I love you, but....

This week is a no-pay week in my household, so I will not be making any drop in the bag this week.

The budget is going well. The past week was a catch-up week (which I think next week will be as well), so the budget is not active yet. I predict it running in March and we will be diligent in following it then.

Until then, I must say this past week is going well. Surprised to see the bank account at the level it is at. Something must be wrong. I had to have forgotten something. We couldn't be blessed or anything, right? :) In seriousness, I will go back through the bills. I do believe I may have forgotten to pay someone.

More proof not necessary

As I have said before, my wife was always on the tithe wagon - I was (am) the one struggling. Wanting to, but not willing to take that step. Well, today, I get this email from my wife:

Did I put all your jeans in the wash last night? Did it cause you problems this morning? If so, I'm really sorry I forgot about it.
Are you having a good day? Mine started out kinda weird. I ended up giving my coat away to a HS kid who was walking down countyline with only a t-shirt on.
I gotta go get some food-
love ya-kath

Did you read that? "I ended up giving my coat away to a HS kid who was walking down countyline with only a t-shirt on." I definitely married over my skis. I'm not saying I wouldn't do it. It's just that my wife has always had such a great drive to always think of someone else. I probably would have just kept driving, not thinking of the temperature outside. Not her. She gets it. She gets that we are all part of one big group, and we need to remember that some of us our blessed in one way and some of us our blessed in another, and we have these blessings to share and give to each other. That's why I need to remember and be faithful with my five-the. I am blessed with enough money. Sure - some days I worry (count today as one of those, again). But I have a roof. I have clothes. I have food. So many people don't. My daughter thinks just like my wife. Is it a woman thing, or just a genetic thing on my wife's side?


For the record - my jeans were fine. I didn't have to work in my boxers. And I love ya too, Kath.

UO-me 1/2 cents.

Between services right now here in Shorewood. Thought I'd throw a quick post about my promise and faith in God. This week, we received both my bi-weekly employment check as well as a little bit o' money the government has been hoarding from us. Ok - we just overpaid them and they are giving it back. But doesn't "hoarding" sound like a fun thing to blame the government in doing? Plus, maybe someone will pick up this post and run with it, and then we can start some wacky conspiracy theory. That would be awesome.

Anyhow...$170.15 this week. Technically, it was 14 cents, but I did the fun and exciting "round up" routine I learned years ago in grammar school. Who would have ever thought that would come in handy? Now, to find a way to use my knowledge of "I before E except after C"....


(side note - holy cow...there's a Wikipedia listing on "I before E except after C"????? Gotta love the innerweb.)

Almost there.

Budget is ALMOST complete. Got all my bills organized with a good knowledge of their balances. It's not to the point that I determine a safe amount to pay each month, after I have a good guess-timation of what my fivethe will be each pay week.

While I want any debt paid quickly, the key is to knock down those debts that have any increase from month to month - i.e. interest rate. We are fortunate to not have very many of those. It's mostly medical bills that beat on the door to the safe.

Payday for me tomorrow, and hopefully a bonus of our 2007 tax return as well. Should be a fivethe close to what we gave last week. Now - if I can just stop thinking "boy, what I could use that money for", which is selfish, and instead keep focused on "boy, how will God make a difference with my money".

More making a difference

Got a great comment after a post from John out in Yorkville. Following a message one week, John committed to give away half of his tax refund , and is challenging others to do the same. I LOVE the idea! I wish I had the financial position to join up, but I will be honest, a lot of medical bills need attention. But I will be marking down John's email and blog, and I really want to take part in this next year. Check out John's idea at halfyourrebate.blogspot.com.
(edit: John's idea is based on the recently approved rebates coming to stimulate the economy, not your standard yearly 1040 refund. Just an FYI, and thanks for the correction, John).

Last night, before hitting the pillow, I played a little Bible roulette. After a couple fig references, I hit upon the end of 1Timothy 6:17 "Command those who are rich in this present world not... to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." I like the sound of that. And I can tell you that money is so uncertain. Just like jobs.

(You may notice the "..." in that verse. For the record, I pulled out the words "to be arrogant nor". Important, but those four words didn't hit me as much as the words in the verse you read above.)

And my budget??? Umm....I think I hear my mom calling me. Can't talk now - gotta get home.

Alright, Mr. Demille, I'm ready for my closeup.

The Bramlett was kind enough (?) to post my testimony videos to YouTube. So not only can you Google me and find out there is a rowing award in my name, but now you can YouTube me and get these:





My thinks, though, I have to remind him how to spell my name.

IOU ½ cents

Well, I didn't dive after the bag. However, I didn't have the Brad Pitt lens filter like I was promised (oh....you sleep well, TJ. But when you least expect it....). But it was a good start for me. In grabbing my wife's paycheck and putting the number into the calculator, a true, accurate amount on the check would have been $144.75½. I probably should have rounded it up, but man, 75 cents is such a round number that I just dropped that half a penny. I'll be doing plenty of rounding up as I five-the, so I don't think it's a bad thing.

After I calculate the amount, worry hit me fast but I had to leave and get to church to get the media setup. The checkbook was in the car, so I filled out the check on the dash just before I started my car. I shake my head again as I look at my check, ask myself again what was I thinking, and then turn the ignition. My CD player immediately kicks in with the last song it had going, so on pipes up the end of the song "Beginnings" by Chicago, while they are singing "Only the beginning...".

Thanks God - that helped.

Not a great start

The logical, "me" mind showed up this morning - already. Doesn't help when you get an email that is titled "Money slipping away". I know Kath is all into this. She is the one that has wanted to honor God with our money. It was I that held back. So I know she did not send this to scare me or worry me. Nothing mean or bad about it; she just wanted to update me on the bank info. It's just my reaction to that which rules me (right now):

Tithe is 130.00
kids need 50.00 each for meals/snacks
Ceri wants a T-shirt $20.00
I don't know if Keagan will want one 20.00 if he does-
Ceri says you want one too-I think you don't.
Dr. Coker takes 300.00
Your ticket takes 140.00
Car insurance comes out on the 20th IDK how much.

First thought in my head is "We need that $130. With all those outgoing expenses, we need that money for something". Mental safety net. The kids are going to Blast/Fusion, so can't cut there. Coker is our chiropractor, so can't cut there. Ticket is something dumb I did a while back (get used to that phrase - I do a lot of dumb things) that needs to be resolved, so can't cut there. Car insurance is car insurance, so can't.... yeah, you got the drill. So guess what my human mind thinks? Who can get cut out? Worse part - after the NIU horror, I feel guilty about thinking of holding back.

After a few minutes, I thought more and knew that I get paid in a week, and I can just lay back a couple days on a couple other bills and then pay them from there. So my worry is gone and the fiveth is still on.

Simple explanation: all this comes from a lack of a budget. I had one, fluffed off and now we are off track again. With no kids this weekend, I must get back on it and do it right this time. And then - follow it!

(note to self: don't forget to budget beer)

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Now playing: "Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
via FoxyTunes

Do you see what I see?

So let's take a look on the side bar and see what we have. It will be ever changing, so if you see a new link, check it out. No worries, I'm not going to send you to some spam site - hopefully it will be good stuff to help you reign in your money so it doesn't control you.

First is a link to Open Office. If you have Microsoft Office, you are all set. But face facts, that program is expensive!!! How about a free version of all those features - word processor, spreadsheet, slideshow - the whole kabang!? I like working my budget in Excel (yeah, that none existent budget), and you might too, so Open Office is your financial savior to a decent suite of office products. I do have M$ Office at home, but I have downloaded and installed Open Office so I can get a feel for it. I'll let you know what I think and how it works.

Next three links are to PDF copies of forms from the Good Sense handbook. If you haven't gone through Good Sense, I recommend it. My wife and I have gone through it twice and yet I still have fear!!! The course is honestly great - it's my personality that stops me from properly applying the skills on that budget..... until now.

Below that, in other links, we have first a link for the real, free credit report you are allowed to receive once a year. I won't even link to the one you see all over the TV and the radio. Don't use them. They make you sign up for this credit watch program, and I have heard horror stories trying to cancel it. Use this link and keep and eye on your credit. If not to help you as you honor God, but to protect yourself and your identity.

The last link...well... that's just pure stupidity on my part. But if you want a good laugh (I hope) and dare to walk around my mind, visit my other blog. Or don't. :)

But if you see something cool, tell me. I am always keen on new stuff that makes my life easier. I would love to pass it - full credit to you of course. I love links too. If you blog, lemme know.



Speaking of my budget, remember when I talked about getting on it this weekend? Ummm....yeah. Got a little busy with house cleaning. It's not done. I am hoping tonight. I just know that with the upcoming weeks, I need to MAKE time and get it setup. No more excuses.

And it starts...

Welcome. Well - here I go. I said I would make an complete commitment with my finances to make a difference. I am not sure how God will use my money, but I will be confident that the cash will make a difference somewhere. There is still a part of me that wonders just what I was thinking when I agreed to this. On the flip side, there is a part of me that is excited towards the possibilities that will arise. I know this weekend is gonna be a HUGE test. This is a pay week for my wife, and she gets paid just once a month. So to start fivething (5%), well - gonna be quite a lot of numbers in that amount field!! I think I will excuse myself to the bathroom just before GBTG so I can't tackle the usher and take my check back.

I finished filming my testimony yesterday with Tim Sutherland and TJ Friesen. Man, I love Tim, and I can say that even after he chided and berated me during filming. Ok...only kidding. It was great to have Tim there. Putting my thoughts and fears down on paper to keep my mind organized was simple. To express them in a way that not only made sense, but also kept me from tripping on my tongue, was difficult. Tim would ask me challenging questions to keep me thinking in new directions, and he helped me relax and get down to the deep thoughts and feelilngs I had. I'm a guy - emotions are easy, as long as I don't have to tell them, think about them or deal with them in any way, shape or form. :) TJ worked the cameras - he promised that he used the Brad Pitt filter, so I can't wait to see my gorgeous self 10 feet tall on the main screen.

So you are here - now what??? Well, I hope you hear what I say and can identify with my fears, worries, hopes, dreams.... everything. I am in no way perfect. Far from it, in fact. I just know that I have many changes I want to make in my life and my battle with money in one of them. My struggle with my finances just happens to be one that I am sure you and I have in common. How does God want me to survive on my salary? How can I honor Him and still live comfortably? How can I drop my worries and fears and just follow Him, all the way? That's what I hope to explore and communicate. Please comment, ask questions or make suggestions. While this is my path, I want others to join me on this journey.

As I find tools or links, I'll post them on the sidebar. Visit them for help, ideas...whatever. If you find something cool, let me know - we need to share. I will also post my weekly giving and the correlating percentage on the side so we can see how I do. Somehow I don't think that YTD will ever hit $17,400 (man...who are those people and would they like to adopt me???? :) ), but God tells us (Mark12:41-44) it's not the amount, it's the commitment, sacrifice and joy of getting to give. That's what I want.

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Now playing: "Flood" by Jars Of Clay
via FoxyTunes