Christian Finance Blog

Happy Earth Day! Today is a day when we need to remember that God is the one who created the earth and we need to take care of it as much as possible. God has called us to be good stewards. Luke 12:42-44 (NKJV) says:

42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

Here are some ways to be good stewards of God’s creation:

1. Conserve energy by combining different errands into one trip, turning off lights and appliances when not in use (including electronics such as computers, etc.)

2. Recycle everything that you can including cans, paper, old electronics, etc.

3. Use compact fluorescent lights (CFL) throughout the house which uses less electricity and last longer than traditional bulbs.

4. Treat everything as if you own it…because God does.

5. Don’t litter and pick up trash on the ground if you see it.

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I just received my federal income tax refund yesterday! I filed on April 5th and my refund came exactly 13 days later. That was pretty quick! I’m glad I e-filed for the first time this year. I think I’m never going to mail in my tax return ever again. The benefits simply outweigh any of the negatives.

Here’s how to check the status of your refund. Just go to the official IRS “Where’s My Refund” page (can also be accessed from the main IRS website) and enter your social security number, filing status, and exact refund amount shown on your tax return. It showed that mine would be direct deposited on April 18th and it showed up exactly on April 18th in both accounts (I split my refund into two accounts). Most states also have a way to check the status of refunds. Check your particular state tax websites for more information.

Now I’m just waiting for the economic stimulus rebate to arrive. It will be direct deposited to the same account that I filed with (only the first one). Check out this post to find out when you can expect yours.

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Yes, I admit it. I should be in Cheapskate’s Anonymous, although I prefer to be called frugal. But you can call me cheap if you want, I really don’t care. I’m not completely cheap, though. I’ll spend money on things I care about, but I will never try to jeopardize my financial future. I always have not only the future consequences of all of my actions in mind, but the eternal consequences as well. See, we as believers are governed by something higher than this world’s economy, rules, regulations, and government. We must answer to a higher being not only here on earth but in eternity as well. We must be held accountable to God.

That being said, I always ask for a discount. I think that it is wise and being a good steward to try and get the best value for your dollar on everything. I’m not talking about taking advantage of people. I’m talking about using the money and resources God has blessed us with to get the best deal possible without hurting anyone. Everywhere I go shopping, I ask for a discount. If you’re a student, ask for a student discount. If you’re a senior citizen, ask for the discount. If you’re in the military, ask for the military discount. Even if you don’t fit in any of those, ask for a discount. When you’re checking into a hotel, ask if there’s a better rate. My philosophy is that it doesn’t hurt to ask, and the worst that can happen is that they say no.

It doesn’t matter who’s watching or if you’re going to be embarrassed asking for a discount or for using coupons. You’re never going to see the people behind you in line again. This also applies to getting “stuff” that makes you look cool. That’s why we shouldn’t buy things to impress other people. Like that shiny, fancy, new car that you want because it will make you look successful. The people you pass up on the freeway will never see you again. And their opinion doesn’t really matter anyway. The people who matter most are your family and true friends, and especially God. Everything else doesn’t really matter except who you are in God’s eyes.

So always ask for a discount and live a life that’s pleasing to God Almighty. I try to.

Warren Buffett is now the richest man in the world with an estimated $62 billion mostly due to the stock price of Berkshire Hathaway (his company). Mexican Carlos Slim is now at number two with an estimated $60 billion fortune. He was number one for a little while. Bill Gates is now number three with $58 billion. He was the world’s richest man for 13 straight years.

Buffett seems to have been born with an entrepreneurial spirit. The most well-known investor bought his first stock at age 11 and he filed his first tax return at age 13 while delivering newspapers.

What can we learn from Warren Buffett? People with wealth don’t necessarily have to flaunt it. He still lives in the same house he bought in 1958 for $31,500 and drives a Cadillac DTS. He will give away most of his fortune at his death to charity with 83% going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He currently gives 5% of his shares in Berkshire Hathaway to charity every year.

The principles of biblical finances applies even to unbelievers. The principle of sowing and reaping applies because it is God’s law. God blesses those who give, but that shouldn’t be the reason we give! We give because we love God.

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Free Money Finance (great blog by the way, and is on my blogroll) is doing its annual March Madness event again! Christian Finance Blog is once again participating in it and there are two posts that I’ve entered! Last year, I never made it past the first round, so hopefully I’ll go further this time so please vote for my posts! The first one is in round 1 game 9 with my post titled “Fed Cuts Rates Again: Here’s Your Action Plan“. Check it out and check out the Free Money Finance Blog.

Oprah and Suze Orman are giving away FREE digital copies of Suze’s newest book, Women & Money! Just go to the download page and you can download the English or Spanish version for free! But the download only lasts until February 14, 2008 at 8 pm EST so hurry!

Today President Bush is expected to sign the now $170 billion economic stimulus passed by Congress recently. He hopes that this will prevent a recession or lessen the impact. I’m not sure if it will work or not, but it sure will help a whole ton of low to middle income people. I’m not complaining about the free money!

Some changes to this bill from the $150 billion one was that tax breaks for equipment purchases by businesses, payments to disabled veterans and senior citizens were added. That’s where the extra $20 billion came from.

The rebate checks still range from $600 (for individual taxpayers) to $1,200 (for couples) plus $300 tax credit per dependent child under 17. The income cap (AGI - adjusted gross income) is also still at $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for joint filers. If you don’t owe any income tax but had at least $3,000 in earned income or Social Security benefits you can qualify for $300 per person or $600 per couple. Also, you might be able to receive partial money if you go over the income limits. You will lose 5% over the income limit up to a certain amount.

You must file a federal tax return for the year 2007 to be eligible for the tax rebate even if you are not required to. You can expect the checks to start showing up between May and early July if you meet the April 15th tax deadline!

So what are you going to do with your tax rebate? Just leave a nice comment! I’m going to pay down debt and save some of it!

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Today is the first birthday of Christian Finance Blog! On February 11, 2007, this blog was born as a voice in the personal finance space with a Christian perspective.

I can’t believe it’s already been one year! I pray that it is just the beginning and that this blog will be blessed with many more years to come! Keep on reading and tell your friends about the blog! You are the reason I write what I write! God Bless!

Here are some great posts from one year ago this month:

Get Out of Debt with an Emergency Fund
Do you carry 10 or more credit cards?
My Checking Account: Washington Mutual (WaMu)
Verse of the Day: Don’t Co-sign!!
Did You Know These Bible Facts?

I hope that everyone had a happy holiday season and is ready to tackle another new year! I believe this year can be your turnaround year! Let this be your year of new beginnings! With a new year brings new goals, new life situations, and a fresh outlook on life. Don’t let this year be just another year. With that being said, here are my top money goals for 2008:

1. Save more, spend less. One of the golden rules to becoming wealthy is spending less than you make. Live on less than you make and you can use the extra to pay down debt or invest for your future. If you can’t do this, you need to make more money!

2. Pay down debt. Yes, even a personal finance blogger like me has debt! But I have a plan to get out of debt and although I won’t be debt-free this year, I’m still making progress. I want to pay off my car within a couple years. I’m sick of a car payment…

3. Beef up my emergency fund. I have an emergency savings account that’s not quite up to 6 months of expenses. I want to achieve that this year and some extra. I currently have my emergency fund at FNBO Direct (currently at 5.05%) and ING Direct (currently at 4.10%). If you want a free $25 bonus for opening an ING account with at least $250 to start your emergency fund, make sure to contact me.

4. Start saving for Christmas now. Christmas is not an emergency! Christmas happens to land on December 25 every year and yet many people end up charging Christmas on their plastic credit cards and end up paying way too much in interest. Start saving now and pay cash! I plan on doing that starting right now.

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Here’s to another year of supernatural blessings and favor for all of my readers! Happy New Year! I hope you continue to read as we start this new year! I call the year of 2008 the year to accelerate! Christian Finance Blog will turn one in February! I can’t believe it’s gone that fast. God Bless!