Free Indeed
God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. – 1 Corinthians 7:23 On this holy week, in which we remember Christ’s sacrifice and celebrate his resurrection, I’ve been thinking about the apostle Paul’s words above and how they might apply to our finances. What comes to mind when you […]
Profitable Ideas: When Kids Game the System, Decluttering More Than Stuff, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. Why bribing kids backfires (Psychology Today). It’s important for kids to learn key life lessons early in life, but gaming the system is not one of them. Minimalism and decluttering are similar, but not congruent (The American Genius). A helpful distinction for those who […]
The 5 Budget Mistakes I See Most Often and How to Fix Them
I’ve reviewed lots of people’s budgets (or, as I prefer, “cash flow plans”) over the years. No two are exactly the same because people have different incomes, fixed expenses, priorities, and more. That’s to be expected. When it comes to budgeting, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all. However, there are certain overarching approaches to budgeting […]
Profitable Ideas: No Need to Worry, Intro to Crypto, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. My go to Bible verse when I worry about money (Luke1428). Timely Truths we would all do well to remember. Does your teen need to file a tax return? (Schwab). If your kids are planning to work this summer, here’s what you (and they) […]
Kids and Money: Transitioning From Teaching to Trusting
I’ve had the privilege of working for some great bosses over the years. When I was in high school, I worked at a steakhouse, eventually becoming one of the head cooks. J.P. Morgan was the manager. No kidding. The difference between J.P. and the regional manager (I still remember his name, but am choosing not […]
Profitable Ideas: The Art of Money, Adding Crypto Assets to an Estate Plan, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. The art of money (The Root of All). Managing money well requires more than a calculator. ‘You don’t have to make more than you neighbor or drive a better car.’ Why he ditched the Bay Area for Colorado—buying a house in 15 minutes he’d […]
A Money and Marriage Mistake to Avoid
Throughout their marriage, John and Jessica had maintained separate credit cards and apparently didn’t talk about how they were each using their cards. After 12 years of marriage, Jessica was shocked to discover that John had racked up $68,000 of credit card debt. Instead of asking for forgiveness, John asked Jessica to co-sign for a […]
Profitable Ideas: Frugality and Funny Conversations, How Good Financial Habits Form, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. Only an eight (Humble Dollar). Frugal living and the odd conversations it fosters. Low expectations (Collaborative Fund). It’s something of a superpower, and it isn’t the same thing as pessimism. How do financial habits form — and can they be changed? (The White Coat […]
Who Really Owns Your Stuff?
How would you describe your house? What type of car do you own? How much money do you have in your checking account? All of those questions seem normal enough. But wait. Is any of that really yours? My main mentor when it came to learning about and then teaching biblical principles of money, Dick […]
Profitable Ideas: No Harm in Asking, A Heart to Help, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. A guide to getting rid of almost everything (New Yorker). Deciding to get rid of stuff is a great first step toward simplifying our lives. But what to do with all of it? Big financial questions? Step away from the spreadsheet (Morningstar). Some of […]