I meet so many people who are struggling greatly with their finances. It is a great challenge for them to pay their bills on time and meet the financial needs of their household.

But they are incredible at Farmville, Candy Crush, Spider Solitaire, etc.

They will even post pictures on Twitter/Facebook/Vine/Instagram of a “new level” they have achieved. I’ve even seen people request prayer that they can reach a new level.

Here’s the question that must be asked: “What would happen in their life if they utilized all of this game time to instead obtain a financial education?”

When faced with enormously stressful challenges (like financial issues), it is easy to run to mindless games. I am particularly fond of Spider Solitaire on my MacBook Pro and the Boggle App on my iPhone, but I REFUSE to allow them to take priority over my financial education.

It is not difficult to be broke. From the day we begin breathing oxygen, we are consumers. At first, we consume much of our parent’s time, energy, and money. As we grow older, our own relationship with money begins to form.

Many young people receive money for their birthday, Christmas, or some other special day. What do most of us do with the first money we receive?

Spend it!

Through this experience, a “receive it = spend it” mentality forms as we begin our relationship with money.

As we grow older and move into adulthood, many people must “unravel” this broken thinking and change their money relationship.

The biggest challenges people face with their finances are:

1. Planning its use for the funding of individual hopes and dreams (Budgeting – short and long term)
2. Saving money (Emergency funds, Known upcoming non-monthly expenses, and Dreams)
3. Investing (Preparing for the future funding of dreams and retirement)
4. Spousal involvement (Unity)
5. Long term planning (Estate planning including wills and advanced directives)

Like any relationship, improvement requires time, effort, and money. How do you need to change YOUR relationship with money?

On Facebook, people have the ability to share their “relationship status.”

I thought we would have a little fun with this as it relates to our relationship with money. Here are some “relationship statuses” I believe we could use on a MONEY Facebook page.

1. It’s complicated (I don’t know where to even start)
2. Non-existent (all of my money runs out the door as soon as I receive it)
3. Diligently seeking (trying to earn some money so a relationship can happen)
4. Slave (completely bound up by debt)
5. Divorced (money has completely driven me crazy)
6. Great (money is a resource that is helping me bless others and fund my life’s plans, hopes, and dreams)

What other statuses can you think of?

I’m excited to say that Injoy Stewardship Solutions is hiring!  We are seeking someone who is results and relationship driven for the role of Ministry Relationships Consultant.  This position would be responsible for connecting with ministry leaders to directly influence them to partner with ISS to manage their campaigns and initiatives, consult with church leaders to determine their readiness for launching a capital campaign,  and help them articulate their vision and goals and understand the components of a successful campaign.

Download the full job description HERE.

If you feel like this role would be an incredible fit for you, submit your resume and Synergist Quiz Results to info@injoystewardship.com

Several weeks ago, I asked the question, “Should you fire yourself from the way you’re managing your finances?”

The results are IN.

Out of 117 responses, 80% said “YES.”

So now comes the next question for you to share in a completely anonymous way:

“What is the main reason you said you need to fire yourself?”

Thanks for sharing your candid responses! I’ll share everyone’s thoughts in a later blog post.

We all know that money can’t buy us everything. It can’t buy love, true happiness, or ensure a stress-free life.

Here is a list of five (frustrating, humorous, maddening) things I’ve discovered money can not purchase.

5 Things Money Can Not Buy

1. A toilet that will never stop up, overflow, or leak. It will leak, hiss, or overflow at TERRIBLE times (which is pretty much any time a toilet messes up)
2. Rain. I’ve lived in South Carolina for most of the past 15 years. Our local lake (reservoir) has ALWAYS been in some level of drought condition. Money couldn’t buy rain. Of course, this summer we’ve hardly had a day without rain and the reservoir is bursting at the seams.
3. Children who obey perfectly.  Turns out that a 3 year old will be a 3 year old whether or not you have money. Can I get an “Amen” from some parents?!?!?
4. A car that won’t break down. I’ve had nice cars, and I’ve driven scary bad cars. Like 1981 Datsun B-210 bad. I’ve discovered ALL of them break down. One of my vehicles just started to have a “brake squeal.”
5. Print cartridges that never run out. My print cartridge arrives at empty with impeccable timing – right when we must have it to finish the seven hour assignment from the teacher who believes a bridge built out of toothpicks somehow equals practical real world experience.

Any other frustrating, humorous, or maddening things you can think of that money can not buy? Please share!

“Stop it.”

Maybe that is the financial miracle that you need.

Not another book or another seminar.

Not more income or a better job.

Not for your spouse to magically change their financial behavior.

Maybe the financial miracle you are praying for begins by applying these two words: “Stop it.”

NOTE: Variants of these words can also be used: “NO!”, “Not now!”, “Wait.”, or “Some day.” are viable options.

If you looked at your financial decisions and management from the viewpoint of a “third party” – what would you say about the manager?

1. Are your decisions yielding a profit (money given, saved, and invested)?
2. Maybe you are operating a “non-profit” – where you are making it from month-to-month, but nothing is left over to give, save, or invest., OR
3. Perhaps you are where I used to be, operating “at a loss” – where you are spending more than you make and feel stuck financially

I realized in December 2002 that “Me, Incorporated” needed to change leadership because I was doing a terrible job. I had to do something that was quite challenging to do: I fired myself.

It was the greatest financial decision I have ever made. In my place, I rehired “a new and improved CEO” Joseph Sangl to lead Me, Inc. This new leader was vastly different from previous management. Here are some key differences this new leadership provided:

• The new leader was well-read in all things finances (I read TONS of financial books)
• The new leader was willing to involve his spouse in all financial decision
• The new leader was willing to prepare a budget every single month AND (Gasp!) stick to it!
• The new leader was focused on yielding a profit (to give away, save, and invest)

Firing myself was one of the greatest financial decisions I’ve ever made. Do you need to fire yourself? Share your answer in the poll below. Once you’ve voted, you’ll be able to see how others have responded!

Which of the following do you think is more important to financial success?
A.  Having a budget, OR
B.  Having written plans, hopes, and dreams

The I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. survey revealed the answer! And I’m sharing it during the “I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. LADDER” live on-line event on Sunday, 8/25, at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Join hundreds and hundreds of people at this life-changing event by registering or copy & paste this link in your favorite browser: http://www.josephsangl.com/2013/08/09/iwbninladderevent/

What do YOU think is the answer? Share your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.