The world’s standards tell us to respect and honor wealth above everything, including God. If managed poorly, money can become our God.
Many people are controlled by emotions – The first step in learning how to spend less is to become aware of your actions and disciplined in establishing boundaries so your emotions no longer drive your purchasing decisions.
Defining family legacy is part of our defined purpose. The seeds planted today within the family orchard will produce the fruit gathered by future generations.
The Mr. Jones’s of today will continue to look to the world’s standards by purchasing and obtaining the “in things” in hopes of filling their need for affirmation. In contrast, the rich man, aware he needed to be fulfilled with something more, approached Jesus asking for eternal life.
I have found to achieve success in your financial life it takes vision, discipline, and faith. The 12 steps below will help you achieve the financial stability and outcomes you desire.
Pay attention to details, ask questions and seek to gain a deeper and broader understanding of all aspects when faced with any situation that you are dealing with in life, especially money issues.
A great place to start is to review your current expenses and clarify your future needs. To identify what you will need financially to sustain your current lifestyle after retirement, calculate future expenses by multiplying current expenses by 75%. For some families the reduced cost is based upon the savings recognized by eliminating or reducing such expenses as a mortgage, continued education, work-related commuting costs, and car payments.
I began introducing simple financial principles to them on their 5th birthday by giving each one their own new savings container. It had three openings each labeled appropriately for savings, spending, and tithing. Their beginning allowance was one dollar a week.
Most people want to be healthier and wealthier, but unfortunately, it's just not that easy. As humans we are creatures of habit. Making permanent changes in our financial behavior is often surprisingly difficult, however NOT impossible to conquer.