Saving Money!!!

This post is a little late in coming, but I have been pretty busy the last few days.
I decided since my last post was a intro to budgeting, I would discuss ways to perhaps save money and add to our budgets.

Well it is no great secret that if one reduces spending, one will have more money in their pocket. Pretty obvious huh? But many people (including myself) can be blind to ways to reduce out going money.

Now I’m going to suggest certain items, or services to reduce or avoid. Before anybody gets upset and starts hollering “There is no way I can give that up!”or “that’s a necessity of life!” I promise it can be done.

Just look at one Bible verse:

"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power." Philippians 4:12-13

Paul was a man who really had his priorities straight. He thought about what God wanted. He focused on what he should do, rather than on what he felt he should have. And furthermore he was grateful for everything he had. He counted his blessings. That is why he said he was content.
I’m a simple man and all, but I figure that if Paul could find contentment and peace and happiness from this so can we!

"The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty." Proverbs 21:5

Where to start cutting? Well I guess the first thing that just jumps right out at me is to get rid of anything that not only distracts our focus from God, but down right goes against what God wants or approves of. Not only can you save money, but perhaps your soul as well.

Lose the booze! I’m not saying that there is anything really wrong with a glass of wine here or there, or a beer with your meal. But when a large portion of your “entertainment” or “food” money goes straight into the bartenders hand you got yourself a couple of problems brewing with your brew.

Same for the smokes and anything else that is destructive to your health. Your not only going to save money on the products, but on insurance, healthcare, less sick days at work, cleaning expenses, dentist bills, and probably a lot of other things as well.

Yeah I know this can be real hard to do. Trust me I know. I used to smoke like a chimney on fire! (Almost 5 packs a day UNFILTERED!!!) And I drank like a fish for close to 10 years. But after my first month drink and smoke free I looked at my checking account and thought “I AM RICH!!!”
It wasn’t easy. I tried many times to kick the habit. Finally with the Lords help I succeeded.

Next ,and this one may really tick some folks off, the T.V.

My wife and I save so much money by not having cable or Direct TV or any of that junk. Now we still will watch DVDs and have an occasional movie night at the house. Sure I sometimes miss watching the ball games, but the money saved makes up for this. Best of all we filter the down right filth being pumped into our home through the TV. I don’t have to worry about my son watching inappropriate material. We are raising our children, not Ted Turner and all those other guys trying to simply turn a buck. We are taking away a simple distraction from family time. We are removing temptations and lies being promoted to use over the tube. Now I can't say every single program on TV is bad or wrong. But it seems the bad outweighs the good and shows no sign of getting better. I don’t want to throw good money at people unconcerned with my principles and morals.

Well that’s probably enough for now.

Wishing you well,

Budgeting Your Money

It is absolutely amazing the amount of people who do not have a budget. It is also astounding how many people who do have a budget - but don’t follow it!

Budgets are the premier tool we have to see where our money is at, what it is doing, and where its going. They can motivate us to control our spending, and help us visualize a financial goal.
In short, they give us knowledge and understanding of our finances.

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures”. Proverbs 24:3-4

There are many software programs out there that help folks make budgets. Some are so fancy and elaborate that I half expect them to do my laundry and water my plants for me! But if your like me ( a computer buffoon) all you need is a simple notebook and maybe a calculator.

There are many thoughts, ideas, and theories as to what percentages of ones money should be set aside per budgeting category. In the end, it is my belief, that it really depends on each persons particular situation and circumstances that regulates this.

I know that the “60/40” budget is fairly popular. This basically means that 60% of your budget should be your basic needs and essential items like housing expenses, basic food and clothing, bills, taxes, and charitable contributions. The 40% is then broken down in 10% lots for savings, entertainment and the such. At the very least this could be a good way to get started.

Another budget that is very popular was made by Larry Burkett. I really wish that I knew how to do that linking thing to just shoot you to a web page that shows it! But if you google him, I’m sure you will be able to see it for yourself. Anyway, his budget is a lot more detailed. If you continue to read any posts made on this blog ( hope I’m not boring you) you will see that I am a fan of Larry Burkett.

In future posts I hope to show ways to save money and possibly to increase your income.

Until then,

Introduction

As an introduction of myself, let me begin by stating that I am neither a member of the clergy or a computer guru. In fact I’m pretty much computer illiterate. But I am a born again Christian who sees first hand the struggles between living in a materialistic society and living for God.

I am not the “perfect” Christian. I am a sinner. But I love the Lord and I have accepted Jesus as my savior. And I believe that I can help folks learn and understand the things that I have learned.

There are two verses that have really inspired me to create this Blog other than Deuteronomy 8:18 (which is in the header of this page).

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:23-24

"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:9-10

Because of the materialistic nature of our society, it can be so overwhelmingly tempting to worship money over God. So many of us place materialistic items above our own salvation. I am susceptible to this temptation the same as any person. So perhaps this blog is also a form of a “self-help” tool to help me remember what is important and to keep my priorities straight.

My goal here is to help people realize and maintain a relationship with God. Because money and wealth and material items can preoccupy our lives so much, and push God out, I shall try to highlight what the Bible has told us about these areas. Money can not only effect our spiritual lives, but our marriages, our children, our health as well as other areas of our lives. It is important to understand what God has told us about money and wealth.

Now as I have stated before, I am not a preacher, pastor, or reverend. My views and understandings are that of the common layman who just wants to witness and help in this small manner. If at any time I state something that you may object to or disagree with, please leave a comment and I will certainly research the matter and consult with those who have been ordained and are officially learned in the Scriptures, and will make any corrections or clarifications needed.