Archive - June, 2007

The JOY of having car problems!

June 11, 2007 in Success stories with 3 Comments

If you have been reading this blog for awhile, you know that Jenn and I drive two ten-year-old vehicles.

Well, my friend, Alden, has an older vehicle as well.  He and his bride have been working diligently to position themselves to win financially.  Guess what?  They ARE winning financially.  Well, this past week, he had car problems.

I love the perspective he brings to the frustration of a car problem HERE.  Go read what happened, then come back to this page.

I remember when I had just become debt-free and then the car broke down.  FRUSTRATING, until you realize that you actually have cash on hand to repair it.  I like to say it this way, every time I had a problem, I would have two problems.  The actual problem AND a money problem.

Now, when my car breaks down, it is just a car problem.  I can pay to have it fixed.

Besides, is it realistic to go through life believing you will never have a car problem?  Then why don't we save cash for repairs? 

Great job, Alden and Deanna!  Although frustrating, this is a SUCCESS STORY!!! 

Bishop T.D. Jakes “Positioning Yourself To Prosper”

June 8, 2007 in Finance with 0 Comments

I just finished listening to Bishop Jakes speaking in the series "Positioning Yourself To Prosper"

You need to listen to this!!!

Below is a list of things I wrote down while listening:

  • Sometimes it feels funny to share how God is blessing you => Like we should be ashamed or something.
  • Why don't we need classes on "How To Be Poor?" FUNNY!
  • God blesses people through premier relationships
  • The fact that young people have to start out with no money is a CURSE!
  • If I catch you in a paycheck cashing place, I'll shoot your tires out!
  • You better not let me catch you with a rent-to-own TV!
  • If I sound angry about this (people's financial condition), it is because I am!

Words that come to mind when summarizing this series are - challenging, inspiring, motivating, action, thankful

TODAY IS A HUGE DAY!

June 7, 2007 in Success stories with 5 Comments

Today, my beautiful bride, Jenn, and I have been married for TEN years!!!!

What a trip the first ten years have been!

  • We have lived in seven different residences, purchased four houses, and moved long distance four times (530 miles, 120 miles, 800 miles, and 700 miles).
  • We have an awesome daughter!
  • We were able to be a small part in establishing THIS CHURCH.
  • We have traveled together to at least 19 states and two countries (Texas, California, Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Washington, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Canada, New York, North Carolina, West Virginia, Jamaica)
  • We have lived in PILES of debt (first 6 years) and lived in PILES of financial freedom (last 4 years and counting ...)
  • Through it all, we have driven the same car.  The same, paid-for, 105% financed car with Purdue Boilermaker Black & Gold colors.
Jenny - My lovely bride - I love you!

BIG HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT

June 6, 2007 in Event with 1 Comment

You are among the first to hear this news ... 

I am PUMPED UP to announce that I will be hosting another Financial Learning Experience at NewSpring Church on Tuesday, June 26th.

Details to follow in the next week, but I want you to be there!

Tell your friends!  Tell your neighbors!  Tell your banker!

The stories of life change from the Financial Learning Experience that was taught in December 2006 have been incredible!  I want you to add your story!

Come join me as I crusade to help others win with their personal finances!

Author Unknown

June 5, 2007 in Hope with 2 Comments

I am your constant companion,

I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.

I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.

I am at your command.

Half of the tasks that you do you might just as well

turn over to me and I will do them quickly

and correctly.

 

I am easily managed,

you must merely be firm with me.

Show me exactly how you want something done;

after a few lessons I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of all great people and

alas of all failures as well.

Those who are great, I have made great,

Those who are failures, I have made failures.

 

I am not a machine, but I work with all the precision

of a machine, plus the intelligence of a person.

Now, you may run me for profit or

you may run me for ruin.

It makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me,

and I will lay the world at your feet.

Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.

 

Who am I?  I am called HABIT.

AWESOME SUNDAY! (UPDATED)

June 4, 2007 in Event with 2 Comments

I had the awesome opportunity to speak at Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville, Georgia yesterday!  It is a young church that is EXPLODING!  I have projected that at their current growth rate, all of Atlanta will be attending within three years.

It was awesome to be able to share Jenn and I's story about our journey from "in-debt-up-to-our-eyeballs" to "no-debt-and-lovin-it"!

After speaking at the two morning services, Jenn and I had the chance to spend time with Tim Samples, Oak Leaf's Connections Pastor, and his family.

In the evening, I taught the Financial Learning Experience.  I LOVE teaching this class!  It is practical.  It is how-to.  It enables people to start winning BIG-TIME with their finances!  I had enough of theoretical-type classes in engineering school!  I want something practical, relevant, and applicable - that is why I teach this class the way I do.

And, oh by the way, the tools that are taught are FREE.  Just click on the "TOOLS" link!

UPDATE:  Michael, the pastor of Oak Leaf Church, stopped by (my home church & employer) on his way back home yesterday and has blogged about it HERE.

Spending Money Budget for June 2007

June 4, 2007 in Budget - Spending Money with 0 Comments

So here I am - month two of spending my spending money BEFORE I receive it!

This month's budget shows my true priorities - GOLF & Landscaping


I am going to purchase a pair of jeans - or so I am planning on doing so!  As long as INCOME - OUTGO = EXACTLY ZERO, then I win!

Want to put together your own Mini-Budget for an upcoming project, wedding, vacation, or other event?  Go to the TOOLS page and get your FREE copy!

See previous monthly mini-budgets for my spending money HERE.

OAK LEAF CHURCH – CARTERSVILLE, GA

June 2, 2007 in Event with 1 Comment

I am OFF to carry the Crusade for Financial Freedom to Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville, GA!

I can't wait to tell our story in the morning and then teach the Financial Learning Experience in the evening!

AWESOME!!!

Spending Money Budget Update – May 2007

June 1, 2007 in Budget - Spending Money with 1 Comment

Last month, I put an end to wildly spending my monthly allotment of "spending money".  At the start of the month, I wrote about how I was going to go about this HERE.

Well, here I am to give an update on how I did with my first month of "spending my spending money BEFORE the money before I actually had it in hand".

As you can see, I did very well this month!!!  Here it is, the end of the month has passed and look who hung around to welcome in the month of June - good ole Andrew Jackson!

I will tell you this - I was reminded again of some keys to budgeting.  Here are some keys that might help you.

  • It is OK to "substitute"  Ultimately, it does not matter how the dollars are spent - as long as you don't exceed the overall budget!  For example, the top thing on my list was to purchase a $30 pair of jeans.  I did not do this.  I decided to "sub" a round of golf instead!  Is that OK?  ABSOLUTELY - even though the round of golf cannot be worn, it was fun!
  • Cash Rules!  There is absolutely NO WAY I could overspend the budget because when the cash is gone - I can't spend anymore!
  • Cash forces you to find a better deal  I found a Grill Cleaning Brush for $0.97 at Wal-Mart!  That allowed me to purchase MORE plants!
  • Spending your money BEFORE you receive it ROCKS!  You have all options still available to you when you plan your spending before you actually receive the money.
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