In our continued attempt to be wise stewards of our resources, my husband and I have been reading books on finances. Our most recent read was Randy Alcorn’s Managing God's Money: A Biblical Guide. Managing God’s Money contains six sections: (1) Money and Possessions: Bible 101, (2) Perspectives That Impede Faithful Money Management, (3) Our … [Read more...] about Book Review: Managing God’s Money
Managing Finances
Frugal TIPbits: Ways to Salvage Bruised Fruit
Sometimes it’s a rogue apple that rolls off the counter onto the tile floor. Sometimes it’s a carefully selected peach that is carelessly bagged by a supermarket cashier. Sometimes it’s a forgotten plum that becomes squashed in the back of the produce drawer. Whatever the cause, bruised pieces of fruit are unsightly and, in many cases, … [Read more...] about Frugal TIPbits: Ways to Salvage Bruised Fruit
Frugal TIPbits: How to Use Fewer Paper Towels
I’m constantly searching for ways to save money. Given how frugally my husband and I already live, this is kind of like the proverbial trying to get blood from a turnip. Nonetheless, I’m driven to continue experimenting with new strategies because every penny counts. I think we can cut back on our paper towel use in my house. This … [Read more...] about Frugal TIPbits: How to Use Fewer Paper Towels
Clarifying Credit (Part 3)
Over the last two weeks we’ve looked at several basic credit-related topics. Today we’ll take a final look at the finer details of credit by examining what factors influence credit scores and how to build good credit. How different parts of your credit history impact your credit score As noted in a previous post, each of the credit … [Read more...] about Clarifying Credit (Part 3)
Clarifying Credit (Part 2)
Last week we looked at the definition of credit and at reasons to have credit (even for individuals who strive to live debt free). Today we’ll continue our look at the finer details of credit. Requesting a credit report The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act is a federal law that entitles each consumer to one copy of his or her … [Read more...] about Clarifying Credit (Part 2)
Clarifying Credit (Part 1)
Many of you know that my husband and I strive toward debt-free living. We avoid taking on new debt and we work hard to pay off our existing debt, which includes student loans, our mortgage, and a small amount we owe on my husband’s car. Though we’ve gleaned a lot of information about credit throughout our adult years, in examining our finances … [Read more...] about Clarifying Credit (Part 1)
A Paradigm on Debt
I hear a lot about debt these days. Often the context is the national debt or the recent sequestration. The magnitude of these topics provides a momentary distraction from the debt my husband and I face. Since finishing college we’ve both taken steps toward debt-free living, which is an ideal we hold. We’ve diligently avoided credit card debt, … [Read more...] about A Paradigm on Debt
Password Security
The need for passwords for online accounts has become nearly ubiquitous in our society. There’s email, online banking, social media sites, online retailers, payment websites for utility companies, etc. (Just now I attempted to count how many usernames and passwords I have, but I gave up once I reached two dozen sets…and I know I didn’t cover … [Read more...] about Password Security
