Some Momentum Encouragement
Hey Friends!
As a consumer of the news and a Momentum sort of guy (LOL), I can't help but
follow all the grim financial news out there: higher gas prices, higher food
prices, foreclosures, a flat stock market, rising credit card debt, and on
and on. Of course, as your pastor these sort of things make me both think
about and pray for you even harder. Today, I offer a bit more than prayers
though; I offer from my heart some friendly encouragement and a few
practical reminders of how you can continue to prosper, keep your debt
snowballs and savings rolling, and keep your heads up. Is that cool? :-)
Some Budget Encouragement
First of all, DON'T QUIT! I know it seems like the economy is working
against you in your journey to debt freedom, but just don't give in. Keep
doing a new, written budget every month. Keep having your spouse or
accountability partner go over it with you. Keep sticking to it. And given
current realities, be strong when it's time to lower categories since others
have gone up so the budget balances and your debt snowball takes less of a
hit. In other words, since many families are spending $100-200 more per
month on gas and food, cable, eating out, mall visits, video games, and
other luxuries may have to be adjusted or cut. YOU CAN DO IT! NEVER QUIT!
With our God, ALL THINGS are possible!
Some Savings and Debt Encouragement
By now, most of you probably have your Baby Step 1 $1000 in the bank. Even
if you don't...DO NOT QUIT! Just do what you need to do...have that garage
sale, work a bit extra, sell something, you know the drill. I just want you
to know that SO MUCH peace lives on the other side of Baby Step 3...a fully
funded 3-6 months of expenses saved. It might be hard for you to see that
but keep plugging away. I truly believe God is smiling on our efforts to
walk families into total health so I'm asking Him for more favor for you as
you save, give, attack your debt, and fund your big emergency fund. Lean on
your friends and your Care Group when it gets hard. And as your financial
world begins to turn around, I promise you that higher prices may still hurt
a bit but they won't break you. So keep saving and killing debt!
Some Momentum Encouragement
Finally, I put some words by ol' Dave below...some words that I go back and
look at occasionally myself. See, let me let you guys in on something about
your pastor. I love to spend. I mean...I REALLY love to spend! Think of
someone you know who is a shopaholic and I could probably go toe to toe with
them! I'm serious!!! LOL. But by God's grace I got this character flaw
under some semblance of control several years ago and have been able to
maintain it. How? By figuring out what causes me to be disciplined in any
area. For me, it requires a rigorous regimen of positive reinforcement.
Translation: I read and listen to (on CD's and podcasts) what I need to do
over and over and over and over and over and over. This is how I stay on
track...in marriage, ministry, and money. For example, there are certain
books I'm ALWAYS reviewing. As another example, I download Dave's podcasts
and listen to them while I drive. Why? To combat my car fever! And you
know what...it works. When I listen to him take a call from a single mom of
two who makes $25k per year, and fought and clawed her way out of $30k of
credit card debt in 4 years by working extra and sacrifice...I feel
absolutely ridiculous about whining over a new car. LOLOL! Find out what
YOU need to do to stay on track and rock it. Love you all!
The Most Important Money Principle: Contentment!
"When you understand this concept, all the other concepts work, and until
you implement it, none of them will work. When you stick to this concept
deep in your soul, it becomes easy to save money and even have money to
invest. Getting out of debt happens quickly once you learn how to apply
this concept in your life. Budgeting is made easier, and your marriage and
relationships regarding money are freed up and made smooth.
Contentment. That's right, contentment. We live in the most marketed-to
society, and the very essence of marketing is to disturb your peace. We say
things to ourselves like, "I'll be happy when I get that house;" or "I'll be
happy when I get that job." Or, or, or, or! NOT TRUE. Happiness is sold to
us as an event or a thing, and consequently, our finances have suffered.
We live among a bunch of people who are deeply in debt and have no money
saved because their emotions were tricked. You probably think I'm writing
about someone else, but I'm not. I am writing about you. I know because I
suffer from the same disease of "stuffitis" - but I am recovering and so are
many of you. The human spirit was not created to attain peace, contentment,
or fulfillment by gathering more stuff.
You can get out of debt, save money, and get on a budget, but until your
intellect forces your emotions and your spirit to accept that stuff does not
equal contentment, your money will always feel stressed. It's time to
change your focus and your life for the better!" -Dave Ramsey
As a consumer of the news and a Momentum sort of guy (LOL), I can't help but
follow all the grim financial news out there: higher gas prices, higher food
prices, foreclosures, a flat stock market, rising credit card debt, and on
and on. Of course, as your pastor these sort of things make me both think
about and pray for you even harder. Today, I offer a bit more than prayers
though; I offer from my heart some friendly encouragement and a few
practical reminders of how you can continue to prosper, keep your debt
snowballs and savings rolling, and keep your heads up. Is that cool? :-)
Some Budget Encouragement
First of all, DON'T QUIT! I know it seems like the economy is working
against you in your journey to debt freedom, but just don't give in. Keep
doing a new, written budget every month. Keep having your spouse or
accountability partner go over it with you. Keep sticking to it. And given
current realities, be strong when it's time to lower categories since others
have gone up so the budget balances and your debt snowball takes less of a
hit. In other words, since many families are spending $100-200 more per
month on gas and food, cable, eating out, mall visits, video games, and
other luxuries may have to be adjusted or cut. YOU CAN DO IT! NEVER QUIT!
With our God, ALL THINGS are possible!
Some Savings and Debt Encouragement
By now, most of you probably have your Baby Step 1 $1000 in the bank. Even
if you don't...DO NOT QUIT! Just do what you need to do...have that garage
sale, work a bit extra, sell something, you know the drill. I just want you
to know that SO MUCH peace lives on the other side of Baby Step 3...a fully
funded 3-6 months of expenses saved. It might be hard for you to see that
but keep plugging away. I truly believe God is smiling on our efforts to
walk families into total health so I'm asking Him for more favor for you as
you save, give, attack your debt, and fund your big emergency fund. Lean on
your friends and your Care Group when it gets hard. And as your financial
world begins to turn around, I promise you that higher prices may still hurt
a bit but they won't break you. So keep saving and killing debt!
Some Momentum Encouragement
Finally, I put some words by ol' Dave below...some words that I go back and
look at occasionally myself. See, let me let you guys in on something about
your pastor. I love to spend. I mean...I REALLY love to spend! Think of
someone you know who is a shopaholic and I could probably go toe to toe with
them! I'm serious!!! LOL. But by God's grace I got this character flaw
under some semblance of control several years ago and have been able to
maintain it. How? By figuring out what causes me to be disciplined in any
area. For me, it requires a rigorous regimen of positive reinforcement.
Translation: I read and listen to (on CD's and podcasts) what I need to do
over and over and over and over and over and over. This is how I stay on
track...in marriage, ministry, and money. For example, there are certain
books I'm ALWAYS reviewing. As another example, I download Dave's podcasts
and listen to them while I drive. Why? To combat my car fever! And you
know what...it works. When I listen to him take a call from a single mom of
two who makes $25k per year, and fought and clawed her way out of $30k of
credit card debt in 4 years by working extra and sacrifice...I feel
absolutely ridiculous about whining over a new car. LOLOL! Find out what
YOU need to do to stay on track and rock it. Love you all!
The Most Important Money Principle: Contentment!
"When you understand this concept, all the other concepts work, and until
you implement it, none of them will work. When you stick to this concept
deep in your soul, it becomes easy to save money and even have money to
invest. Getting out of debt happens quickly once you learn how to apply
this concept in your life. Budgeting is made easier, and your marriage and
relationships regarding money are freed up and made smooth.
Contentment. That's right, contentment. We live in the most marketed-to
society, and the very essence of marketing is to disturb your peace. We say
things to ourselves like, "I'll be happy when I get that house;" or "I'll be
happy when I get that job." Or, or, or, or! NOT TRUE. Happiness is sold to
us as an event or a thing, and consequently, our finances have suffered.
We live among a bunch of people who are deeply in debt and have no money
saved because their emotions were tricked. You probably think I'm writing
about someone else, but I'm not. I am writing about you. I know because I
suffer from the same disease of "stuffitis" - but I am recovering and so are
many of you. The human spirit was not created to attain peace, contentment,
or fulfillment by gathering more stuff.
You can get out of debt, save money, and get on a budget, but until your
intellect forces your emotions and your spirit to accept that stuff does not
equal contentment, your money will always feel stressed. It's time to
change your focus and your life for the better!" -Dave Ramsey
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