RetailNeNot

I'm always looking for great ways to save money. Recently, I came across a web site called Retail MeNot. On this web site you enter a product you are looking at purchasing and if there's coupons or discounts on this product, RetailMeNot will provide you with printable coupons for it.

RetailMeNot provides a database of over 35,000 coupon codes, each of which is tagged according to its category, and rated by users according to its utility. The site offers discussion forums where members can swap shopping tips. You can also download a Firefox extension, a Mac Dashboard widget, or a quick-access bookmarklet to make finding coupon codes even simpler.

This weekend, I'll be using this site for a Papa John's pizza for a buy one get one for $0.99.

It keeps getting better

Last night was another great Financial Peace class. We began the night by cutting up 10 credit cards. That's 18 total for this class. Way cool!

After the credit card party, we started the DVD and learned all about investments. Here are a few key points when considering investing.

1. Savings would be defined as a period of 0 - 5 years.
2. Investing is anything over 5 years.
3. Playing individual stocks will on average get you a return of only 7%
4. Diversification (to spread around) is the most important part of your investment plan.
5. Pay off your consumer debt before you start investing.
6. The Roth IRA is a great investment choice.
   

Great Weather & Cool Pictures

This weekend was the best weather weekend of the year in my book. Low 80's no humidity and lots to sunshine. As such, I got to ride my bicycle both Saturday and Sunday. I rode a total of 68 miles. (By the way, I'm now over 1,800 miles ridden for the year. 2,000 miles is within reach.)

During my ride on Saturday, I came to find out that the Ohio Plein (Outdoor painting) Society was all over Tuscarawas county painting landscapes. So, After my ride, My wife and I borrowed my mother-in-law's convertible and headed out to take in the beauty of Tuscarawas county in the fall.

Here are a few pictures that I took. Enjoy.

One of the Ohio Plein Artists allowed me to take this picture.





One of the roads I ride down


I love Barns & there are lots of them in Tusc County

Minimum Payments. What is it costing you?

Let's face it. The interest you pay on your credit card debt is like throwing money away. This is a blanket statement but what is credit card debt really costing you?

If you are making the minimum payment on your credit card each month their's a free tool that shows you just how much this is costing you. Check-out this credit card calculator over at bankrate.com.

Here's an example: If you carry a balance on your credit card of $5,000 @ 12% interest and make the minimum payment each month of 2.5% $125. It will take you 219 months (just over 18 years) and cost you $3,180 in interest to pay off the $5,000. Ouch!

If you could bump up your payments to $200 per month, you would pay this same $5,000 off in 29 months (2 1/2 years) and pay only $782 in interest.

Two points in all of this. One, Stop using credit cards. Two do whatever you can to be able to pay more than the minimum monthly payment each month.

Nana Nana Na, Nana Nana Na, 8 Credit Cards Goodbye

I so excited. Last night during our Financial Peace dumping debt lesson, we cut up 8 credit cards. Way Cool!

I believe that the families who were bold enough to come up in front of our class and say no more to their credit cards are feeling a tremendous sense of freedom today.

Truth be told, I have no idea if these families have credit card debt but the fact they are saying goodbye Credit Cards is a step toward financial freedom.

I'm so very proud and blessed to be part of life change here at NewPointe.

Thank You!

Yesterday after services were over, the "paid" facilities staff transformed Studio 56, our 5th and 6th grade space, into a banquette hall. We thanked our "unpaid" facilities team with a lunch.

There were more than 75 people in attendance and many more who were unable to attend. The lunch was a thank you for the work that they do around NewPointe.

Truth be known, the weekend services wouldn't go off the way they do without the dedication of those on the facilities team. This group of dedicated individuals give countless hours each week and they are the ones that make this building shine.

Thanks guys for all you are doing and may God bless you richly for serving in this way!

How do you measure up?

The list of 12 items from my last on a Healthy Financial Plan included retirement funding. (That was item #5)

In doing some reading today, I came across this very interesting chart. Based on your age and retirement Savings Value, what percentage do you fall into?

To be truthful, it doesn't really matter. The important thing is that you are saving for retirement and that you are doing it consistently.

Retirement Savings

Reported total savings and investments not including value of defined-benefit plans or primary residence, active workers by age group, 2007

	Age group
	25-34	35-44	45-54	55+
Less than $10,000	50%	36%	24%	26%
$10,000-$24,999	18	16	10	5
$25,000-$49,999	9	10	11	9
$50,000-$99,999	10	14	15	11
$100,000-$149,999	7	7	9	11
$150,000-$249,999	1	9	10	9
$250,000-$499,999	1	4	12	11
$500,000 or more	4	4	9	17
Note: Survey of 1,001 active workers.
Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute

Healthy Financial Plan

How do you know if you have a healthy financial plan? There is more to it than saving for retirement and your kids college.

Here a list of items you should have in place or be working on as part of your overall financial plan.

1. A per pay cash flow plan. (Tell each dollar where it's going before you get paid.)
2. A Will (This is a must have!)
3. A debt reduction plan.
4. An Emergency Fund
5. Retirement Funding
6. Life Insurance
7. Health Insurance
8. Disability Insurance (Most people ignore this one. Don't you ignore it.)
9. Adequate Auto & Home owners insurance. (When did you last review these?)
10. Charitable Giving
11. Teaching your children how to handle money.
12. College funding for your kids.

If you are addressing these 12 items you have a health financial plan. If you are missing some of these 12 things then set an action date right now and get it done.

18 wonderful years

Yesterday was my 18th wedding anniversary. I am very blessed to be married to a wonderful woman. Among many important milestones in our marriage, Cindy played a big role in me having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For that, I am eternally grateful.

I must say our 18th anniversary day will be a memorable one. We spent 7 hours together in our own private room. . . . at Union Hospital. A blood test, chest x-ray, and 3 bags of I.V. solution we headed for home. Cindy started getting sick Friday night and continued to get worse. So Sunday it was off to the emergency room.

I just got off the phone with her and she's feeling a little better today. Say a get well prayer for her.

Thanks

1400 chairs in two minutes flat

Each week, teams of dedicated NPCCers come in on Saturday nights to transform our auditorium from sports space to worship space.

Thanks guys for your dedication and attention to detail. Take three minutes and enjoy their efforts.

Top 5 signs you may be in financail trouble

Getting into financial trouble can happen to anyone. There are some signs that are obvious but there are many more than are not. Spotting the signs that allude to underlying troubles can often be difficult. While we all know that we should get out of debt and spend less than we make there are plenty of more subtle clues out there that could signal pending financial problems in the future.

Here are 5 warning signs to look out for.

1. You have little or no savings. At a minimum, you should have $1,000 set aside for emergencies. (Ideally, you should have 3 - 6 months of living expenses in a savings account.)
2. No Budget. You have to have a game plan and tell your money where to go each pay.
3. Financing a vehicle for more than 5 years. (It is possible to pay cash for a vehicle.)
4. Money fights with your spouse. This is the number one reason for divorce.
   
5. Using Credit Cards to pay for necessities because you don't have the cash.

There's lots of help out there in getting your finances under control. One of the best resources I know of is Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace University. I've got his best selling book, The Total Money makeover available here on my blog. (See below.) This book will change your life, if you apply it.