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.