Cashing My Brain In

I love learning.  Working on this debt-reduction thing has been a fantastic way to stretch my grown-up brain.

I actually read the fine-print on a brochure tucked in with my credit-card statement!  I'm glad I did.  For years now I've used the promotional low-interest credit card cheques to transfer balances.  And up until now, there's been no charge for that.  I've saved interest with just a little maneuvering of time and money. But no more.  Royal Bank must have caught on to the fact that I was using their promotions for our benefit.  Now they wanna sneak a little more money outta me.  Well, $300/transaction!  But I don't think they figured on me actually reading the fine-print.  Bye bye transfers.

We gotta know what we're signing up for.  We've gotta be on guard.  We need to be pro-active and use our noggins!

I also read the fine-print as I looked up getting my credit report and score online.  If I want it fast, it'll cost a little money.  But what they don't tell you up front is that you'll be signed up automatically as a member, and that "membership" costs something...charged yearly to your credit card.  Sneaky turds.  So I'm pushing print on my computer, using a little pen ink and going old-school--with envelope and stamp.  Won't cost me more than $0.66!  All I have to do is be patient for a couple weeks till I get my report in the mail.

It amazes me how much I glean about life generally, from money-management specifically.  Oh, and a little plug...if you wanna know lots of great financial tips, check out Gail Vaz-Oxlade's website.  For instance, did you know that being pre-approved for a mortgage doesn't guarantee you'll get financing when you put in an offer?  Yeah!  I know!  I didn't know that either!  Ahhh, I can feel my grey matter synapsis snappin' :)

Thanks Lord, for giving me a little money to use and learn about, for Your glory.

Money, Money, Money....Must Be Funny...In A Rich Man's World

I was encouraged today to write about money. Particularly because we're trying not to spend any. We've had a few big expenses over the last decade. And to be honest, we've also spent beyond our means. So now it's time to stop. Stop using those necessary expenses as excuses to stay in debt. Stop wasting God's money on stuff we want.

See, that's where the process of money management begins--recognizing that our loot is not our loot. It's God's. And we need to be asking Him how we should manage the resources He's given us. And to forgive us for wasting it in the past. Man I'm glad He forgives. Like our brilliant financial planner friend said, "The past is under the Blood." I love fresh starts.

So, let's start:

1. It all belongs to God. Is what I'm doing with His stuff honouring Him? Do people see how we live and recognize that our plans and habits are different than theirs? Different because we've been called to be stewards of Someone else's stuff. Or do our spending habits mimic the world's? Sadly, the world's view of money often doesn't look radically different than those who claim to follow Christ.

I hear so often, "I worked hard for what I have. I can spend it however I want to." God help me, I don't wanna be heard saying that.

I'm excited about the next 6 years. Debt free in 6 years. As the Lord wills it. With hard work, accountability, stick-to-it-ive-ness, and self-denial. Hooo, doesn't look like a cake walk. Stick around and watch.

Here goes......