, which justifies the decision to take a step back professionally to take several steps forward. Paul’s wife started and runs her own successful business, they have a year's worth of savings in the bank, and retirement is well under way. They don't owe anybody in this world a dime.  He wants to share this good news with as many people as he can reach, since it is truly a different way of living.

The legal mumbo jumbo can be found here.

"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."  Proverbs 22:7 (NIV)

Copyright 2008 Dollars and $ense Financial Coaching