Crosswalk.com - Finances

Holiday Gifts from Your Kitchen

Mary Hunt — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:39:00 GMT

We’re in that slow season—the lull before the storm, otherwise known as the holidays! Now is the perfect time to create food gifts from your kitchen—items that you can make now that will hold up perfectly until it’s time to give them as gifts in December...

Avoiding Double Taxation When Calculating Mutual Fund Gains

Mark Biller — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:06:00 GMT

Periodically, mutual funds make payments to shareholders representing their share of the interest, dividend, and capital gain income earned by the fund. If you're not careful in accounting for these distributions, you could pay more federal and state income taxes than necessary when the fund shares are eventually sold...

A Credit Card Self-Test: Are You Really In Control?

Steve Diggs — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:17:00 GMT

There are plenty people who (at least for seasons of their lives) absolutely should not own credit cards...

To Get Out of Debt, Get Rid of the Excuses

Mary Hunt — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:40:00 GMT

Stuck with lots of debt and little savings? It's easy to find excuses that let you off the hook to change your situation, but it's only a temporary reprieve.

Reasons Not To Budget

Matthew Pryor — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:30:00 GMT

If you've resisted the idea of establishing a personal budget in the past, perhaps you're clinging to one or more of these favorite reasons not to budget...

Preparing Our Hearts to be Truly Thankful

Paul Dean — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:34:00 GMT

On “Calling for Truth” today, Jay Younts and I will discuss preparing our hearts to be truly thankful.

Should Christians Speak Up?

David Burchett — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:20:00 GMT

Nearly all faith issues in the public square are unique so there is no one rule fits all. But I do think that most of these cultural issues fall into one of two categories

Survey: Unprotected Sex Common Among Teens

Jim Liebelt — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:34:00 GMT

On average, girls lose virginity at 15; some are having sex at school, according to the results of a survey of 10,000 teenage girls and young women.

Darwin on the Right

Tim Challies — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:40:00 GMT

"Because the theory of evolution provides a scientific foundation for the core values shared by most Christians and conservatives, it should be embraced. The senseless conflict between science and religion must end now, or else, as the Book of Proverbs (11:29) warned: ‘He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.’"

Three Cheers for Father Jay Scott Newman

Tony Beam — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:11:00 GMT

The 21st Century Church must sound the trumpet of Scriptural morality and call God's people to an accountability of knowledge. We need leaders who are willing to take a stand and passionately, purposefully, and profoundly proclaim the truth at it relates to politics and the public arena.

Saving for Retirement

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:27:00 GMT

Saving for Retirement "A traditional IRA is a good way to save for retirement. And, as an extra bonus, for contributing to a traditional IRA (if your income isn't too big) you also get a current year's tax deduction on your contribution." ~ From The Shortest Investment Book Ever by James O'Donnell

Obtaining Your Credit Information

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:53:00 GMT

Obtaining Your Credit Information "A few years ago, the federal government passed new legislation that now requires these three companies to give you a free copy of you credit information once a year. You can go to the various company websites, or to http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ to get your free credit reports. NOTE: Here’s a strategy: Consider not requesting all three reports at one time. Instead, consider requesting one from each of the three companies every three or four mont

What To Do with Too Many Apples

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:49:00 GMT

If you find that you have a few dozen more apples than you know what to do with, these ideas from LivingOnADime.com will help settle your frugal dilemma: ~When you have a partially eaten apple, save the good part and chop into pieces. Place in a microwave safe dish. Blend together 1 tsp. each brown sugar, flour, oatmeal and margarine and a dash of cinnamon. Top the apple with the topping and microwave until tender. ~Core and slice apples very thin. Dehydrate and use in granolas, eat alone

Christmas in October

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:39:00 GMT

Christmas in October. I start thinking about gift shopping early now ... and aim to end early. I know I cannot wait until December. The overseas gifts alone need to be bought, wrapped, packed, and mailed by mid-November just to make sure they arrive by Christmas. And knowing we'll see families at Thanksgiving whom we may not see at Christmas prompts me to get those presents ready early to save post-office trauma later. So while it may seem strange to start focusing on Christmas when it's

For Richer, For Poorer

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:46:00 GMT

For Richer, For Poorer. "When it comes to marriage and money we can learn from Paul's advice to the Philippians. No matter what your temperament and spending behavior, in marriage you must work together on a budget, come to an agreement, and commit to a financial plan you can both live with. (You may also have to add an extra dose of patience, forgiveness, and apologies along the way). Stop arguing and find a solution to your financial problems before it's too late." From What's in the

Should You Have a Living Will? A Christian Lawyer's Perspective

Stephen Bloom, Esq. — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:52:00 GMT
Medical advancements carry a price: families must increasingly face murky ethical questions. Attorney Stephen Bloom explains "living wills" (or "advanced directives") in layman's terms while weighing in on some of the dangers he’s observed with these documents…

Investment Timing Isn't as Important as You Think

Austin Pryor — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:36:00 GMT
The long-term stock investor prospers because he owns shares in businesses that participate in the most productive economy in the world. The important thing is not so much when you buy, but that you buy and continue to buy...

Congress Can't Repeal the Law of Supply and Demand

Stephen Bloom, Esq. — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:01:00 GMT
Headlines scream with news, but what’s really going on with the credit meltdown? What, if anything, should the government be doing about it? And what about the rest of us? What should we be doing?

Keeping Our Perspective in a Tough Economy

Steve Diggs — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:04:00 GMT
I believe there are some practical things you and I can do to insulate us from some of the financial pain of this current financial crisis. When a storm is brewing, it's time to get back to the basics...

Earn 15% by Taking Advantage of Prepayment Discounts

Michael Cave, CLU, ChFC for Sound Mind Investing — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:04:00 GMT
Many people make monthly or quarterly payments when they could be earning a discount for paying in full in advance. This could be for anything from insurance premiums to tuition payments...

Years of Plenty, Years of Famine

Mark Biller — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:25:00 GMT
Joseph has always been one of my favorite Bible characters. He wisely saved 20% of the harvested grain, and was able to save not only Egypt during famine, but the surrounding nations as well...

Financial Tips for Newlyweds

Howard Dayton — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:22:00 GMT
Financial adjustments for newlyweds are seldom easy, because both have been accustomed to making money decisions on their own -- and probably feel they're pretty good at it. So here are some suggestions...

The Money Meltdown: A Need for Wisdom, Not Just Knowledge

Steve Diggs — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:30:00 GMT
There are three lessons that might turn this very difficult, economic experience into a fruitful learning and growing opportunity for God’s kids...

Breaking the Bank: How Safe Are Your Savings?

Austin Pryor — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 02:55:00 GMT
Given the current struggles in the banking industry, it's worth adding up how much you actually do have in any single bank, and, if necessary, taking steps to protect it...

A Different Perspective On College Kids and Credit Cards

Steve Diggs — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:46:00 GMT
I am not totally opposed to college kids having credit cards. Following is a five step to-do list parents might find helpful in making that decision...

The Right (Best, Easiest) Way to Pay Off Your Mortgage

Mary Hunt — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:04:00 GMT
I get the same basic question a lot, and it comes in several versions: What’s the best way to pay off my mortgage quickly?

Preventative Care Begins with You

Tamara Quintana — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:28:00 GMT
I know when I see a bill from my doctor, I'm sure glad I have health insurance. But insurance isn't enough. I firmly believe that if health care costs are ever going to stabilize, it's up to me to do my part to stay healthy...

Are We Promised Prosperity?

Albert Mohler — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:12:00 GMT
I must wonder how many other Christians -- far removed theologically from Charismatic prosperity theology -- might have bought into a very different prosperity theology. Do we now think that prosperity is our right?

The Money Meltdown: A Need for Wisdom, Not Just Knowledge

Steve Diggs — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:30:00 GMT
There are three lessons that might turn this very difficult, economic experience into a fruitful learning and growing opportunity for God’s kids...

How Should We Manage Our Debts?

David Cowan — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:01:00 GMT
In the business world in general and on Wall Street in particular, debt is part of managing money. What is the Christian’s attitude toward debt? And should we be generous in helping people mired in debt?

Discuss Links for Finances

Faith Community Network Forums — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 05:00:00 GMT
Discuss Links for Finances