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Today Matters – Today’s Finances Give Me Options

3 Truths  About Finances

1. Money will not make you happy. Henry Ford stated that money does not change change men, it merely unmasks them – if a man is naturally selfish, arrogant, and greedy, money will bring that out in a person.
2. Debt will make you unhappy. Solomon of ancient Israel stated the case precisely, The rich rules over the poor and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.
3. Having financial margins give you options. Gun Denhart once stated that money is like manure, if you let it pile up, it just smells. But if you spread it around, you can encourage things to grow.

Make the decision to earn and properly manage your finances daily.

Here is a simple financial formula:

10% – Church, become a “Biblical Giver”

10% – Investments, as you make a return, role it forward

80% – Living Expenses, learn to stay within your means

Keep the value of things in perspective. Evaluate this issue with the following 5 questions:

1. Am I preoccupied with things?

2. Am I envious of others?

3. Do I find personal value in possessions?

4. Do I believe that money will make me happy?

5. Do I continually want more?

Learn the phases of life and know which one you are in.

• Learn Phase – Understand there is a phase when learning is the primary objective and that there are no short cuts to future earning if you sacrifice now.
• Earn – If you have stayed on track with your purpose, you have prepared yourself well, practice excellence, you will have a reasonable hope of earning a good living.
• Return – We should always be generous no matter what age of life we find ourselves. As you get older you may enjoy the fruits of giving back in abundance.

Debt Reduction

You cannot discuss the subject of finances without discussing debt reduction. The burden of debt is a major cause of stress, depression and even divorce. Kidwell and Rhode in their book Get Out of Debt” gives 5 suggestions:

1.Stop incurring debt

2.Track your cash – Dave Ramsey suggests using the envelop method to track every penny.

3.Plan for the future

4.Do not expect instant miracles

5.Seek professional help

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

The Today Matters by John Maxwell

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!