Death Grips
We hang on to our beliefs for dear life. Familiar is easy. We always think we know what is best for ourselves, even if this means hanging on to false beliefs with a dead grip. The biggest step toward financial freedom is simply admitting and accepting the possibility that our beliefs about money are false, yet we still hang on, clench our fists until our knuckles turn white. Admitting we are wrong and accepting something that seems so contradictory to what we have been accustomed to believe, I admit takes courage.
Our lives are complicated enough and the thought of unlearning what we have been taught is a daunting task. But what if it made all the difference in the world; the difference between struggling and experiencing financial freedom? Would that get your attention? We know what we know, but do not know what we don’t know. It is what we think we know that hurts our chances for success. Click here to read more »
Against All Odds
We all tend to look at the world, assume insurmountable odds, and then conclude it is impossible. Our backs are against the wall, we lose hope, we feel discouragement, maybe even hopelessness. Over your head in debt? Facing foreclosure? No job? Maybe you’re at a job you despise and see no solution? Well, whether you are barely surviving or on the brink of disaster, there is always hope. Do you serve a BIG God or a little one?
The economy may be in despair, jobless numbers may keep rising, the financial markets may keep bouncing around like a yo-yo, and the housing market could remain bleak in many parts of the country for many more years. What does this mean for you? Does God care about you? Why isn’t He answering your prayers? Is He teaching you some sort of lesson? Punishing you, maybe? Click here to read more »
If you study U.S. economic history and go back all the way to the 1850s, you will find only three occurrences when the economy fell back into a recession within 12 months of a previous recession. The big question becomes, if a double dip is possible, how likely will it occur today? This is a great question! However, I am not so much worried about the U.S. economy being in a recession as I am about a deep, extended consumer recession.
We have to separate the two. The economy as a whole can be out of a recession (growing), yet consumers can still be in a consumer recession (depressed earnings, lack of savings, lack of credit, lack of spending). The worry about the overall economy trickles down to the consumer and can cause pessimism or optimism. It takes the economy climbing out of a recession before the consumer follows suit. In other words, you can’t have one without the other. So if the overall economy plays an important role for the consumer, will we avoid a double dip? Click here to read more »
God does indeed call us to be good stewards of the money that He gives us. However, that does not mean that He does not want us to enjoy our monetary blessings. God derives enjoyment from his Creation and He takes pleasure in seeing His children reap the benefits of what He bestows upon them.
Psalm 128:2 says, “You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” The money we earn is a part of the fruit of our labor. The blessing that money gives us can be shared with others in the form of gifts and recreation. We know that we should invest and budget our money wisely. Within that budget, you can set aside money for fun and recreation. Here are some fun and creative ways you can spend your money. Click here to read more »
Is the recession over?
With news reporting the recession is finally over and the stock market recovering over 50% from the March 9th low, we need to ask: is the economy truly improving? Many in the financial media and on Wall Street would like you to believe this is the case. However, a further reflection of what’s truly happening on Main Street shows a completely different tale:
It’s estimated that:
- Unemployment will hit double digits
- One in three commercial loans is on verge of default
- Payments on over one million adjustable rate mortgages are about to significantly increase
- Personal bankruptcies are up 33 %
- Business bankruptcies may increase by over 60% before 2009 comes to a close
Click here to read more »
From Bob @ ChristianPF.com:
Finally, it is here!
The 10 Day Give starts today! If you haven’t yet signed up and want in on it, you still can – sign up here. I am excited to get started and I just about have all the days planned out. If you need any ideas for giving you can read Craig’s list of some 101 ways to give as well. Click here to read more »
With college tuition prices still on the rise and the economy in shambles, how does an average family meet college costs? The answer is they save early and often! Remember when a college education was reasonably priced? Those days are gone, and that’s why college planning is so important. Between 2001 and 2006, the average tuition and fees at four-year public colleges and universities increased by 35%. The average tuition for private colleges increased 32% between 1996 and 2006 (according to the College Board).
How soon is too soon?
It is never too soon to begin saving for your child’s education. Many parents start as soon as a child is born. Some parents begin planning before children arrive. If you’re planning on having a family “someday”, start planning now. If you have a child on the way, start now. If you have an infant, toddler, grade-schooler or teenager, start now. Notice a theme here? Click here to read more »
