MoneyMatters

Eagle Eye Vision

2012-06-08T11:25:00.000-05:00

Eagles have remarkable eyesight. They are capable of seeing four to seven times better than humans, with an ability to spot a small animal from over a mile away! This enables them to search for food as they soar high in the sky or perch at the top of a tall tree. When they attack, they dive at speeds up to 100 miles an hour! Eagles are at the top of the airborne predators. Their ability to see clearly at great distances, to adjust their flight path at high speeds, and their great power is a reflection of God’s great design.

As we continue to strive to soar like eagles in our financial life, we should also check our financial vision. Have you become so blinded by the day to day grind of paying bills, struggling to stay ahead of debt, and covering unexpected expenses, that it is difficult to see beyond your current situation?

As we begin to follow God’s design for our financial life, our perspective broadens and we can see further down the road, a little farther each day. We can see distant situations more clearly and make adjustments to meet the challenge. Let’s all improve our eyesight so we can soar higher as we look to Christ for his leadership in our financial decisions!

Trash or Trea$ure?

2012-06-06T11:18:00.000-05:00

As you do your Spring cleaning, consider making some extra cash by selling items on Craig’s list or by having a garage sale. Don’t have enough to do a garage sale on your own? Make it a group effort and combine with friends, family, or coworkers. You could also take certain items to a consignment or resale store.

Kid$ Clothe$

2012-06-02T11:17:00.000-05:00

One excellent way to save on kids’ clothes is to shop at consignment stores such as Kid to Kid.

You can find name brand items such as Nike, Adidas, Gap, and Aeropostle for a fraction of the original cost. Most kids outgrow clothes long before they wear them out, so you are able to find items in excellent condition, and sometimes still with the original tags!

Ways to $ave

2012-05-26T11:09:00.000-05:00

Shop for groceries Have you tried the new grocery store, Aldi’s?
My experience is that you save about 30% on their products compared to other grocery stores. It is the kind of store where the stock is displayed like a warehouse and you bag your own items, kind of like a "mini Sams". They carry their own brands with few major brands but the prices are excellent. Look them up to find one near you and give it a try. They only take cash or debit cards so you cannot use a credit card! (Thanks to one of our MoneyMatters clients for sharing this)

Another "HOT" Tip

2012-05-25T11:22:00.000-05:00

As summer temperatures rise, so do our electricity bills. Remember to regularly check to see if you can get better rates by changing to a cheaper retail electric provider. Go to www.powertochoose.org to compare rates and see if changing companies would be beneficial. As always, it pays to know your rate and know when your contract expires so you can go shop again. And talk to others about this to determine if you can save money down the road.

Also, remember to change out you’re A/C filters as we head into the summer. This will not only help your unit run better, it will extend its life and save you money.

Money Matters Referrals

2012-05-24T11:11:00.000-05:00

If you know someone who could benefit from the MoneyMatters private coaching program, please refer them to us. The program can benefit a broad spectrum of people - from those just entering the workforce who need to get started on the right foot, to those who need help managing their debt and establishing a workable budget.

Kid$ Corner

2012-05-21T11:15:00.005-05:00

Yesterday Sunday May 20, our church, Parkway Hills Baptist Church in Plano, TX dedicated our new children’s building. This is a perfect opportunity to talk to our/your kids about how God uses the generosity of people to pull together to fulfill a dream. It wouldn’t have been possible without money made available through financial discipline of our church family, our local construction partners and a healthy dose of God’s continued blessing!

Memorial Day is here... 2 ways to use it to your advantage!

2012-05-21T11:06:00.002-05:00

　
Take advantage of upcoming Memorial Day and other holiday sales to buy birthday gifts or stock up early on Christmas gifts at sale prices.

Also, Memorial Day weekend is the Texas’ Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday if you are in the market for appliances.

Change Adds Up!

2012-05-21T11:03:00.001-05:00

　
Do you always reach for that familiar name brand in products such as laundry detergent? Have you taken the time to compare prices? For example, the large 150oz. size in Tide, Cheer, All, and Gain brands run between $12 and $18, while the same size in Purex, Arm & Hammer, and Xtra run between $6 and $8.

Kid$ Corner

2012-02-10T12:52:00.003-06:00

Take every opportunity to teach your children, no matter their age, the importance of tithing and handling their money responsibly. Taking the time to sit down with your preschooler or elementary student and preparing an envelope to take to church helps to start that giving mindset.

Having your teenager prepare a budget for their job or allowance, or establishing a savings plan for that item they want gets them started on the right foot in living within their means.

Shop for Insurance!

2012-02-04T12:26:00.007-06:00

Shop around for lower insurance rates!
Many people stay with a company out of a sense of loyalty and never think to check if lower rates are available with other reputable companies. A phone call to an insurance broker who can compare quotes among companies can save you a lot of money. Brokers are paid by the insurance company, so it doesn’t cost you a dime!

A friend of mine saved $1,600/yr and I just saved $2,000 a year simply by changing insurance carriers. Now THAT is a pretty good return on a 10 minute phone call!

Credit Unions

2012-02-03T12:59:00.009-06:00

Credit Unions offer special rates for new loans or refinances during the Spring.

Check it out! See if you qualify to reduce your interest rate. You may be able to save through paying off a loan earlier, or by securing lower monthly payments.

"Soarin"

2012-02-01T11:54:00.004-06:00

As birds go, eagles’ wings are big, but the muscles that make them flap are not. Pound for pound, an eagle’s strength is no match for the strength of a hummingbird. The strength of eagles is not in their flapping but in their soaring. An eagle will perch high atop a canyon below. When the rising wind is just right, the eagle will fold its wings to its sides, literally cast itself into the chasm and plummet into the abyss. When the speed is just right, the bird will spread its wings, catch the thermals, rise up into the sky and soar.

This is an excellent picture of how God wants us to trust in him. Through no strength of our own, we cast ourselves upon God, fall into his mercy and soar on his promises. Our strength comes from trusting and soaring like an eagle, not flapping and working like a hummingbird. (borrowed from Ben Patterson)

So how are you flying financially? Are you handling your money as God commands, so that you can soar like an eagle, or are you flapping and working under your own strength like a hummingbird? My hope is that this newsletter will encourage you with hints and insights to flap less and soar higher!

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31b

Change Adds Up

2012-01-30T12:25:00.000-06:00

A 12‐pack of cokes costs about $3.50, on sale.

To buy 12 cokes in your office vending machine would be around $10.20 (@.85

each). Result = a $6.70 savings just for taking a dozen of your own cokes to work.

A cup of coffee made at home costs just pennies. Stopping at Starbucks will cost a

minimum of $3 50. Resulting savings is $3.50/day or $17.50/week

Hot Tip - It's Tax Season

2012-01-30T12:17:00.000-06:00

Remember to timely file your Federal tax return. If you are getting a refund, file in

early February! The IRS starts processing refunds in mid-February, so you will get your money faster!

If you owe, you have a little extra time to file this year. Due to Emancipation Day,
a holiday observed in Washington DC, all taxpayers have until Tuesday, April 17,
to file their 2011 tax returns and pay any tax due.

Spring 2012 small group class registrations and schedules

2012-01-23T16:54:00.000-06:00

Many of you have asked about our schedule for the Crown small group studies for the Spring Semester so here it is.

Our Spring 2012 Classes covering Biblical Financial Principles will ALL begin on Sunday February 12 at 2pm.

The Sunday classes will be held 4-6pm and run from Feb 26 to May. The weeknight night class is slated for Monday or Wednesday nights from 6:30–8:30pm. Both classes will allow for any holidays and special events as necessary.

Registration is always open online at MoneyMatters.
A registration table at the church will be open through February 5, 2012.
Announcements are currently being made but the earlier you register, the sooner we can order your materials.

We encourage your family and friends to consider joining us in this adventure this Spring.

Spring 2012: Some other items of interest

2012-01-23T16:51:00.002-06:00

Our initial offering of the 2 Crown tools has been well accepted and we thank all of those who have attended our classes/coaching and joined us in volunteering at MoneyMatters. Some of you that have completed the small group study are asking "what's next?" We appreciate your desire to learn more about stewardship and your responses assure us that we are on the right path.

Recognizing that we all need continuous reinforcement when it comes to our stewardship, we are exploring new tools for future use. For example, we are reviewing and considering resources from several different ministries and churches. We are currently taking a look the following tools..

- a 6 week DVD study called "Balanced" from Andy Stanley that can be used on Sunday evenings or at home for a small group (~90 minutes per session)

- a brand new 6 week study from Compass called "Money and Marriage" has just arrived for our review. Our initial reveiws are very positive. (2 hr per session)

- a 3 sermon set from Dave Ramsey that can be used on a Sunday morning/evening or at home. (30-35 minutes per sermon)

Pray about your participation in a future class and that we will make wise choices in the tools we choose.

What else do we have for this fall?

2011-07-21T15:07:00.000-05:00

- a 3 sermon set from Dave Ramsey (fyi - Dave Ramsey Live is coming to Dallas Oct. 1, 2011) that can be used on a Sunday morning/evening or at home. (30-35 minutes per sermon)

Pray about your participation in a future class and that we will make wise choices in the tools we choose.

Why have a stewardship ministry?

2011-06-11T14:11:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to an article from Compass' Howard Dayton that helps to answer that question above.

Take a moment and note the 3 biblical references that he uses from the books of Matthew and Luke.

What is "stewardship" ?

2011-06-11T13:55:00.000-05:00

Last week I was given the chance to review the newest Dave Ramsey 3 sermon set called "Love,Money,Hope" (good thing they have commas in the title) and I have to say I was very impressed and have passed it along to others for their review and comments. One thing that Mr Ramsey does at the beginning of the first sermon is to define what "stewardship" actually is and also what it is not. I was particularly intrigued by this as I thought to myself "if we are going to have a real stewardship ministry, we ought to at least get this part right!"

So here is my best take of his definitions...
Although we may think of it as so, Stewardship is not a code word for "church fundraising campaign" or "one time pledge". Stewardship is not something that you turn on and off , it is a variable measure that improves or declines with every decision that we make. Stewardship is something that we DO every single day.

Websters defines the word "steward" as follows...
1: one employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns
2: shop steward
3: a fiscal agent
4
a : an employee on a ship, airplane, bus, or train who manages...
b : one appointed to supervise the provision and distribution of food and drink in an institution
5: one who actively directs affairs : Manager

Christian stewardship would then amount to being appointed to actively manage ALL of the concerns being entrusted to us by The Owner. If God owns everything we have been given (time, money, talents, shelter, transportation, tools, education, personality and spiritual gifts) then what are we to do with all of that as His stewards?

Jesus gives examples of stewardship in the Parable of the Three Servants in Matthew Ch.25 and the Parable of the Ten Servants in Luke Ch.19. More teachings are found throughout the bible as to what we are to be doing each day as His stewards. Yep it is in there, topics like debt, saving, investing, honesty, generosity, planning and many more are all scattered throughout His word.

Here is an article by Chris Goulard, Stewardship Pastor from Saddleback Church that you may like.

MoneyMatters is here as the ParkwayHills stewardship ministry to equip each other to be better "stewards" and encourage each other along this path of change.

Celebrate!

2011-06-07T08:29:00.002-05:00

This is just a quick note to thank all of our students and group leaders who just finished this Spring 2011 semester Crown small group bible studies. We know you had a few (or a lot of) "ah ha" moments each week as you dug into God's word and learned about your own financial picture.

Here are 2 pics from the last meeting and celebration dinner of the class hosted by Doug Lueders and Pat Beaird.

This group had the unique distinction of having 3 young couples in the class and having 2 babies born and yet everybody continued to support and encourage each other all the way through to the finish.

Yall were indeed a testimony to all of us as to how a church family acts generously to help each other.
Congratulations to ALL who have "graduated" this Spring.

Lower your electricity rate

2011-05-25T13:44:00.009-05:00

Biblical Stewardship applies to everything we have been given and how we implement God’s plan for our lives.

If you live in North Texas and can choose your own electricity provider, don’t forget to go shopping on a regular basis (3/6/12/24 months) and find a new electricity provider who offers lower rates. With all the economic pressures on the Texas Electricity supply chain (global oil prices, natural gas prices and demand, rising coal prices and uncertain future of nuclear power, as well as the debt held by local electrical companies) this cost is going to get more critical in future years and we all need to be managing this cost properly in our homes, businesses and at the church as well. Good stewardship starts with us.

Recently one ParkwayHills family has found…

“we switched retail electric providers last year after attending your seminar and have saved over $1,000 compared to what we would have paid to our previous vendor for the very same thing. This allowed us to have a renewed monthly spending plan which included more giving to Opening Doors.”

We recommend that you always start your shopping at the State of Texas education and comparison site called Texas Electric Choice. By starting there you will be presented with lower rates on the vendors websites. If you just go straight to the vendors websites, the prices are not as low. Some of us are now paying rates that match those from 1999 from very reputable vendors.

Pick the plan and vendor that is best for your specific needs (or ask a deacon/friend for a recommendation) and tell us how much you saved!

What is "Money Map" Coaching?

2011-05-15T14:46:00.012-05:00

If you would like a private in-depth evaluation of your income, spending, debt, saving, and giving, you can meet regularly with a ParkwayHills Money Map™ Coach at no charge. Our Crown trained coaches work privately with couples/individuals, helping you to work into a personal spending plan with the right balance for your family. Over the weeks or months of coaching, you will begin to apply Biblical principles of stewardship, build a plan to get out of any debt, and achieve spiritual and financial freedom. There is no fee for this service.

As of today, we have had ~20 Collin County families receive private coaching through our team at ParkwayHills. Many have expressed various testimonies about the change in their financial challenges regardless of age, marital or employment status or income level. Today, this service is available to everybody in our community, church membership is not required.

Some comments from families over the past few months...

after eliminating 90% of their credit card debt one family commented that "we could have never done this on our own. We needed the discipline and structure that this program provided."

"working with a coach gave us a forum to discuss finances in a calm manner and to get each other's opinion on financial decisions, which has made our home life better"

"the practical side of the program was great, but we are actually getting so much more out of the bible study. Reading scripture together and learning what God's plan is for our finances has been a real blessing"

More details are available on our MoneyMatters website.

Money Map Coaching is a proven tool offered all around the globe from churches that use Crown training and materials. It is also available online at Crown. Check this out and inform your friends and family members who may live in other areas of the country.

Volunteering for MoneyMatters

2011-05-15T14:38:00.014-05:00

Our MoneyMatters ministry is a place where you can use your spritual gifts to give back to those who want to learn more about and practice biblical stewardship.
Specific gifts that we have the most demand for are teaching, administration, giving (generosity), discernment, faith, and hospitality.
If you know that you have these gifts and are interested in helping us, let us know.
If you want to know how to get an idea of your specific gifts you can contact the church office.

Welcome to MoneyMatters

2011-05-15T13:57:00.009-05:00

Our MoneyMatters ministry is one piece of the deacon family ministries that were started in 2010 and officially announced to the church body in April 2011.

Our effort is focused on Biblical Stewardship and how we can help all of our church family and neighbors in the community to reduce burdens in their lives and know the blessings of following God's word as they act as faithful stewards over all that they have been given.

To begin with, we started by selecting Crown Financial Ministry for proven educational curriculum and selected 2 of their core components for our ministry

a 10 week small group bible study
private Money Map budget coaching sessions

As of May 15, 2011 we have helped over 60 students complete the 10 week small group bible study and more than 20 households from Collin County receive private coaching. Another 3 classes will begin in late August 2011.

All classes and coaching are provided by ParkwayHills volunteers who have received training by Crown. We have enough volunteers to host 3 small groups each spring and fall. Our 2 coaches are available at any time to meet with those seeking private help.

As requested we are looking to expand our ministry to offer continuing instruction and communications and this newsletter is one approach we are taking to get the word out and encourage participation either as a student or a future volunteer. Enough for now, come back here soon to see what else we have to offer for your family.