The One Guaranteed Investment

Bill everyone likes a sure thing, especially when it comes to their investments.

But what if we gave you a tip more valuable than a room full of gold. Sad to say there's no such thing as a guaranteed investment to more is there to stay tuned to find out today host Rob West welcomes holding Dayton thunder of compass, finances, God's way for the answer that it's your calls at anything financial at 800-525-7000 800-525-7000 times more a guaranteed investment that's next on moneywise. Rob is the former host of this program Howard Dayton. It is given some really solid investing advice over the years, but none more valuable than what he's about to talk about today. That's certainly true, Stephen.

We can't wait to get into it Howard, welcome back to moneywise. Thank you so much Rob. It's just great to be with you while we were leafing through your book your money counts and by the way, it's a classic. We give it away often on this broadcasting. If you haven't read it as a listener, I'd encourage you to pick up a copy.

But we know this tower to chapter that was a bit of a departure from advice about managing money. You called it the one guaranteed investment. So today we thought you could let us in on that secret. It goes all the way back to when I was 20 years old. That's when I stumbled upon the only fully guaranteed investment that exist on the planet that my only goal in life was to become as rich as I could as quickly as I could and I started meeting for a weekly breakfast were several young businessmen and was impressed because they were sharp and energetic, but more than that I was attracted to the quality of their lives they really just mentally cared for one another. Now, at that time I was part owner of a successful restaurant was married to my wonderful wife. We lived in a nice home had everything I thought would give me happiness and a sense of accomplishment, but frankly Rob, I felt something was missing. But these other men Howard. They were businessmen like you, but they seemed fulfilled in the exactly I was really surprised to hear these men speak openly of their faith in God. Now it wasn't completely pew to me. I had attended church when it screwing up where I really never heard that it was possible to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

And when I began talking about this with a friend.

He described how I could enter into such a relationship with the Lord. He shared several biblical truths Rob that I had never heard before. The first was that God loves us and he wants you to know him personally.

In fact, God desires a close relationship with everyone of us on the planet and my friend pointed out two passages from the Bible. First is John 316 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life, and in John 1010 were Jesus said I came that they might have life, and might have it about that lady.

Such a profound truth and at one point Howard you had a personal experience that really drove that point. All my love for you to share that with her listeners sure think yes my my son Matt when he was in the second grade.

He developed for some reason a burning desire to win the hundred yard dash at the schools field day. That's all we heard about from Munson, but there's a problem. His classmate Bobby Dyke was faster elbow into one fateful day came, they ran the 50 yard dash and Bobby just smoked Matthew beaten badly and I'll never forget it. Matthew came up. The tears in his eyes and he just begged me daddy. Please pray for me in the hundred yard – I just got when it on my heart just sank, prayed for them, but at the sound of the gun. Matthew got off to a quick start, and halfway through the race, he pulled away anyone and just totally lost control, jumping and screaming and I had never before experienced such exhilaration and it occurred to me that's just how much I love my son and that point the coach and all the others there asked Howard to leave the field but that's a story we will come back and chat some more with Howard Dayton this is moneywise. Our phone number is 1-800-525-7000 money and life run on the same track. Unfortunately, sometimes it seems like your money is heading in a different direction from your goal in 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. If you're investing for retirement or any other goal you may be wondering if it's possible to enjoy both profit and peace of mind, no matter what's happening in the market. Sound mind investing is a short video webinar on the topic of online investing.org SMI has helped tens of thousands of Christians learn to be wise and faithful stewards in the area of investment profit and peace of mind the matter what's happening in the market. Sound mind and you feel stuck going through the motions of faith you want to make real progress in your life and not know where to start to grow as a book to help you grow spiritually grows well in the gospel as a starting point of the Christian life rather than the main point of how to grow a new book by Darrell – available cultures.org that's movie publishers.O RG you reach people who call themselves Christian but don't know Jesus find out by reading the unsaved Christian Dean, and Sarah was a cultural Christian today. He pastors a thriving church that he wrote this book to offer starting points that lead to deeper conversations you will be equipped to confront cultural Christianity and lovingly share the gospel to the cultural questions in your life. Cultural Christianity is a huge mission field in desperate need of missionaries get your copy of the unsaved christian@moodypublishers.com you know if you have enough enough money of house. Do you know how much is enough if not Ron blue can help this book. Mastering your money a step-by-step plan for experiencing financial contentment and 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 lot.org today I moneywise and I were also glad to have Howard here was the founder of compass, finances, God's way. He's also the former host of this radio program and today he's helping us understand the one guaranteed investment and who of us doesn't want a guaranteed investment exactly right and power just before the break, you told us this wonderful story about your son a race that you want. Against all odds, and how excited you were and how it occurred to you at that moment just how much she loved him, and although you love other people. There's no way you love them enough to give your own son to die for them yet that's exactly what God the father does for us.

He loves us and he gave us his son Jesus Christ to die for us. The problem is Howard, as you well know, many people just don't believe they need a Savior. Do they you are so right Rob, but guess what we did to see were separated from God. God is holy, which simply means God's perfect and he won't have a relationship with anyone who isn't also perfect and going back to the conversation I had with my friend he asked me if I'd ever seen and done anything that would disqualify me from being perfect. Oh boy, that was easy for me to admit that I had to explain that every person is sent in the consequence of sin is separation from God.

The Scripture says it this way. Rob in Romans 323 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. There's an enormous gap. Think about this that separates us from God and people tried different things to bridge that gap. Good effort on their part.

Good moral people, you, you name it.

But the truth is that's just not enough.

Yeah that's exactly right. I'm reminded of Isaiah 64 says all of us have become like one who is unclean and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. We all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind. Our sins sweep us away. And so this is obviously a problem. Now God is holy and he is just about how he's also merciful and he's provided the means for us to be with him for eternity. So if you would, let's turn the page and you tell us the rest of the story. Yes, rob God's only provision to save us is his son Jesus Christ. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin in bridge that gap between us and God. In John 14 six Jesus said it this way. I am the way the truth and the life.

No one comes to the father but through me and my friend went on to explain that by an act of faith.

I could receive the free gift of a relationship with God, and frankly, the transfection sting to be too good to be true.

I've turned in business that anytime you had two people who were convinced they were getting more than they were giving up you had a transaction, but now is being offered a relationship with God and it was totally free gift I'd done nothing to earn it or deserve it in Romans 58 it says it this way, God demonstrated his own love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us in Ephesians 2. It tells us, for by grace you have been saved through faith and not of yourselves.

It's a gift of God not as result of works, that no one should boast. Well Howard back to your story, then this was a real turning point for you. What it sure was Rob finally grasped that I needed to individually receive Jesus Christ.

I had to ask Christ come into my life become my Savior and Lord, and I did it in as my friends will tell you the super practical person of Scott done work. I stopped doing it and I can say after more than 45 years of experience from I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that a relationship with God, to Jesus Christ, Israel yes it sure is Howard. I know there's folks listening today. Perhaps, who are right where you are. They've also trusted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and yet some may be hearing this good news for the first time I share with them how this decision has changed your life will Rob it's changed everything and all for the better. Nothing on this planet compares with knowing Christ personally and you want to know the Lord and aren't certain whether you have this relationship simply encourage you Jesus Christ to come in your life right now. Settle this issue once and for all by repeating a simple prayer similar to the one that I prayed.

Father God, I need you, I invite Jesus to come into my life and make me the person you want me to be. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life, and you know Rob, this program is all about teaching God's financial principles and that is awesome. But we also know that if you successfully applied every one of those principles that you've learned on moneywise and you have no debt to budget cash and you have great investments but still don't have a personal relationship with Christ. All your efforts ultimately will be in vain because you remain spiritually separated from God. If you ask Christ in your life.

I encourage you to begin to listen to other programs on this great Christian radio station attend a church that teaches the bottle so you can mature in your faith. You can contact compass and compass what.org or moneywise@moneywise.org and we'd be delighted to help you in any way in your journey with Christ love it will, thank you for sharing that clear articulation of the good news.

The fact that we all need a Savior and the Lord has made provision that we could be reconciled to him by placing our trust in his son Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for our sins and give you one more website. Folks if you'd like to know more about what Howard just described you'd like to place your trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior visit the website need him.org that's need him.org and you'll find a clear explanation of everything you just heard described in Howard to go to your last point you know after we place our trust in Jesus at that point. From that point forward, and that's the preeminent thing.

It's been about stewardship is in it managing everything the Lord gives me for his glory including my relationship with him and my relationships with others and on the steward of God's word and I'm also a steward of my finances, but that's why it's so important to manage what God entrusted to us wisely. Isn't it sure isn't what you clearly see in the Bible is that God plays a part with our resources and we have certain responsibilities. Robin I love this program in the way that you communicate what our responsibilities are and were to be faithful stewards of whatever he entrusted to us, that's exactly right. In this is that one area in our lives that often we hold onto the longest so I'd encourage you today after you surrender your life to Christ. Think about your finances and surrendering those as well put everything under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and as you said Howard accepting Christ as your Savior and entering into a personal relationship with him. The one guaranteeing investment will ever make our thanks for stopping by today my friend loved it. Rob got bless you guys.

Howard is been our guest today and you can read more in his wonderful book your money counts.

Now more than ever it's available at moneywise. I.org your calls next at 800-525-7000 800-525-7000. Don't forget you can only send us a brief email question just a couple of lines. The address is questions moneywise.org I'm Steve or will be right back after this the financial wealth you leave behind could be the best thing that ever happened to your loved ones or the worst, and 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.org. 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. I get 80% faster while honoring that info to learn how Christian credit counselors can help you visit Christian credit counselors.org Christian credit counselors.org or call 800-557-1985/the way you belong to Christ. When we think about on a daily basis. Then we Thing what part in this world now direct result know him as a direct result that you know him, that makes you different, separate team protest. Right now we are called to the case and consecrated a very wild world week with grounds to the world that we very well what is it now online experience more.org moneywise.

Financial also have a trip. This team floating around in the background pushing all the buttons moving all the knobs and feeders and getting callers on the year that would be Amy, Dan, Aaron and Jim and then loitering loitering in the in the hallway is rich were not quite sure why he is here today, but he's just hanging out hoping that this time will come, and it will eventually 800-525-7000. That's a number we have open lines so what better time to give us a call. Then we have open lines 800-525-7000 give us a call right now you know I would love to hear from you if you're someone who placed your trust in Jesus Christ for the very first time today.

As a result of Howard Dayton's clear gospel presentation. We love to present the gospel and we had a chance to do that today. And so if you're out there today for financial quite as well Rob. Many of your listeners sweat. Probably most of her listeners don't know Howard Dayton as well as we do. But we've known Howard for a long long time and we've heard Howard's total testimony several times and he if he was here he would say that that he was a man after the buck. You know, I mean he is real goal in life was to get rich and get-rich-quick and get rich sooner and to have your drive big cars live in big houses and he was all about that. And of course he was a good guy didn't paid his taxes as well. You know what Howard did tell us once that he didn't always pay all those taxes but you only come to Christ he realized that this is not what life is about. For what good does it profit a profit a man to gain the entire world and forfeit his soul and God spoke to his heart in that regard, in turn, Howard's life upside down and those who knew Howard in the early days were able to stand back with their jaws, you know, drop to the floor wondering just what happened to this guy who wasn't all that fun to be around and now he's a ton of fun to be around generous love the Lord and lives the life that he preaches and so if that's happened today.

Maybe not today maybe yesterday maybe last week and you and you like to tell something about that.

Would love to hear from you is her phone number one more time. 800-525-7000, especially in regard to your money in your finances, which, like it or not, God often takes control of you think you know what God's plan is for your life until he takes a look at your checkbook then you find out he had plans that are different from yours and that's what a life of faith is all about. Go to Boise, Idaho hey Roy what's on your mind today sir, I have a question or maybe back.

I yeah I give to God monthly and that we have been doing it over the last four years has been through. It's taken directly out of my checking every now and then I wondered what I and my cheating myself at all.

Why not writing that by not going to the discipline of writing that check by not writing that check. I don't have you know how you feel a little comic thing you got maybe a little devilish person on one shoulder and an angel on his shoulder. Now you gotta give your money to the work me into going out box that'll get you to the West Coast for weekend or whatever you know and I talked about being can be checking account to do anything by that I don't sleep over. But you know that well I'm glad you did.

Roy, I think it's a fabulous idea to explore because as we say, often giving is an act of worship.

So the question is what means of giving will best allow you to worship the Lord through your gifting.

I would encourage you, given what you just raised not to try and see if it's not a more worshipful experience for you. Let me tell you little story good friend Ron blue was an author and one of my mentors joins us regularly on this program. The author Streeter money Ron read a book and after so it was on getting this point was made that perhaps you may be not experiencing what God fully has for use in active worship. If you're not taking your whole tithe into the storehouse every week and doing that is a celebration in active worship and just rip this idea, you might want to think about it and I don't think there's a right or wrong answer is what's the right way for you well.

As a result of that Humana change shall, because he had been giving exactly the same way that you had and what he decided to do was every Sunday morning before breakfast. He would pull out his QuickBooks. That's what he uses to track his own financial affairs in total up all the income they received for the week and he gets more royalty checks from books and consulting room. Whatever it is in total up all that income. Take the 10th of it and he will write the check out and then take it down to breakfast with his wife Judy and she they would put it on the tape. They pray over it. Rejoice in God's provisions. She signs the check and then they together back when they used to go in person at church and I don't think they returned quite they would take it with that drop in the plate to convert as that was best and it became something that together they were able to celebrate every Sunday morning. God's provision and their opportunity to get back and I think that's really it.

It's a personal matter between you and God.

I would be prayerful about it and then decide what's the best way for you to give in a way that will allow you to experience everything God has for you is that in active worship Roy a great question and one that we should all ask ourselves, because as we become more and more attuned to digitally and using machinery, software, and absent things like that times we ourselves forget just how much were giving. And why would giving in and giving is an act of worship.

You don't want that on autopilot so great? Great question COMMENTS is her phone number.

We have open lines give us a call 805 five 7000. Anything financial going on in your life. Let's chat about 800-5257 Christian healthcare ministries and believers to show love for one another by sharing each other's health costs through CHN's voluntary health cost-sharing programs members uplift each other spiritually and financially see HM as an eligible option under the affordable care act and the Better Business Bureau accredited surety interested. Learn more by calling 800-791-6225 or online at CH ministries.more investing is more than just return and expression of who you are and what you value is the way you invest your money right like your identity as a Christian eventide. We designed investments for performance and a better world so you can invest with the confidence to reach your financial goals will remain truly are Christian values and commitments. We call this investing makes the world rejoice more is available best Eventide.com Eventide.com parents rising me three that you can pray for Moody radio we would be faithful to the word rate that we would present a simple gospel simply be drawn right. Three very serious about showing mission making right now, commitments and advice questions about planning for retirement. Long-term care insurance.

I don't know where to start thinking the money might help you find me. You can ask your questions with helpful articles sounds great okay searching for moneywise and son John Scott Republicans opposed labor proposed prolonged commitment to the Kansas Constitution through the statehouse on the 48th anniversary of the US Supreme Court's historic decision protecting abortion rights. The measure was approved on an 8638 vote goes next to the Kansas Senate debate, possibly next week the Biden administration has suspended you oil and gas leasing and drilling permits on US lands and waters for 60 days.

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This SR renews today's moneywise live from last taking phone calls at 800-525-7000. I'm Steve more so what is it is giving, saving, spending, automobiles, housing, credit cards, paying for college. Having faith and trust in God for all of those things.

Maybe it's something else.

If you'd like to talk about it. We'd love to chat about it and will give you God's perspective is best we can on these things. 800-525-7000. Let's continue on Boston, Massachusetts hello Maria nice to have you there today Erica and I and a mortgage with no PMI 3.4 interest while five years probably 18 years ago that doubled up and hundred and 50,004 and I have about 200,000 and 401(k) investments. I have 50,000 in cash and I own it under 10,000 and because I'm working.

I keep accumulating cash and I maxed out with what I put in percent. In my company match. It to invest my cash wisely started this job years ago so I just – I know I need. Like the six months of emergency.

I have a lot more than I need my long-term goal is to go back over to see on each nursing at the medical advisor Nadine 2 to 3 years, five years, yet excellence in suit. Once you did that. Obviously you be working for compensation that wouldn't be a volunteer position correct volunteer so you know, most likely the country that I want to go to. You can't get paid like a small stipend kind of thing, but I'm so something to think about this girl you think you need each month in the way comes from your investments to you any idea right now you know once you go overseas in a couple years well good thing about a lot of you don't need a lot to live on looking at going out any Nadine need to get out of an amount maybe you know yeah and maximum and everything sure you will hundred 50 on the house. What you think it's worth very three worth about 80 to 8300, maybe around two 8300 okay alright so if we you know if we had 350,000 after the mortgage was paid off in a row. It's a mortgage balance will come down over the next couple years here for one ticket will grow annual continue putting money away. Let's say you had 350,000 at 4% interest. If you were to have somebody invested for income that would throw off the 14,000 year 5% brought about 17.

Five so that would give you you know your thousand a month roughly.

If you That here in the states and had it invested and then you took thousand dollars a month out of it.

That should easily cover it with what it's going to grow to and what that that's going to click declined to so it sounds like you should be in pretty good shape, but to your point how you invest the money that you have between now and then and I think about how much perm would you say you have in the way of access.

Well I you about 1214 months ago and I love you and yeah I know, make sure that you know the Lord is faithful to God about 30,000 year that I mean the more I get to your living very modestly. That's a good thing. So I would say one option would be go ahead and open a Roth IRA. You could put in 7000 in that this year and you could take back your original contributions at any time if you needed to access those funds, but that would give you some additional long-term savings.

I would probably fund a donor advised fund which think that is a charitable checking account with whatever excess you have that you want to give away you get a deduction as the money goes, then the money would sit there and then as you decide where to give it ministry charity, your church, you just go online and make the gift really simple, almost like an online checking or savings account. I do that in CF the National Christian foundation they call the giving fund and then beyond that, I would just keep accelerating that mortgage payoff, even though it's only 3.4% interest to me in getting you completely debt-free is going to be a great thing. Just because you'll have plenty of money to give away. You got enough to meet your needs now and in the future wherever the Lord leads and allow you to keep giving. Keep saving and be ready to respond wherever the Lord by take you in this next season. I remember your call. Last year, and it's nice to hear from you again and I hope you'll continue to call us once a year or so. Let us know how God is continuing to bless you, whether it's here in the states or somewhere else around the world would love to hear from you again and Rob you I just hate when you keep giving and your money keeps growing its pesky thing to happen but you know it's a biblical God says when you know if if you're not faithful with what God is giving you.

He won't give you something else or something more. But the reverse is true. If you are faithful with God's what God's provided will give you even more because he knows and sees that you can be at be trusted and what a tremendous witness and testimony, that is, to others, or watching. Well it's exactly right Steve Craig through your calculator doesn't work. Keep giving them the money. Keep growing, and yet it got its economy and somehow it does work. It sympathizing Maria God bless you, thank you so much for calling Brook Park, Ohio, Susan. How can we help right now because it may not have an open know where he worked on how to a point where I think and believe in pending type what I I like you know I could say that I am partly to someone but I'm really to open one yeah well you know I think Susan first of all I would make it a matter really asked the Lord to give you the strength, the wisdom, the courage to live simply and live with them his provision and all of the test starts really for all of us with the recognition that God owns it all. And when we understand it puts money in its proper place which is a tool to accomplish God's purposes. It puts us in the right place, which is the sport of the manager and we realize then that money is the great healer placed her trust and what about this is a really important topic to someone asked you to stay on the line and let's talk a bit more right after the break don't mind just hang on, come right back in his life. You find your career even your teeth for your getting Christian maximize your resources to learn how many lines that work. Many people adopt an attitude toward marriage and finances that it will all work out somehow. But sadly, it often doesn't financial woes can devastate a marriage but there is a better way. God's way, money and marriage God's way by Howard Dayton will help you discover your finances strengthening your relationship with your mate and cultivating godly joint money and marriage God's way and the wise live.org is here to help me understand God's purpose for your life to the eyes of a layman for so many Christians there is a complete disconnect between their outrage or what's going on in our world today are concerned with her unsaved friends and family members of 40 years I've been leading to Christ. I've never sensed the urgency and seriousness anymore than today and I have so many important people in my life that I'm about to lose for eternity but sharing Christ with for years and I'm praying fervently across the line before it's too late. You and I must sense the urgency where our friends and family members will spend eternity there. The fresh children going to hell, and thinking nothing about it. If you have friends and family members like that it's time for you to get busy. Your job is revival outside the walls.

Everyone and everything will go tomorrow. TW.com hospitality Dustin Willis and Brandon Clemens. It's the simplest way to change the world gospel centered hospitality makes a powerful witnessing statement as we open our lives and homes to the simplest way to change the world so you can be hospitable even if you don't have the most people are more likely to step in living room sanctuary. So why not read simplest way to change the world more moody publisher's.com you feel stuck going to want to make real progress in your life and not know where to start is a book to help you grow spiritually and help others grow as well. The gospel as a starting point of the Christian life rather than the main point of all book by Darrell – available publishers.org that movie publishers.RG yes, perhaps this is just for the break we were speaking Susan in Ohio. She's some little bit more than she wishes she did spend her husband's currently out of work just kind of struggling with the whole scenario.

Susan so as I was saying you know when we understand God owns it all and are rolled in a steward and money then becomes a tool as a means to an end and that end is most effective when it's something other than us.

It puts everything in perspective. We also realize what Jesus said is true that our heart follows our money. Remember you said where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. And so the question we all have to wrestle with and this isn't just a question you have to rest with I do and Steve Dotson everybody listening does the way I use and allocate God's money reflect what's most important to me, my values, my priorities, my convictions and if not, what changes do I need to make now I realize that just like there's all kinds of therapies for the things we are dealing with its retail therapy is a real thing. And you know it's a spiritual matter at its core, because as the late Larry Burket used to say money is the clearest indicator and what's going on in our lives spiritually. Show me your checkbook and I'll tell you what's most important to you and so it's as much spiritual as it is financial. In fact, it's more so the financial is just the tangible expression of really what's going on at a deeper level spiritually in terms of where we place our trust and recognizing the abundance that we have without spending a dime because what's far more important than material things is what we already have and that is the Lord sent his son Jesus to die on the cross were some pay the penalty for sin right there is enough Jesus is enough and we celebrate that and were thankful for that. And then we are thankful for God's provision and we live with and that and we have to learn this idea that the apostle Paul talked about and that is contentment.

Remember he didn't say I was bored with that. He said I learned to be content have been in times of plenty of been in times of want and I've learned to be content, because the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. And therein lies.

I think the gratitude that we need to have it so perhaps the starting places is to begin to understand God's view of money like to send your book that will help you on that journey of understanding that number to evaluate your spending. In light of that recognition and asked the question does my spending reflect my values and my priorities number three begin to perhaps keep a gratitude journal. This is something that all of us could benefit from just writing down each day.

The think were thankful for because we have so much that he's already given us and then I think as we begin to you allow our minds to be transformed and reviewed by studying the Scriptures and understand what he has for us. It will change our heart which will change how we handle his money and then ultimately we put a plan together spending plan together that reflects that and says I want to pursue what's on your heart, Lord, and as you change my heart than my spending will be oriented in that way. I want to live well within your provision not outside of it, even though the world will let me do that was something called and the only way once you have that plan your bill to stay on track and you can have some months where you go off, we all do but the only way you will do that is to have a budget spending plan says here's where my money is going to go.

And yes, this is a reflection of what's most important to me and it's not so stringent that we can enjoy it and doesn't mean you can't build in a portion of it that is just for fun or something that you enjoy or you want to be able to splurge on every net on them but it's gotta be in the plan and in a season where your husband is out of work. That plan is so important. It's probably a season where you're going to have to take a few of those extras. But when you live within it. It's freeing and ultimately will lead you to a more intimate relationship with the father. So I hope that's an encouragement to you it's it's something that's not easy. And yet when you live that way. I promise it will have a ripple effect throughout the rest of your life, including in your relationship with. I agree. Budgeting is not easy, but the longer you do it and the longer you are successful at it the easier it becomes and it really does transfer over to the easy side because your perspective on living life to pray for Susan before we before let you go Susan.

Father, we just look Susan and her husband up to you, Lord, thank you for your provision in their lives, even in a difficult season in the midst of COBIT in a job that hours of evaporated Lord, I would say today. We trust you and I just pray that as she leans into your word and an understanding of who you are as her provider and sustainer that you will never abdicate that responsibility to anyone or anything else that she can trust you and pray that you would just allow her to have wisdom.

James 15. Give her wisdom in navigating the resources you've entrusted to her that she can make good decisions that she and her husband will be aligned and that this area of money would be an instrument of peace in their marriage that we love you in Jesus name amen Susan let your husband know that were praying for his future employment as well. God bless you. Thanks so much. I lets move to Evanston, Illinois, Colleen, thank you for calling today what you question. Thank you. I will never marry and I've always tried to grow as well. Other charitable okay very good one excited for this next chapter. Tell me what you're most excited about what you think God has for in this next season whole sure a lot about very good just five that's for sure. And just know Colleen that this is that you have the most experience and wisdom to bring to bear in God's service.

You know it's time for you to begin thinking and praying and planning and including creating that retirement budget and so you may have Artie done that.

But if you haven't, let's put it all on paper.

Let's get it into the system that we can track it and let's figure out exactly what you need. Have you done that yet. By chance, how much about supplement my cover major monthly expenses. I do still have a mortgage that have my condo goes with that tax, but you think that amount has you're going to need each month to supplement your Social Security month 2000 and how much do you have in retirement accounts. A little over okay so let's call it 325,000 that you got available. We typically use 4% as a starting point can be 13,000 year. That's not quite cover that's going to give you basic thousand a month. So if we double that now are in a pull and 8% out which is a bit more than I would like and that simply means based on the conservative nature of the portfolio we want in this season of life, not taking an inordinate amount of risk you're probably gonna be dipping into principal so I think it's just really important that you look for ways to trim that budget.

I realize once the payoff that will help, but that's down the road a ways I could you work part-time for the next year or two while you're a couple things that would supplement your Social Security and allow you to not have to dip into that 401(k) because that's the key. Now, should you be giving in this season. Absolutely I think it's a recognition of God's ownership.

You can never out give God.

That's between you and the Lord as to how much, but I would give systematically and proportionately, and I'm confident the Lord will honor that in many ways, but beyond that, you gotta order your finances in such a way to live within what you have available and I would just try to pull it was close to 45%. As you can, you know, without going much over that. I just don't want you to run through this money now.

It still get the last couple decades.

Even if you have to pull an extra hundred thousand a month, Lord willing. You know that the market is good and even if it's not working to take the long view and eventually you know it will recover. So I think the key for you. Colleen is continue to dial into that spending plan. Look for ways to cut back. Look for ways to bring in some additional income.

Even in these first couple years of retirement and then if you don't already have one. Look for an investment professional to manage that 325,000 for you when you retire you don't have someone just go to our website moneywise live.org click find a CK putting your city and state that interview at least two or three. Find the one that's the best fit for but keep giving. Find a CK. Obviously that stands for certified kingdom advisor.

But that's not just one set group of people like investing. We have CK in several different areas of extra financial expertise yeah yeah I just one point of clarification. These men and women don't work for moneywise. They have earned the designation and it is the gold standard for biblically wise professional financial advice, like CFP is for financial planning from a secular standpoint. CK is for the Christian viewpoint and you're right, Stephen.

Five disciplines investments financial planning, tax and accounting estate planning attorneys and insurance professionals to anything in the area of electrical or plumbing because technically that's what I need my most assistance. Yes, I'm aware of that. Give it some of the stories I've heard about latter don't want me and drive all CK's okay no CK sees Rob West, always pulling the proverbial leg. I'm Steve Moore. Thanks so much for tuning in, and listening today and this week we pray you have a wonderful weekend.

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