We have so much personal debt in our nation that the average person has been described as someone driving on a bond-financed highway, in a bank-financed car, fueled by credit-card-financed gasoline going to purchase furniture on an installment plan to put in a mortgaged home”.

But over leveraging is just one financial trap.  Let’s consider a several financial traps that many of us can relate to or have experienced at one time or another.  Such traps impact our ability to save, give and experience true financial freedom.

Get Rich Quick Mentality

Photo © by nicubunu.photo

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to get rich quick.  Many people take shortcuts in business or in their personal finances to try to get rich, thinking money will solve all their problems.  Consider many movie stars who have all the money you could imagine, but once wealthy, find themselves empty.  The problem with chasing after money is that it becomes your focus or idol and ruins relationships with loved ones and impacts your relationship with God. There is no short cut when it comes to earning money.  We need to always make sure we perform our work with integrity and if entrepreneurs, look for opportunities that ethical and certainly, legal.

Keeping Up with the Joneses

Everything on TV and in our culture will tell you need to have the nicest car, house, clothes, gadgets and more to feel good about yourself and “fit in” with society.  It’s easy to fall into this trap.  We find ourselves sometimes wanting things our friends have and we’ve even made purchases because of these wants in the past.   It’s important to not let what others have influence our spending decisions.  We have to learn to be content with what we have.  As with the pursuit of money to get rich quick, pursuing material items leaves you empty.  It can be an exhausting pursuit that never ends.

Worldly View of Retirement

I think a worldly view of retirement can be a financial trap too.  Such a view is the one you see on the cover of many retirement and investing books.  You know the picture…the happy couple sitting on a perfect beach in front of the beautiful ocean.  It leads you to believe that you should retire wealthy, happy and young to spend the rest of your life relaxing on the beach with your spouse.  This is not the biblical picture of our lives God has for us.  Retirement isn’t really talked about in the bible.  Rather, God speaks of work and fulfilling the purpose he has for our lives.  It doesn’t mean work won’t be different in the future, but in reality, I think God desires us to work as long as we are healthy and able to do so.

Too Much Debt

I already mentioned debt as a financial trap and provided you the quote that helps us gain perspective on debt in society today.  Debt is really one of those traps that can sneak up on us.  While debt isn’t a sin, it’s definitely something that can impact our ability to have financial peace.  I think debt most often creeps into families by way of car loans, too much house and definitely, credit card spending.  It’s very easy to obtain credit to buy something we can’t afford.  Such credit is often used for consumer electronics and furniture.  You can also become over leveraged when purchasing a new car every few years.  Car payments and credit card payments use money that could otherwise be used for saving for college, tithing and other important family financial matters.  Before you know it, you have too much to debt to manage each month and it absorbs a large portion of your monthly spending.

Budgets are for People with Money Problems

The last financial trap I’ll mention is to not have a plan for your money.  You wouldn’t ever want your home builder to build a house without a plan.  Or, we certainly wouldn’t want our school teachers to instruct our children without a plan to properly equip them for the next grade.  Nor should we manage our finances without a spending plan each month and a larger plan to save money, give and spend wisely.  But society will tell you that  a budget or spending plan is bad, or only for people with money problems.  It means you have a problem with your money.  Not true!  Without a plan we’re much to susceptible to all the things I’ve just mentioned.  A plan actually provides a great foundation to communicate about money and the ability to grow closer to your spouse as you plan your financial future.  We’ve found having a plan keeps my wife and I on the same page and it allows both of us to take part in managing our finances.

Most of these financial traps are obvious, but how easy it is to let them take hold in our lives.  I know my wife and I have fallen into these traps at one time or another and they certainly have impacted our financial peace and ability to be faithful stewards.  But, as we’ve learned to be more content and get on the same page with our money by using a monthly spending plan, we’ve been able to stay on track better with our finances.

What do you think about these financial issues or traps?  Have they impacted your financial peace before? 

Let me introduce you to the often forgotten sandwich. “Sandwiches for dinner?” you may baulk, “That’s not a meal.” It is if you serve it up right. I’m not talking about cold cuts and sliced cheese … nothing of the sort!

Here are my top sandwich and burger meals to feed a family of four for less than $10. They’re quick and easy and can be spiced to your specific tastes.

Photo © by fauxto_digit

Quick Tip: Start with hamburger buns, not plain white bread. There’s something more tasty (and dinner worthy) when your sandwich is served on a bun or thickly sliced artisan bread. Plus, these sandwiches won’t hold up to soft white lunch bread.

The great thing about hearty sandwiches is that they contain both protein and a salad neatly wrapped between a bun.

Grilled Chicken Filet Sandwiches with Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (for 4 sandwiches)
• lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, pickles and other toppings
• two cloves of fresh crushed garlic
• mayonnaise and or mustard
• salt and pepper
• seasoning mix
• 4 burger buns
• frozen sweet potato fries, or 3 small sweet potatoes cut into fries

Two chicken breasts will feed a family of four if it’s served as a chicken burger.

Filet the breasts to create two half inch thick pieces of chicken breast. Season with salt, pepper, fresh crushed garlic, and any dry spice mix. Other seasonings that work well include lime juice or Worcestershire sauce. Thick sauces such as barbeque sauce should only be added at the end of the grilling process as they cause the flames to rise and the chicken to dry out or burn more quickly.

Finish off the sandwich with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard and or mayonnaise.

Purchase ready-made frozen sweet potato fries or cut sweet potatoes into fries and toss with oil and salt. Bake until crisp.

What an easy and tasty meal!

Cheap Meals: Tuna Salad Sandwiches with Sautéed String Beans

Not many people flip over canned tuna salad sandwiches; so make your tuna salad sandwich fresh!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of fresh tuna steaks
• 1/3 cup chopped onions
• 1/3 cup chopped celery
• 1/3 cup chopped pickles
• 1 tablespoon of capers
• 4 large sliced tomatoes
• 4 slices of Swiss cheese (optional)
• ½ cup (or less) of mayonnaise
• salt and pepper
• 4 burger buns

For the side dish:

• 1 pound of green string beans, washed
• ½ cup chopped onions
• 2 tablespoons of butter for sautéing onions and beans
• salt and pepper

One pound of tuna filets can be stretched to feed a family of four if it’s made into a hearty tuna salad.

Salt and season the fish with a dry seasoning blend. Grill the fish for an amazing flavor or bake it in the oven until it’s done. Once the fish is done, use a fork to flake the fish apart, and allow it to cool completely in the fridge.

Mix in chopped celery, onion, pickles, capers (if you have them), salt, pepper, and a few tablespoons of olive oil or mayonnaise.

Serve on thick sliced bread with a slice of tomato and a slice of Swiss cheese if you have it.

A great complement to this sandwich is sautéed green beans. Simply wash fresh green beans. Lightly sauté chopped onions in butter and add the green beans. Salt to taste. Cook until they are bright green; don’t over cook. They should remain relatively crispy for the most flavor.

Egg Salad Sandwiches with Fruit Salad and Sliced Cheese

Cheap meals? They don’t get any less expensive than egg salad sandwiches and yet these are so yummy!

Ingredients:

• 6 to 7 eggs, hardboiled and chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped celery
• ¼ cup chopped onions
• ¼ cup chopped green olives
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise (or less)
• 4 large lettuce leaves (one per sandwich)
• salt and pepper
• 4 buns
• sliced cheese and fruit (chef’s choice)

For a family of 4, hard-boil 6 or 7 eggs. Dice the eggs and add chopped onions, celery, and chopped green olives. Mix in a few tablespoon of mayonnaise to achieve desired consistency and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve egg salad with lettuce on thickly sliced bread. Assorted cheeses and fruits compliment egg salad sandwiches very well.

Fish Cake Sandwiches with Sautéed Spinach

I’ve saved the best for last. Fish cakes are my very favorite sandwich. These fishcakes taste a lot like crab cakes but for a fraction of the cost.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of white fish such as Tilapia
• 1 cup of bread crumbs
• ½ cup of chopped onions
• ½ cup of mayonnaise,
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• hot sauce to taste
• Cajun seasoning mix (such as Zatarans) to taste
• 1 egg, beaten lightly

For the side dish:

• 1 pound bag of frozen spinach
• ½ cup of chopped onions
• oil or butter for sautéing
• salt and pepper to taste

Bake one pound of flaky white fish in an oiled pan in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until done. Once cooked, flake it apart with a fork.

Allow it to cool and in a large bowl. Mix with bread crumbs, chopped onions, ½ cup mayonnaise (or less depending on your taste), lemon juice, Worcestershire, a few drops of hot sauce, and 1 beaten egg. Add Cajun spice seasoning mix to taste.

Form four fish patties from the mixture, and pan fry them in oil. Serve on a bun with a side of sautéed spinach.

To sauté the spinach, allow one bag spinach to thaw and squeeze out the excess water. Lightly sauté chopped onions in oil or butter. Add spinach, stir over a low until heated. Salt and pepper to taste.

What do you think about these cheap meals?  Care to share your cheap meal ideas?

Honestly, I was a little dissapointed to not find anything on the Mvelopes website that outlines the difference between the free account and the paid version.  I was hoping they would be more open about this, but I had to sign up for the free account to understand the differences.  However, no concern for you as I’m going to share my findings.

I was taken to a confirmation screen that immediately let me know I could sign up for the Premier account if I desired some of the additional features.  With the Premier version you get unlimited accounts, which I take it to mean you can link to as many checking and/or savings accounts as you desire.  Also, you get access to the debt management program and online bill pay with the Premier account.  Outside of those limitations, it appears you get to use the core functionality of creating a spending plan, managing your virtual envelopes, assigning transactions, etc. [Pretty Cool!]

As I logged into my new account, I was surprisingly led to a new interface that provided a step by step guide to add my accounts, define incomes, create a spending plan and fund envelopes.  It’s been a while since I’ve used Mvelopes so I’m pleased to see they’ve put this instruction out there for users who I know can become easily overwhelmed by the set up of new software and using technology to manage their finances.

After browsing around a bit, it was clear the makers of Mvelopes have redesigned the entire product with a new updated interface.  Overall, it looked clean and simplified.  However, I didn’t see any new features available in the product which was sort of disappointing.  At the same time, I’ve always felt the basics of the product work great and do believe it can help you manage manage your monthly spending and achieve your financial goals.

So, is the free version a good deal?  Absolutely!  If you prefer envelope style budgeting this is a great product for you to try.  Off-hand I can’t tell you how many free accounts you can have.  That might be the only concern for me in using the free product.  You can use bill pay through most banks so I don’t think you necessarily need the Mvelopes version.  Also, the debt tool feature is nice, but online debt calculators will help you create your debt payment plan as well.

Note:  read my Mvelopes review for an overview of all the features.

Will you give Mvelopes a try now that it’s free?

The “Suze Card” is a prepaid card and, like other prepaid cards, you cannot go into debt with it because you can only spend the money that is loaded on the card. According to Ms. Orman, she “decided to create this card after I heard from so many people who were being taken advantage of by the tricks and traps of the banking industry. I want to help people who need a low-cost alternative to what’s out there, and who want to manage their money responsibly.”

Photo © by Freedom To Marry

This card sells for $3 and there’s a $3 monthly fee (waived for the first month). When someone uses this card, this information will be shared with one credit bureau in hopes that it will eventually help you build credit. The card does this by offering free credit reports, scores and free credit monitoring.  However, these services are already available for free on the web from websites like CreditKarma.com. You can also obtain your three credit reports for free from AnnualCreditReport.com.

The Suze Card allows unlimited free use of Allpoint ATMs across the country each month, if you make a direct deposit or bank transfer to the card of $20 or more. Allpoint ATMs are in major retailers, like Costco, Target, Walgreens, Kroger and 7-Eleven.

On a negative side, there are 20 fees that can run up the bill, including:

• $1 for pay by check
• $2 per paper statement
• $2 per over-the counter cash withdrawal
• $2 per call to talk to a live customer service agent (after one free call per month)
• $3 card replacement fee

I enjoy watching Suze on TV and usually agree with much of her advice but I don’t really see the benefits of using her card. I know she has hopes that this will help people build credit but I don’t see how this will do that. The credit agencies do not care what you spend your money on. They are more concerned with how you handle your debt and if you pay your bills on time. If you want to build credit, the best way is to make sure you pay your bills each month. I don’t have a lot of debt (just our mortgage) or a lot of credit cards (I have one that is paid-off in full each month). I have been current on every bill I have ever had since I became an adult and, because of this, my credit score is above 800.

I think Suze may have good intentions with this card but do wonder what is in it for her.  What are your thoughts on the Suze Orman card and prepaid debit cards in general?

Bible Study © by DrGBB

I’m reading through a new version of the Bible – Complete Jewish Scriptures (it has both Old and New Testaments hence the complete at the front of the title.), so I have never read all the way through this particular Bible nor do I have it all “marked up” like I like my Bibles to be.

So this year, I’m coloring my Bible green.  You might ask me, “Green, why green?”  Well, I have taken a list of all the bible verses on money – all 2,350 verses and made it a 5 page list of references only.  You can get a copy of my list by clicking here.  I printed this list out and placed it in my Bible.  Each day after I finish my reading, I see if there were any money verses in that passage, and if so, I highlight them in green.

My reasoning behind it is to help me understand just how much the Scripture does say about finances from a Biblical perspective and what it really has to say on stewardship.  It has been absolutely amazing to me.  I have done this on occasion before, and so much of the gospels turned green, but it is not just the gospels, it is all throughout Scripture.

Why is this important?  I think it says a lot not only about our finances, but it also speaks about God’s ultimate care for all the details of our lives.  It also tells us that God is a jealous God in that He does not want something else coming before Him or interfering with our relationship with Him.  So He gives us clear instructions on a major stumbling block in our lives to help us prevent trouble before it happens.  Is this not just like a loving Heavenly Father?  To care about every aspect of my life.

So I challenge you, are you willing to turn your Bible green and see what happens to your perspective after reading all these bible verses on money?

Want a new hobby that doesn’t cost a dime and actually saves you money? You can learn to coupon in a few minutes and save money for the rest of your life!

I began couponing by accident. I was in a Target department store when a woman walked up to me and told me that I didn’t want to buy a certain brand of detergent (that is, without a coupon). Then, she actually shared her coupons with me and walked me through the store showing me how to save money, stack coupons, the works. I ended up saving 50% off my shopping trip that day, and I was hooked!

Couponing 101: Where to Start

Organized Coupon Clipping © by David Reber

Start by collecting and organizing coupons. Where do you get them? Practically anywhere.

The very best place to start is by printing free manufacturer coupons from the best-grocery-coupon-websites.com. There are lots of different websites out there, and almost all offer coupons from the major distributors including Redplum and P&G.

These are the exact same coupons you’ll find in your local newspaper, but you’ll find even more. The only difference is that when you select the coupons you’d like to print, you’ll be prompted to download a small piece of software. You don’t need to know anything about computers to do this. You just click on the button that reads, “download” and it’s automatic.

Why do you need to download this software in order to print? Manufacturers’ coupons are like money (there are even coupon counterfeiters out there)! So, they have to be regulated. They are regulated with special bar codes on each coupon, just like coupons in your newspaper. Each printable coupon only works if it has the special bar code. The software prints official manufacturer coupons with bar codes that will scan at your grocery store.

In addition to gathering coupons online, you can clip them from newspapers and weekly mailers that usually come with your Wednesday mail. There are creative ways to get coupons too. Get them by contacting the manufacturers directly, by following the Facebook pages of the brands you enjoy, or with many free samples that you get from coupon websites. You can even start a coupon trading club with friends from church or in your neighborhood.

You can also get coupons from coupon kiosks in stores like Walgreen’s and CVS, and from store websites. Target, Wal-mart, Whole Foods, K-mart, Kroger, and many more national stores offer store coupons directly from their websites.

The great thing about store coupons is that they can often be stacked, that is, combined with manufacturer coupons. This greatly increases how much money you can save on groceries. Some stores like Target have a liberal stacking policy that makes it easy to save. Others, such as Wal-mart, do not allow stacking of coupons. Know your store’s coupon policy so that you’re prepared to save money on groceries in every way you can.

Once you’ve collected a good amount of coupons, organize them in a fashion that’s easy for you to use and maintain. Some people organize their coupons in a shoebox; others prefer to use a binder. Some people even organize their coupons in the order of the aisles they visit in their grocery store.

Coupons are easiest to find when they’re organized by product type. For example, put all coupons for paper products in one section, baby products in another, etc. This will make matching your coupons to store sales much easier.

To get the most out of couponing, match your coupons to store sales. This isn’t as hard as it seems because manufacturers coupons are distributed in conjunction with store sales. Often you’ll see store flyers that tell you what the sale price would be if you have a manufacturers coupon, store coupon, or both. Grocery store flyers are usually in your Sunday paper, but if you don’t take the paper, you can view the same flyers online at no cost.

The final step to Couponing 101 is to shop with a shopping list. To make your shopping trip efficient and to stay on budget, a shopping list is essential. By the time you get to the store, all your purchases should have already been thought out. You could paper clip your coupons to your shopping list for convenience.

Beyond Couponing 101

Just a little beyond Couponing 101 is the practice of keeping a product pricing log. If you keep a product log with the prices of all the products you typically purchase, eventually you’ll be able to closely calculate what your grocery total will be before you even step into the store.

To start a product log, save your receipts. You should do this anyway, just in case you need to return a faulty product. Enter the items and prices into an Excel spreadsheet for ease of locating particular products if you desire. Most people purchase the same products repeatedly. After about a month or two of shopping and entering receipts, only small updates will be required.

If you shop at multiple stores, you’ll have more than one log. A shopping log really puts you in control of your grocery savings. Imagine how much you can save if you stack coupons and purchase from the vender with the lowest price.

Finally, you may want to bring your coupon organizer into the store with you (it’s recommended). While you shouldn’t have to look through your organizer at all in the store, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to stock up on an unadvertised clearance item that you happen to have coupons for.

Arm wrestling © by nick@

I am sure this increase in the conflict between the rich and poor is somewhat due to the message conveyed by Occupy Wall Street protesters along with the media attention they received.  These changes may also show how many of us now view the distribution of wealth in our country.   According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, the proportion of overall wealth—a measure that includes home equity, stocks and bonds and the value of jewelry, furniture and other possessions—held by the top 10% of the population increased from 49% in 2005 to 56% in 2009.  Another reason for this increase could be how some view the rich.  According to this study, 46% believe that most rich people are wealthy mainly because they know the right people or were born into wealthy families.  On a side note, 43% still believe in the American Dream and say that wealthy people became rich mainly because of their own hard work, ambition or education.  Here are some other points from this survey:

The perception that strong and growing conflicts exist between the economic classes is broadly held. Not only do those at the bottom rungs of the income scale agree that there are serious disagreements between the economic classes, but even those who are relatively well-off hold that belief.  Nearly two-thirds (64%) of all adults with family incomes of less than $20,000 a year report serious conflicts between the rich and poor—a view shared by 67% of those earning $75,000 a year or more.

Young people (ages 18 to 34) are more likely than those 35 or older to see “strong” conflicts between the rich and poor. According to the survey, more than seven-in-ten (71%) of these young adults say there are major disagreements between the most and least affluent.  This is not too surprising since this age group was largely tied to The Occupy movement and are the ones that are struggling to find work even though they may have a college degree.

Democrats and political liberals are far more likely than Republicans or conservatives to say there are major conflicts between rich people and poor people.  Almost three-quarters of Democrats (73%) say there are serious class conflicts, an 18 percentage point increase over those who said that in 2009.  A majority of Republicans also see serious conflicts between rich and poor.  In addition, 68% of independents feel this way too.

I found this poll to be very interesting.   I know that many are discouraged right now and feel the cards are stacked against them.  I can understand why some feel this way and think they have been dealt an unfair hand.  The thing is, complaining about this inequality and doing nothing will not change your situation.  Yes, some people have been given an advantage over you but you cannot control that – the only thing that you can control and change is yourself.  My hope is that sites such as this one will give you some of the information you need to make that change and improve your financial situation.

1. Books – Most men enjoy reading.  It just has to be on the topic they enjoy.  It can be a subscription to their favorite handyman magazine, the latest bestseller, or even some e-book credit for them to get some new reads on their e-reader.

2. Food – the statement “the way to a guy’s heart is through his stomach” is so true!  Food is a definite must for a guy.  You can make him his favorite cookies, bake him a cake or pie, or even order something special from places like Harry and David or Edible Arrangements.  For the extra punch, arrange to have it delivered to him at work just to show all his buddies how special he is to you!

3. Chocolate – this is a separate category all of its own as we all love it.  For my dad, its dark chocolate – so rich and creamy. I know that I’ll be getting him some Ghiradelli dark chocolate as well as some mint flavored chocolates for his birthday!  Learn whether he likes nuts or no nuts, crunchies or coconut, and personalize the chocolate to his likes.

Photo © by renatomitra

4. Electronic Gadgets – Every guy likes his toys whether it makes noise or not.  Electronics are of course very popular in our modern gadget age.  Maybe he’s got all these gadgets sprawling over the night stand, and an organizer with charger strip would be just the thing for him.  Or maybe there’s a gadget he’s been drooling over lately.  He’ll be happy to play with his new “toy” for quite a while whatever you pick.

6. Tools – Every man likes to show his ability to provide, fix, and achieve, and many of them enjoy doing it outdoors. Whether it be fixing the car, working in the woodshop, or maintaining the lawn, think of his favorite hobby and something that would make his job easier.

7. Adventure – This is a category where you can get unusual.  You can arrange for him to take a ride in a race car, go sky diving, or go early to get the signature of his favorite ball player. Take his passion and “drive it home for him.”

8. Personalized – This is a bit more traditional, but guys do like the cup with their name on it.  Or a pen with their name or “beloved dad” on it.  Think of something they use and make it personal.

9. Trips – Getting away from the grind and enjoying some down time is a great way to make a guy feel appreciated and bring out the boy in him!  Even if you just plan to steal him for the night, trips are a great way to help us all relax.

10. Time – while this is the last, it should not be the least.  Think of something where you can spend time with this special guy in your life.  Maybe you and your brother do not get a chance to see each other that often, so how about going for a drive through the neighborhood where you grew up and reminiscing over your favorite childhood memories?  Or a picnic in the park with your dad just like when you were little?  Time is so precious, and the gift of time can mean a lot!

So whatever your gift is that you decide on, remember that it ultimately is not the gift you give but the love behind it that means so much!

I was first exposed to the term “true financial freedom” when I discovered the Crown Money Map, created by Crown Financial Ministries.  I’ve learned true financial freedom is a spiritual journey for a Christian. It’s learning to live a life of according to principles of biblical financial stewardship and generosity. It’s a faith-filled journey of managing money for God’s purposes and not for our own personal desires.

Photo © by Moyan_Brenn

After my wife and I got married we decided to take a small group financial study at our church. It was a study created by Crown Financial Ministries and was led by a couple whom we are still friends with today. The class is still offered in many church’s and small groups. It provides practical tips and instruction across all the core areas of personal finance. However, the purpose of the study is to teach people a biblical perspective and God’s purpose for money in our lives.

The class changed our view of money forever. The most important thing we learned in that class was that God is the owner of everything and we’re the stewards, or managers, of what he’s placed into our care. It is quite amazing to stop and  realize that everything in our possession is God’s and it is only because of God we have those things.

We actually got to do a practical exercise in that class of signing all of our possessions back over to God. We had spent many years each thinking we owned those things. It’s a great exercise to go through because it helps you make the shift in your thinking.

So, back to the journey of true financial freedom. From that moment on we realized we were on a journey. We were on a journey to grow as faithful stewards and follow God’s purpose for money in our lives. I realized that God doesn’t bless with me with a paycheck to serve my purposes alone in this life. If I earn a million dollars one day on a great business deal or receive a gift, I don’t believe he is looking for me to retire, sit on the beach and grow old without purpose. I believe God desires me to be in a financial state that can honor Him and serve his kingdom.

Let me provide an example. There is a great temptation in our society to own a lot of home, shiny cars, fancy furniture, take extravagant vacations and much more. I don’t think these things are necessarily bad if you have the means to afford them and you can be wise in how you acquire them. But most people have to have a heck of a lot of means to afford all of them. It’s easy to get inpatient, compare yourself to your neighbor and put yourself into too much debt with hefty monthly payments that you really can’t afford.

The bad part about doing all of this is that you’re limiting what God can and wants to do in your life. You can’t be generous and give more of your time and money if you’re sending money to the bank each month and giving more time to your job to earn the money to pay for these things. God might want you to give to a church project, or bless you in ways that could lead you into a ministry that is dear to your heart.

As a Christian financial steward, my desire is to now give more of my time and money to God’s purposes. I’ve long decided that I can forget the tax deduction on my house because I’d rather pay it off. I eventually won’t need as much income because I won’t have that payment each month. This would certainly position me to better serve God. And by the way, that doesn’t mean I have to move my family to another country in missionary work. It might mean I have more time to help my church for a special project, or build relationships with people that may not have Christ in their lives.

I believe God’s purpose for money is freeing.   Are you on the journey to true financial freedom?  If so, let me know about it in the comments.

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (Psalms 24:1).

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4: 1-2).

Maintaining your possessions is an important part of saving money, but it’s also important as quality products become harder to find.

Here are just a few of my favorite money-saving home maintenance tips – tasks that any homemaker can accomplish on his or her own. Most take only minutes to do and help save money in the long run. Some projects are more involved, but by doing them you’ll save thousands.

Home Maintenance Tips That Save Money

Clean Out Your Dryer Lent Trap

Home Depot © by BernardBoyGenius

The importance of cleaning out your dryer lent trap is well known when it comes to preventing household fires and saving on energy. But did you know that cleaning out your lent trap can extend the life of your clothes dryer by double?  Lent is a significant cause of overheated dryer motors.

But it’s not enough to simply clean out the trap each time. If you use dryer sheets, you should wash your mesh lent trap at least every three months. The wax build up from the dryer sheets will collect on the mesh lent trap, preventing airflow and proper dust collection (regardless of how often you simply empty the trap)! You can of course chose to not use dryer sheets and prevent the wax build-up all together.

To prevent the possibility of a fire you should also clean the lint out of the exhaust pipe each year. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has a list of recommendations to help you prevent the possibility of a fire from poor dryer maintenance.

These home maintenance tips also help you keep your home more dust free, saving you time and cleaning costs.

Change Your Heating and Air Conditioning Filter

Change your forced air system filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions; typically every 30 to 90 days depending on the type and brand of the filter.

This simple activity saves on energy costs because it increases the airflow of your unit, allowing it to run efficiently. Airborne particles can build up on moving parts, hoses, etc. and the dust and mold buildup can hinder the performance of the blower motor. Stave off costly repairs and prolong the life of your air-conditioner/heater by changing your HVAC filters regularly.

How to Maintain Your Upholstered Furniture

Dust and light can make fabric brittle; it breaks down the fibers causing wear, tears, fading, and premature aging.  Preventing these effects as much as possible is a money-saving household maintenance tip that adds years to the life of your upholstered furniture. Not to mention, your furniture will look great too.

Vacuum your upholstered furniture and rugs at least once a week. If the cushions on your sofa have zippered covers, wash them at least twice a year when you do your spring and fall cleaning (on cold, air dry so they don’t shrink!).  And, always spot clean immediately when an accident occurs.

Do not place upholstered furniture in front of a window because it will fade. If you must place it in front of a window, protect the fabric with UV fabric spray and place UV guard on your windows to minimize the effects of sunlight on your fabrics. This upgrade to your windows will not only prolong the life of your rugs, upholstery and drapes, it will save you on energy costs as well.

If you have pets or children, establish rules such as no eating on the sofa or training your pet to only lie on a blanket on your sofa.

Paint to Prevent Wood Rot on Your Home

Thousands of dollars can be saved by maintaining your home’s painted and stained surfaces. Not only does regular painting prevent rot, it also prevents excess warping, which can cause an entirely new set of costly problems.

Painting is expensive and time consuming, but it’s much less costly than repairs.

Have your Roof Inspected by an Expert Roofing Company

The time to repair your roof isn’t when there’s a leak! Have an insured roofing company inspect your roof every few years, particularly if there is more than one layer of shingles.

An expert roofing company may be able to help you declare homeowners insurance to cover repairs for a worn roof that needs updating, even if there hasn’t been a catastrophic event like a downed-tree or an obvious hole in the roof.

Home Maintenance Tips: Keep a Termite Policy on your Home

You may think the extra money on this type of insurance policy isn’t worth it. Most people, after all, only get an expensive once-a-year bait replacement or chemical spraying.

But ask anyone who has ever had termites. It can happen to any house, old or new, and with any type of construction that contains wood – even slab on grade. You stand to fork out thousands to make repairs, and after it happens, you’ll probably be getting a termite policy anyway.

Easy Faucet and Toilet Repair Saves Money

When it comes to saving money on water, leaks need to be prevented or stopped quickly.

For the cost of a rubber washer or a toilet flap, you can save hundreds. If you hear a drip or a constantly running toilet, go to the hardware store as soon as you can. Changing a rubber washer or toilet flap only takes about 10 minutes, and it’s something anyone can do (with the help of instructions off the internet). There’s no need to call a plumber for this easy fix.

Wash Your Patio and Lawn Furniture

Not many people think of washing that patio furniture at the end of a season, but it’s one of those home maintenance tips that can really save you money.

Use a scrub brush, soap and water to remove dust and dirt that breaks down fabric and wood. Prevent mold by allowing your furniture to dry well before storing it from upcoming inclement weather.

Always oil your teak wood furniture after cleaning it. Teak and other outdoor wood furniture should be oiled at least once a year.

What do you think of these home maintenance tips?