Finances

Is God talking about money when he says that "no good thing will he withhold" from righteous people?

Most people know what to expect at a Black Friday sale. For those looking to avoid the usual frenzy, here are ten things to do on Black Friday besides shop.

If I’m honest all of these “in case” items are a symptom of a lifestyle filled with excess. I have more than I need, while others have less than they can survive on.

Regardless of your current financial situation, there is always hope (for your marriage and finances) when you start talking to one another and addressing what God says matters most.

Having people in your life who understand you, and simply being with them, provides an abundance of joy when you need it the most.

When I was a kid, we participated in our school's Christmas bazaar every year, where kids could buy inexpensive gifts at cheap prices. The school would partner with an organization that offered gifts at varying amounts of money. Depending on how much money each child brought, the child could purchase gifts for five, ten, or fifteen dollars. Each year, my mom would give me twenty dollars, and I would get gifts for each of my family members: my grandmother, my mother, my father, and my sister. Even at that young age, I had to learn how to stretch my dollars so that each person could get a gift from me. When I became a parent, I did the same thing with my children. I gave each of them twenty dollars to go to their school and purchase a gift for each family member. My husband still has his "Number One Dad" keychain from ten years ago! Even today, we live on a tight budget, and I must make my dollars stretch for each family member. Therefore, I can only spend a certain amount of money on each person so each person can get a gift of value for not much money.If you are like me, perhaps you're on a budget too. Although the holidays are not about buying gifts that make people think you are important, but rather the thought that counts, if you are on a budget and can't afford expensive gifts, here are some budget-friendly gift ideas for twenty dollars or less:

The holidays are approaching. With that comes the inevitable desire to want to give gifts to children, family, and friends. Yes, we realize that Christmas doesn't have to be all about presents, but let's be honest, it really is a wonderful part of the season. Gifts bring joy to the faces of children, sentimental delight to the elderly, and the warmth of knowing you were thought of.

If your budget is tight or you’re unsure what to buy that picky teenager or classroom teacher, let’s find some options that may fit the bill, all while putting a smile on everyone’s face. Below you will find gifts for everyone on your list – all for under $10 each!

Overspending, especially during the holidays, is easy for us all! One of the ways I have found to curb some of the struggle is to discover what is driving the perceived need to spend more than God has provided.

Could you reduce your spending to $100 this Christmas?

After you said your goodbyes, dropped the kids off at college, and shed a few tears, you had actually adapted quite well to the “empty nest” and all its benefits. You had high hopes that the investment in a good education and in a carefully chosen degree would send your “fledglings” soaring into the world of adult responsibilities with a new level of independence—but now they’re back.Due to a lagging economy and stale job market, many young adults have found themselves with a good education, accompanied by large student loans, low to no job prospects, and the need to count on their parents for help.This is definitely a less-than-ideal scenario, but if that’s your reality, how can you help your grown children get through this difficult period without creating a financial drain on your household and without fostering a dependent attitude (i.e., “enabling” them)? Here are a few suggestions on how to make the best of the circumstances while still preserving relational and financial balance.

It’s easy to let the busyness of the season take priority over your spouse, but the last thing you want is for the holidays to put stress on your marriage.

And you will be surprised that this crisis might simply be the perfect opportunity to give that dream a try, as sometimes crises are the reset button believers desperately need to reconnect with God's original purpose for their lives.

Let’s face it. In this economy? Many of us are scrambling to buy groceries, let alone pay for elaborate dates. Who has recently bought milk, bread, and eggs and come home wondering how you will pay for your electric bill? And now you want to take your significant other—or even a “new” other—on a date? No one wants to look cheap, but let’s be realistic too. Sometimes, that’s exactly what we have to be to make ends meet.Never fear! Some places and activities are classy, engaging, pleasant, and even top the most expensive restaurant experience.Let’s look at some ideas to make dating more budget-friendly this fall:

I was trying to figure it out on my own and naturally felt crushed by the burden of my inadequacies and limitations. So, I repented thinking it all depended on me, and gladly asked the Lord for help. The pressure lifted, and my husband and I began the journey of surrendering our finances to the Lord.