Last week, I asked the question

"If you were given $10,000, what would you do with it?"

Great RESPONSE!

Apparently, nearly all of my readers are in the giving mood - nearly everyone said they would tithe (give 10% or more of it away).

Paul Moyer said that he would SPEND IT ALL to SHOCK US ALL!  He then played nice and talked about how he would use it for the emergency fund and upgrading his house.  Folks - this Paul dude needs to start a blog.  He has money saving ideas that will blow your mind!

Jon Smock talks about how he would take a "killer honeymoon"!

Moneymonk teaches us all a lesson about how we still need to have SOME fun with our money!

Lastly, Rich Brott (personal finance guru, writer of MANY personal finance books, and blogger) says that he would give it all to me for my "Life" that is happening.  More on the "Life" thing TOMORROW!

Time to run up the comments!

If you were given $10,000, what would you do with it?

I have another "life" thing that is happening in my life really soon.  It will require loads of cash.

I am not worried.  I am not concerned.  "Life" is happening.

"Life" happens.

Are you financially ready for "life" to happen? 

Well, the car monster has struck again!

It was June 7 - Jenn and I's 10th wedding anniversary.  We had enjoyed a FANTASTIC dinner at Sullivan's Metropolitan Grill (best restaurant in the entire world - not kidding).  After dinner, we jumped into the car and were cruising around a few neighborhoods.

Suddenly, a light came on in the dashboard panel.  "ABS" showed up.  "GREAT!", I said.  Thirty seconds later, another light.  Thirty seconds later, another.  Then another!  Then another!

Then they all started blinking, and then …

All the gauges went to zero and all the lights went out - WHILE I WAS STILL DRIVING THE CAR - and the motor was still running!

I headed home immediately to switch out vehicles, but it was too late.

At the next stop sign, the car died.

Dead.  Wouldn't even turn over.  Wouldn't even click!

I found my local repair shop in my cell phone contact list and placed a call to them to get the tow truck sent over.  (Is it time to replace your car when the repair shop's number is in your phone's contact list?) 

I then called my friend and savior, Ken, to rescue Jenn and I from the street corner.

The issue?  Alternator was shot.  So were the brakes.  So was the rotor that had been grinding away for at least a month.

A few hundred dollars and a day later, we are tooling around in the car again.  I wonder how long it will be until we have to repair it again.  Anyone placing bets? 

This letter came to me yesterday AND IT FIRED ME UP!!!!

My husband … has taken your financial freedom class and we have been working our budget. It has been slow and arduous at times with fluctuating job situations, health insurance changes (cost too!), and trying to come out from behind. We have finally managed to pay off 2 small bills which we are proud of! But, the best part was what I was able to do today. You see, I have never allowed myself to carry cash because I knew I would spend it foolishly and it would be gone when I really needed it. Unfortunately credit cards and debit cards somehow made it "OK" to spend what I didn't have. Anyhow, due to our new budget-minded way of thinking I have been holding on to $7 in my purse now for 2 weeks (a major accomplishment for me!). Well, we made it to payday today and I had to make a quick stop at the grocery store before work. There was a lady in front of me who attempted to pay for her groceries with her debit card, it wouldn't accept it. She tried it again as a credit card and again it wouldn't take it. She pulled cash out of her purse and was short. She told the cashier she had the rest of the money in her car and went out to get it. I remember those days all too plainly. I made my purchase and asked the lady how much the woman in front of me still owed. She told me and I placed the money in her hand from the change she gave me. From there my children and I quickly ran to the car so as not to be noticed (we didn't want to embarass her). My kids thought it was fun though I don't know how much they observed and I felt GREAT! The value of an earned dollar is becoming more clear to me and I don't take advantage of the money I have like I used to. It didn't cost me much to make someone else's day and because of what I have learned I was able to do it.

I can't believe that I get to do this for a living.  THANK YOU, NewSpring Church and PERRY NOBLE for providing me an opportunity to crusade full-time to help others accomplish far more than they ever thought possible! 

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!!! 

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, 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!

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!

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.