by Matt Bell | Sep 8, 2026 | Budgeting/Planning, Faith & Finances |
Every now and then, I come across an article in the mainstream personal finance press that’s so wrong, so misguided, that I just can’t keep silent. So it was with a piece published by Kiplinger, an organization I generally respect, enjoy, and learn from. The headline...
by Matt Bell | Jul 3, 2026 | Budgeting/Planning, Generosity, Miscellaneous, Teaching Kids |
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. Sinking funds: The budgeting trick that ends financial surprises (Due). I call it a periodic bills and expenses fund. Whatever you call it, it will do wonders for your peace of mind. The cost of...
by Matt Bell | Jun 9, 2026 | Budgeting/Planning |
What follows is an excerpt from my new book, Starting Strong: Discovering the Good That Money Can Do in Your Marriage. I’d like to introduce you to a financial framework that is so incredibly simple, so incredibly effective, so biblical, and so rare. If you will...
by Matt Bell | May 19, 2026 | Budgeting/Planning, Faith & Finances, Teaching Kids |
People who don’t use a budget often cringe at the mere mention of the word. They think of a budget as something you go on, like a diet. “We can’t go skiing this winter—we’re on a budget.” They think of a budget as being about less—less freedom less spending, and less...
by Matt Bell | Feb 3, 2026 | Budgeting/Planning |
In a recent post, The Starting Point for Building Effective Money Management Habits, I talked about the importance of understanding our biblical financial identity. We’re not consumers, as our culture suggests. We were designed to be wise builders who manage money in...
by Matt Bell | Jan 27, 2026 | Budgeting/Planning, Faith & Finances, Generosity, Saving |
I’m fascinated with the process of life change. So many of us would like to make some changes — in our health, our relationships, our finances. And yet change seems hard. We might make progress for a while, but then we slip back into old familiar patterns. What does...
Great to hear from you, Wayne! I know a lot of people don't like the idea of using a budget…
Thanks for the encouraging words, Leo. Good to have some kindred spirits along for the ride!
Hi Matt, it’s your friend Wayne out here in Barrington. I laughed at your comments regarding the “woke” – like…
Hey Matt! You're not the only voice crying in the wilderness. I'm right there with you. A budget, discipline, and…
That's a good point, Al. How much to give in retirement when you're drawing from an investment portfolio is an…