FINANCIAL FITNESS 101

What thoughts dominate your second second? Time? Worry? Stress? Work? Bills? Family? Money Problems?

How do we view Money? The Bible Does not Promise Wealth There is no promise in the Bible that being a Christian will lead to a good job, wealth, freedom from debt. Wealth Is not a Sign of God's Favor In Jesus' time it was a common belief that great wealth was a sign of God's favor and poverty was God's punishment for sin. Wealth Is a Gift from God to Be Used in His Service Those of us who are blessed with wealth beyond our need have a responsibility to share generously with the less fortunate. We should view our wealth as a gift from God, entrusted to us, to carry out His work on earth.

Where does it all go? Avg. Income: $32,000 * Household : $46,000 *

3 Pillars of Finances

PRINCIPLE #1 PRINCIPLE #1 It’s not what you make, it’s what you keep that determines financial success. Pay YOURSELF first and SAVE what you pay yourself! Money is not the problem It’s discipline with money Mind your own business You Inc. Open a separate savings account for YOU Inc. Pay You inc. 10%

PRINCIPLE #2 PRINCIPLE #2 Money is a gift. It has a specific use. This means that you have stewardship. You are to use money for something that matters, for your family, and beyond. Money for things that matter Keys to wealth Long term vision Delayed Gratification Power of Compounding

PRINCIPLE #3 PRINCIPLE #3 Capture income and expenses. Calculate Net cash flow Make a budget Be realistic Follow the budget – Debt Kills Cut up Credit cards Cash Envelop System Snowball roll up system

PRINCIPLE #4 PRINCIPLE #4 Stop taking financial advice from broke people. Get it only from those whose finances you want to emulate. Seek a mentor Face the Facts Be teachable

BUDGET BREAK

PRINCIPLE #5 PRINCIPLE #5 Consistently budget and save for unexpected expenses. Stop living day to day Don’t believe the hype No such thing as a sale There is always a good deal Sleep on it! $1000 emergency fund Transportation fund College Fund Prepare for Taxes

PRINCIPLE #6 PRINCIPLE #6 Pay 10 % of your income to tithing. Give even if you are broke. Why Tithes and offerings? Helps develop a reliance on God? Attitude of Gratitude Reminds us to be thankful Die to self Spirit of Abundance

PRINCIPLE #7 PRINCIPLE #7 Using your time, money and talents to genuinely help others naturally increases your happiness. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Top 5 most pressing Life problems Seek Financial freedom Happiness is not entirely built on money

PRINCIPLE #7 PRINCIPLE #7 Using your time, money and talents to genuinely help others naturally increases your happiness. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. – John 8:36 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.--John 10:10 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Psalms 128:2

Where do we go from here? Complete the Book/Workbook Listen to Cd’s each quarter Make a plan Review budget each month Stay plugged in Pray and Ask for help

Not the end, but only The Beginning…