Bountiful: The Heart Of Money Management

Gary and Christy talk about how we can use our material blessings & share with others. The Bible has a lot to say about sharing, particularly in 1 Timothy 6:18-19 – (The rich in this present age) are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share… Other passage include:Hebrews 13:16 – Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.Proverbs 14:31 – Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him.Romans 12:13 – Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.Episode ResourcesLink to House to House Evangelism Page: https://housetohouse.com/category/evangelism/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Gary and Christy talk about the importance of being on time with our finances, specifically as it relates to our personal obligations, our jobs, our bills, and our savings. They discuss potential pitfalls to avoid and ways to make sure we can make the best use of our time (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5).Episode Resourceshttps://www.thesimpledollar.com/financial-wellness/feeling-overwhelmed-by-big-financial-goals/https://medium.com/swlh/how-to-get-started-when-you-are-feeling-overwhelmed-32f7b6f424b1https://ballastplan.com/the-hidden-benefits-of-saving-early-in-life/https://www.cydcor.com/blog/2017/04/7-reasons-being-on-time-matters/https://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/chronically-late-people-are-not-trying-to-annoy-or-disrespect-you-in-fact-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-you.html ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Have you experienced the frustration when a former colleague left something undone, and you had to pick up the pieces? Have you had to clean up someone’s else’s mess? Has anyone returned a borrowed item to you in worse condition than when you lent it? Have you picked up someone else’s trash? Have you ever asked, “Why don’t people pick up after themselves?” In this episode, Gary & Christy talk about these situations and others like them, looking into the idea of making things better than we found them. Does the Bible support this idea? If so, what can we do to make sure our actions aren’t a source of frustration for others? How can we make sure we take care of things that matter to others even if those things don’t matter to us? 2 Corinthians 8:21 – for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.Episode Resourceshttp://thepositivitysolution.com/better-than-you-found-it/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

How do you react when your day doesn’t go as planned? How do you handle it when someone doesn’t come through like you thought they would? What do you do when you’re not offered a promotion or not given a raise? How do you handle expectations when they don’t come to fruition? In this episode, Gary & Christy discuss some tips to keep in mind when dealing with unmet expectations, whether they’re related to your finances, your career, your health, or your relationships.Episode Resourceshttps://medium.com/swlh/being-a-victim-of-unmet-expectations-9a01fc6512a9Link to purchase “The Domino Effect” by Tim Lewis – https://www.christianstore.fhu.edu/college/the-domino-effecthttps://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/111813/five-rules-improve-your-financial-health.asphttps://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2016/08/02/8-unrealistic-expectations-that-will-ruin-you/#6c13c13319f0https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/your-money/the-importance-of-setting-expectations-whether-high-or-low.html ★ Support this

As various areas are reopening after the pandemic, some people are talking about “returning to normal.” In this episode, Gary and Christy discuss this topic in general as well as in the context of personal finance.There’s the irresistibility of returning to normal. Even if “normal” isn’t very good, because it’s familiar, it can seem very appealing to return to. The Israelites, during their Exodus from Egypt, repeatedly mentioned returning to normal, which to them would be going back to a life of oppression.There’s the impossibility of returning to normal. There’s a saying, “You can never go back.” The Bible encourages us to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead.There’s the opportunity of a new normal. John Wooden said, “Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.” How can we make the best of this situation to influence a better normal than what existed pre-COVID? ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Burnout is stress-induced exhaustion. It can come from demanding jobs, overwhelming financial goals, or even close relationships. Burnout can impact us physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. It’s one of those things that we may be better able to see in other people than in ourselves. We can see the stress & frustration someone else feels, but we might call it “pushing through” when we’re going through the same things.In this episode, Gary & Christy talk about burnout, its causes, what it looks like, and ways to overcome it.Episode Resources“Do I Deserve a Raise?” episode – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls6e1/Burnout Prevention and Treatmenthttps://hbr.org/2019/07/6-causes-of-burnout-and-how-to-avoid-themhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3230825/ https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200330-covid-19-how-to-learn-a-new-skill-in-coronavirus-quarantine ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, CEO’s, athletes, and other individuals have been wealthy, but it’s times like this that the conversation tends to turn against those who are very wealthy. On the other hand, when the government steps in to help those who are suffering financially, the conversation can turn against those who are poor. So, what should our response, as Christians, be? In this episode, Gary & Christy talk about the wealth gap, if it’s wrong to be rich, if it’s wrong to be poor, and some thoughts around this topic found in the Bible.Episode Resourceshttps://www.mlb.com/news/highest-paid-baseball-players-in-2020https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/08/21/nfl-qbs-top-list-highest-paid-players-based-annual-salary/2069973001/ https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/22/highest-paid-players-in-the-nba-right-now.htmlhttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-the-rent-is-due-for-rich-people-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-120823686.html“Don’t be a tightwad. If you’ve got something, give back. Pay a little bit of re

During a time of pandemic, you may have asked, “What do I do now?” From a personal finance perspective, we have a few suggestions:Don’t panic – retirement accounts lose value and gain value in moments of time, but, in the long run, they provide a good return to investors. Experts say that time in the market is more important than timing the market, so, especially if you don’t need the money now, avoid panic selling.Evaluate your risk tolerance – if your long-term savings have been in volatile investments, are you going to be okay through the market’s ups and downs? This may be a good time to consider diversification options for your future investments.Do the things you’ve been putting off – some people delay creating a budget due to time constraints. If you’re quarantined, maybe you’ve got more time on your hands to do things like make a budget, write a will, read personal finance material, or study the Scriptures to see what God says about money.Take note of the “essential” businesses – this is especially tr

This episode is being released in a time of worldwide turmoil. Middle Tennessee is still recovering from tornadoes that damaged property and claimed lives. The World Health Organization recently declared the coronavirus, which has spread around the world, a pandemic. In response, the stock market in the United States has receded significantly. When things like our property, our health, or our livelihood are at risk, we have a choice on how to react. When all three are threatened by situations out of our control, we still have a choice on how to react. While the world tends to incite fear, panic, and suspicion, Christians ought to reflect Christ through concern, giving aid, and showing compassion. Gary and Christy discuss why it’s important, especially in life’s storms, to help those who are in need. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This title comes from a book by Marie Kondo who has trademarked a method of decluttering and reorganization called The KonMari Method. In this episode, Gary and Christy discuss this method and how it can help us gain a clearer spiritual perspective on all our material blessings.Episode Resourceshttps://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/a25846191/what-is-the-konmari-method/https://konmari.comhttps://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/a26089421/marie-kondo-books-jimmy-kimmel/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/12102664/Japans-decluttering-guru-says-she-is-on-a-mission-to-organise-the-world.htmlhttps://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/therese-borchard-sanity-break/how-to-tidy-up-and-spark-joy-in-your-life/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Bountiful 101 is part of a series where we take a subject, like buying an automobile, and break it down into rudimentary parts in order to remind us of some money basics and perhaps teach us some things, too. The goal for episodes like this is to combine our Christian attitude with a little bit of knowledge in order that God may bless us to make wise decisions with our money. On average, Americans keep their car for about six years, which means most of us will go through the automobile buying process several times throughout our lives. For this episode, we’ll talk about three things to consider when buying a car: purpose, preparation, and price.Episode Resourceshttps://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/10-steps-to-buying-a-new-car.html https://budgeting.thenest.com/people-trade-cars-30494.htmlYour Car-Buying Cheat Sheethttps://www.edmunds.com/car-loan/how-long-should-my-car-loan-be.html https://www.thebalance.com/top-biggest-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-a-car-12899035 Reasons to Say No to 72- and 84-Month Auto Loan

The term “self-made” is one many of us have heard and, perhaps, used. In history, many people consider people like Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglass as self-made because they achieved success in spite of difficult circumstances. In this sense, “self-made” is an accommodative term to describe someone who, through hard work and integrity, achieved greatness. Yet, no one is truly self-made, and, in this episode, Gary and Christy talk about why that’s the case.Episode Resourceshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-made_manhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2011/11/15/self-made-man-no-such-thing/#5f3556f9dac2The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale – https://youtu.be/IeaBfM3TdHQPull yourself up by your bootstraps – https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps.htmlhttp://monadnock.net/douglass/self-made-men ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This episode digs into some of the basics around retirement – the what, why, when, and how. What is retirement, and is it something Christians should pursue? Why retire? When is a good time to retire? And how do we prepare for retirement? These questions are what Gary and Christy talk about in this episode.Episode ResourcesBountiful episode about retirement planning: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls4e8/Bountiful episode about FIRE: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls5e17/Social Security Administration’s site: https://www.ssa.govhttps://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/retirement/successful-savinghttps://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/retirement/retirement-guidelineshttps://www.moneyunder30.com/23-things-beginners-absolutely-must-know-about-saving-for-retirementhttps://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v70n3/v70n3p111.htmlhttps://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/your-401k-when-it-was-invented-and-why/ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/how-to-save-for-retirement?trk=nw_ra_leftRail ★ Support this

For the first episode of 2020, we’re talking about what a lot of people talk about in early January – resolutions. How will the new year help you be a new you? Common resolutions involve health, relationships, time management, and, of course, money. In this episode, Gary and Christy highlight THE most important money move to make this year. Is it reducing debt, setting a budget, investing more for retirement, or something else? Download and listen to find out. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

While this topic may not seem related to personal finance, keeping a level head, especially during busy times, can help prevent us from overspending or stressing out while we’re shopping or traveling. Otherwise, we can get so caught up in the chaos around us that we forget to keep the right perspective on our blessings. In this episode, Gary and Christy will talk about four things we can do to stay above the fray, particularly during the holidays.Episode Resourceshttps://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/former-restaurant-critic-shares-her-best-tips-for-dining-out-cheaply-but-well/2/https://blog.mint.com/saving/how-to-afford-the-holidays-this-year-the-skip-and-stagger-approach/https://www.moneytalksnews.com/buyer-beware-return-deadlines-are-shrinking/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Gary and Christy walk through some resources that can help us in our personal finances, no matter if we’re living paycheck-to-paycheck, have a lot of debt, or things are going well money-wise. Resources like these can help us with budgeting, buying a house, determining how much to save, better understand our insurance options, and a lot of other things. But the Bible is the best resource we have when it comes to any aspect of our lives, and God offers His wisdom so we know how to glorify Him with our financial blessings. If we honor the Lord with our wealth (Prov 3:9), aren’t hasty with our money (Prov 13:11), and find joy in the blessings we already have (Heb 13:5), God will bless us in our personal finances (Matt 6:33).Episode ResourcesPersonal finance episodes on Bountiful:Bountiful w/ Glenn Taylor – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls2e9/Review of the book “The Truth About Giving” – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls3e14/Bountiful w/ Dale Hubbert – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls6e4/How to avoi

Gary and Christy discuss a topic from a book that helps provide a Biblical perspective on our material blessings.Episode ResourcesIntroduction to Death Cleaning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXj3iy1Sgc4Article about websites where you can sell your clutter: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/websites-for-selling-your-clutter/?utm_campaign=things-you-should-never-buy-and-what-to-buy-instead&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=emailLink to buy the book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Gentle-Art-of-Swedish-Death-Cleaning/Margareta-Magnusson/9781501173240http://oktodie.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This episode is about how to decide what to eat before it’s time to eat. Why discuss meal planning on this podcast? Because it can help us be less wasteful with food, better manage where our money is going, and be less spontaneous when spending money on food. Gary and Christy start out by talking through some obstacles to meal planning. Things like preconceived notions or the number of options we have can get in the way of effective meal planning. Then, they go through how meal planning works in their house, which may give you a few ideas on what can work in yours.Episode Resourceshttps://www.thekitchn.com/the-beginners-guide-to-meal-planning-what-to-know-how-to-succeed-and-what-to-skip-242413https://wellnessmama.com/5345/meal-planning/https://www.choosemyplate.gov/eathealthy/budget/budget-weekly-meals ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Gary & Christy talk about some myths regarding money, including:  Is it good for my credit score to keep a balance on my credit card?  Should I buy as much house as I can afford?  If my spouse handles the finances, do I need to be concerned with money?  Is a bachelor’s degree necessary to get a good job?Can I be too young to start saving money? Episode ResourcesCheck Out Money Myths Part 2 – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls5e10/https://www.myfico.com/downloads/files/myfico_uyfs_booklet.pdf – A summary of how the FICO credit score is calculatedhttp://www.businessinsider.com/compound-interest-retirement-funds-2014-3 – How Compound Interest Affects Your Retirement https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/mortgages/house-afford/?trk_source=mortgages_hac_mustread&trk_content=blog_reallyafford+pos_topright+pageviewid=6ed9b1cd-eb44-463e-9b22-f3be8442891e&trk_destination=house-afford&trk_origin=calculate-affordability&trk_app=toolhttps://www.allstate.com/tools-and-resources/car-insura

We talk with Julie Glasshof, a legal recruiter for a staffing agency, about how to succeed as a candidate in a job interview. What do companies look for in a candidate? What does it take to succeed in a phone screening? How important is a resume? Julie talks with us about these questions and more in this episode.Episode ResourcesHere are the interview tips Julie sends to candidates:Dress for success. The way you dress will reflect to the law firm how you will present yourself to clients and others. Conservative dress & make-up, no perfume, no dangly jewelry.  Cover visible tattoos and remove nose piercings, if applicable.No chewing gum.Give concise answers. Long rambling answers will always negatively affect your chances of landing the job. Let the interviewers draw their own conclusions.  Do remain conversational though.Don’t get into detail about previous work. Revealing too much about old jobs, clients, or cases will make you seem untrustworthy.Be aware of your body language. You can say a lot without