24Mar 2020 by Russ

Overcoming Fear

Blog, Budgeting, Money Worries
How are you handling the fear that can take over during times like these?  I have heard many suggestions for handling fear.  Perhaps one of these will help you: 1. Trust God and remember that He is in control.  Spend some time reading his Word.  Read 1 John or Psalm 139.  Let God speak to you through his word.  Spend some time quietly meditating on Him and His word.            This post could stop right here and that would be fine.  2. Connect with your family. The next thing you should do is to call your family.  Maybe you have not talked with a family member in a while.  Take a moment and call.  If you don’t know what to say try this, “I am thinking about you and want to…
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11Feb 2020 by Russ

Your Budget start in 2020!

Budgeting, Getting Started, Spending Plan
How are you doing with your money in the new year? People that I talk with answer that many different ways.  Some say that they are doing well.  Others say that nothing has changed. People that are doing well with their money report that they have more confidence that they know where their money is going.  Their budget or spending plan is not perfect but it is getting better.  They are making progress in being more effective telling their money where to go.  They have set some goals and are making progress toward them.  It may be a starter emergency fund or beginning to reduce debt.  The common denominator of progress with your money is a budget. Those people that are struggling with money are frustrated.  Some of them report…
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03Dec 2019 by Russ

Components of a Financial Assessment Part 2

Budgeting, Financial Assessment, Getting Started
Components of a Financial Assessment Part 1 listed the beginning of understanding your own financial situation. The first steps include determining your Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Next, list your income and expenses. You need to know how you will track or record your financial transactions. Then, begin building your budget-the key to controlling your money and financial future! After understanding these ideas, here are a few ideas for your next steps! Do you have a will?                 Having an up to date will is a great gift to give your loved ones.  You know you need one.  Begin to think about your will and the directives that you would have for your assets.  Take the steps to create an online will or talk to an attorney to begin the…
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08Nov 2019 by Russ

Components of a Financial Assessment

Budgeting, Financial Assessment, Getting Started
In order to start on the journey to Financial Peace of Mind, you first need to determine where you are. This means that you need to assess your financial situation. This might seem scary, but no matter how good or bad the situation, the more you understand the situation, the easier it will be to improve it. You may have heard the saying that a problem understood is a problem half solved. After completing a financial assessment, you will have taken the first step to understanding where you are with your money. You can then set realistic goals for you and your money Today, we will look at fundamentals of a financial assessment, and in the next blog post we will discuss other aspects of a personal financial assessment that…
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10Oct 2019 by Russ

Why Budget?

Budgeting, Money Worries
Before talking about what it’s like to live with a budget, let’s look at life without a budget. You can let each dollar do its “own” thing. Have you ever heard someone say that as long as they have checks in their checkbook, they can write them?  That is not taking into account what the balance may be or what checks may have been written.  Folks also will write checks and keep a register but do not have a plan for their money.  It may be possible to operate without a plan for a while and be OK, but it will catch up with you.  But this way of dealing with your money is characterized by: In the back of your mind you are concerned about cutting it too close…
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25Sep 2019 by Russ

How to Eliminate the Sleepless Nights!

Budgeting, Getting Started, Money Worries
How do you eliminate the sleepless nights caused by your money worries?  How do you eliminate the sleepless nights caused by your money worries?  Your mailbox is a constant stream of reminders that you are late or past due or overdrawn. You want money peace of mind! You know that you should be able to be better at handling your money.  You know that you are capable of getting this under control!  What is wrong with your system?  You may need accountability.  You may need a new system. Most people are struggling with money, in fact, 76% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.  Perhaps you can identify with this struggle.  You may have wondered where your money has gone.  You may have found yourself with too much month at the…
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12Sep 2019 by Russ

How do I start?

Budgeting, Getting Started
What do I Need to do to Begin Gaining Control of My Money? Four Essential Steps! What are the fundamentals that you need to have in place to gain control of your money? The Tools: List of Assets or things that you own.List of Liabilities or things that you owe.A register or list of money transactions.A budget or spending plan. List of Assets that you own: This list is the place to begin. The list the assets includes cash on hand, checking account balances, savings account balances, retirement balance and other investments. This list includes items that you could easily convert to cash. The only other asset type that should be included in this list is real estate that is in your name. For this list, do not include items…
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