Turning Point Stewardship

How To Set Up A Budget With Inconsistent Income

05/08/2013

A while back a wrote a pretty thorough article on how to make a budget, but it didn't really answer the question of how to set up a budget when you don’t have a regular paycheck. Interestingly, I seem to get this question a lot.

The fact is, it is more difficult to set up a budget when you never know how much you are going to make each month – but it still can (and in my opinion) should definitely be done. I happen to think it is far more important for those with irregular income to set up a budget because of the quick damage that can be caused if you don’t.

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Grow Closer to God: 5 Core Financial Principles

05/01/2013

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There is definitely a lot of bad news coming down the pike. From the United States’ massive fiscal problems to potential defaults in Europe to the massive inflation and economic slowdown in red hot China. If you also consider the Japanese global supply restraints and the Middle East oil crisis, there really is a perfect financial storm brewing. Will it be a tropical storm or a category 5 hurricane? That is the question.

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7 Important Financial Practices in Marriage

04/18/2013

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A recent survey by Money Magazine confirmed what married couples have known for generations: The leading cause of dissension in marriage is disagreement about financial priorities. So if you want to experience greater harmony and unity in your marriage, you won’t go wrong by finding ways to create greater harmony and unity in your finances.

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4 Reasons Why You Should Address Your Tax Problems Now

04/10/2013

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Over the years, many people have come to me with tax problems. I have seen all types of people in all types of professions with tax problems. My experience is about 4 people out of 10 have IRS problems. You just don’t hear about their tax problems because it is not something people talk about freely with their friends. Several of the people who have come to me have had IRS problems for 5 years or more. In fact, it is not uncommon for me to talk to someone who has owed taxes for 10 years or more. I understand it is a big problem and it just takes time for some people to get ready to deal with their IRS debt. However, sticking your head in the sand is not the way to deal with your IRS problems. If you have a tax problem, the time to deal with your IRS problems is now. I know this sounds trite. But it is true. Below are a few reasons why you should start dealing with your IRS debt now.

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Big Changes are coming! It’s time to take another look at…Long-Term Care Planning

04/09/2013

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Now may just be the right time to finally look into long-term care planning. Or, if you have looked before and have been on the fence, it’s time for a decision. Is insurance the solution for you? What are the ramifications of self-insuring? Would a life insurance policy with a long-term care rider be a better fit for you?

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5 Ways to Help Your Teen Get a Job

04/03/2013

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“Don’t cha think he should’ve taken off his shades, Mom?” My teen asked this question one evening about a young man that had come into his place of employment looking for a job. Apparently, even though this restaurant was not hiring, the manager still took the time out of a busy meal rush to interview him; and the boy failed to remove his sunglasses during that interview. I don’t think he intended to remain anonymous. I think his parents just failed to teach him how to look for a job. With the summer job-seeking period close at hand, perhaps we should look at a few ways we can help our teens find a summer job before the school bus arrives again in the fall.

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Can You Live on a Single Income?

03/27/2013

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If your household has always survived on at least two paychecks, the thought of living on a single income can be intimidating. It’s tough enough to live on two incomes – but one? It’s actually doable, but it can require a radical plan of action.

Why Live on One Income?

Exactly how you handle this will largely depend on your purpose for living on a single income. There are two basic reasons:

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How Having an Emergency Fund Can Help You Save on Insurance Premiums

02/27/2013

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Your emergency savings is set aside to be used for nothing but emergencies. Right? Right! But that very fund (try 3 to 6 months of expenses) can also be used to help you save on insurance premiums. On a side note, make sure your emergency fund is in a high yield interest savings account.

Think of it this way: Because the purpose of insurance is to transfer risk from us to the insurance company, having a good emergency fund allows you to assume a bit more risk by raising your deductibles and therefore lowering your premiums. Of course you have to run the numbers to see if...

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The Heart of Money Management

02/14/2013

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You rely on your auto gas gauge each time you take a drive. Do you do the same with your financial expenses? Is your financial gas gauge broken? Do you even have one? If you do, are you looking at it each time you take a drive (spend money)?

This video will take you back to the heart of money management. If you can't or don't measure it, you can't manage it.

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Biblical Purposes for Money: 3 Concepts and Principles

02/06/2013

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As a mom, I want my children to have a firm grasp on money as they grow. Of course I’m not speaking in the literal sense, with their fists clenching wads of bills; but rather the concepts and principles of the use of money, saving, spending, and good stewardship. As a Christian, what better place to get that guidance than the scripture? In a search through the Bible, I’ve found three basic purposes for money to teach to them—and share with you here.

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