They say it best…
“Foundational to starting this plan is having it down on paper and both of us agreeing on it. It feels like a ton of bricks has been lifted from our shoulders. The money is going where it’s supposed to be going and we are not just “blowing” it. It has helped for the two of us to discuss our goals and with your help create a plan for us. If we can see the plan ahead of us we can get there. We are finally on the same page and now believe that this is achievable!
Since we’ve started with the both of you, I feel as if we’ve made GREAT progress with our money but more then anything getting past the dreaded money topic has opened many other wonderful doors in our marriage. Taking the steps to lay out the foundation on our money and having a plan to work towards has helped us to get over the hurdle and onto living. Having the opportunity to sit down with the two of you as our personal ”referee” has defiantly improved our marriage in many ways beyond money! Once our money plan was in place, the walls we’ve built over the years began to come down and we started to see why we feel in love in the first place. Money issues in a marriage can build walls, ill feelings, lack of communication which makes it hard to work as a team and then sometimes need people like the two of you to get back on track! We feel very blessed to be back on track, have goals/dreams, and working towards something rather then nothing! Thank you both so very much!”
“Wow you guys, we were so encouraged by your take on things, I can’t tell you how much better I feel. We’ll take the coaching to heart across the board and let you know our progress. Thanks for the updated spreadsheet and for your time. We love the experience we have when we’re with you guys — you are the perfect people for what you’re doing! Thanks again!”
~Bob and Kim
*****
“I wanted to thank you both again! The money that I paid you had much less to do with the spreadsheets and the little details. It was was worth every penny because you showed me a new way to live. In essence, I paid you to have the key to the multi-million dollar door! Look like I got a steal if you ask me!”
~Daniel DiPiazza
*****
Mike and Mari
Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You guys are awesome. I so value your advice and guidance. I NEED you both in order to stay on track. I promise to do all these steps….it’s the ONLY way out.
~C.M.
*****
Hi Mike and Mari,
Thank you for making a discussion about our finances as pleasant as possible. We are very inspired and encouraged by you and your knowledge. We have a date Saturday night to go over all of the papers and talk strategy. We’ll be sure to let you know if any questions arise. Thanks again.
~Andrea and Bruce
*****
Good Morning,
First thank you so much for your encouragement. I feel like I have a direction now. You don’t know much better I feel about our situation. I know we are in for a long haul but am ready and excited about getting out of debt.
~Woodcocks
*****
“We chose to use the cash envelope system for our groceries, eating out, clothes and gift money. Before, I used to just spend freely because I was looking at the total amount in the checking account. Now, when I look at the amounts I’ve budgeted and I’m limited to the cash, it makes me think twice about how we’re spending our money. One night, my husband and I decided to cook dinner at home and then went and had dessert at a nice restaurant. Normally we would have spent that extra $50 and had a full meal. We still enjoyed our date just as much, but spent less. The hardest part for me though has been the gifts. I love spending my money on other people. Now when birthdays or showers come up, instead of rushing to the mall and buying something nice off the shelves, I have to stop and think about something thoughtful, but affordable I can give. Actually, my friends and family have enjoyed the last few gifts I’ve bought more than others because it’s really not about how much you spend, but about the thoughtfulness.
Most of what I’ve learned from the Larkin’s hasn’t been anything I didn’t already know. I just needed a system to make me disciplined enough to do what I knew I should have been doing all along.
Using this system just requires a little more effort from my part, but it has been so enlightening actually watching where all my money is going…especially since so much more of it is going into the savings and towards our debt! The best part is we haven’t really had to change our lifestyle too much either. It just takes a little extra time and attention.
The Larkin’s system really works because normally we would just be spending what we’re making and paying off the credit card chunk-by-chunk whenever I had a good month, instead of looking to areas where we can cut back to make the debt a priority. Thanks for all your help!”
~Brandon and Sophia Hyde
*****
“It was so great meeting with you this weekend. I think this is going to be a great experience and hopefully I will be debt free before you know it. “
~Andrea Rose
*****
“Thanks for the notes. I’m sure I would have forgotten something on this list without these. I want you both to know that you have truly taken an enormous amount of stress out of my life and made this experience not only positive, but very exciting for me. Thank you so much.”
~Michelle
*****
“Tim and I learned quite a bit last night at our meeting. We are definitely fired up about making some very good positive changes in our lives. Thank you for sending the outline of what we discussed–that helps.”
~Katy
*****
“Thank you for all your encouragement you give us. We truly believe you are more than counselors but now our friends. Thanks again. You guys are great!”
~David and Becky
*****
“It was great meeting a couple who I believe really care. Thank you for listening and understanding.”
~Glenn
*****
“Thanks for your input and keep doing what you are doing! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! We have stayed on our budget since our last meeting with you 99% of the time. Can’t say it’s been 100%, but every time we mess up, we get back up and try again. With your help and encouragement we now KNOW that it is possible to stay on our budget AND get the things we need. We will forever be in your debt, not only because of the principles you taught us but because of the individual time and attention you gave us for our unique challenges. Believe it or not, we are now sharing these principles with those friends and family that will listen. It is great to be in control of your money and KNOW that you can stay that way, no matter what comes your way. Please keep doing what you are doing because many people need financial peace! May God richly bless you both and your business!”
~Howard and Diane
*****
“Thanks for your kindness and valuable advice concerning debt reduction, you’ve been more helpful than you could ever imagine. Thanks again for our help, and I’ll be in touch should I have need for advice or progress to report. Blessings.”
~Woody
*****
“Your coaching gave us reduced stress and a more open communication about financial matters. We now go to each other to make any decision regarding money whereas before we too often “rolled with the flow” and paid for it later. Anyone who has gotten into financial difficulties knows how stressful each day becomes. One of the best benefits we feel is that we had the ability to deal head on with whoever or whatever we had to do knowing that we had a plan! When we made “little” steps and accomplishments you both were there to cheer us on – that made a big difference.”
~Sam and Cindy Clark
*****
“Thanks for checking in on us. We appreciate all the encouragement. Thank you for what you do and how supportive you are. We appreciate everything!”
~Kathy
*****
“I must tell you that I walked into your office last night numb and feeling hopeless, but both David and I walked out feeling hopeful and encouraged and determined. We appreciate your professionalism but genuine care about us. I believe both of you are what we need right now. Thank you so very much.”
~Karen
*****
“Hello! We are doing well. We are just starting to get our plan in full swing. We are pretty clear on what we need to do right now. I will be bringing our shredded credit cards for your jar–should fill it up just about. Thanks for checking in with us.”
~Gretchen
*****
“Thank you for everything you have done and are doing to help us.”
~Michelle
*****
“Thank you so much again for this help. You both are allowing yourselves to be used in one of the toughest parts of ministry (finances). Why do I say that? Because we have to have a trust factor and people are ashamed of their debt and the mistakes that they have made. But you guys make it easy to come to you and ask for the help. Thank you for that. I know that we will be one of your success stories. God bless you both.”
~The Gonzalez Family
*****
“Thank you again for the time you spent with us last night. For once, we actually have begun to address this “skeleton in our closet” as a couple. Thanks again for your prayers and look forward to seeing you soon.”
~ Rich
*****
“Congrats on your 26 years together and thanks for the guidance and encouragement along the way.”
~Mike & Liz
*****
“Thank you for patiently listening, offering good advice and helping to guide us where we want to be. Stacey and I really have tried very hard but have been really hit by business and economic circumstances out of our control that haven’t allowed us to be where we need to be. I think both of us were relieved when we left today. I felt I had priorities and wasn’t alone any more in trying to do the right things the right way. So thank you for helping us and taking our family on!”
~Tom and Stacey
*****
“Just wanted to let you know we got your email. We are excited about our action plan and strategy and will keep you updated as we take our baby steps toward financial freedom! Meeting with you was the smartest thing we could do! Prior to meeting with you, we really couldn’t see a way out of our debt. But now we have hope to become debt free (again)! I used the cash envelope system with groceries today and I certainly was much more thoughtful about what I was putting in the cart and even put things back on the shelf because I didn’t want to spend the “cash”. I told myself “no”! We’ll be in touch! God Bless.”
~C & S
*****
“David and I chose Mike and Mari Larkin because they were financial advisors endorsed by Dave Ramsey. We went to them in desperation and were met at the door with a warm smile and a hug. I was falling apart and David was ashamed and embarrassed, but there was no put down or criticism. They listened sympathetically, offered advice, and presented to us what their services would do for us should we choose to accept their help. There was no pressure at all.
David and I left their home that evening feeling hopeful, encouraged, and ready for the fight. We discussed whether we could pay for their financial services. We were in debt and the creditors were hounding us, but we decided that Mike and Mari’s services just might be the best investment we could make. We were not disappointed.
The next morning, I began making phone calls to our creditors. I felt empowered by taking charge and taking the offensive with our creditors. By following their plan and advice, we were able to reduce our debt by $40,582 in approximately 5 months. Don’t get me wrong, those months were the most difficult months of our married lives, but our marriage withstood this make it or break it situation and we are closer than ever before. Mike and Mari showed us how to budget and helped us see that dealing with finances is a huge part of a successful marriage.
As questions came up throughout this process, they spent time researching to give us the advice and answers we needed. Sometimes I needed to vent my frustrations with our situation and Mari always responded with encouragement and wise counsel. Mike was the cool head and quiet observer and provided insightful and sometimes painful to hear suggestions about what was wise and best for us to do.
You cannot have better allies and friends than Mike and Mari if you are in financial difficulties. Together as a team, they are intelligent, professional, and caring financial advisors who helped us tremendously and we readily recommend them.”
~David and Karen
*****
“I have been committed to not borrowing for thirty five years. In spite of this resolve, I borrowed money for a truck a few years back. I felt like we were living from paycheck to paycheck. We are a single income family and at the time we had six children living at home. Mike and Mari led a class on principles of finance. I attended the class for twelve weeks and was “zealous” in application of the principles that I learned. Over the next seven months I paid $9,209.56 toward my truck and paid it off. I also was able to put $3,000 in savings. My financial position changed by over $12,000 in seven months! Our family is back on track. The principles that Mike and Mari teach are “time tested” truths. I am glad I set under their ministry.”
~Bob Franklin, Pastor of Covenant Bible Church
*****
Dear Mari and Mike,
“What a pleasure it was to sit under your guidance and wisdom last night! Thank-you! Ray and I look forward to checking off our many to-do’s from last nights meeting. We have also began tracking our expenses to “sure-up” our budget needs.
Thank-you again for your time. You two are wonderful!!! We look forward to our next meeting.”
~Ray & Gwen Allen
