Bountiful: The Heart Of Money Management

If you are married, how do you decide which spouse has responsibility over the family finances? Is it all delegated to one spouse or should both spouses get involved? These are a couple of the questions Gary and Christy will talk about in this episode.Episode ResourcesRelated Bountiful episodes:Listen to How To Team Up In Finances (S3E05) here: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls3e5/Listen to Communicating With Your Spouse About Money (S2E08) here: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls2e8/Listen to Starting Your Financial Roadmap (S6E4) here: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls6e4/https://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/planning-retirement-as-a-couple/?all ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This episode is about working in your house for an organization that’s primarily outside of your house (aka telecommuting). Working from home (WFH) is a benefit some employers provide to help their employees avoid rush hour traffic, make personal errands easier to run, and be more productive. However, it takes some preparation to succeed at telecommuting whether it’s sporadic, temporary, or permanent. In this episode, Christy shares some of her experiences as a telecommuter and considerations for those who work from home or are thinking about it.Episode ResourcesA couple of reminders from scripture about work ethic:Ecclesiastes 9:10Colossians 3:22-24https://www.themuse.com/advice/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-work-from-homehttps://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryhannon/2013/09/02/10-tips-for-working-from-home/#56c82297787ahttps://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/pros-cons-of-working-from-home ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There’s a lot of focus on providing money lessons to teenagers and young people starting on their own, but there are still some lessons about money that are good to be reminded of as we get older, too. In this episode, Gary and Christy talk with Dale Hubbert, a certified financial planner, on some things older couples as well as widows & widowers can do regarding their personal finances. We also discuss the topic of elder fraud – instances when someone illegally or improperly uses a senior’s money or property. Episode Resourceshttps://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/elder-abuse-financial-scams-against-29822.htmlhttps://www.seniorliving.org/law/fraud-abuse/Top 10 Financial Scams Targeting Seniors ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Some people might think teenagers too young to learn about personal finances. The problem is that when they turn 18 and become adults, they aren’t suddenly given some magical knowledge of financial concepts. Many adults have had to learn the hard way that, when it comes to money matters, ignorance is never bliss. In this episode, Gary and Christy want to prepare young people so that they’re more capable of navigating personal financial decisions when they get a little older. Episode Resourceshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9PmuAFsQOM –> link to listen to The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingalehttps://www.moneytalksnews.com/10-things-every-high-school-graduate-should-know-about-money/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=%277+Times+When+You%27re+Smart+Not+to+Pay+Off+a+Mortgage+Early%27+and+more…https://www.christianpost.com/voice/financial-principles-worth-knowing.htmlhttps://www.moneytalksnews.com/the-10-commandments-wealth-and-happiness/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&

You may have heard the term “work / life balance” but what is it and is it something Christians should think about? In this episode, Gary and Christy talk with Jonathan Medley on this subject. Jonathan serves as a deacon with the Willow Avenue church of Christ in Cookeville, TN. He’s also an engineer, CPA, banker, and blogger on Perspectives of a Bondservant. Listen in to hear Jonathan share his insight on how he balances his responsibilities with his family, the church, his job, and other things all while keeping a Christ-centered focus.Episode Resourceshttps://ofabondservant.com — link to Perspectives of a Bondservant bloghttps://www.entrepreneur.com/article/247563 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, recorded live at Polishing the Pulpit, Gary and Christy talk with Dale Hubbert about starting a financial roadmap. Dale has worked in financial services for several years, and he is currently employed by a wealth management firm in Madison, AL. Dale is a father of three children and grandfather of five. He previously worked as a pulpit minister, and he has helped charitable organizations, including brotherhood works, with their finances. At PTP in 2019, Dale presented lessons on Ten Verses I Read Every Morning and Financial Questions: Should Christians Purchase Insurance?  Some topics covered in this episode include: Should you have a financial advisor?Assessing your financial circumstancesThe benefits of document organizationHow to broach the topic of financial matters with familyWhat types of insurance do you need?Dale also visits congregations to present lessons with the theme “Stewardship Sunday.” Dale can be reached via email: dalehubbert@gmail.com. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

We know our earthly possessions aren’t eternal, but we can still get a skewed perspective on material things, like when we intend to trade them up. We buy a “starter house” because we plan on moving into a larger house. We shop for automobiles that are bigger or better than our current vehicles. We buy clothes because they’re trendy even though our closets are already full.In this episode, Gary and Christy talk about starving for more things – the temptation of wanting more simply because it feels good to have more. What causes us to want more? What does starving for more look like? Is this a big deal, and if so, what can we do about it?Episode Resourceshttps://www.verywellmind.com/hedonic-adaptation-4156926https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/hedonic-treadmill.asphttps://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/oprah-winfrey-says-1-decision-separates-people-who-find-success-and-happiness-from-those-who-only-dream.html ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Is your identity wrapped up in your career? Do you put more effort into being a faithful employee or into being a faithful Christian? Do you treat another person based on whether or not they have a job or based on what type of job they have? In this episode, Gary and Christy look into how to determine whether our jobs have taken priority over our faith and, if so, what can be done about it.Episode Resourceshttps://www.verywellmind.com/small-talk-topics-3024421 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

It is rare to hear someone say, “My employer pays me too much.” It’s more common to hear, “I should be paid more.” In this episode, Gary and Christy tackle the question, “Do I deserve a raise?” by reviewing some valid reasons to be paid more, invalid reasons to want more money, and then some principles to keep in mind if we do ask for a raise.Episode Resourceshttps://www.christianpost.com/news/ask-chuck-godly-advice-on-asking-for-a-raise.htmlhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2017/02/19/five-reasons-you-deserve-a-pay-raise-and-five-you-dont/#19ebee524f45https://www.businessinsider.com/top-signs-youre-underpaid-2015-11#prepare-a-data-heavy-case-17 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

One of the trends in personal finance is called “FIRE” (Financial Independence, Retire Early). In this episode, Gary & Christy talk about the components of FIRE, discuss a little bit of its background and what it involves, and then consider what our response as Christians ought to be to this lifestyle trend.Episode ResourcesBountiful episode about minimalism – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls2e1/Other resources considered for this episode:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIRE_movementhttps://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-independence-retire-early-fire.asphttps://www.playingwithfire.co/whatisfirehttp://www.mrmoneymustache.comhttps://www.choosefi.comhttps://www.madfientist.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The title for this episode comes from Malachi 3:8 – “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.” The book of Malachi is focused on waking up God’s people up because they seemed unaware of their religious apathy. The prophet points out their lack of effort, their unwillingness to sacrifice, their lack of commitment, and their refusal to give their tithe to the Lord. We’re focusing on the phrase “Will a man rob God?” Obviously, the context is about giving contributions to the Lord, but in addition to discussing that point, we’ll talk about other ways Christians today could fall short in our responsibility to God.Episode ResourcesJeff Randolph “Will a Man Rob God?” http://www.salinechurchofchrist.org/sermons/view/2008/09/Will_a_Man_Rob_GodJack Wilkie “Sacrifice Our Time” https://www.focuspress.org/2018/10/11/the-biggest-way-we-rob-god/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Do you view taking care of yourself as a necessity or a luxury? Is self-care a priority in your life, or do you view it as a selfish indulgence? In this episode, Gary and Christy talk about self-care, what it is, what the Bible says about it, and why it’s a subject for a personal finance podcast.Episode ResourcesSermons by Melvin Otey “Jesus Grew and We Should, Too.”Jesus Grew – https://player.fm/series/jesus-grew-and-we-should-too-melvin-otey/jesus-grewJesus Grew Physically – https://player.fm/series/jesus-grew-and-we-should-too-melvin-otey/jesus-grew-physically-and-we-should-tooJesus Grew Mentally – https://player.fm/series/jesus-grew-and-we-should-too-melvin-otey/jesus-grew-mentally-and-we-should-tooJesus Grew Socially – https://player.fm/series/jesus-grew-and-we-should-too-melvin-otey/jesus-grew-socially-and-we-should-tooJesus Grew Spiritually – https://player.fm/series/jesus-grew-and-we-should-too-melvin-otey/jesus-grew-spiritually-and-we-should-toohttps://www.hhs.gov/fitness/be-active/physical-activity-

‘Tis the season for graduations. For many graduates, they receive a diploma, degree, or other type of certificate, but they haven’t been taught how to live on their own financially. In this episode, Gary & Christy provide 5 money tips that can help recent graduates as well as those who are living on their own already. Toward the end, there’s bonus material where these five tips are applied to five components of an important aspect of our financial lives.Episode ResourcesPrevious episodes that relate to this topic:“What To Know Before Moving Out On Your Own” episode – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls4e7/“Credit Score Basics” episode – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls3e13/“Credit Cards: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” episode – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bs2e3/Booklet about FICO Scores – https://www.myfico.com/Downloads/Files/myFICO_UYFS_Booklet.pdf Article about Warren Buffet’s car analogy – https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/12/billionaire-warren-buffett-greatest-advice-to-millennials-the-1-thing-in-

Financial embarrassment happens when someone feels self-conscious about their personal finances. For example, you might experience this when people are talking about their finances, but their situation is significantly different than yours. Embarrassment or awkwardness are subjective feelings; not everyone feels embarrassed about the same things. Also, our feelings have to be tempered with knowledge. If our emotions are left to run wild, they can misguide us into thinking something that is not true. In this episode, Gary and Christy talk about what we can do when we’re feeling particularly awkward or self-conscious about our finances. Then, they provide different scenarios that could result in financial embarrassment with suggestions on how to overcome this.Episode ResourcesQuote we mentioned on the episode: “The best method for paying off credit card debt is the one you stick with.” from https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-cards/credit-card-debt-psychology-2018/https://thecollegeinvestor.com/21208/dont-em

Our social connections are different than when our parents were our age. We are no longer restricted by location, which means we’re able to stay in touch with people from our hometowns, with family near and far, and with fellow Christians around the world. As a result, we can see glimpses of people’s lifestyles that a generation ago were only visible in-person or on television (but that usually was reserved for the rich & famous). With all this access comes with it emotions and the temptation to make comparisons. How do we feel when our friends are enjoying a nice vacation? Do we obsess about how we stack up when we compare our possessions to our friends’ possessions?Our emotions can play a role in our financial behavior. In this episode, Gary & Christy talk about how social media can impact our lives, including our personal finances. As with most things, there are positives and negatives regarding social media, and they discuss a few of those along with some things to consider before posting or scrol

The American Dream is, in a nutshell, the belief that through hard work and determination, anyone can achieve a better life for themselves, regardless of their background or social class. It’s an idea that if you are diligent and use your abilities well, you be successful. In this episode, Gary & Christy talk about chasing the American Dream and present a few questions for Christians to consider about this topic, including:Are we primarily chasing after the American dream or the Christian promise?If we’re financially successful, do we congratulate ourselves or give credit to God?If we’re motivated to chase the American Dream, is it because we rely on money more than we rely on God?Episode Resourceshttps://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/american-dream.asphttps://www.crosswalk.com/family/finances/should-christians-strive-for-the-american-dream-1408722.htmlhttps://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/scf17.pdf ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This is a sequel to Season 3 Episode 3 entitled “Money Myths”. In it, we highlighted a few personal finance misconceptions like: keep a small balance not he credit cardbuy as much house as you can afforda four-year degree is the only way to get a good job.Personal finance is made up of both timeless principles and cultural principles. Some people try to challenge either kind, stating those principles are no longer valid in today’s times even if they are. There’s fake financial news out there, and we wanted to highlight some of those myths.In this episode, Gary and Christy talk about:there’s no way out of a downward financial spiralat a certain age, it’s too late to start saving for retirementcredit cards are always badworking longer hours always means I’m working harderEpisode ResourcesLink to Money Myths Part 1 episode – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls3e3/Link to Credit Cards: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly episode – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bs2e3/Link to buy a copy of the Book “Master Your Time, Ma

In this episode, Gary and Christy talk about preparing for natural weather-related disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, or floods. Preparation doesn’t guarantee safety or security, but it is good stewardship – a way of managing our possessions.  Episode Resourceshttps://www.ready.govhttps://www.bottledwater.orghttps://www.moneytalksnews.com/11-tips-to-prepare-your-home-for-severe-weather/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=%2713+High-Paying+Jobs+You+Can+Do+From+Home%27+and+more…https://www.moneytalksnews.com/how-ready-your-home-for-hurricane-season/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=%275+Last-Minute+Ways+to+Protect+Your+Home+From+Hurricane+Florence%27+and+more…https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/money-finance/insurance/4-major-disasters-homeowners-and-renters-insurance-wont-coverhttps://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/how-to-prepare-for-an-emergency-top-10-steps/?all ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There are times when guilt is a positive thing because guilt can drive us to repentance. However, if we don’t know how to deal with guilt properly, we may find ourselves paralyzed or even running in the opposite direction we should be. In this episode, Gary & Christy talk about how to deal with financial guilt in a positive way, specifically:Guilt over past financial mistakesGuilt over not having enough moneyGuilt over having a lot of moneyBut one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13b-14) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Gary and Christy talk about how our attitude has a greater long-term impact on our financial health than only changing our actions. So much of personal finance is tangible – bank balances, interest rates, taxes, etc. But it’s what’s intangible, our attitude behind our actions & our emotions about our money that can help us achieve long-term success in this area.  Our motivation will fuel our attitude, and our attitude will drive our actions. If our actions are sending us in the wrong direction, we might need to take a closer look at our attitude. If you’re consistently disappointed or frustrated at your spending habits or your saving habits, have you dug into your attitude behind your spending or saving? Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Then, if you realize it IS your attitude that’s guiding you down the wrong path, then what’s going to motivate you to change it? Motivation has a lot of power behind it, so you want to be