12May 2021 by Meghan Smith

Ten Random Thoughts of a Person that is NOT in Control of Their Money!

Getting Started, Money Worries
  1.   I wonder what my bank balance is.   2.   How many credit cards do I have?   3.   Which credit card has a little room for dinner or a fill up at the gas station?   4.   Thank goodness I haven’t gotten an overdraft notice this month.   5.   One of these days I will start saving.   6.   If I could get a big raise, all of my money problems would be solved.   7.   I wonder how all of my friends can afford their cars and boats and trips.   8.   A budget is just too restrictive.   9.   One day I’ll be OK with my money.  10.  Maybe I’ll win the lottery and then I’ll be rich. Can you identify with any of these thoughts? Maybe today you have thought one…
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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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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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