Financial Coaching

5 Ways To Not Go Into DEBT For Christmas

Did you know that this year Christmas is on December 25th?? Haha. Yes...I know I'm being funny, but I cannot tell you how many of our coaching clients tell us that they use credit cards to pay for Christmas because it "snuck up" on them.

Don't let Christmas sneak up on you! Here are 5 things to keep in mind as you begin (or complete) your Christmas shopping.

Debt Free Scream Backstory

Keith and I recently did our Debt Free Scream live on the Dave Ramsey show. Since then, many people have asked for the story behind the story. Here we go!

Life Insurance 101 - What You Need To Know

I've learned a lot over the years and Keith and I are now properly insured. Today I want to make sure you have the info you need to put your mind at ease about the subject.  Here's what you need to know about life insurance.

Life After Debt: What's Next After Becoming Debt Free

What are we supposed to do now that we're out of debt? The exact same thing we did while we were getting out of debt. Keep reading to find out what that is.

The Emotional Current of Money

Before we started on this journey of Christ-centered financial wellness, I never thought much about money being currency. In my mind it was just a term that was used by financial analysts. But today is a new day. Today I understand the importance of currency and what it means in my life. Today I understand that money and electricity have a lot in common than you think! 

How To Make The Most of Each Pay Check

When asked what's the one thing that I recommend to someone who is serious about managing their money, I do not hesitate before I say a zero-based budget. This income allocation spreadsheet is the secret sauce that will make the most of your zero-based budget!

How "I Had To..." Will Make You Broke

Very rarely in my life have I used the phrase "I had to…" except when it came to money.

I wanted to be confident and powerful (and often pretended to be), but the reality was that I was shaking in my boots when it came time to make big money decisions.

The CORNER of comfortable and debt free - 3 Reasons You Need To Move!

If you're on fire to get out of debt as quickly as possible, chances are really good that nothing is going to stop you. If you're at the other end of the spectrum and  continue to live without a budget and beyond your means, there's nothing anyone can do for you.

But the ones in the middle...the ones at the corner of comfortable and debt free...those are the people we help the most.

How to Budget An Irregular Income

This week, we will break down how to budget irregular income.

I did not know what I'm about to share with you when I was a Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics. I wish I had. With this information, chances are good my career would have taken a different path.

How to Use A Zero-Based Budget

The most important thing that Keith and I have done to cash flow almost $300,000 of life and debt during the last 5 years is maintain an active zero-based budget. 

Let me show you what I mean.

Tax Time: Owe, No, Noooooo!

Here are 3 reasons people often give for wanting a large tax refund and why you should rethink them.

Single Money - 3 Keys to Financial Wellness for Singles

What financial moment did you have as a single (either now or before you got married) where you knew you would benefit from having someone walking alongside you? Here are three things I have learned that would have made my "single money" work much better.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Are you weighed down by student loans? How will this year be different in terms of your knowledge of your financial situation?

All you need is a plan and action! Let this year be the one where you take back your future by tackling the mountain called student loans! 

An Interruption

How many times have you been blessed by an interruption in your life? Or better yet...how many times have you rushed passed an opportunity because it was inconvenient?

Matthew 17:20 tells us...

A Plastic Bag Of FEAR

Have you ever had something that was so overwhelming that you did not think you had the courage to face it? Have you ever had a financial crisis so intense that you felt paralyzed to do anything about it. I have good news! 

What Are You Capable Of?

Have you been there? Have you ever forgotten all that you are capable of? Have you ever been so bogged down by life or debt or the expectations of yourself (or others) that you lost sight of exactly what you have already accomplished? I have a secret to tell you…

Is There A Monster In Your Financial Closet?

Did you know that most student loan debt accrues daily? Keith and I found out the hard way. Keith’s employer offered student loan repayment for a portion of the loan amount each year. It did not wipe out the entire loan, but was a sizeable amount and we always signed up for it.

Budgeting Is Like Weight Watchers

What if we managed our money the way I managed my weight? What if we chose to be random about budgeting (on again/off again) the way I was about Weight Watchers? I know with certainty that we would not have paid off nearly as much and would probably have incurred more debt.

We were able to get it all done because we lived by a budget. Month in…month out…we lived by a budget. Because we used a budget, we knew exactly what money was available and could make adjustments midstream. 

Christ-Centered Financial Wellness

I’ve been thinking about Christ-Centered Financial Wellness since 2012. I just didn’t have a name for it. All I knew was that I wanted a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ and I wanted to feel more financially “well.” The idea that they could go together was a great “aha” moment for me and that’s when the vision began to take shape. I’ve learned a lot about both since then and want to share what I’ve learned with you.

My husband Keith always says that change starts with the man (or woman) in the mirror. I tend to agree. Over the last few years, I’ve worked to grow my own Christ-Centered Financial Wellness. I had to challenge old thought patterns and make choices to embrace new ways of thinking. I had to learn to trust the Lord with our finances and the plan He had for our family. I had to do the hard stuff like make a budget and stick to it month after month…choose debt reduction over holiday visits with family…rent instead of buying a home.