The Bible is packed full of verses about financial lessons.  For example, did you know that the Bible talks about money over 2,000 times?  Pretty crazy huh?  It’s evident just from my last Bible study that money is an important subject to our Lord.

It’s so important, God even says that it’s the hardest thing for a rich man to accept Jesus as his savior.  Hard to swallow, but oh so true.

I got to thinking about verses dealing with finances and I’ve hand picked five that are not only applicable but hit me close to home.  I’ll share each verse and what it means to me in my life.  Hope you enjoy!

Deuteronomy 8:18

“Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

When I’m feeling selfish or feeling like hoarding possessions, I think of this verse.  It’s easy to forget that God gave me certain skills to produce wealth in the first place!  It’s always encouraging to come back to this verse and remember that I’m nothing without Jesus.  If I get a bonus at work, praise God, if I make extra money on some side jobs, praise God.  All the praise should and will always go back to Him.

Proverbs 13:22

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”

Although I don’t have any kids yet, this verse is already convicting me!  My sinful nature doesn’t want to give ANY money away!  It’s a beautiful thing to not only give an inheritance to your kids but also to your grandchildren. It’s also an image of God’s love for His children.  I pray to God that I can honor Him in this way someday!

Luke 12:15

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’”

I see greed all around me.  I’ve seen people stab other people in the back (not literally!) and lie to people’s faces to get ahead in life.  It’s just not worth it.  It’s also refreshing to come back to this verse and realize that life is more than the stuff we own.  It’s about how we steward the stuff!

Proverbs 3:9

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

This is all about tithing and giving the Lord your best “crop.”  You should set aside money for your church or missionaries first, then pay your bills.  Using your money to further God’s kingdom should always come first.  I like to do checklists to make sure I’m still on the right track.  If certain things like entertainment or eating out are cutting into my tithing, it’s time to cut back on those things, not tithing!  I don’t want to stand in front of the Lord someday and be embarrassed about my poor stewardship.

Leviticus 25:23

“And remember, the land is Mine, so you may not sell it permanently.  You are merely My tenants and sharecroppers!”

In closing…

We own nothing in this world!  We might think we do from time to time, but everything is God’s.  This verse helps me remember that and it also keeps me humble.  I’m simply a “tenant” wherever I am.  Nothing is really mine.  Convicting isn’t it!

Well, I hope these verses affected you for the better.  I know they’ve had  a big impact in my own life and have seen them change the way I view the world and my own personal finances.

photo by smemon

What you are about to hear is nothing new.

Sometimes hearing nothing new is good though.  After all, it takes quite a few times to hear something before it “sticks”.

So don’t be so quick to brush this advice off as old news.  I recommend we seriously consider if we are applying these strategies.  If not, then we need to set time aside to figure out what we need to do.

1. Be More Generous

It’s hard to imagine being more generous in times like this. After all, we are coming out of the Great Recession and it doesn’t seem like things are getting any easier out there.

Although an economy, job market, and stock market like these test our faith, nothing brings greater joy than helping others in need.

What a great time it is to become a more generous person.

2. Pay Off Your Debt

Yes, this is a no-brainer.  This point cannot be stressed enough.  The economy is not doing well, the Fed is printing money like it’s going out of style, and the nation as a whole is facing enormous debt!

If you haven’t begun to get out of debt, you need to stop reading this and find a Financial Peace University class in your area.

Debt is a serious killer to your financial progress, your joy in life, and your relationships.  Now is the time to change.

istockphoto.com/chrissadowski

3. Save at Least 10% of Your Income

Once you start your debt reduction plan and you get yourself in a position to save, I suggest you stretch yourself as much as possible.  Start with saving at least 10% of your income.

When you are able, increase that saving percentage by one or two percent each year.  This seems so obvious, but when you look at the historic household savings rate over the last 20 years, it becomes extremely apparent that this point needs to be trumpeted from the hilltops.

4. Diversify Your Holdings

The three most important words when it comes to investments are diversify, diversify, diversify!

In this extremely volatile market, it becomes vital that we spread our holdings out among several different asset classes.

Diversification also includes holding short, medium, and long term holdings, alternative investments, hard assets, cash, stocks, bonds and other investments that can help spread out risk and increase returns.

So there you have it. Is this basic information? Yes, however, the application of this basic information has never been more needed.

Two years ago when the iPad came out, there was nothing like it.  Even today, it’s still amazing to see what you can do with one.  My wife actually uses one for medical school and views hundreds of notes through an app that’s incredible to use.

While we really enjoy using our iPad, we’ve noticed a few other iPad alternative tablets that are much less expensive and have much of the same functionality as an iPad.

If you’re unable to spend $500 on a new iPad, you should consider these alternatives that can save you hundreds of dollars.  If you can’t shake the Apple addiction, you can always look for used iPads on Craigslist and eBay.  (We found our first generation iPad on Craigslist for $300.)

Amazon Kindle Fire

Amazon’s Kindle Fire was released in the fall of 2011 and has been very popular among users.  It’s lightweight and perfect for reading book – including the 800,000 free books that are out-of-copyright.  You can listen to songs, watch movies, and use apps like Netflix, Pandora, Words with Friends, and Angry Birds.  It’s 7” color touchscreen is compact enough so that the Fire isn’t bulky, but it doesn’t make you squint every time you use it.

Price: $199 (At this price, we’d recommend the Kindle Fire as the most frugal and most comparable alternative to the iPad.)

Samsung Galaxy Tab

Released in the fall of 2011, the Samsung tablet has a smaller screen and runs on the Android platform so that you have access to thousands of cool apps.  Its smaller size makes it nice for those who like to read on the go.  As for battery life, you can expect to see 8-10 hours depending on what activities you’re doing (i.e. watching a HD movie or checking email)

Price: $399

Asus Eee Pad

This tablet was just released in January 2012 and boasts a 10.1-inch wide-screen.  It has a front and rear 8 mega pixel camera that makes it ideal for video chatting and a camera backup.

It operates on the Android platform and also has an optional keyboard docking port available for about $100. The mini HDMI output makes it easy to share pictures directly onto your TV.

Price: $399

Sony Tablet S

The Sony tablet has a very clean look and ergonomic feel to it.  It has a 9.4-inch touchscreen, wifi, USB port and an SD card slot.  With two cameras, you can chat or take pictures.  Customer reviews give it 4.3 stars on Best Buy’s website and gave it high marks for its long battery life (8 hours).

Price: $399

Are you in the market for a tablet?  Which ones have you considered?

It’s 2012 and you’re still eating donuts?  Put that croissant down and get serious about your fitness goals!  Yes, I did just call you out.  You set a resolution this year and you’re not about to fail, that’s why I’m writing this article!

If you tell me money is holding you back, well that’s a bunch of nonsense.  All I hear is excuses, excuses, excuses.

Thankfully, getting fit requires little to no budget at all!  It’s all about your personal drive and ambition.  As I’m a huge fitness nut myself, I thought I’d share my top 7 tips for getting fit on a small budget.  I understand what it’s like to be strapped for cash, as I’ve been poor most of my life.

So please check out the following tips and go reach your personal fitness goals.  Time to start sweating!

Run for free

Go buy a pair of your favorite running shoes and hit the local trails!  If the trails scare you, you can go on the open road.  Whatever you choose, it’s all free!  If you’re just starting out, you’ll want to start small and gradually work your way up.  Start with one mile a day for a week and slowly increase the distance each week.  Running can also be a fun group activity to do with your friends.  Running is one of the best workouts anyone can have.  It works every part of your body and requires some serious effort.  I highly encourage you to start running as it’s easy on the wallet.

Get paid to workout

What if you want to work but also want to get paid for it?  Well, you could become a fitness instructor at a local gym!  Not only would you get a free membership to the gym but you will get a good workout in while teaching others how to do the same.  It’s a win-win in my book.  Go to your local gyms and ask around.  Some don’t require credentials; they just want to see a drive and passion for working out!  What better way to reach your fitness goals than by teaching other people and getting paid for it!

Join a local workout league

OK, so if you’re a group type of person (I’m not), then joining a local workout or running league would make sense for you.  There is typically a small fee associated with this, so it will have a minimal effect on your wallet.  Cities should offer an organized program and there are private organizations that do this as well.  They understand that you want to work out, so you shouldn’t be searching too long before you find a fun group to workout with.

Rent workout DVDs from your library

You know those funny kick boxing DVDs and P90X programs?  Well they are actually a great workout!  Where should you rent them though?  From your local library of course!  You’d be surprised about the large selection at libraries.  They have every workout DVD you can think of.  Stop wasting time and go rent one of these DVDs!

Build a home gym from used equipment

Go hit up some garage sales and start building your own home gym!  This idea only works if you have large property or a big house.  You’ll need some room to make this happen.  You can find some awesome equipment at local garage sales.  Who didn’t have a workout bench growing up?  I see workout equipment at garage sales all the time.  I’ve even seen semi-brand new equipment for pennies on the dollar!  No excuses. Go build yourself a gym if you’re too lazy or too stingy to go to the local gym.

photo by superfantastic

Bad credit can happen to anyone. It does not mean that you are a bad person or that you are irresponsible. There are any number of reasons that you can find yourself with negative marks on your credit. Lenders, however, see bad credit as increased risk. You are far more likely to be rejected for loans and credit lines when you have bad credit. There are some credit card companies that specialize in providing lines of credit to those with less than stellar credit ratings. Before you sign up, there are a few things that you should consider.

Avoid signing up for credit cards that you do not qualify for.

Every time a credit card company pulls your credit. This shows on a credit report and has a negative impact. Do not waste time applying for cards that you know you do not qualify for. All that you are doing is hurting your credit and wasting your time.

Pull a credit report on yourself.

You can use this to find out if you qualify for a credit card before the application process is even started. When you see an offer that interests you, contact the credit card company and find out what credit rating is required for a specific offer. They may be able to inform you if you would qualify at a specific credit rating.

Do not wait for offers to come to you.

Be proactive and contact different, well established, credit card companies. When you have your credit rating, you can check to see if they have a credit card offering that fits your needs and your credit situation. This limits the risks of being drawn in by predatory lenders.

Look for reviews on the company offering the credit line.

These can be found online or through credit counseling groups. You may find that some companies are better for bad credit borrowers than others. You may also find companies that practice predatory lending. Arming yourself with this information can save you from lenders that may not have your best interests in mind.

Compare the offers.

Review and compare the different offers to make sure that you have the right one to fit your needs. Pay very close attention to fees, charges and interest rates. Federal regulations mandate that all credit card companies disclose this information to consumers. If you have questions or difficulties, make sure to ask questions. Only by comparing different credit card offers can you find the one that can help you get the credit that you require, even with bad credit.

Of course, always make sure that you fully read the information on the card. Federal regulations require that credit card companies disclose all fees and interest rates. Make sure that you fully understand the cost of owning the card.

Before you rush to the grocery store to pick up another cheap bunch of flowers (you know who you are) take a look at these homemade Valentines Day gift ideas.  Forget the idea that Valentines Day gifts needed to be expensive?  Whether you’re looking to make a thoughtful gift for your girlfriend/wife or just need a few ideas for homemade valentines gifts for your boyfriend / husband, these suggestions should get your creative juices flowing.

Homemade Valentines Day Gifts for Her

Breakfast in Bed

Serve up her favorite breakfast and deliver it before she gets up in the morning.  Sure, it’s been done year after year…but when was the last time you did it?

Homemade Cards

Hallmark cards can cost upwards of $6 a pop! If you desperately need some inspiration, spend a few minutes in the card aisle the next time you’re at WalMart.  You don’t need to write out a book – you just need to tell her how much you appreciate her.

Picture Frame

If you’re really creative, you might pick up some wood from the hardware store and make a custom picture frame.  Pick out a picture of you two that she likes and frame it for her.  If you have Photoshop skills, add a verse like Proverbs 31:29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Coupon Book

Cut out 5 hearts and turn them into coupons that she can redeem at any time.  Say things like, “good for one relaxing night off” or “you get the TV remote today.”  Get creative, but don’t forget to write an expiration date in really fine print at the bottom.  I’m kidding! (sorta)

Scrabble Collage

Print a few pictures of the two of you and create a collage that uses scrabble pieces to spell out words like “love, forever, together, happiness.”

Make a Nice Dinner

Take the reigns in the kitchen and make her favorite dish.  Tell her that she has the night off and let her enjoy it with a book or with her favorite movie.

Homemade Valentines Day Gifts for Him

Popcorn and a Movie (for him)

He would love to go one Valentines Day without “The Notebook” being suggested as a movie for the night.  Surprise him with his favorite action movie or comedy from Redbox.  Wrap it in something frilly to throw him off.

Make a Card

Keep it low-key with a nice handwritten card that tells him how much you appreciate him.

Bake Something Sweet

Put together a batch of delicious cookies or a cake with a Valentines Day feel.

Frame a Picture

Update his office décor with a new picture of the two of you.

Jar of Candy

Find his favorite candy and fill up a glass jar or coffee cup with it.

Design a fun shirt

Find a plain shirt and decorate it with an inside joke or a funny phrase.

What are some creative homemade Valentine’s Day gifts that you’ve made?

image credit

Following several years of very strict lending, several lenders and banks across the country have begun to open up their wallets and make it simpler for consumers to get approved for unsecured personal loans. According to SmartMoney.com, TD bank has reported a 6% increase in the amount of personal loans issued in 2011 while SunTrust Bank reports a 25% increase!

In addition to introducing less rigid credit requirements that will enable individuals with poor credit and high debt amounts to achieve approval, banks are also trying to entice applicants with good-excellent credit by offering lower interest rates. For example, in March of 2011, US Bank introduced unsecured personal loans with interest rates beginning @ around 9%, lowered from the previous starting point of 13%. The amount of loans serviced since have more than tripled.

Proof of income is still a requirement for all applicants of good and bad credit. And those with higher credit scores/rating in conjunction with minimal debt amounts are still considered ideal candidates with approval being likely, accompanied with favorable rates and terms. If you are able to receive an approval, the interest rates you receive will heavily depend on your ability of being able to pay the loan back timely. Interest rates are fixed, but if you fall behind on payments, you are going to incur late fees…which can end up being pretty costly at $20-$50/pop. If you neglect to make your payments, your account will be handed over to a collection agency which can equate to being sued in court. You don’t want to go this route. Therefore, don’t apply for a personal loan if you do not think you will be able to satisfy payment obligations.

Loan amounts offered by the majority of lenders are still pretty generous. Wells Fargo comes in at top, enabling consumers with excellent credit to apply for personal loans for as much as $100,000. Capital One is currently offering maximum borrowing amounts of $25,000 and OneMain Financial (formerly CitiFinancial) $10,000. And then you have online only loan providers like Choice Personal Loans that service the entire country, offering good and bad credit loans for as much as $150,000.

It is very important to note that being able to obtain easy credit also has its downside. For instance, many consumer advocates contend that these types of loans invite consumers to spend money that they should be saving. Choice has reported that many of their clients utilize their loans for buying large-ticket merchandise like flat-screen televisions, stereos, etc.. These types of purchases are not satisfying life’s necessities and should be carefully evaluated before proceeding. It is also common for borrowers to use the funding they receive for paying off high-interest credit card debt.

Unsecured personal loans are an excellent financing option, if used properly. They not only help satisfy unexpected financial crisis, like paying for doctor bills or home repairs, but can help you save money by paying off balances on high-interest credit cards. In addition, eliminating credit card debt will also help improve your credit score and rating since the carry on an unsecured loan is not as much of an impact on your credit.

image by images_of_money

A cosy country cottage with a thatched roof is a very appealing buy if you’re looking for a rural home. Before you fall in love with one, it’s wise to think about how to maintain and insure such a special house.

Fortunately, some specialist Home Insurance policies do cover unusual properties such as those with timber frames or thatched roofs. So if you’re thinking about buying one, get a Home Insurance quote and see how it compares to a house with a more conventional roof.

A good thatched roof can last for years, and won’t necessarily require a lot of maintenance. If you’re looking at a house with a thatched roof, try to get a good idea of its condition from a professional before you put in an offer on it. A neat thatch isn’t necessarily a good one, and even if it looks a bit of a mess it could be repaired rather than re-thatched. Call in an expert, who can assess how much repairs will cost and how long they’ll take.

Once you’re the proud owner of a thatched roof, you’ll need to take care of it. Not only will TV aerials and satellite dishes look out of place, but they might also damage the delicate roof.

Don’t try and fix problems yourself, and don’t let anyone who’s not experienced in caring for thatched roofs walk on it or try to do repairs.

Thatched roofs used to have a reputation as a fire risk, and to minimise this you’ll need to take the usual precautions that you would in any house to prevent fires. Your local fire brigade will be able to give you advice on this.

It’s worth remembering, though, that you shouldn’t build chimneys that will pass close to the thatch without taking expert advice. Any chimneys must be kept in good condition – check if they need repairing or repointing. If you’re using a blow torch to burn paint off windows or woodwork, don’t let it go anywhere near your roof. Look into the possibility of laying a fire retardant covering beneath the thatch.

As with any house, don’t light a barbecue or have a bonfire to close to your property, and encourage your neighbours to follow suit.

Invest in smoke alarms, and make sure you fit them in the roof space as fires can burn slowly and might not become obvious for a few hours. Think of your smoke alarm like an early warning system, and make sure it’s tested frequently.

photo by elle brown

I used to be the person that jumped at an excuse for my reasons not to coupon.  “It’s a waste of time.”  “You can find good deals without coupons.”  I’ve said it all.

It wasn’t until last year when my wife and I saw how foolish we were being.  We were leaving so much money on the table before we started couponing.  In fact, couponing has saved us so much money that we recently created an eBook called How To Coupon that shares the ‘secrets’ to how we buy things for pennies on the dollar.

But we couldn’t save 80% on everyday items like toothbrushes, deodorant, and shampoo if we stuck to these excuses.  That’s why I hope you’ll take the advice of a ‘coupon-convert’ on why these excuses don’t hold any water.

1. Couponing Takes Too Much Time…

I’ll be honest, it’s not uncommon for us to spend 2-3 hours a week finding, cutting, and organizing coupons.  But before you yell, ‘2-3 hours!!’ ask yourself if you’ve ever wasted 2-3 hour in one evening on something like TV or Facebook.  Usually cutting the coupons takes the longest time, but it’s mindless work.  That’s why we like to listen to podcasts or watch our favorite shows while we cut coupons.

We’ve calculated that a normal month of couponing will allow us to buy $200 worth of goods for about $40.  Every little bit helps, and if spending a few hours clipping coupons allows us to save close to $200 in some months, we’re going to keep it up!

2. Coupons will make you buy things you don’t need…

I used to think that too, but the problem isn’t the coupon.  The problem is the person using the coupons.  If you’re a disciplined person (and I imagine most money savers are a little more disciplined) a coupon that brings a useless item down to $0.10 won’t cause you to run to the store because it’s a ‘great deal.’  Even when we are in stores and we see that a certain item is on sale, we’ll make a decision based on whether we’ll use it or not.  Sometimes, couponing will give us the opportunity to buy items that other people can use.  Just because we can’t use something doesn’t mean that another person can’t use it.

3. Shopping Takes Longer With Coupons…

Actually, our shopping trips are shorter since couponing because we know exactly what we need and how much we’re going to spend on it.  We don’t need to search the aisles looking for the best price because we’ve already done the research and know exactly what we’re looking for.

Trust me, before we started couponing, I was the first to pull out one of these excuses.  But now that we save money with coupons, these excuses couldn’t be further from the truth.

Do you use coupons?  Have you ever made any of these excuses about couponing?  What are some other excuses that you’ve heard? 

Are you under the impression that consumers all over the world generally adhere to the same consumer banking practices? If so, you are way off. And By comparing consumer banking practices in the United States and Australia, you will quickly see that there are some major differences. This does not mean that one country is better than the other or that one nation and group of people has a stronger grip on their money. However, it clearly illustrates that consumers in both countries take a different approach to their personal finances.

Here are several ways to look at how consumers bank in the United States and Australia – many of which show some very important differences.

Availability of Online Banking Tools

Before we go any further, it is important to note that both US and Australian based banks are at the forefront of the online banking industry. In other words, financial institutions in both countries are making major strides in their online services.

When doing a head to head comparison, it would be next to impossible to say that one country is ahead of the other. Both are deeply invested in online banking, making it simple for consumers to move their money around via the internet while also offering advanced features such as e-statements.

Mobile Banking Apps

If you live in the US or Australia you have probably heard the buzz associated with mobile banking. Those with a smartphone, either iOS or Android, probably realise that this is an option.

At the present time, US based banks have the edge in this department where more institutions are offering mobile banking apps. According to a recent study by KPMG, 40 percent of Australians are not aware of whether or not their bank offered mobile capabilities. However, it should be noted that Australian banks are working hard to bridge the gap and inform customers of new apps for mobile banking with all the ‘big four banks’ offering at least an iPhone app.

Saving vs. Spending

Due to the recession and more Americans being forced to live payday to payday, the savings rate has dipped. In fact, some experts put the rate as low as 0 to 1 percent – making things as bad as they have been for quite some time.

Although it is widely believed that the savings rate in Australia is higher, this is not saying much. Most experts put this number at approximately 2 to 3 percent. Australia is every bit the consumer economy that the United States is.

Personal Indebtedness

Australia has a major problem when it comes to personal debt. Not only does the country come out on top (which is not a good thing) when compared to consumers in the United States, but it goes one step further: it leads the world in terms of personal indebtedness.

If you compare Australia’s position to that of the United States, you will see just how bad things have become. Currently, the average Australian adult has debt of roughly $56,000. This is compared to the average debt of an American of $44,000.

When you add together personal loans, credit card debt, and mortgages, it totals more than AUD$1.2 trillion. To put this number in comparison, it is 71 per cent higher than it was just five years ago.

Real Estate Value

While the United States may be doing better in terms of personal debt, they are taking a huge step back in the real estate department.

In the last year, Australian home owners had no trouble, in general, making mortgage payments. In fact, nearly 50 percent overpaid on their mortgage. On the flip side, while the real estate market in Australia had been booming for years with a steady increase in property valuations, many analysts now think that the market is now on the edge of a precipice. It’s well known that in the United States, the housing market and mortgage industry has taken a huge hit over the past five years. More than 2.9 million home owners received foreclosure filings in 2010 alone. Along with this, there are currently 5.5 million home owners in the United States that are at least 90 days late on their mortgage. In short, this means that one out of every five home owners are late.

Chris writes for the CreditCardCompare.com.au comparison website, one of Australia’s leading impartial comparison services where they rank the best credit cards to make it easier for users to quickly identify the best money-saving or most rewarding offer based on their personal financial circumstances.