Crosswalk.com - Finances

When 'Easy Payments' Aren't Easy

Howard Dayton — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:41:00 GMT

Generally, financial problems aren't caused by economic slumps or depressions. Most family financial problems began long before...

Forecasting Financial Follies

Austin Pryor — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

In a sense, the financial markets aren't much different than the Kentucky Derby. When an investing professional offers stock, bond, and mutual fund recommendations, he doesn't know where the markets are going any more than you do...

7 Things You Need to Know About Health Savings Accounts

Mary Hunt — Mon, 05 May 2008 06:55:00 GMT

If you’ve been fretting about the big bite Uncle Sam is taking out of your household income—especially in light of the rising costs of living in general and healthcare in particular—take a deep, calming breath. Personal finance expert Eric Tyson has three words for you: Health Savings Accounts.

Feeding a Family on $300 a Month

Tawra Kellam — Fri, 02 May 2008 07:26:00 GMT

I do something that most people think they can't do today: I feed my family of 5 on $300 a month. Perhaps some of my methods will help you cut down on your food bill...

10 Tips for Teaching Kids about Money

Geoff and Kristin Gembala — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:03:00 GMT

The bright, sugary cereal box is just at eye level. The bold colors jump out. The free DVD inside puts the situation over the top. And then, the most feared words in parental history are spoken, “Mom, can I have this?”

Blogging; Writing A Play

John Shore — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:22:00 GMT

"Blog," backwards, is "golb." Which sounds like saying "gold" underwater. Which you should never do, since it's rude to talk with your mouth full. Anyway, I'm writing a play. Doing that has turned me into a bit of a Blogger Lagger. But let's not let that keep us apart, okay?

My Mother's Final Lesson Was Forgiveness

David Burchett — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:06:00 GMT

This will be the second Mother’s Day since my Mom died. This is a piece that I wrote right after her death. It is a story of incredible grace and redemption. I pray that it will encourage some of you who have a difficult relationship with your Mom.

Friday Frolic of Talk

Eric Hogue — Fri, 09 May 2008 04:13:00 GMT

Today we take a look at a dilemma; Evangelicals are growing environmentally concerned, but should that concern impact the production of food for the country and the world? Then, family talk - when do you let your teenage daughter spent the weekend with her boyfriend and his parents?

Idol Chatter: Jason Castro Cast Out

Laura MacCorkle — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:03:00 GMT

“Do the right thing.” That’s what American Idol Season 7 voters FINALLY did last night, when Jason Castro was eliminated from the competition. See what Coworker Chad and I have to say about that, as well as who we think will be the last ones standing in the finale.

Idol Chatter: Competition or Conspiracy?

Laura MacCorkle — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:08:00 GMT

Is the truth really out there? Coworker Chad and I are beginning to wonder. Seriously. Especially after last night’s strange performances on American Idol Season 7 (classics from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) and the judges’'corresponding, conveniently too-harsh or not-too-harsh comments.

Handling Bills

Fri, 02 May 2008 07:21:00 GMT

Handling Bills. "I used to have a very difficult time finding my bills. I finally got a very nice basket that sits on my computer and holds them all. Nothing else goes in there. When I get my mail, I open it in front of the shredder. Things I don't want are shredded immediately. Bills go in the basket immediately." Leslie from Sandra Felton's Organizing Magic (Revell)

The Power of Interest

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:14:00 GMT

Did you know that if you save a mere $10 a day in a taxable account that earns 7 percent interest per year, at the end of 15 years you'll have a whopping $95, 088? ~ Tip from Everything Twenties (Tyndale House, 2005)

Discarding Important Papers

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:51:00 GMT

How long should you keep those important papers? "Tax returns and records -- six years. Real estate records -- as long as you own the property. Insurance policies -- as long as they are in effect. Bank and investment statements -- until tax time. Pay stubs -- until tax time Utility bills -- until the next statement comes Credit card bills -- until the next statement." ~ Sandra Felton, from Organizing Magic, (Revell 2006)

Saver Marries Spender

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:40:00 GMT

Saver Marries Spender. Marriage counselors sometimes have couples go through lists of purchases, mark down what they think the price of those items would be, and compare notes. Something like this may be worthwhile if the two of you struggle with the costs of each other's purchases. You may also want to divide the same list into wants and needs, indicate how often you think each item should be purchased, and compare results. ~ Sandra Lundberg, The First Five Years of Marriage

What the Tithe is Not

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:55:00 GMT

What the Tithe is Not. Sometimes tithing is taught with the idea that once you tithe everything is going to be fine. It doesn't work that way. Contrary to these teachings, the tithe is not a quick fix to financial problems. ~ Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D., Making Your Money Count

We Have Met the Enemy - And He is Us

Austin Pryor — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:07:00 GMT

When it comes to investing, learning what you're supposed to do is relatively easy. But doing what you're supposed to do, well, that's surprisingly hard...

The Sub-Prime Crisis: How Do Christians Behave in Tough Times?

Chuck Colson — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:14:00 GMT

Too many believers equate Christianity with the good life and blessings of consumerism. Clearly, we have forgotten that Christianity has always been countercultural, thriving not in times of great prosperity, but in times of moral or economic bankruptcy...

Retirement 101: A Quick Course for 30-Somethings

Steve Diggs — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:51:00 GMT

The Bible is replete with stories of old guys and gals who did great things. So, let me share a few thoughts to give help you get a perspective on retirement planning...

International Investing Made Easy

Mark Biller — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:43:00 GMT

The conventional wisdom has long held that a well-diversified portfolio should include stocks from foreign countries. I(f an investor wishes to invest internationally, there are three main groups of mutual funds to consider...

How To Take Market Turbulence In Stride

Austin Pryor — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:15:00 GMT

As we have seen lately, stock prices are capable of violent, erratic behavior. So how are we to remain calm when the financial world around us appears to be suffering a bout of temporary insanity?

Author Debunks 'Prosperity Gospel' Myths

Erich Roach — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:35:00 GMT

John Revell's new book titled Getting the Most from God (but not how you might think!) uses Scripture to debunk the prosperity gospel often preached by popular televangelists...

Handling The Master's Money

Austin Pryor — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:42:00 GMT

God evaluates the faithfulness of our management based on what we do with what we have now, not what we might do someday if we had more...

5 Reasons You Need a Contingency Fund

Mary Hunt — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:20:00 GMT

A Contingency Fund (CF) is an emergency fund that you can get your hands on at a moment’s notice. No matter how much debt you have or how low your income, you need to be building a CF...

God's Provision

Austin Pryor — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:03:00 GMT

Searching through Scripture for occasions of God's generosity makes for a great Bible study. Here are a few to get you started.

Tithing is Biblical

Kenneth Hemphill — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 05:42:00 GMT

The en vogue issue of tithing being a matter of law in a community of grace misses the mark on several points.

Save on Groceries Before You Leave Home

Jill Cooper — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:28:00 GMT

It's no extra work, you don't have to deprive yourself of anything, and you don't have to clip any coupons...

Debt: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

Jill Cooper — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:10:00 GMT

It's human nature to think that if we don't acknowledge something then we won’t have to deal with it. If you struggle with the temptation to bury your head in the sand, it's time to discover the relief that comes with taking an honest look at your finances.

Understanding Your Credit Reports and Scores

Steve Diggs — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:55:00 GMT

There are many reasons it's vital you understand how credit reporting and scoring works. But Christians should be particularly concerned about their credit standing because it is a reflection of their character...

5 Reasons You Need a Contingency Fund

Mary Hunt — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:20:00 GMT

A Contingency Fund (CF) is an emergency fund that you can get your hands on at a moment’s notice. No matter how much debt you have or how low your income, you need to be building a CF...

The Sweet Taste of Debt

Steve Scalici, CFP(r) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:44:00 GMT

It was a hot September day in 1991 when my life changed forever. I was a freshman at Palm Beach Atlantic University on my way to an 11 am class. On my way to class, I came across some people representing Citibank credit cards. They were offering a free candy bar if I would fill out an application for a credit card...

Discuss Links for Finances

Faith Community Network Forums — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Discuss Links for Finances