TESTIMONIALS
Felicia Latson is a social worker, living and practicing in Houston's historic 5th Ward. Felicia has been a student in the L.I.F.E program since 2015. Since that time she has paid off all of her debt down to her mortgage, established healthy emergency and retirement funds, and is learning how to analyze and manage stock accounts to increase her family's long term stability. She has learned to do this despite her fear of math/finance and having a modest social work salary. Felicia states "The L.I.F.E program has been a complete paradigm shift in how I think about money. Because of the tools I'm gaining, I can focus on living out my purpose as a social worker without the frustration of doing less fulfilling work for a higher salary. I'm learning how to create my own salary."
My name is Reginald Johnson and I am a current college student at Texas Southern University. I come from a single mother household where, as far as finances go, were not taught at all because she just did not know. I didn't have a bank account until my sophomore year in college. The L.I.F.E organization has opened my eyes to so much Biblically and financially. It started with training the mind with why we should invest, to budgeting, and now trading and managing my own portfolio of stocks. But mostly, I understand and can analyze companies and make business decisions, things I would have never dreamed of doing. Now, with the help of L.I.F.E, I have the opportunity to teach and reach others who may have situations similar or worse than mine. 
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I had no idea what I was getting myself into upon starting this class. I knew nothing about Compound Interest or the difference between a Will and a Trust Fund. In completing Phase 1 I learned that and much more. I now know how to make good business decisions by assessing the risks, in asking myself is this going to bring in revenue ( asset) or will I put out more than I bring in (liability). The biblical aspects of this class made it all the more worthwhile. Not only have I learned how to manage and budget, I am also learning what God expects us to do with the Monies he has entrusted us with. We are Stewards. Matthew 25:21 "The Purpose of a Steward being hired is for the purpose of growing that which he/she has been entrusted. I am now entering into Phase 2, where the talk of stocks, and bonds have made my blood pressure rise, but Mr. Ceasar is such an awesome Teacher he breaks it down and we research in order to get a better understanding. We are in the beginning of this class but I am so excited to see what I will be able to take away from this and apply to my Life. 
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L.I.F.E has shown me how to be financially conscious. In the past, I use to spend foolishly and live pay check to pay check, now I am aware on what I spend. L.I.F.E taught me how to create a budget and how to be HONEST on what is needed and what is just wanted. I am now educated on how investments work and the many forms of having different sources of incomes. In a nutshell, L.I.F.E has given me an opportunity to get out the rat race and retire by 35. 
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The LIFE Program has truly revolutionized my view on finances in all aspects of my life; once I joined the program, the information I gathered helped me better understand investments, budgeting, society's role in the everyday finances of an individual, and the list goes on! The way I handle debt, savings, and spending has completely changed thanks to the program. If I knew in HS what I know now, my spending and saving habits would have been A-1, and my willingness to get into debt for unnecessary things would have been completely absent from my life. The LIFE Program is invaluable in my life, and all it took was the will to learn the ins and outs of the effect money has in different setting to different people and what it means to be financial competent. 
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When Joe first introduced the basic concepts of financial accountability to me and the others in the pilot class I simply saw it as a way for me to get ahead of "the game" when it came to keeping up with the Joneses. As the classes continued my perception of the tool, money, and my greater responsibilities in life were changed forever. From the smallest ideas such as a 10 dollar movie ticket, or a cable bill, all the way up to retirement and an estate have a whole different meaning and value to me. Through the course of Phase 1 I learned to battle and eliminate the everyday challenges that more often than not the less financially literate are overcome by, such as savings, debt, and proper insurance. Through the continuous development of Phase 2 I have learned and continue to learn many ways to make my money work for me, those around me and my family to come. As my financial knowledge and awareness has increased I have acquired a desire to know that when I die I would have been the best possible steward of the resources that have been granted to me and that I have taught those around me how to do the same. 
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The L.I.F.E. program has changed my life. It opened my eyes to another way of thinking when it comes to money management, saving, budgeting, investing, and so forth. This is an awesome program that everyone should take part in. Most people go through life without the true meaning of money management. Financial education is vital for the community and the members that reside in it. Without this knowledge, we are allowing generations to continue in the same cycles of poor money management and lack of knowledge. I, myself was guilty of that as well. My favorite part of the program thus far, is the connection the programs principles has to the Bible. I have found that financial education is important in order to build wealth and enjoy financial security for you, your children, and family. I am so grateful to Mr. Joe Ceasar, his wife, and the L.I.F.E Program for offering this opportunity to empower us with the knowledge and ability to change our lives for the better. 
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