Financial Freedom. What does that mean? Is it a stay at home business that promises thousands monthly? Does it equate to the new housing bill that only 1 percent of struggling homeowners qualify for? Or does it mean consolidation – lumping all of your debt into one large sum that follows you through to retirement?

For attendees of a seminar set to take place in North Highlands next month, the answer to those questions is a resounding NO.

Fed up with offerings of get rich quick schemes and credit repair classes, people we talked to were looking for something more when they signed up for the Financial Freedom Seminar (FFS).

“I just didn’t want to do it my way anymore – I was financially bound; a little FREEDOM sounded good!” says Sheila*, an event planner who moved here from the Bay area.

Having “moved up” from a run down house in a rough neighborhood to a brand new condo – she gives all the credit to the 3 day seminar.

At Financial Freedom, teachings on money and wealth are combined with sessions on knowing your worth, valuing family and business relationships, and charitable giving. Past attendees say the FFS delivers practical, real world knowledge.

Sheila’s first reaction was honest. “Tell me what forgiveness has to do with finances!” She exclaims.

“The answer is everything!”

After dealing with anger and hurts from past relationships she says she was able to believe life could be richer. The goal of the seminar is to work from the inside out.

Cathy* knew her financial problems couldn’t be solved by crunching numbers.

“My debt was like a form of self-sabotage – I didn’t have goals beyond paying off my bills.”

Deep in credit card and student loan debt, she was looking for a solution to the years of bad money habits she had learned over time.

“I had just landed a new job and was making good money, but I still felt poor,”

Within a year of going to the seminar she received a 50 percent raise and bought a new car.

Every story is different – from CEO’s and nurses to people like Dean* and Joann. They were unemployed living in a 30 foot trailer outside of his mother-in law’s home.

“We knew that this was not the way life was supposed to be so we attended the seminar”, says Dean.

Within six months – he was making six figures.

“I wouldn’t trade that seminar for anything”, says Dean.

The Sacramento conference is held at Family Community Church, an inter-denominational congregation led by pastor, and keynote speaker Bill Krause. Everything that is taught at Financial Freedom is based on the Bible.

Organizers of the event say it isn’t about the four walls of a church – it’s about proven principals that have worked since the beginning of time. They also say, it’s about knowing a God who wants all people to succeed.

“If a parent wants to give their little boy or girl everything they need and everything they could ever want, how much more God? We can’t begin to fathom how much He wants us to live a good life here – in spite of what’s happening.”

While ‘what’s happening’ around our community and our world - real estate crashes, high fuel costs and unemployment - continue, FFS attendees like Beth say God’s economy is far more rewarding.

“There is no stability in the stock market. There is no stability for people’s jobs anymore. What is stable, and never changes is God’s word. He has a system – and promises that it will work”.

What do they say to people who ‘don’t believe’? The proof is in the lives changed.

“Suddenly, being well-off wasn’t all about me anymore”, says Cathy*, who besides the money has been able to realize other dreams like weight loss.

“It was about fulfilling goals I’ve had since college. Helping others and making a difference in the world.”

Attendees like Dean and his wife are fully convinced.

“As a result of the seminar we moved into a nice home, we ate better, we live better. Our lives are dramatically changed forever because of the principals we received”.

*Names of attendees have been changed.

The seminar series is now in its fifth year and has been featured in Visalia, CA. FFS debuted internationally last year in Germany and Switzerland.

If you’d like more information about the series, you can call 916-348-3200 or log on to www.billkrause.com