It's back and I'm juiced! Financial Peace University that is. We ran our fist announcement this past Sunday and over the next two weeks, we'll direct people to an information table located in our main rotunda area. Yours truly will be manning the table this weekend.
Why am I so juiced? I've seen and experienced God inspired life change in and through these classes.
I recently was told by a former class graduate that they have paid off more that $50,000 in just under two year. Way cool!
Want to get a feel for FPU? Watch this online video.
Want to take the class? Sign up this or next weekend at NPCC. Classes are starting Thursday Feb. 15th from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Hope to see you there.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Calls 3 years later.
I just got off the phone with a pastor from North Carolina. He said he read my quote on the Fundraising Today web site.
In late 2003 our church was researching Stewardship / Fundraising firms. During this process, we came across a mailing for Fundraising today. Long story short, we ended up going with them and were very happy with the results. (3 times our annual budget in pledges)
So for all those interested and for future phone callers (I'm going to point them to this post.) Here's my two cents.
In late 2003 our church was researching Stewardship / Fundraising firms. During this process, we came across a mailing for Fundraising today. Long story short, we ended up going with them and were very happy with the results. (3 times our annual budget in pledges)
So for all those interested and for future phone callers (I'm going to point them to this post.) Here's my two cents.
- The price of Fundraising today's class is peanuts compared to what another Stewardship company will charge for their services. As such, going to the fundraising today class is money well spent even if you don't go with them for your campaign. No looking back and wondering what if?
- You leave the class with a kit that walks you through the entire campaign process.
- They have "canned" literature if you don't want to create your own. We created our own and used a local printer.
- You need someone on you own team to hold team member accountable or the system will not work.
- You need your senior pastor to cast the vision for the campaign.
- If you don't have 4 or 5 you are better off going with a different program.
- Support is an email away.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Illegal Tithing
Is there such a thing? According to a recent ruling by a New York federal court the answer is yes.
Tithing or making donations of any kind has been ruled illegal for BANKRUPT individuals by a judge in New York. The consequences of this ruling could be far reaching as other states will surly cite this recent in demanding similar rules in their states.
Well over 2 million Americans filed for bankruptcy in 2005 according to the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Can you imagine having to ask a giver, before a church accepts a donation if they have filed for bankruptcy?
Tithing or making donations of any kind has been ruled illegal for BANKRUPT individuals by a judge in New York. The consequences of this ruling could be far reaching as other states will surly cite this recent in demanding similar rules in their states.
Well over 2 million Americans filed for bankruptcy in 2005 according to the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Can you imagine having to ask a giver, before a church accepts a donation if they have filed for bankruptcy?
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Joy
My wife and I just returned home from visiting our next door neighbor Glenna. Glenna is a wonderful lady who is going to be 86 years young next week.
In talking with Glenna tonight, she reminded me that the simple things in life make a big difference. We had some good conversation on a cold winters night. We enriched each others lives just by talking.
Who have you not talked to in some time? Who's day could you brighten by stopping by just to say high?
What Joy is waiting for you?
In talking with Glenna tonight, she reminded me that the simple things in life make a big difference. We had some good conversation on a cold winters night. We enriched each others lives just by talking.
Who have you not talked to in some time? Who's day could you brighten by stopping by just to say high?
What Joy is waiting for you?
Monday, January 15, 2007
1 of 12 down
I'm one step closer in one of my 2007 goals. Last night I finished book #1 for 2007. Living A Life on Loan - Finding Grace at the Intersections. This book was written by Rick Rusaw & Eric Swanson.
My three main takeaway from this book was.
My three main takeaway from this book was.
- My life is on loan from God. Like every loan, the person giving the loan expects a return on their investment. What kind of return an I producing for God?
- When I think about by live on loan from God rather than a life that I own, my perspective and priorities change to aline with God.
- God gave us life and it matters a great deal to him what we do with our lives.
This is a great read for everyone who what to know how to make their life count and what God can do in and through you if you open yourself up to him.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Personal Tax Tip
Today is a rainy Saturday in Ohio. At least it's not snowing. . . I'm in the middle of one of my winter time hobbies of baking bread. (100% whole wheat as always;) The whole house smells like a bakery right now. I've got and hour before I can take the bread out of the machine so I thought I'd start looking into another one of my winter time hobbies. Taxes. What can I say, It's the accountant in me.
Here's a one time only deduction, i.e. money back in your pocket from the IRS. As taxpayers, we have been paying a federal telephone tax on long-distance since 1898. (Little known fact. . . . this tax was to fund the Spanish American War). Today this tax goes into the U.S. Treasury's general fund. . . Enough history
The short story . . . .
Use the standard deduction amount on 2006's tax form for the federal telephone excise tax credit/refund.
Here's a one time only deduction, i.e. money back in your pocket from the IRS. As taxpayers, we have been paying a federal telephone tax on long-distance since 1898. (Little known fact. . . . this tax was to fund the Spanish American War). Today this tax goes into the U.S. Treasury's general fund. . . Enough history
The short story . . . .
Use the standard deduction amount on 2006's tax form for the federal telephone excise tax credit/refund.
- $30 for taxpayers filing with one exemption
- $40 for two exemptions
- $50 for three exemptions
- $60 for four or more exemptions
If you are really into paperwork, you could file form 8913 and take the actual amount of excise taxes you paid. Good luck with that.
Off to check on my bread. . . .
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
What would you do with an extra $1,100?
Did this title grab your attention? I hope so. If the company you work for is like most companies, this is the time of year that you get a raise in your paycheck.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bureau of Census the mean income of all workers in the US is #35,500 per year. When I take this mean income and apply a cost of living increase of 3% it equals roughly $1,100.
No matter what your raise is in 2007, what is your plan for that increase. I can tell you this, if you don't have have a plan on what to do with it, your raise will disappear within three months and you won't know where it went.
Here are a few things I consider before I get a raise.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bureau of Census the mean income of all workers in the US is #35,500 per year. When I take this mean income and apply a cost of living increase of 3% it equals roughly $1,100.
No matter what your raise is in 2007, what is your plan for that increase. I can tell you this, if you don't have have a plan on what to do with it, your raise will disappear within three months and you won't know where it went.
Here are a few things I consider before I get a raise.
- Take the increase in my pay and have it go right into my retirement plan. (Pretax)
- Take the increase and put it into my Flexible Spending Account. (Pretax)
- Increase my giving by that amount. (Eternal Investment)
- Take the increase and have it automatically deducted by by bank into a savings account. (Peace of Mind)
As for me, I need to pay for those braces so I'm upping my Flex Spending Account in 2007.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Financial Evaluation Time
Greeting on the eve of the Ohio State National Championship game. As I'm waiting for pregame to start, I decided to do some personal financial reflection of the year just ended.
For many years now, I've tracked in a spreadsheet my net worth from year to year. How do you figure your net worth? Add up the value of the things you own (Cash, Savings, Emergency fund, Retirement, house) Less what you owe on these things. The difference between the two amounts is your net worth.
I know saving money is hard. I recently found my 13 year old gets his braces in March and my daughter is close behind. I'm getting off subject here.
Tracking your net worth allows you to see progress from year-to-year. You will be surprised how fast your net worth will grow when you start to track it. Your purchasing decisions will be affected and your goals may change.
Tracking my net worth was a key factor in starting the savings process for our kids college fund a few years back.
Every little bit helps. Remember, small amounts saved on a regular basis over time adds up to big number!
Go Bucks!
For many years now, I've tracked in a spreadsheet my net worth from year to year. How do you figure your net worth? Add up the value of the things you own (Cash, Savings, Emergency fund, Retirement, house) Less what you owe on these things. The difference between the two amounts is your net worth.
I know saving money is hard. I recently found my 13 year old gets his braces in March and my daughter is close behind. I'm getting off subject here.
Tracking your net worth allows you to see progress from year-to-year. You will be surprised how fast your net worth will grow when you start to track it. Your purchasing decisions will be affected and your goals may change.
Tracking my net worth was a key factor in starting the savings process for our kids college fund a few years back.
Every little bit helps. Remember, small amounts saved on a regular basis over time adds up to big number!
Go Bucks!
Monday, January 01, 2007
Goals in 2007
I hope you enjoyed bringing in the new year. I did my usual and slept right through it. Also for the two year in a row now, I got to ride my bicycle on Jan 1st. This is truly unbelievable for Ohio.
With each new year, I set goals for myself. Without goals I drift. Here's my 10 goals for 2007
10. Higher net worth in 2007 than in 2006
9. Lead at least one Financial Peace University class
8. 1,500 miles on my bicycle (road 25 today. Only 1,475 left to go)
7. Family Vacation (My 13 year old has other plans)
6. Adding one or two couples to our small group
5. Value people Daily
4. At a minimum, read a book a month. (Just started "Living A life on Loan")
3. Blog regularly
2. Coach my kids to make wise choices
1. Be a better leader & coworker
Setting goals are very important in making any kind of progress I encourage you to take some time this week and come up with 5 - 10 for the coming year.
With each new year, I set goals for myself. Without goals I drift. Here's my 10 goals for 2007
10. Higher net worth in 2007 than in 2006
9. Lead at least one Financial Peace University class
8. 1,500 miles on my bicycle (road 25 today. Only 1,475 left to go)
7. Family Vacation (My 13 year old has other plans)
6. Adding one or two couples to our small group
5. Value people Daily
4. At a minimum, read a book a month. (Just started "Living A life on Loan")
3. Blog regularly
2. Coach my kids to make wise choices
1. Be a better leader & coworker
Setting goals are very important in making any kind of progress I encourage you to take some time this week and come up with 5 - 10 for the coming year.
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