Frugal Is Not the Same As Cheap

Have you ever been called “cheap” by someone whose spending is out of control?  How do you react?  Hopefully, you can simply smile and consider this designation as a backhanded affirmation that your frugality is being noted.   Of course you may indeed be a cheapskate:  always pinching every penny, never being satisfied with however much [...]

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Is The Check Engine Light On For Your Finances?

It usually catches you when you least expect it and often means that you’ll be shelling out some money in the near future.  Yes, I’m talking about the check engine light in your car. (Were you expecting me to say kids?  I suppose that works too!)

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Can You Laugh at the National Debt?/Roundup

I realize that America’s escalating national debt is no laughing matter, but the very ominous nature of this debt lends itself to some hilarious satire.  I laughed out loud — several times, while watching Debt Limit-A Guide to American Federal Debt Made Easy.   Take three minutes to watch it and, hopefully, you will be laughing too. Now [...]

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We Bought House Flip # 2!

After selling our first house flip last fall, my son and I are back in the house flipping business again.  In fact, we just bought our second house last week. Allow me to reiterate the lessons we learned from our first house flipping adventure:

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Are Separate Checking Accounts a Harbinger of Marital Problems?

In my financial counseling practice, I occasionally meet a couple who operates their household budget from two separate accounts: a “his” account and a “her” account.  When I ask them why, they normally respond with,  “I am not sure” or “We have always done it this way” or “I like to control my own money” [...]

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The Bread Is God’s

You’ve heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, right? Since his biography came out, everyone is a Bonhoeffer fan. And why shouldn’t they be? He stood against Hitler (the only man everyone agrees deserves to go to Hell) and eventually died fighting the Nazis and spreading the Gospel of Christ. He’s a cool dude, and his biography is [...]

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How Would You Handle a Simple Lifestyle?

What if, without warning,  planet Earth had no electricity, no running water and no electronic communication?  Is this scenario even possible?  I can’t say, but Terri Blackstock, in her “Restoration Series”,  makes one think as she tells of a wealthy family who faced such a crisis.  This post is not about Blackstock’s series (although I [...]

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How Should Christians Tip?

Here’s something the Christian community needs to think long and hard about: Tipping. We’re lousy tippers. Every server will confirm that Sunday lunch is one of the worst days of the week. The Christians get out of church, demand more than any other customer, hang around for an hour or more, and follow it up [...]

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Best Personal Financial Planning and Personal Investment Articles this Week from Personal Finance Blogs Carnival of Financial Planning – Edition #226 – March 2, 2012

Welcome to the March 2, 2012 Edition #226 of the Carnival of Financial Planning. The Carnival of Financial Planning takes a long-term view of personal financial planning for individuals and families. We focus on efficient and sustainable personal financial planning practices that can lead to lifetime financial security. This edition is arranged by subject heading, [...]

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