Financial Prosperity
Budgeting – Dave Ramsey Money Makeover
Budgeting – Dave Ramsey Money Makeover
The Power of a Budget and Baby Steps to Beat Debt and Build Wealth
I’m sure you have heard of Dave Ramsey; often referred to as today’s financial guru.
His path to wealth is based on seven, simple, common sense baby steps.
However, before taking the first step, he teaches the importance of a written monthly budget.
Ramsey’s book “The Total Money Makeover”made the NY Times Best Seller list. He also teaches these principles in other books and courses. Plus you’ll find him on the radio, TV, at live events and his website is www.daveramsey.com.
Dave Ramsey’s recommended baby steps are below:
1 – $1,000 to Start an Emergency Fund
We all know it is only a matter of time before the unexpected emergency happens. This is for the unexpected things we can’t plan for.
2 – Pay Off All Debt Using the Debt Snowball
List all of your debts and begin paying them off starting with the one with the smallest balance. Once the first one is paid begin using the “extra money” toward paying the next on the list, etc.
3 – 3 to 6 Months of Expenses in Savings
After the first two steps are completed it is time to start building your full emergency fund.
4 – Invest 15% of Household Income Into Roth IRAs and Pre-Tax Retirement
When you reach this step, you’ll have no payments except your house. Now it is time to get serious about building wealth.
5 – College Funding for Children
Make sure you have already started investing 15% of your income in step 4 before saving for college.
6 – Pay Off Home Early
Now is the time to begin putting all extra money toward the mortgage to realize the dream of life without a house payment.
7 – Build Wealth and Give!
Time to build wealth and give like never before. Leave an inheritance for future generations and bless others with your excess.
video clip of Dave Ramsey:
Our society today is lacking in financial common sense and discipline. Everyone wants to have things “now” but figure out how to “pay” later.
There is hope though, and there is help for anyone who wants it. I’m always very encouraged to hear the success stories of those who have gone through the Dave Ramsey course.
If your finances are a mess, it is not too late to reach out for help, make a plan, and begin taking the first step to turn things around! 🙂
May you be blessed to be a blessing!
God bless you always,
Brenda
Growing Prosperity – Do You Want 7 Proven Ways to Shortcut Your Path to Wealth?
Growing Prosperity – Do You Want 7 Proven Ways to Shortcut Your Path to Wealth?
7 Proven Ways to Shortcut Your Path to Wealth
Growing prosperity is a process and a journey.
One of the paths, we all want to take on this journey, is the path to wealth…
And we want to reach this destination in life as quickly as possible.
So what are some shortcuts you can take on your path to wealth?
There are many time-tested and proven shortcuts that we can see the wealthy have in common. Some so seemingly simple that they are often overlooked in value. However, even though they may appear ‘simple’, do not underestimate the power they can have when put into action.
Without further ado, here are seven of the best ones I have discovered:
Top 7 Proven Ways to Shortcut Your Path to Wealth
1.) Acknowledge God as Your Source
Who is your source? Many people make the mistake of thinking that their job is their source of supply. But they need to realize that God is the source and uses their work as a means to let the funds flow to them.
Expect God to bless you. And remember problems and needs are opportunities for God to provide for you. His abundance is unlimited.
2.) Knowledge is Power
Is your knowledge limited? More often than not, our knowledge is far too limited to make the best financial decisions that lead to wealth.
Solomon cautions us in Proverbs 15:22, that without counsel, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed. By seeking the counsel and wisdom of others, we radically expand our knowledge and ability to make wise financial decisions.
3.) Honor God with Your Tithes
Are you a tither? Wealthy and successful people are found to give ten percent or more of their income to charity. Those that honor God with their tithe (10 percent of their income), have the right to stand on the promise in Malachi 3:10 that says, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse… and prove me now, saith the Lord, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
“Tithing seems to put a person in touch with some mysterious force that attracts money.”
— Norman Vincent Peale
4.) Be a Generous Giver
Do you exhibit generosity; the quality that receives more than it gives? Giving has been compared to waving a magic wand that manifests prosperity.
There is a well known proverb that tells us that those who give generously to others will gain back even more than they give. (Proverbs 11:24-25) Sound impossible? Just try it and see!
5.) Learn to Save
Have you developed the habit of saving? The discipline of consistently saving even small amounts, regularly over time, is a practice that leads to financial success. The savings habit, combined with growing knowledge to make wise investments, will shortcut your path to wealth.
6.) Stay Out of Bad Debt
Do you recognize that debt is a problem? The borrower is slave to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7) The majority of people in debt continue to get deeper in debt. The spirit of ‘keeping up with the Jones’ is a problem. Debt is your enemy.
“Debt is a merciless master. It will do everything it can to destroy you.”
– Napoleon Hill
7.) Be Thankful
Are you a thankful person? God gave you wisdom and He gave you ability. It is His will that you are blessed to be a blessing. Do you give Him thanks for your job; which provides you monetary gain? Do you give thanks to all that you have been allowed to be steward over?
Being thankful and appreciative for the little creates an atmosphere for future growth.
So there you have it: Why not use these seven proven shortcuts on your path to wealth?
May you shortcut your path to wealth and enjoy a life of growing prosperity!
Be blessed to be a blessing –
Cheers,
Brenda
P.S. Any additional shortcuts that have helped (are helping) you? Feel free to share…
Growing Prosperity – Why on Earth Does God Want to Prosper Us?
Growing Prosperity – Why on Earth Does God Want to Prosper Us?
A Look at the Purpose Behind Our Prosperity
Growing prosperity is something most people seek after in life.
It is good to know God wants to prosper us…
but why on earth does He want to?
We should understand the purpose behind our prosperity.
This is important today…
more than ever before…
so let’s take a look.
Why God Prospers Us
Is it so we can watch our favorite shows on the big screen, in the ultimate personal home-theater room? Is it so we can wear the finest of clothes and shop in elite boutiques? Is it so we can eat the best, drive the best, and live in a huge home?
There is nothing wrong with enjoying nice things, but is that why God prospers us?
“God gives you power to get wealth; that He may establish His covenant.”
— Deuteronomy 8:18
Everything in the universe belongs to God. We simply manage what we’ve been blessed with. And God expects us to keep and use some of this abundance in our own lives. We should care for our families and prosper.
Yet, the desire to prosper should not come from a love for money or with a motive to greedily hoard it up. Our primary concern should be to extend and promote the Kingdom of God on earth.
God gives us power to get wealth, so that His covenant may be established and spread to all the people on earth. The gift of salvation is free, but frankly it takes money to send the good news throughout the earth for everyone to hear.
Blessed to Be a Blessing
Take a look around and it is quite obvious there are plenty of people in need. How can you be a blessing to the less fortunate if you are struggling in your own lack?
God wants us to be blessed to be a blessing. He is able to make all grace abound toward us so that we are always sufficient in all things – so that we can abound to every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
The goodness of God, which is shown by our kindness and generosity toward others, also leads men to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
And the kicker is: As we purpose to be a channel of God’s blessing to others, He will continue to send greater blessings to us.
The truth is: We should enjoy growing prosperity! The ability to gain wealth and prosper is God’s gift to us. It is a gift we are meant to enjoy in life, but also share with others.
May you use your God given power, to get wealth, to establish His covenant on earth and enjoy a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you –
Cheers,
Brenda
P.S. Have you recognized a time in your life that God blessed you to be a blessing and it resulted in a positive witness to the goodness of God? If so, feel free to share and leave a comment…
Abundant Prosperity – If You Want True Riches Hear What God Has to Say About Your Money!
Abundant Prosperity – If You Want True Riches Hear What God Has to Say About Your Money!
Want to Manifest True Riches?
Abundant prosperity is available in all areas of your life.
It is important that you don’t limit prosperity only to finances.
True riches equals much more than money or things: it also includes spiritual blessings like wisdom and peace.
If you want true riches in your life, you need to listen to what God has to say about the matter.
God has plenty to say about your money. He actually talks more about money in the Bible than even prayer. Yet it is a subject that most believers don’t want to talk about. Or at least they don’t want to hear what the Lord has to say about money.
Let’s look at a couple key areas you should pay attention to.
YOUR HEART FOLLOWS YOUR TREASURE
If you want to know what someone loves, look at what they spend their money on. What you invest your finances on is a reflection of what you love.
“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
— Luke 12:34
Where and what you spend your money on does more than reflect the condition of your heart. Your spending also decides the direction that your heart will go. This is good news. You can choose where your heart will go, by choosing what you invest your finances on.
Where do you want your heart to be?
If you want it to be with your spouse, then spend money on your spouse. If you want it to be with your house, vehicles, toys, and possessions, then spend your money on those things. Do you want your heart to be with God? Then tithe and invest your finances in the things of God. Investing in Him brings great returns.
FAITHFULNESS WITH YOUR MONEY OPENS THE DOOR TO TRUE RICHES
Another key step you must learn is how to be faithful with your finances. If you are not dependable, reliable, generous, and faithful with your finances, God will not commit to you true riches.
“If you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?”
— Luke 16:11
Money is not really true riches. True riches are revelation, wisdom, favor, and other spiritual blessings of the Lord.
Are you getting this? God is saying if you are a faithful and generous giver, then you open the door for Him to do things in your life that money can’t do.
Unfortunately, Christians often don’t want to be talked to about how they handle their money; instead only about spiritual things. Yet, God is trying to tell you that He’s not going to entrust you with spiritual things if you’re not first faithful when it comes to your finances. They go hand-in-hand and you need to prove you are able to handle the money you now have in order to be entrusted with more and also the true riches of spiritual blessings.
Do yourself a favor and begin to listen to what God has to say about how you should handle your money. Then trust and follow His directions. Believe He will take care of you financially and know that following His plan will open the door to true riches and abundant prosperity in your life.
May your faithfulness result in spiritual blessings and continued growing prosperity!
Be blessed to be a blessing –
Cheers,
Brenda
P.S. Feel free to share your thoughts and comments with others…
Growing Prosperity – Build Your Financial World a Little at a Time and You Will Increase!
Growing Prosperity – Build Your Financial World a Little at a Time and You Will Increase!
Abundant Prosperity a Little at a Time
Growing prosperity is the best way to have financial abundance.
Grow it step-by-step and little-by-little.
Lasting success comes a little at a time.
Have you been found guilty of chasing after some get rich quick schemes that sounded too good to pass by?
Well you are not alone.
People are doing the very same thing daily.
I must confess I have had my own share of chasing down the wrong path and I learned a valuable lesson!
Get Your Riches Quick – Lose Your Riches Quick
Wealth that is gained quickly diminishes and fades away. In most cases, it is the result of being spent foolishly with no long-term benefit. Proverbs has a verse that tries to warn us and help us with this.
“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.” — Proverbs 13:11
I’m not shocked that many people waste time looking for ways to get rich quick. But it is unfortunate. And one doesn’t have to look far to find something to chase after.
Do any of these sound familiar? Find out how to make a seven figure income monthly on autopilot with no work involved. Win a billion dollars in the lottery and be set for life. Or enter the latest sweepstakes to win lots of money.
Abundant Prosperity – A Little at a Time
When we build our financial world a little at a time, it will increase. A dollar may not look significant these days, but it is. Even the small things will begin to add up when they are added to each other.
Right off the bat we must value and manage the little before we can manage a lot. We have to be faithful stewards with the finances we have if we want God to trust us with true riches. (Luke 16:11)
It never fails; when we do honest work for our money, we increase. God says He will increase us when we gather by labor; just like the end of Proverbs 13:11 says in the quote above.
Honest work gets results. Notice also that the two words “honest” and “work” are missing from the get rich quick plans.
Do yourself a favor: Don’t trust in quick riches that are soon gone. Build your financial world a little at a time, and experience the long-term benefits of success and abundant prosperity. Doing things God’s way brings lasting success and financial abundance.
May you build your financial world little-by-little and experience growing prosperity!
Be blessed to be a blessing –
Cheers,
Brenda
Abundant Thinking – Will You Be Wealthy if You Win the Lottery This Week?
Abundant Thinking – Will You Be Wealthy if You Win the Lottery This Week?
Discover the Key to True Wealth!
Abundance is something we can all tap into.
The prosperous, wealthy life is about money and finances, but, and make that a big but, it does not start or stop there.
So the question is: If you were to win the lottery today, or come into some great unexpected inheritance, of say five million dollars, would you be wealthy?
It is commonly known that the majority of lottery winners end up right back where they started or sometimes in even worst conditions.
A large sum of money, suddenly deposited into your bank account does not make you wealthy. It only adds some extra zeros to your account balance for a certain amount of time.
Money Is Not All It Takes To Be Wealthy
Are you saying about now “Just show me the money and I’ll be happy.”?
Money is a critical part of wealth and we all need it to live on. I agree. Nobody likes to be broke. However, as important as money is, it is only a part of wealth.
Money is just money.
True prosperity and wealth is the abundance of God. And as His child, God wants you to live in abundance and get out of the “poverty” mentality. God wants you to seek wisdom and be blessed with abundance in all areas of your life; spiritually, physically, and financially.
Deep down I’m sure you know this to be true. Now, unless you change some things in your life, you will stay in a cycle and always ends up right back where you started; before you came into money or any other blessing.
True Wealth Requires Wisdom and the Right Mindset
There are numerous stories of people that have prospered financially and then for one reason or another lost all they had. Yet they also had something else in their lives that allowed them to turn back around and become financially prosperous once again.
What set these successful people apart? They had wisdom and maintained the right mindset.
Wisdom and the right abundant, prosperous, and wealthy mindset allow you to manifest amazing results in your life!
No secret about it: Being wealthy requires filling your mind with the right thoughts. If you find yourself over and over in a position you do not want to be in, then it is about time you have an overhaul on your thought life.
Renew Your Mind
Renewing your mind is a process and requires work.
There are no magic thoughts or words that bring instant wealth. It is a growing process that changes you from the inside out and eventually becomes manifested in your life.
Are you with me still? The sooner you start the sooner you’ll experience the positive changes you desire.
Discover what the truly wealthy think about. Find out what the Word of God has to say about true riches. Then begin to activate your faith in these areas by speaking these things out loud to yourself and over your life. Put the law of attraction into motion.
A sample daily confession:
“Because I diligently seek the wisdom of God, riches and honor are with me, enduring riches and righteousness, my fruit is better than gold, and wisdom causes me to inherit wealth and my bank accounts to be full.”
(Proverbs 8:17-19, 21)
Get started today: Take control of your thought life and elevate your level of success. Be all that God intends you to be and be blessed to be a blessing. Watch your life transform as you seek wisdom and choose to think and speak abundance.
May you seek wisdom and renew your mind daily and continue to experience growing prosperity!
God bless you –
Cheers,
Brenda
Financial Prosperity – Want 2 Keys to Help You Excel?
Financial Prosperity – Want 2 Keys to Help You Excel?
Get 2 Keys that Equal a BIG Step of Faith to Excel Your Financial Prosperity!
Financial prosperity is available to everyone.
The source of all financial abundance is God and with Him there are no limits. Trouble is, too many people are slow to learn the principles that will cause them to excel financially.
Are you tired of going in circles where your finances are concerned? In days of economic uncertainty, it is important for everyone to get a working knowledge of truth to prosper.
Sadly enough, too many people believe poverty is the will of God. This kind of thinking will prevent you from prospering. You can prosper by using God’s spiritual principles in your finances.
Get your thinking clear on how to work them and you’ll no longer use words like recession, poverty, and lack.
In order to receive financial abundance from God, we must do our part. If we do our part, He’ll do His part and meet our needs according to His riches in glory.
2 Keys to Excel Your Financial Abundance:
1.) Be a Tither
What is tithing? Tithing is giving the first 10 percent of your income to God’s house. Most people don’t like to hear about tithing and it puts them in fear. But you’ll have no problem tithing if you see God as your source of supply.
The tithe is seed money of wealth and is compared to sowing. The more a person gives, the more that person receives. Financial prosperity is one benefit of tithing. It puts you in partnership with God. We are told to bring the tithes into God’s house and then test Him and see if He does not open the windows of heaven and pour out such a blessing on us that we don’t have room enough to contain it! (Malachi 3:10)
Tithing is a step of trust and obedience that God will take care of your finances. God promises to pour out a blessing to the tither.
I personally started tithing about seven years ago, after being taught on the subject. I’ll admit that I had doubts and started out as “going to give tithing a try”.
I wanted to do the right thing and obey God, but I really couldn’t see how I could tithe if I already wasn’t making all my bills. I think at the time I was making about $8 p/h and raising two kids with no child support or assistance.
All I can say is that this has been one of the most life-changing steps I have taken! No I don’t have millions in the bank (yet 🙂 ) but I have seen the favor of God move in my life like never before. I started getting raises and promotions, supernatural deals and savings when I shop, wisdom in making smart financial decisions, creative ideas started coming to me, and even money in the most unexpected times.
One time things were hitting a bottom and I wondered how I would be able to continue tithing and I then got an unexpected huge child support payment in the mail from some sort of intercept from a settlement.
I really could go on and on with personal examples, and that of my children. I just want to encourage you to study on the subject of tithing and learn what God has to say about it. My personal financial situation has not been too pretty this last year, after stepping into full-time self-employment, but I am still committed to giving to God what belongs to Him. I need His hand on my life now more than ever before!
2.) Give Offerings
What is an offering? An offering is something given above and beyond the tithe. Or what you give after you tithe.
When you give, it will be given back to you in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. Also note, that whatever measure you give, (small, medium, or large), is the same measure that will be used to give back to you. (Luke 6:38)
No doubt about it; it is impossible to out give God and He is the source of unlimited abundance. God has promised to meet our needs spiritually, physically, and financially. If we do our part in tithes and offerings, God says He will do His part.
May you continue to take steps of obedience to His Word and continue to have growing prosperity in your finances!
Be blessed to be a blessing –
Cheers,
Brenda
P.S. Any thoughts on the subject? … feel free to share…
Attract Prosperity – How to Make Money Cometh!
Attract Prosperity – How to Make Money Cometh!
Discover How You Can Make Money Come to You With God’s Help
Prosperity and how to attract it is not a secret. It is possible to make money come your way. However, it does require getting in line with the laws of attraction.
Before We Get Started, Tell Me If Any of These Sound Familiar:
- Nothing I ever do works out.
- Money doesn’t grow on trees.
- Poverty is godly.
- Money is the root of all evil.
- I can never get ahead.
If any of these are in your thought life and vocabulary, I hate to break it to you, but you are chasing the money away!
You can NOT hold onto the above beliefs and at the same time attract prosperity.
Let me get right to the point. To put the law of attraction to work on your finances, you need to get your thoughts, heart, and mouth working together.
Get clear on your goal with specific amounts and time frames and then write it down. Envision yourself reaching your goal and speak it daily. As you speak it, you increase the desire on your heart which in turn keeps it in your thoughts and speech. This cycle creates a powerful attraction factor.
It is only a matter of time, if you are persistent and stay focused on the goal. The money will come your way.
Refuse to allow any previous negative beliefs or thoughts into your head. Refuse to let any negative, contrary statements come out of your mouth. Cancel them immediately when they try to sneak up on you and replace them with positive confessions of your goals.
A Few Truths About Money to Encourage You and Help Attract it Quicker:
- Money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money is. (1 Tim. 6:10) So don’t love it!
- God will give you much so you can give away much. (2 Cor. 9:11) Blessed to be a blessing!
- If you give abundantly, you’ll receive abundantly. (2 Cor. 9:6) Giving is key!
- God wishes above all things that you prosper. (3 John 2)
- God gives you the power to get wealth. (Deut. 8:18)
So there you have it. Chose to repel it or make the money come your way. It’s up to you. What you allow your mind to think about, your heart to desire, and your mouth to speak is what you have coming. Don’t let your past thoughts close your mind and prevent you from seeing the real truth: God wants you to prosper.
May you walk in the blessings God has for you and continue to experience growing prosperity!
Soar higher,
Brenda