The human instinct is to hoard things in times of economic stress Let's look at what the Bible has to say about that Hoarding is the over-the-top collection of stuff you can't rationally use in a reasonable time Today we'll talk about the root causes of this temptation and how to avoid it Triggers of HoardingPeople hoard at different levels sometimes even to the point of mental illness though that's not our focus here Instead we'll discuss the kind of hoarding that many of us are tempted to do often in response to circumstances Various factors can trigger hoarding Fear [... more]

Margin is one of those important things in life that we often take for granted and that can lead to trouble Margin basically means something extra A little extra time or even distance from the car in front of you It's critical especially with your finances I'll talk about financial margin today Applying Margin to Personal FinancesWhen you think of margin you might associate it with the business term profit margin This concept is crucial in business as it determines a company's profit after all expenses Every step of bringing a product to market involves multiple entities manufacturers salespeople transporters [... more]

Is Jesus Lord of all your affairs or is there still one part of your life where you insist on being in charge That one area all too often is money We all have to make a decision Will we live in God's economy or man's Sharon Epps is here today to help us understand the difference Sharon Epps is the president of Kingdom Advisors FaithFi's parent organization Kingdom Advisors serves the broad Christian financial industry by educating and equipping professionals to integrate biblical wisdom and financial expertise Being In the World but Not Of the World Oswald Chambers once [... more]

It's human nature to be concerned about having enough but would you know it when you get there It's a question we don't ask ourselves enough how much is enough We have a great story in the Bible that gives us a clue and Dr Kelly Rush joins us today to talk about it Dr Kelly Rush is a Professor of Finance Department Chair and Financial Planning Program Coordinator at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio Understanding Lifestyle CreepIf you're unfamiliar with the concept of lifestyle creep it's where individuals tend to spend more on lifestyle comforts and luxuries as [... more]

Navigating the financial talk with aging parents can be a sensitive yet crucial conversation In this video Peter Richon with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy talk through when you need to have this talk with your parents and what topics you need to discuss including your parents' -Current Financial Status and Income -Long-Term Care -Estate Planning Knowing that your parents have a plan for the unexpected will bring peace of mind for both generations Keep in mind this conversation is an opportunity to ensure their well-being and financial security in later years If you'd like help getting the ball rolling [... more]

The Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet once wrote Wisdom without an inheritance is better than an inheritance without wisdom As Baby Boomers age it's estimated they'll leave a tidal wave of wealth to their heirs perhaps as much as trillion by But is the next generation ready for that wealth The Biblical Perspective on Inheritance Anne Bradstreet's wisdom likely stemmed from Ecclesiastes - highlighting wisdom's value alongside an inheritance This biblical perspective underscores the importance of preparing heirs with wealth and the wisdom to manage it Current State of Wealth Transfer PreparednessResearch indicates that while Boomers are poised to make the [... more]

Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is - Ephesians That verse is a good reminder that to follow God's will we must first know it for all areas of our lives including finances Brian Holtz joins us today with a question Does your budget reflect God's priorities or yours Brian Holtz is the Chief Operating Officer at Compass Financial Ministry and the author of Financial Discipleship for Families Intentionally Raising Faithful Children Ownership vs Stewardship One of the fundamental concepts of Christian finances is the distinction between ownership and stewardship Psalm reminds us The earth [... more]

Well it's hard to believe but soon the kids will be heading back to school Are you ready to start the new school year on the right foot Could you use a few tips Well you're in for a treat Crystal Paine joins us today with some great advice to make your back-to-school experience easier Crystal Paine is the founder of MoneySavingMom com and the author of The Time-Saving Mom How to Juggle a Lot Enjoy Your Life and Accomplish What Matters Most Budgeting for Back-to-School EssentialsAs the new school year approaches parents are reminded of the inevitable expenses from [... more]

Paying off debt is always a good thing but paying it off before retirement is one of the best financial moves you'll ever make It's a disturbing trend more people than ever are retiring with debt That reduces their lifestyle choices and increases the likelihood they'll have to return to work at some point Today we'll talk about carrying debt into retirement and how you can avoid it Preparing for a Debt-Free Retirement A Practical GuideAccording to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances of people aged to are in debt up from years ago This rising debt can severely [... more]

Is it the best of times or the worst of times Well it all depends on if you're trying to buy or sell a house It really is a matter of perspective Home values remain sky-high and are likely to continue rising in the foreseeable future How you view that depends on which side of the transaction you're on Navigating the Current Housing Market Tips for First-Time Home BuyersIt may be the worst of times if you're a first-time home buyer Home values have never been higher thanks to the continued high cost of building materials inflation and low inventory [... more]

Inflation is the natural enemy of retirement savings but there are strategies you can put in place to guard your nest egg from spiking consumer prices and they may even allow you to use those higher costs to your advantage According to Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy you should Keep Investing time in the market is often your best inflation hedge Maximize Your Social Security and keep in mind you don't miss out on the COLA if you delay claiming Rethink Your Expenses put simply save more money Working with a financial advisor can help implement these strategies [... more]

Beauty matters to painters musicians and photographers but what does it have to do with investing The creation account suggests that beauty is also at the core of faithful stewardship and investing Today we'll discuss Investing in Beautiful with Jason Myhre of the Eventide Center for Faith Investing Jason Myhre is the Executive Director of the Eventide Center for Faith Investing an educational initiative of Eventide Asset Management and an underwriter of Faith Finance The Experience of BeautyWe all encounter beauty in various forms an orchestral performance a mountain hike a beach stroll or even a bouquet of flowers at [... more]

Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the U S today You might assume that we have a major anxiety problem just by the number of commercials you see for new medicines to treat these disorders but is anxiety really a new thing The Reality Of AnxietyModern medicine recognizes anxiety in many forms generalized anxiety disorder panic disorder social anxiety and various phobias Data shows nearly a third of all U S adults will experience some form of anxiety in their lifetime The cost of treating anxiety disorders in the U S runs into [... more]

It's said that we learn from mistakes not success but do you want to experience that with your retirement savings No question saving and investing for retirement is something you want to get right the first time Mark Biller joins us today to help you avoid some of the most common retirement planning mistakes Mark Biller is Executive Editor and Senior Portfolio Manager at Sound Mind Investing an underwriter of Faith Finance Underestimating the Impact of InflationOne of the most common retirement-planning mistakes is underestimating the impact of inflation Many fail to grasp the destructive power of inflation's compounding effect [... more]

Train up a child in the way he should go even when he is old he will not depart from it Proverbs Teaching our children how to manage God's money is vital to raising them But how can parents do this well Brian Holtz will share some great insights today Brian Holtz is the Chief Operating Officer at Compass Financial Ministry and the author of Financial Discipleship for Families Intentionally Raising Faithful Children MVP Parenting Building Financial Wisdom in the Next GenerationIntroducing MVP Parenting a concept foundational for nurturing financial wisdom and spiritual growth in our children Howard Dayton defines [... more]

By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches - Proverbs - Faithful stewardship requires us to make wise financial decisions manage and grow assets and protect our families from hardship Are you ready if you're suddenly disabled or incapacitated Valerie Hogan joins us with a checklist to prepare you for it Valerie Hogan is an attorney a Certified Financial Planner CFP a member of Kingdom Advisors as well as the co-author of Wise Women Managing Money Expert Advice on Debt Wealth Budgeting and More [... more]

Some people learn from the mistakes of others Unfortunately some people have to be the others You certainly don't want to be one of the others who must learn things the hard way by making mistakes Today we'll talk to Ron Blue about some of the biggest financial mistakes you want to avoid Ron Blue is the Co-Founder of Kingdom Advisors and the author of many books on biblical finance most notably Master Your Money A Step-by-Step Plan for Experiencing Financial Contentment Setting Financial GoalsRon emphasized the importance of establishing clear financial goals Without clear financial goals you're essentially aiming [... more]

If you're on a fixed income it's vitally important to stretch every dollar But that's becoming increasingly difficult considering huge increases in necessary expenses In this video Peter Richon with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down a few savvy strategies to save money on these expenses -Property Taxes -Home and Car Insurance -Groceries In retirement it's crucial to strike a balance between preserving capital and generating sufficient returns to combat inflation This is where working with a financial advisor can really help If you'd like to speak with Peter please call - or visit www RichonPlanning com WealthManagement Retirement [... more]

The Qualified Charitable Distribution is one of the most underutilized tax benefits yet almost million Americans can take it There are many requirements for taking a Qualified Charitable Distribution QCD or QCD You must be and have an IRA If more folks understood QCDs better they might take them David Hogan joins us today with the ABCs of QCDs David Hogan is the Principal of Clifton Larson Allen CPA's in Atlanta GA What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution QCD Simply put a QCD directly transfers funds from your Individual Retirement Account IRA to a qualified charity This move doesn't offer [... more]

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and anxious about your finances You're not alone For many money is the number one source of stress But what if you could transform your relationship with money from one of fear and dread to one of trust and joy Dr Shane Enete joins us today to discuss how we can do that Dr Shane Enete is an Associate Professor of Finance at Biola University and the author of the brand new book Whole Heart Finances A Jesus-Centered Guide to Managing Your Money with Joy Addressing the Fear of Financial CommitmentOne of the most [... more]

Americans have an average of four credit cards Do you really need that many And how many is enough Too often we hang on to credit cards we no longer use providing an unnecessary invitation to identity thieves to run up charges in our names Canceling them is a good idea if done correctly The Risks of Holding Unused Credit CardsMany of us hang on to credit cards we no longer use but this can invite identity thieves to run up charges in your name Canceling unused cards is a good idea but it needs to be done correctly Let's [... more]

Romans says Let love be without hypocrisy Abhor what is evil Cling to what is good It may not be intuitive but this verse is a compelling guide for applying our faith to our investment decisions We'll talk with Jason Myhre today about how we can love without hypocrisy as we invest our money Jason Myhre is the Executive Director of the Eventide Center for Faith Investing an educational initiative of Eventide Asset Management and an underwriter of Faith Finance Bringing Faith into Investing A Deeper LookThe phrase Let love be without hypocrisy challenges us to ensure our love is [... more]

Christians must maintain unity in the truth not at the expense of truth Today R C Sproul illustrates why true harmony in the church can never come from compromising sound doctrine Get Two Resources that Reflect on Church History and Provide an Overview of Ecclesiology for Your Gift of Any Amount https gift renewingyourmind org bride-of-christ Meet Today's Teacher R C Sproul - was known for his ability to winsomely and clearly communicate deep practical truths from God's Word He was founder of Ligonier Ministries first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel first president of Reformation Bible [... more]

Proverbs reads The prudent sees danger and hides himself but the simple go on and suffer for it The word insurance isn't in the Bible but it does say that it's wise to protect your financial holdings and insurance is one way to do that Understanding Essential Insurance PoliciesInsurance is a fundamental aspect of financial planning For most of us unless we have vast wealth diversified across numerous investments insurance serves as a critical safety net So what insurance policies are necessary Auto and Home InsuranceAuto insurance is generally required by law if you own a vehicle Homeowners insurance is [... more]

May brings a flurry of activities graduations sports playoffs and school events that while meaningful can also lead to overwhelming stress In our busy world it's easy to get caught up in the hustle often driven by societal pressures to do more buy more and be everywhere at once Colossians reminds us not to be swayed by the hollow and deceptive philosophy that glorifies materialism over spiritual values We are often misled into thinking that accumulating possessions or filling our calendars is the path to fulfillment However these beliefs only bring chaos and stress not peace To combat this the [... more]

Malachi says Bring the full tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house And thereby put me to the test says the Lord of hosts if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need God isn't just telling us to test Him with our giving He's challenging us to test Him Do it and see what I will do Why do you think many Christians are reluctant to do this Many Christians are reluctant to test God with their finances because [... more]

The Power of TrustProverbs - says Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight This establishes our role as stewards and God as the owner which gives us the freedom to look to Him for His plans for our money and not worry about our plans The Power of FocusThe power of focus is to ask God what the next thing He would have us do is and to focus on that one thing until we progress on it [... more]

Has our modern culture embraced sexual expression at the expense of our well-being In this episode we explore the timeless wisdom of the Bible on purity and the dangers of succumbing to cultural pressures Discover why the apostle Paul challenged early Christians to champion moral purity the consequences of sexual immorality and the life-changing power of God's grace Get ready to examine your own heart and find the freedom to live a life that honors God Key Points Covered The Battle is Real The timeless struggle between our fleshly desires and God's design for purity Cultural Confusion How societal norms [... more]

What is the risk of playing it too safe That does seem like a bit of a riddle but we can start to make sense of it by first exploring a behavioral phenomenon called loss aversion Researchers have found that most people feel the pain of losing money roughly twice as strongly as the joy of gaining money To say it again clearly losses feel twice as bad as gains feel good This naturally causes many people to be loss averse and try to avoid losses sometimes to such a substantial degree that it undermines their long-term goals One of [... more]

What To Do When You're Treated UnfairlyMoney is often the issue when we interact with others and it's a powerful motivator to strike back when we feel we're being mistreated Losing money we feel we deserve to have can make us feel bitter But Hebrews tells us See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble and by it many become defiled We live in a fallen world filled with fallen people and we'll all experience mistreatment at one time or another It's important to remember [... more]

Albert Einstein is credited with saying that the power of compounding is the eighth wonder of the world and He who understands it earns it he who doesn't pays it And Ron Blue shares a story for us about a couple who apparently understood this very well I received a call from my -something-year old son awhile back He'd been married for some time and he is a teacher and his wife Ann was a teacher And his question to me was Dad he said You know Ann and I are just teachers and we're just never going to have [... more]

The Financial Impact of College EducationGoing to college is a financial decision second only to buying a house More specifically it's an investment decision Will it pay off Perhaps the most important factor determining that is whether you graduate with a degree Fail to do that and any money you spend or borrow for college will likely be money down the drain in terms of future earnings The good news is that data just released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that earning a college degree is still financially worthwhile generally speaking The data shows that recent [... more]

Discover the hidden financial traps most retirees don't see coming In retirement it's incredibly important to nail down known expenses so you can build an income plan around them In this video Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down the four expenses that retirees consistently overlook including Healthcare Medicare doesn't cover everything And LTC can wipe out your savings if you don't have insurance Housing Even if you own your home outright you'll still have expenses Taxes A lot of retirees underestimate what they'll pay in taxes in retirement We'll still be paying income taxes in most cases [... more]

It's appropriate during this Easter season to reflect on the big picture of our Christian faith Sometimes we just have our noses to the grindstone so to speak and we can lose sight of why we're here and how much God has done for us You know whether you're in a season of prosperity or facing hardships you have to remember that God is still on the throne and that your circumstances haven't caught Him by surprise His plan for the redemption of humankind is still on track The Significance of Jesus' SacrificeOf course on Easter Sunday Christians everywhere will [... more]

Is your financial advisor truly planning for your future or just coasting In this video Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy lay out the five signs that your advisor is delivering genuine financial planning not just quick fixes A truly committed advisor will Help you define your goals and objectives Gather details on ALIE Assets Liabilities Income and Expenses Confirm your Social Security Benefits Request last year's tax return Ask for copies of Estate Planning Documents If this doesn't sound like your advisor reach out to Peter for a second opinion Just call - or visit www RichonPlanning com [... more]

CONSIDERING THE FUTURE POST-HIGH SCHOOLRob discusses the pressure high school seniors and their parents face concerning post-secondary education and emphasizes the importance of aligning educational choices with financial realities He stresses the goal of avoiding college debt through early savings exploring scholarships and considering alternatives to a four-year college such as technical schools online courses and military service Financial planning for education should begin early incorporating discussions about affordability and scholarships Exploring educational alternatives can provide viable paths that align with career goals and financial constraints Completing the FAFSA is essential for all college-bound students to assess eligibility for financial [... more]

WHAT DOES BIBLICAL HOSPITALITY LOOK LIKE IN TODAY'S CULTURE Sharon reflects on the biblical instruction to show hospitality emphasizing its relevance beyond traditional notions of entertaining Hospitality is an act of generosity and kindness extending warmth and generosity to both guests and strangers alike This understanding encourages us to reconsider hospitality as acting as God's ambassadors Hospitality transcends formal dining and embraces the simple generous reception of others It's an expression of generosity serving as a means to fulfill our role as ambassadors for Christ Personal experiences underscore the profound impact hospitality can have during challenging times illustrating its power [... more]

Mark Biller is Executive Editor at Sound Mind Investing a longtime underwriter of this program WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF A RETIREMENT PLANNING CHECKLIST Comparing retirement planning to a preflight checklist underscores the critical importance of preparation Just as pilots meticulously ensure the safety of their flight individuals approaching retirement need to assess various aspects of their financial life to ensure a smooth transition into retirement This analogy highlights the need for thoroughness and attention to detail in retirement planning especially for those within a decade of their planned retirement date A retirement planning checklist serves as a comprehensive review [... more]

As Dust Bowl sandstorms ravaged the USA during the Great Depression John Millburn Davis a resident of Hiawatha Kansas decided to make a name for himself A self-made millionaire with no children Davis might have invested in charity or economic development Instead at great expense he commissioned eleven life-size statues of himself and his deceased wife to stand in the local cemetery ldquo They hate me in Kansas rdquo Davis told journalist Ernie Pyle Local residents wanted him to fund the construction of public facilities like a hospital swimming pool or park Yet all he said was ldquo It rsquo [... more]

Carolyn Calupca on the program was a long time senior producer at Crown Financial Ministries where she worked closely with Larry Burkett for many years She's now a frequent contributor here at Faith and Finance and the author of our new -week study guide Rich Toward God A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool WHAT IS THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL Jesus delivers this parable in AD during a time of significant political and spiritual tension in Judea under Roman rule As Jesus moves toward Jerusalem for the last time he attracts a [... more]

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE AND ESTATE PLANNINGProverbs highlights the importance of acting with knowledge in all aspects of life including the preparation for inevitable events like death This preparation involves legal financial and personal readiness to ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are cared for IMPORTANCE OF UPDATED WILLS AND DIRECTIVESHaving updated wills is critical to ensure your wishes are followed after your death with legal powers of attorney and health care directives being equally important An estate attorney is necessary to prepare these documents representing an essential investment in your family's future well-being PREPARING FOR YOUR [... more]

Folks struggling to care for family members with serious disabilities have a powerful tool to help with expenses It rsquo s called the ABLE account mdash an acronym for Achieving a Better Life Experience On today's Faith amp Finance Live host Rob West will welcome Matt Syverson to share everything you need to know about ABLE accounts Then Rob will answer your calls and financial questions nbsp See omnystudio com listener for privacy information [... more]

Folks struggling to care for family members with serious disabilities have a powerful tool to help with expenses It rsquo s called the ABLE account mdash an acronym for Achieving a Better Life Experience On today's Faith amp Finance Live host Rob West will welcome Matt Syverson to share everything you need to know about ABLE accounts Then Rob will answer your calls and financial questions nbsp See omnystudio com listener for privacy information [... more]

Matt Syverson is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Kingdom Advisor in Overland Park Kansas He's also a specialist in helping families understand and set up ABLE accounts WHAT ARE ABLE ACCOUNTS AND HOW DO THEY COMPARE TO EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS ABLE accounts akin to education savings accounts in terms of contributions and tax treatments are designed to assist individuals with disabilities by allowing for the accumulation of resources without affecting their eligibility for government assistance ABLE accounts initially referred to as A plans are intended for individuals with disabilities allowing them to save beyond the typical asset limits set [... more]

Matthew Well done good and faithful servant You have been faithful over a little I will set you over much Enter into the joy of your master HONORING GOD THROUGH FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIPInspiring Words We all aspire to hear the commendation found in Matthew and to be found faithful as stewards in all aspects of life including finances Biblical Foundation Our financial decisions are rooted in Scripture with Deuteronomy reminding us that all wealth comes from God and Psalm - affirming His ownership over everything including us Glorifying God The Bible teaches us to honor God in all that we do [... more]

THE DECLINING MARRIAGE RATE AND ITS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Studies consistently show that married people fare better financially than single people Significantly better But the marriage rate in America continues to fall The percentage of adults living with a spouse dropped from to over the last decade continuing a trend that started when of adults were married in This trend affects millennials significantly with only choosing to marry potentially missing out on the financial benefits associated with marital status THE FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE OF MARRIED COUPLES Married couples generally have a higher median net worth at all age levels compared to unmarried [... more]

I tell you use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so that when it is gone they will welcome you into eternal dwellings Luke Rachel McDonough is a Certified Financial Planner a CertifiedKingdom Advisor and a regular FaithFi contributor WHAT IS THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU EVER MADE ACCORDING TO RACHEL MCDONOUGH Rachel recounts a story of investing not in stocks or bonds but in a person's life with a simple act of kindness She met a woman who identified herself as a witch and was initially very hostile With just Rachel and her friends paid for the woman's phone [... more]

Neile Simon is a Certified Credit Counselor with Christian Credit Counselors and underwriter of this program WHAT ARE SOME TRIED AND TRUE WAYS TO AVOID DEBT AND PROMOTE FINANCIAL WELLNESS Neile Simon from Christian Credit Counselors shares key strategies to manage finances effectively emphasizing the importance of budgeting reducing debt and saving for emergencies Creating or updating a budget is crucial Most Americans need to revisit their budgets especially to adjust for inflation Your budget should track major expenses such as housing food transportation and more It's also wise to review and possibly reduce subscriptions to entertainment services by examining [... more]

Congress works to pass a border bill while Biden says he needs more power KJP butchers sending condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers in Jordan Dana gives her two cents on the Taylor Swift-Pentagon psyop conspiracy theory and asks why the Right is promoting this Tech CEOs testify on Capitol Hill over youth mental health A Montana family who lost custody of their -year-old daughter after refusing to let her transition to a boy reveals their torment Denver says every hotel they have is full of migrants and their health care system is on the brink of collapse [... more]

Sharon Epps is the president of Kingdom Advisors our parent organization Kingdom Advisors is a group dedicated to training financial professionals to guide and advise you according to biblical principles WHAT ARE THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES RELATED TO CASH FLOW AND LIVING EXPENSES Sharon emphasizes the importance of spending less than we earn drawing from Philippians which teaches contentment in all situations Contentment is key in managing finances as it helps us be satisfied with what we have and avoid unnecessary spending To improve financial health it's vital to spend less than what we earn Contentment with our current situation is [... more]

Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established Proverbs Howard Dayton is the founder of Compass Finances God's Way and the former host of this program HOW DOES A SPENDING PLAN HELP WITH MANAGING YOUR MONEY AND REDUCING YOUR DEBT Howard founder of Compass Finances God's Way introduces the concept of a spending plan budget He explains that a spending plan is not just about restricting expenses but is a strategic tool that helps direct money towards achieving life goals and reducing debt The plan also controls impulse spending and is flexible enough to adjust as [... more]

Matthew - Consider the lilies of the field how they grow they neither toil nor spin yet I tell you even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these John Putnam is a certified financial planner a Certified Kingdom Advisor and founder of Smarter Stewardship a marketplace ministry HOW DO YOU COUNSEL PEOPLE WHO WORRY ABOUT MONEY ESPECIALLY WITH TALK OF A LOOMING RECESSION John Putnam discusses Matthew - and what it teaches us about God's provision and the importance of not being anxious Focus on God's provision as shown in nature to minimize worry Striving [... more]

REFLECTION ON LAST YEAR'S PREDICTIONSBob Doll reflects on his previous year's predictions noting that while they achieved a accuracy rate it fell short of their usual mark The unexpected strength in the economy and labor market combined with a decrease in inflation led to deviations from their projections The economy was stronger than expected preventing the anticipated recession Inflation continued to decrease but did not reach the central bank's target of Stock market valuations increased particularly for a small group of high-performing stocks OUTLOOK ON THE US ECONOMY FOR THE UPCOMING YEARBob predicts a mild recession for the upcoming year [... more]

INFLATION FELL There's something you need to understand about the inflation numbers you hear in the news such as Inflation fell to last month on an annualized basis Some folks think that means prices went down but it really only means that the rate of price increases has gone down INFLATION'S PERMANENT PRICE INCREASES A decrease in inflation rate means slower price increase not price reduction Even if inflation drops to zero the high prices from past inflation remain WAGE GROWTH NOT KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION A significant portion of workers report their wages haven't kept up with inflation leading [... more]

We're revisiting an annual favorite with some new action steps you can take now to set yourself up for success In this video Peter Richon with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy walk through the top resolutions you should consider in Meet Your Match contribute at least the minimum amount to your retirement accounts to secure your employer's match Contribute More to Retirement contribution limits are higher in and don't forget to contribute to your Roth accounts Create a Budget one of the most important and often overlooked if not avoided steps You don't know what you'll need to live on [... more]

The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it the world and those who live in it for he has founded it on the seas and established it on the rivers Psalm - Mark Regier is Vice President of Stewardship Investing at Praxis Mutual Funds WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP INVESTING AND HOW DOES IT INCORPORATE CREATION CARE Stewardship investing is an approach rooted in biblical principles emphasizing responsibility and management of all that God has entrusted to us It involves recognizing God's ownership over everything and managing resources wisely and according to His wishes This philosophy extends to caring [... more]

If anyone does not provide for his own and especially for those of his household he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever Timothy It's a pleasure to welcome Harlan Accola back to the program Harlan is with Movement Mortgage an underwriter of this program He is also the author of Home Equity and Reverse Mortgages The Cinderella of the Baby Boomer Retirement WHY ARE REVERSE MORTGAGES REFERRED TO AS THE CINDERELLA OF RETIREMENT PLANNING Reverse mortgages are seen as the Cinderella of retirement planning because they have been underestimated but hold significant potential for aiding in [... more]

Having bad credit is expensive With inflation and high interest rates it rsquo s more important than ever to keep your credit score as high as possible and you won rsquo t believe how much money that can save you On today's Faith amp Finance Live host Rob West will talk about the added expense of having bad credit Then he rsquo ll answer your financial questions on various topics nbsp See omnystudio com listener for privacy information [... more]

Having bad credit is expensive With inflation and high interest rates it rsquo s more important than ever to keep your credit score as high as possible and you won rsquo t believe how much money that can save you On today's Faith amp Finance Live host Rob West will talk about the added expense of having bad credit Then he rsquo ll answer your financial questions on various topics nbsp See omnystudio com listener for privacy information [... more]

GOD'S WORD ON PAYING DEBTS Proverbs emphasizes the importance of paying back debts on time Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it DEFINING GOOD CREDIT SCORES FICO scores range from to with a good score between and A very good score is between and and excellent is to Higher credit scores result in better interest rate offers from lenders IMPACT OF CREDIT SCORE ON LOANS AND INTEREST RATES A higher credit score can significantly reduce interest rates on mortgages personal loans and credit cards Example Raising a [... more]