Mike & Mari

Some married couples know how to make the most of life.  They complement each other, capitalize on each other’s strengths, and form an effective team.  Their united efforts affect those around them.  Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18) was such a couple. They are never mentioned separately in the Bible.  In marriage and ministry, they operated as one.  In any age when the focus in mostly on what happens between a husband and wife, Aquila and Priscilla are an example of what can happen through a husband and wife.   They are the example that Mike and Mari Larkin desire to model in their own lives, business and ministry, developing their fullest potential as a team over the past 20 years to serving others to be all they can be, mainly in the area of finances.

Strengths and accomplishments:

• They know how to laugh together and have fun doing most anything as a team effort, making the most out of life.
• Their effectiveness together is the result of their strong relationship and learning how to communicate well with one another.
• Staying focused on their goals through team work, has helped them in achieving their goals much easier and quicker because they are not constantly fighting each other like they often see couples do.
• In coaching together they can see things differently which helps bring different perspectives into view for the other couple and sometimes results in a breakthrough.  They don’t always see eye to eye on every issue, but their united efforts affect those around them in a positive manner.
• Have learned to rely on the other spouse to fill in their gaps or weaknesses.  They complement each other, capitalizing on each other’s strengths, and form an effective team.
• Mike is a gifted public speaker and knows how to engage his audience and make lessons about money very practical as well as encouraging.  He brings years of dynamic leadership qualities into their business.
• Mari is very organized and detailed, able to be discerning of others and is loyal and caring to everyone she helps.  She also brings in the lighthearted laughter into some tough situations able to diffuse some tension.  She will always share honestly and will clarify any expectations to gain successful results.

Lessons from their lives:

• Started their married life in debt with student loans and then with the birth of each new child, managed to get further into debt.   They finally realized the bondage they were in, and with the help of Larry Burkett, Christian Financial Concepts (before Crown), they managed to pay off all of their credit card debt, personal loans, and car debt in less than 1 year.
• They still managed to make dumb mistakes (stupid tax) with their money (like purchasing new cars), but kept coming back to the realization that they needed a bigger purpose (goals and a plan to get there) and a budget to keep them on target.  Through making wise choices and keeping within the boundaries of their budget, they experience peace and contentment.  They desire to teach you how to avoid the mistakes they’ve made along the way.
• Their motto is slow and steady plodding brings prosperity.  They haven’t done anything hasty or tried to get rich quick.  They are like the turtle in the Tortoise and the Hare…slow moving, steady, but always reaching the finish line.
• Their passion to help others realize the freedom that comes from not living paycheck to paycheck and the ability to build wealth and give freely has motivated them to start their own business coaching other couples to win with their money as well as strengthen their marriage. They want couples to realize their dreams and reach their fullest potential as a united team.

Statistics:

• Married 26 years and counting and loving it!
• Have 3 adult married children, and two adorable grandsons
• Reside in Plant City, Florida
• Mike is an elder of their church of 12 years, Covenant Bible Church, Pastor Bob Franklin
• More than 20 years of experience in budgeting and money management for couples
• Crown Financial Ministries Certified Money Map Coach and a Dave Ramsey Certified Counselor

Mission statement:

Mike and Mari Larkin the “Let’s Talk Money™” couple started Larkin Coaching to help glorify God by bringing people to financial maturity in their marriage, career and life.  Our desire is to help relieve your financial stress, strengthen your marriage and recapture your dreams of the life you wanted to build by helping you develop a master plan based on your values, dreams and goals.  Let’s Talk Money now, so that later everything isn’t always about money. By learning how to communicate well and becoming purposeful in everything, you begin unleashing life’s potential!