Food Or Fuel?

By Renee, LSWA

Unfortunately, too many families are having to choose between feeding their family or paying the utility bill.  In these tough times of lay-offs, involuntary unpaid days off and pay cuts, the average family is struggling and compromising on basic needs.  Here are some resources they just may help all of us not have to choose.

1.  Angel Food Ministries:  For $30, anyone can purchase a standard box of food from a local host site that can feed a family of four dinner for approximately a week   There are no income guidelines or special criteria.  If you eat, you qualify!  In addition to the standard box that includes, fresh and frozen meats, vegetables and/or fruit, milk and eggs, there are also Convenience meals for seniors or people on the go, allergy-free box, meat and grill boxes and a fresh fruit and veggie box.  You can purchase as many as would like.  By saving money on your groceries, you can free up money to pay for other expenses.

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Why Should Christians Care About Economics, Part 3

By Jason, M.Ed., M.A.R., Headmaster

Government Spending = Government Control

At the end of August, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released revised estimates of government spending for the current fiscal year. The numbers show that the federal government will spend $30,958 per household. Where will they get this kind of money? $17,576 per household will come in taxes (paid mostly by the top 10% of US households) $13,392 per household will be borrowed, adding over $1.6 trillion to our national debt.

Looking at these same numbers another way, the federal government will increase spending by 22 percent this year. Isn’t everyone else cutting spending because we’re in a recession? Even more significantly, federal government spending will reach a peacetime-record 26 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). Our federal government is spending more than ¼ of all of the wealth in America on its programs. This spending is not just temporary surge due to the recession, a “stimulus” for a troubled economy. President Obama has plans to keep annual spending $5,000 and $8,000 per household higher than it had been under President George W. Bush.

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Part II - The Joy Of Budgeting: Navigating the Course

By Renee, LSWA

Starting a budget is like starting on a journey. You have to know where you are to set your course. Step one is knowing your present level of spending. You may want to keep a daily spending diary for a few weeks to a month to help you know how you spend your money. Compare that with your monthly income.

Step two is determining what represents a reasonable standard of living at your present income. For example, according to Crown Financial Ministries, a family of three/four with an income of $45k should not be spending more than 32% of their net spendable income on housing in an average housing market. That's about $890/month total on all housing expenses including utilities and maintenance. In high cost housing areas, the recommended amount is 55% or $1551/month. This website also provides percentage values based on your income for other areas of spending as well.

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Part I - The Joy Of Budgeting (Seriously?)

By Renee, LSWA

Seriously. For too many people, the word budgeting leaves a bad taste in their mouth. Punishment comes to mind for many. It does not have to be that way. A budget is simply a financial management tool for the home. We plan our meals, our car tune-ups, our work week. Why wouldn't we plan our home money management? Bringing these areas under control relieves burden, worry, anxiety and stress. It maximizes our finances so we can be more effective in all areas of our life.

The goal is to live within our means. That is, we don't spend more than we make on a monthly basis. Ideally, this means that we don't use credit cards for daily living expenses and we practice self-control. It means we keep our needs, wants and desires in check.

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Budgeting and Watching Out For Those "Deals"

Investopedia has a special feature called, "Budgeting 101."If you are trying to get the business end of your household in order, it is a great place to go for information regarding your budget. With the current economy, budgeting is more important than ever. Even if you still have a job, you need to prepare for anything that could happen in the future. What is it they say? "The only sure thing is death and taxes." Having a good budget and sticking with it can relieve huge stresses in the future.

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