Who's managing who? Are you managing your money? Or… Is your money managing you ?

1. Who's managing who? Are you managing your money? Or… Is your money managing you?

2. Agenda • Why are we in the situation we’re in? • What God’s Word says… • Starting the Journey

3. Managing your Money A Life-long Journey

4. Have you built a House of Cards? See Video in the Resource Section: Dave Ramsey: Save or Spend?

5. World View for Managing Finances Start Here

6. Are you Living the American Dream? See Video in the Resource Section: Casting Crowns’ American Dream

7. Understanding what God’s Word says . . . • God’s Role with Money and Possessions • Debt • Budgeting • Giving Building a Foundation that will withstand the financial storms!

8. What God’s Word says about… • Theme 1 - God Owns Everything • Exodus 9:29 & 19:5 • 1 Corinthians 10:26 • Theme 2 – God Controls Everything • Proverbs 20:24 • Romans 8:28 • Theme 3 – God Provides Everything • 1 Chronicles 29:14 • Romans 11:36 . . . His Role with Money and Possessions

9. What God’s Word says about… • Theme 1 – Encouraged to not be in Debt • Romans 13:8 • Proverbs 22:7 • Theme 2 – Repay your Debt • Proverbs 3:27 – 28 • Psalm 37:21 • Theme 3 – God can Supernaturally Provide • 2 Kings 4:1-7 . . . Debt

10. What God’s Word says about … • Theme 1 – Knowing your Financial Condition is Important • Proverbs 27:23-27 • Luke 14:28 – 29 • Theme 2 – Our Lives should Exhibit Order • 1 Corinthians 14:33 & 40 • Theme 3 – Planning is Encouraged • Proverbs 20:18 • Proverbs 21:5 . . . Budgeting and Planning

11. What God’s Word says about . . . • Theme 1 – Our Attitude is what is Important • 1 Corinthians 13:3 • 2 Corinthians 9:7 • Theme 2 – There are Benefits to Giving • Acts 20:35 • Proverbs 3:9-10 • Luke 6:38 • 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 • Theme 3 – Test that God will Provide • Malachi 3:10 . . . Giving

12. God’s Plan is Completely Opposite . . . Start Here . . . from the World’s View

13. Getting Started Where does it all go? • Track all expenditures for a month • Where is the cash going? • Analyze each one • Do I REALLY need it? • Can I do it for less? Clarity of the Current State

14. Get Real about your Spending! • Credit Card Facts • Average person has ____ cards • People who use credit cards versus money often spend ________ %more • _____ % of survey respondents didn’t know the interest rate charged on their most used card. • In 2010 the average default rate stood at _____%. • _____% of Americans said that in the past 12 months they carried over a balance and were charged interest. • Eliminate Credit Card Debt!

15. Get Real about your Spending! • Credit Card Facts • Average person has 3.5 cards • People who use credit cards versus money often spend 20 – 30% more • 36% of survey respondents didn’t know the interest rate charged on their most used card. • In 2010 the average default rate stood at 27.9%. • 56% of Americans said that in the past 12 months they carried over a balance and were charged interest. • Eliminate Credit Card Debt!

16. Get Real about your Spending! • _____ of the cards allow the issuer to raise interest rate at any time by changing the account agreement. • Average interest rate was _____%. • The average unpaid balance per card was $______ in 2010. The median was $____ !!! • If you look at all households, they dedicate ____% of their income to servicing debt repayment. Where the average credit card-indebted family allocates _____ %. • Eliminate Credit Card Debt!

17. Get Real about your Spending! • 93% of the cards allow the issuer to raise interest rate at any time by changing the account agreement. • Average interest rate was 18.9%. • The average unpaid balance per card was $3,389 in 2010. The median was $90!!! • If you look at all households, they dedicate 13% of their income to servicing debt repayment. Where the average credit card-indebted family allocates 21%. • Eliminate Credit Card Debt!

18. “If you don’t have the money, don’t buy it” See Video in the Resource Section

19. Starting the Journey • Pay off your highest debt first • Sort your list of debts from highest to lowest in terms of interest rates. • Tackle the debt with the highest interest first. • Once this card is paid off, apply the amount of its payment to the minimum amount you were paying on the card with the second highest interest rate. • Eliminate Credit Card Debt!

20. Starting the Journey Develop a budget to clarify your spending decisions • Budget for • Tithing • Saving • Debt Reduction Make a Plan

21. Starting the Journey • Set SMART goals • Write the goals down and keep them visible. • Make big goals more approachable - Break them down into several short-term goals. • Prepare for Setbacks • If you mess up - make it a stumble, not a crash and burn. • Get Expert Advice • If you feel like you're in over your head, seek help. Set Goals

22. Starting the Journey • Contact me for additional information on a Small Group Financial Bible Study • Develop an Accountability Partner

23. Summary Agenda What we Learned Be content because God is our provider The Bible - our blueprint for living Keys to Staying the Course Long-term • Why are we in the situation we’re in? • What God’s Word says… • Starting the Journey