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Tips to Lower Your Electric Bill

MoneyWise / Rob West and Steve Moore
The Cross Radio
June 11, 2020 8:03 am

Tips to Lower Your Electric Bill

MoneyWise / Rob West and Steve Moore

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June 11, 2020 8:03 am

Summer’s a great time to get out of the house. But it’s also the season you'll see higher electric bills when you do spend time inside your house. With energy rates being higher in summer, it can be challenging to keep cooling costs down. On the next MoneyWise Live, hosts Rob West and Steve Moore share tips on how to keep your energy costs low as the temperatures rise. Ways to stay cool without breaking the bank—that’s on MoneyWise Live at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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But golf course on a hot summer day two young siblings argued over who was winning. I am 71 know I am said the other. You're both wrong.

So father your mother's wedding.

She's at home. Summer is a great time to get out of the house, but it also means higher like bills today financial planner and teacher Rob West has raised by your calls and questions on any financial topic at 805 five 7000 jacket down 800 557 times more tips to lower your electric bill next right here moneywise will rub during these hot summer months, and it is hot here in Georgia. It's hard to imagine that air conditioning is a relatively modern convenience of the people once got along just fine without it. That's true especially in the south window units only became common in the 50s until they started being replaced by central air conditioning system in the 70s before then. It was window screens and fans and of course with the rise of air-conditioning came the rise of electric bills so you folks keep cooling costs down this summer while the first thing you want to do is an energy audit we talked about this before and there's several ways to have one done by far the easiest is to contact your utility to see if they offer free energy audit it can reveal. Steve areas where cool air is escaping like around windows and doors, or by not having enough attic insulation. Ideally, though it gives you a game plan for keeping the heat out okay will order if your utility is somewhat smaller perhaps and doesn't offer a free energy audit or wants to charge you for the audit. Yet when there are several online energy audit tools you can use energy Star offers want and will have a link to that in today show notes just go to moneywise live.org. Click on today's episode but there are many others. And of course you can conduct your own energy audit. Just look for cracks around windows and doors. For example, there's a simple rule of thumb if you can see light coming in well.

Hot air is coming in with okay seal up around windows and doors, look for some light. Okay, got it. What's next. A lot of energy is wasted by another modern convenience the lightbulb. It may only cost pennies to keep a bowl burning but over time those pennies add up so develop the habit of turning lights off when you're not using them were working hard with our kids on this when they haven't quite mastered it yet. You can also invest in energy saving light bulbs. They're not as pretty as incandescent bulbs but they cost, and I would say they cost more up front but compact fluorescent lamps are CFL's and LED lights there cheaper to use and last a lot longer and LED uses only about 20% of the energy and get this last 20 times longer, at least in theory of the typical home has 45 bulbs. Interestingly, if you replace them CFL's.

You may save up to hundred $80 a year, told CFL's also produce less heat, which cut your cooling costs. Yeah, I've we have CFL's are mostly LEDs. I noticed that they tend to show your wrinkles more. When you look in the mirror, not me but on the other people have told me that that I see issue. Duly noted. Okay what's next well air filters. Don't think of replacing them as an expense.

It's actually a cost saving measure a new filter allows your system to run more efficiently and therefore extends its life. If use expensive filters. Replace them every three months, especially in the summer. If you use the cheaper filters I'd say replace them every 30 days. Either way, swapping them out will pay for itself definitely and who doesn't like going under the house into the crawlspace to replace the filter where the spiders live oak and I went about getting something like a programmable thermostat. You know that's a great way to save on energy costs. Depending on the season. You can actually set them to automatically raise or lower the temperature while you're away or asleep by some estimates the of a programmable thermostat can save you at least 10% on your heating and cooling costs. Also, many utilities offer rebates on them.

But now they've taken these smart thermostats to the next level.

Some of them actually connect with your cell phone so they know when you're away and automatically adjust the temperature during those hours. Pretty cool yeah I know, was a matter of time before our smart appliances become actually smarter than we are just a little bit of time left here any other thoughts on the ways to save some money this summer as well as a few we can cover maybe this one before the break.

Make sure the dishwasher and clothes washer full before use them.

A typical low cost about $0.70 wash and dry your close again. That doesn't sound like a lot, but if you're running the washer half-full all the time. It will add up, and whenever possible use a cold or warm cycle instead of okay great information.

If we can help you give us a call 800-5257 the financial wealth you leave behind could be the best thing that ever happened to your loved ones or the worst in splitting hairs, giving your money and things to your children without ruining their lives. Ron blue explains why it's important to make these decisions now, instead of forcing your heirs to do it later. Splitting hairs will foster a real appreciation for the precious resources that God has entrusted to you, and it's available. Click the start button moneywise live.org our friends and sound mind investing have been helping Christians reach their financial goals since 1990 with step-by-step guidance for investors. Just getting started making choices in a 401(k) or getting ready for retirement all grounded in consular SMI slogan is financial wisdom for living well. More information is available online and sound mind investing that the SMI website also includes articles, and money and investing sound mind investing.org, you have believed in Jesus Christ are standing light and, almost blinding you look forward to eternity presence of the living God. Attention is both fancy and in the opposite face is one figure in the head and fixes his gaze.

This neighbor was as if to ask the question when you realize God has placed reach out to you. Show them God's love in action and let them know the good news of Jesus Christ. And if that is robbing you of freedom and peace of mind. Christian credit counselors can help Wear nationwide nonprofit counseling organization has helped over 3000 individuals in the last 27 years get out of credit card debt 80% faster while honoring that that info to learn how Christian credit counselors can help you visit Christian credit counselors.org Christian credit counselors not call 800-557-1985 today euros less war were talking about ways to stay cool and of course cool and the name Rob Wester pretty much just synonymous. What I would talk to Rob about this great you like that now.

I like I now might be the day I should ask for my race but anyway I had spring the dressing room you've always been looking for. Okay. Any other thoughts or suggestions about saving money on air conditioning work or power, and generally energy this summer yeah will you know we shared a number of them and by the way, if you miss them. You can check out the replay of this broadcast it moneywise live.org and check our show notes for some links, you know, one that people miss often is adjusting the temperature in the fridge. If your iceberg lettuce is turning into an iceberg. You're probably wasting money to set the fridge temp to 35 maybe as high as 38° and you keep the frozen stuff frozen things in the fridge cool enough sometimes there's a separate file for the freezer and so obviously you want to just that, accordingly.

Also we mentioned about energy audit Stephen while you're doing that. Ask about any discounts or other incentives they may offer for cutting energy cost. For example, signing up for paperless billing or auto pay may save you a few bucks each month. It all adds up. So I would just take a look right. Great information. Perhaps you have some thoughts over some things you tried to lower your energy bills during the summer. If so, if you'd like to share those give us a call or again if you have a question or comment about anything financial. We'd love to hear from you today.

800-525-7000 guidance begin Evansville, Indiana hi Shelley, how can we help hello Mike, I'm thinking my 93 year old night out in a nursing home and I acquired all the benefits for her half packet in Cherokee County. My and so on. The time she passed away last year I became acquainted with every state agent that showed great in kicking, buying my house here credit line might not to park because and not that she had felt we can finally click it and again. On a goodwill abatement and I can acquire a damage deposit. Anything aligned to make it easy for that single non-and I well not been dancing American and hundred and $30 on you to Melanie and I'm just wondering how I can regain those that expand yeah well, have you taken the time to sit down with her to talk through this. Just try to get a game plan. What is the status of your communication at this point.

Not very unfriendly didn't like the way that I required high standard and keeping up with my hot my home for 41 years and then I met my mother, Kate, Pat, lack tile and see where it were not on friendly terms but I did send her a copy of the accounting ballot and I get utility bill and I haven't heard anything and it's due tomorrow written and check to cover her portion and mine okay and she still living in the property at this point. Now she meant out April 30. So at this point the utilities are all that she owes for, or is there some rent as well that you're waiting to collect that date. There's a lot of damage to pop $800 that I have to put out to restart the house that and I think I didn't require damage deposit and need to absorb yes yes okay and was there anything spelled out upfront even though you didn't collect a damage deposit. Was there any kind of documentation that said how these types of situations would be handled now. Okay, now that right and left church or no ice. I certainly understand that well. Just keep in mind that you you can't charge someone for normal wear and tear, but damages like scratch hardwood floors holes in the wall, broken fixtures, we would normally need to be covered, repainting cost might not be comfortable. Some landlords repaint tween tenants to make the place more presentable, but I think the first step is really just to get the proper documentation get estimates for repairs and then present that probably in a certified letter where you're presenting the repair costs and asking for payment. Perhaps you give 60 days for it to be paid if the works already done. Provide receipts for that and then I would say work with her. Hopefully, Lord willing to establish a payment plan. You mind me asking Shelley. Is she a believer. Okay so I think that you know, if we follow the admonition of Scripture. Here we would go to her directly and make it known, and then perhaps you one other approach to keep this out of trying to make this a legal situation would be if you decide you want to pursue it further and you don't just chalk this up to a lesson learned that I think you could work through the local church and see if they would be willing to provide some mediation in this case to help you come to agreeable terms. Just presenting the facts and try to work through it with the goal of keeping the relationship intact, and yet both parties coming to a reasonable agreement and her taking responsibility for any damage that was incurred, but I think the key is having that information well documented either an estimate form or in receipt form. If it's already done presenting that to her giving her an opportunity to respond appropriately and then if not deciding how you want to proceed from here. And again, my suggestion is perhaps work through her local church to see if they be willing to provide some assistance between the two of you and I would say let's pray that the Lord will just soften her heart.

Perhaps allow her to see you know that there is some responsibility here that she needs to take for the part that she's played and hopefully she'll respond accordingly. We can restore the relationship God will be honored in that and you can move on and learn from it as you arty have some excess very good. Shelley will thank you for listening to how it turns out, and we certainly will be praying for you.

That's right, Shelley, God bless you, thank you so much.

Let's squeeze one more in before the break, Indianapolis hi Tim, what you situations are great. Thanks person structure our accounting we. Our archive on a yearly basis.

Every year my total income after everything left and lost their pay type based on that so question last year we did that and then through some accounting issues. We figured out that we had made a greater share and we had overpaid our time and so this year we are going to pay her taxes and have my wife working from last year. She is very much for the idea of once we refiled last year and found out that our income is actually much less than we thought this year and are getting a little bit about whether or not we should not that overpayment from this year's so first of all Tim just with regard to getting the tax return corrected in making sure that you pay in what you actually owe based on the income you earned and any deductions you are entitled to. Have you thought about or have you already filed an amended return for the previous year to get that straightened out yet we file that back in October actually still pending pretty backed up going on all our refund back okay very good so that the main question that at this point is you're talking about the tie in particular to in relation to how you should handle the refund is that that the question so my question is my light last year. This year, and I might more money to pay at the time for the church. We could do that and it's not a life or death thing this year whether not we will deduct that from this year's time by just kind of way about it in the church in support. I see that make sense well yeah it's it's certainly a question for you all to prayerfully wrestle through.

I think it ultimately is a conviction matter. We look at the tie that's really an opportunity to give weed clearly should get proportionately, we should give with a cheerful heart as God has prospered us. It's our opportunity to get back. It's not out of legalism. It's an opportunity to participate in God's activity to help our neighbors and to be a resource and help support the local church, applying the principle of the tide. We give off of the increase in so if you are basing this tithe off of your increase and you are approaching that in terms of a number you thought was higher than it actually is, then clearly as you apply this principle of giving 1/10 of the increase you would have given greater than than what the true increase was. Now we can out give God. So what you're saying is exactly right.

I think that's a starting point, not an ending point. It's all God's and the question is how much do we want to keep, how much do we want to give back and what we find is or what I've experienced is that as you do that you experience the joy of giving you naturally want to find ways to do more and ultimately you reorder your finances if you can in such a way that gives you even greater potential for giving beyond even 10%. So clearly, if you want to apply the principle to tide you could say yeah we gave off of the increase, but then increase the number was not correct and therefore were going to adjust that and then working to take our other giving and working to do that separately, as the Lord leads, or you could say as you have said you know what we have the ability to do it and were just going to make sure that's an investment into the kingdom and working to keep giving as we always have. Ultimately, I think you need to come together prayerfully and just allow the Lord to lead, there's not a right or wrong decision, money and life run on the same track. Unfortunately, sometimes it seems like your money is heading in a different direction from your goals and never enough three keys to financial contentment. Author Ron blue helps you to break down all your financial options to a basic floor and then shows you how to keep it all chugging along in the right direction on the same track never enough three keys to financial contentment available when you click the store button@moneywiselive.org it's everything to actually make rebuke that when he talked to Dan their own persona when he brings life to anything. He states he speaks to what he tells it to do here is the brain to respond when he opened this map and he speaks when he speaks to what everything that man does not make anything my say, praise the Lord thy God's rights not to do with your money and no way to trim the budget.

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We have open lines at 800-525-7000 were talking about anything but our opening topic today had to do with saving energy of this summer. Beth is joining us momentarily with some thoughts. Also we going to be talking about snakes and balloons. What was he talking about. Well have to wait and find out Wooster, Ohio hi Beth, we have force. To speak with you. Like every day when I listen out for your program. Thank you sweet in our area air conditioning has gotten to be commonplace. Think central air and that we Hoyt we have an old Houston, and that is certainly not in our budget but we have to window air conditioners.

We've finally resorted to using found that I was 30 joining fabrics and by a white sun blocking fabric that looks like window shades, and I took two simple arming three simple roller shade. Replace this shade fabric that came with this shade fabric that blocks the sun big time. It makes the room dark, put them on my West Windows and we are able to make the bedroom temperature down from 91 to 84 and I can even get down to 82 cell work and things like that make for better sleeping at night fell, when we use the air conditioning I will exclude all the Windows help storm wind all that in everything you know any little bit we can work out really help me 38 years.

I only thought like three or four years. Well, congratulations. That's very creative and obviously it's very effective and it sounds like you did it in a way that was fairly cost-conscious probably didn't cost you a whole lot in your realizing the savings pretty quickly. So thanks for sharing that with her listeners. Yeah, we love it. Thank you, Beth, creativity, inventiveness and frugality, all wrapped up in one phone call that was great. Naperville, Illinois hi Paula, just a little bit of time, but you're cutting some energy bills as well. What we think we are thinking we were what we like how in our empty room door and go around and be and hopefully work and Mark Lovett. You know that I think there's mixed reviews on that maybe our team can take a look at that, just to see obviously had to cuts down on the AC in one part of the house, but it boosted coming out of another and I've seen some articles that say it might put too much pressure on some of the duct work in another area of the house that wasn't planning that the system wasn't designed to receive that amount. But when we take a look at that because I know that's a common practice in fact we do it in our basement here in Atlanta because there were not always using it, so we just close off those bent so I think it's a great idea will put our team on that just see thing find any insight on whether there's any downside to yeah probably do appreciate your call. Thank you very much and will see what we come up with in regard to its effectiveness. Again, you're listening to moneywise live check us out online. If you have a moment. It's moneywise the.org now the aforementioned snakes and balloons will have to wait until after the after the spring so we investing is more than just returns. It's an expression of who you are and what you value is the way you invest your money reflect your identity as a Christian, and even tightly design investments for performance and a better world so you can invest with the confidence to reach your financial goals while remaining true to your Christian values and commitments. We call this investing makes the world rejoice more is available best Eventide.com invest Eventide.com.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart I could've had the procedure I needed without CHF's help sharing the bills that letter from a member displays Christian healthcare ministries purpose to glorify God and serve his people. CHF is the original noninsurance voluntary health cost-sharing ministry, enabling its members to share the cost of each other's medical bills, call 800-791-6225 or visit CH ministries more.

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Obviously, it is summertime things are in charge and probably a good torsion of North America at this point.

One thing that comes to mind because we discussed it before. Probably every year snakes and balloons know what am I talking about here, but it's a way of saving energy. Yeah, what are you talking know what you're talking about.

Yes I did I say get the error from keep it from going under the doors right right right yet you can buy these things or make these things that are called doors, snakes, and that's a long piece of fabric that people fill with sometimes gravel or beans or sometimes some sort of a foam rubber or something like that. But anyway, it's something that you put down next to the bottom of the door so that air doesn't escape out from under the door in and use up too much of your air conditioning than the something else called a chimney balloon which is an inflatable piece of of the sure what it is.

Fabric number some combination of things and you blow it up and you stick it up into the chimney to keep the air from rushing down through the flu and more warm air from from coming down into the habit of snakes and okay I appreciate that you weren't that you were impressed with now I'm so impressed.

Let's go to Chicago, Illinois, Betty, were you impressed snakes and balloons. Have you ever heard of such a thing now what I'm so glad you got how can we help today.

I don't know which way you know let's try to help you figure that out so you said I heard you say you had some money in the retirement account.

You said he has 7000 where's that is not also in a retirement account will will and you and what are you looking to spend what can goods price of the house you've been looking at a range roughly how yeah well you I'm I'm not crazy about this plan, Betty, and here's why.

Normally we would say you know you wouldn't want to go into a home unless you had 20% down.

Why is that welts can keep you from praying private mortgage insurance, which can be anywhere from 1/2 a percent to a percent of the value of the mortgage. That doesn't do you any good. It just is so because you're going to incur in the lender's behalf, and secondly were at housing market that is run up significantly over the last decade since the 2008 2009 2009 housing crisis and you were entering into a period where were already in a recession that we could see a quick recovery. Depending on what happens with the pandemic. But the bottom line is I just don't like the fact that you wouldn't have the some equity in the property, especially with house. The you're talking about, but it's fairly expensive. Your $425,000 home, and the fact that we don't have any liquid savings to put into it.

In fact, the only savings you have, which instead of the 85,000.

I love for you to have. To get 20% equity you got only 7000, and that 7000 wasn't saved, it was pulled out of a retirement account which I wouldn't have encourage you to do so. I don't mean to throw cold water on this. I understand the benefits of being a homeowner, but I want you to do it in the right way because I don't want to put you in a bind. In terms of getting into something that has razor thin equity in it with the housing market that could dip after you buy it, then all the sudden you're upside down. You owe more on the house than you can actually sell it for.

Which means you limited your flexibility and I would question your budget in terms of your ability to support a mortgage this size and a mortgage north of $400,000 is a huge mortgage and you know, if you don't have the margin to not only pay it but to can you put away the savings on a monthly basis.

You know that's telling me that perhaps your live in a little bit beyond your means, so I'd really encourage you Betty to push the pause button here. Go back to the budget. Get a detailed spending plan of what it's can it take for you to find your lifestyle using a rent to do that. But look at all the other expenses and get to a place where you can actually have some margin so that you can be fully funding your emergency fund, first with 3 to 6 months expenses start putting away what you need to in retirement and then start saving for that down payment. If you can't do that. That tells me we need to cut back on certain areas in your lifestyle so you can really take care of some of these critical building blocks in your financial life that I throw a lot out you know that he does it all make sense and share our income now help me. Yeah, that the worst thing though that you could do would be to get overextended to buy too much house. Now you're not only taking on a home that's brought that's more than you can afford. Despite the bank might be a great home and what a blessing to get the furniture thrown in, but that doesn't mean it's right for you and your taking on a home and a business and that means you need to have cash reserves because what if you don't get it rented as quick as you plan what if there there is damage when the renter moves out like our previous caller just a couple segments ago. What happens if they stop paying. And now you gotta carry the mortgage for the whole thing which by the way you went into without the proper down payment so I realize you're just comparing the two payments but it's much bigger than that. In terms of the encumbrance and the obligation you're taking on with this massive $400,000 plus mortgage without the cash flow to support it because the fact that you don't have reserves tells me that you don't have the cash flow so I keep renting as much as you don't like that and I go back and take a hard look at that budget.

In fact, what you engage one of our coaches to help you give that a once over this with a fresh set of eyes moneywise live.org.

Click on connect to the coaching they be happy to help you at no cost. Betty were glad you called. Today we wish you the very best S thank you very much. This is moneywise with your host Rob West taking your calls right now at 800-5257 times.

Many people are experiencing financial challenges such as credit card debt downsizing that in jobs savings.

In fact, more than half of all divorces are the result of financial pressures at home, but there's hope your money counts biblical financial expert Howard shows that the Bible is a veritable managing your finances and discover the profound relationship with God, your money counts is available when you click the start button moneywise.

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I go out of my way to have fun conversation with people who are not old white guys is the height tend to hang out with bridges you don't care about social barriers. The color of her skin is not an issue without exception, those of other of this. These are complexes I am angered the bills our streets today. When you understand that God loves the worst of Jesus. And that is called each of us to love our neighbors as ourselves is no room for anger. Fact is forgiveness of your trespasses is dependent on your forgiveness of those who trespass against you. You can't change the world but you can change your world by shining God's light into your your job is ignite revival outside the walls of the church by moving everyone and every day closer to Jesus.

You need help doing that. Go to RTW.com and no moment here's filled down my son I was making ministry and teaching discipleship in church is critical.

We always teach the need for constant communication with God and prayer. Part of that is simply the recognition that God is always listening in all we do is develop the practice of praying constantly. Some years ago while being interviewed by Larry King on CNN. Billy Graham said that I praying right now, Larry. During this interview, King workshop, but actually Billy Graham is carrying out first Thessalonians 517 says that pray without ceasing. What about a friend just pray I mean like right now you be amazed how regular constant prayer will become a habit change your life build owner speaks across the USA encouraging a life of discipleship.

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Learn how to save and invest and give wisely to create a long-term financial plan and how to get out of debt. Find it all in master your money by Ron blue available when you click the start button moneywise to work less today with your question, comment on anything that pertains to money and finances in the Bible, you can call him at 800-525-7000.

Sometimes people despise me for saying it too quickly. 800-525-7000 or nothing at all, or you can send us an email which goes directly into Rob's personal email when his wife reminds him to buy bread and milk before he comes home that address is questions@moneywise.org questions@moneywise.org and we just happen to have an email from our friend Stan who says my friend thinks he got a debit card for $1200 instead of the regular stimulus check is he being scant love Stan, I really appreciate you looking out for your friend, but probably not.

And here's why. The Treasury Department said it would in fact send and it has been sending debit cards loaded with stimulus payments to millions of Americans. Other cards are issued by meta-bank, MBTA, and they were sent to people who process returns to Austin Texas in Andover Massachusetts. So here's the way that works of the cards can be used to withdraw cash from an ATM, you can transfer funds to a bank account.

You can issue a check can make purchases wherever visas accepted, so I know it's a little and some people didn't know that was possible. Some even perhaps through the envelope away, thinking it was junk mail.

Hopefully that's not you. Bottom line is, it is legitimate and it is one of the ways that these stimulus payments are being sent you and Scott a few people off guard ourselves included. I'm not sure we knew about the fact that people would be receiving credit cards and then also the adjuster happening, but will be getting a few calls on that, but Stan good question and we hope that clears it up for you and your buddy thank you very much again if you have an email question for Rob. Just a couple of lines. The addresses questions@moneywise.org Chattanooga, Tennessee hello Nancy and what your situation, how can we help you all do indeed great they are they the outline DNA that are down money market and I'm not sure that that proper I'm not sure that at the lot that are favorably on that when it come time to catalog and UAL KKK EID now and not thinking about you. God will yeah I'm not a CPA, just tell you.

Generally, though, Nancy. I would tend to concur with you.

You know the can run the coronavirus relief funds. Whether it's the IDL for agricultural or the PPP were really designed for businesses that needed the funds as a result of what's going on so they can operate their business and that they were supposed to be used for very specific purposes to keep on the case of the PPP to keep payroll on the case of the IDL to keep the business functioning as a result of economic injury in this disaster called a pandemic. You know, for those folks experiencing a temporary loss of revenue have this up to $10,000 loan was really to help provide some assistance to keep the bits business functioning and operating so the fact that it would be able to be invested I think would be an indication that it really wasn't necessary. So I would be hesitant to use it for that purpose.

I would really use it to shore up the operations of the business, recognizing that were not out of this and certainly things are looking better than they did 30 days ago, but there still questions that remain about how quickly the economy will bounce back weather will see a second wave of the virus. So I think You know putting it in a money market is not the same as investing it clearly because that's a place to hold it gain a little bit of interest along the way so I would say that would be fine. In terms of parking it until you identify what it's needed for but I would just always use it in light of the intent behind the program and the reason it was given and if you are thinking about going beyond a money market into a true investment strategy trying to make a return on it I would say that would be beyond the spirit with which it was provided. Nancy, we hope that helps you and your friend thank you very much for calling in today Cleveland, Ohio hello Mike, I want you question for Rob West. Thank you. My question and look into the hall and on it all in cash and I have a mortgage or take out a small mortgage. That a longer period of time.

Well Mike, I appreciate the question, do you have the ability to bind with cash and still have enough in the way of cash reserves emergency savings. Things like that. I would okay you know I love the idea of you being debt free. If you have the ability to do so there's no reason to be encumbered. I realize there may be some that would say well on paper, you could do better by taking a low interest loan which currently were in the low interest rate environment right now putting that money to work for you, and over a long period of time with a well diversified portfolio you can outpace if historical averages prove true again in the future as they always have, you could outpace the interest rate on that small mortgage and so from a financial standpoint you could make a case that that makes some sense. I guess that the flipside of that, the needs to be considered as significantly is you just have a conviction about being debt free.

You want the peace of mind and the flexibility that comes with being unencumbered and knowing your home and keeping your lifestyle at a minimum, not owing anything to anyone. The others a lot of full freedom and that Mike so I think the key is really number one praying through it. Trying to sync up your financial plans with your values and priorities as a believer and then developing a conviction around that and then ordering your finances appropriately. Regardless of whether you may and it's not guaranteed. Whether you may be leaving some money on the table by not being able to out earn the cost of that mortgage through traditional investment so I wouldn't hesitate with you paying it off if you felt strongly about doing that if you didn't and you said you not have the ability to pay off at any point but I'm completely fine carrying a small mortgage for this season of my life and I'm to put that to work other places Roman to do some additional giving or whatever that might be. I would be fine with that as well so I don't think there's a right or wrong here, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy it with cash. If you really felt the urge and the conviction to do that like interesting question is not many people who have this opportunity. We wish you the best as you pray through this. Thanks. I think we have time to maybe squeeze in one more to see Chicago, Illinois hello Tricia, I glad to have you with us today. What's on your mind and cranny and on monthly income coming in above our back and now expect that the credit account or a payout principal and are more.

I love that question because Tricia what you're saying here. First of all is that you have a plan because you mentioned your monthly budget and so you've taken the time to define what those expenses are suspect you tracking the flow of that money in and out and I love the fact that you're living well within your means. Which means you have surplus so that it's a priority question.

I think we always need to start prayerfully with Lord, what would you have me to do you if you've gotten it right.

In terms of limiting your lifestyle so you have that flexibility. But then the allocation of that surplus is really something that should align with your values and priorities as a believer. So one of the options well you named many of them we could put it into savings we could pay down debt until I get perhaps have any other than a mortgage, you can invest it or you can increase your giving and so I look at all of those probably my priority order would be first to evaluate the giving prayerfully into safe Lord, would you have us to do more other opportunities you want us to put money aside for systematically even beyond what were giving to our local church so we can respond as you lead. Secondly, if you have any consumer debt other than the mortgage I'd immediately prioritized that third.

If you don't have the 3 to 6 months expenses in savings that would be the next priority just so you have that emergency fund to give you some flexibility in some margin and then if all of those are taking care of, and you're systematically contributing to retirement with a target of 10 to 15% of your take-home pay than I would say absolutely start accelerating the payoff of the mortgage, but does that help give you a framework for how you should think about that yet and Awesome. We appreciate your calling Tricia thanks for listening. Thanks very much, Trish appreciate that again. Her phone number 800-525-7000 back to emails we have another one here. Rob I think you from Jim. He says dear Rob and Steve, I'd like to give money out of my IRA as the tide is that hard to do. You know, it's not hard to do their something called a qualified charitable distribution Jim that a lot of people don't know about. It's not as applicable this year because the required minimum distribution has been suspended with a given what we have going on around us, but it is a great way in the future for you to get money out of your IRA and not have to realize it realize it is income and get it straight to a charity or ministry or your local church. In the case of you referencing the ties right out of your IRA so you'd want to contact your custodian of your IRA, tell them you're interested in learning more about the qualified charitable distribution give you the paperwork and all the parameters you'd want to contact your church, let them know what you're doing and then you could set up a systematic transfer from your IRA to your church at whatever interval you want and you would not realize that his income. It's not taxable to you. So the church would get the full amount of whatever you're sending and everybody wins monies in the kingdom you're not paying any taxes unnecessarily which perhaps allows you to give even more so, great question and I love that strata. Yeah, we always like to hear questions or comments when it comes to generosity. If God gives you an abundance there's more than likely a reason for that. If you have over and above what you need to live and pay your bills. Perhaps it so that you can be generous with others, pray about that. Be thoughtful as God when some unexpected money comes your way. Hey, thanks for you coming our way today hope you found the program helpful in enjoyable and if so, maybe you could tell a friend about moneywise live with you Monday through Friday, at this time. My wise live is a partnership between Moody radio and moneywise media have a wonderful remainder of your day and join us again tomorrow