These are the Times that Try Men's Souls

Before I get into the meat of what is on my mind, Mike Best has notified us that Costco is running a sale on their 2009 Quicken Premier money management personal software. You can purchase the program right now for $20 plus tax. (50% off). Mike has coupons for four copies. It is a valuable tool, and is easier than doing finances by hand. Most credit unions, banks and credit cards have automatic downloads of statements to make reconciling even easier. I am about 5 days late in getting this out, so hopefully he has some left. Please contact Mike if you could benefit from this: (404-368-7110)


I was tracked down by an old friend this week. We started by catching up, exchanging stories, talking about our families, and how we’ve arrived at where we are. He told me that he was in the process of moving. He felt that he was being exploited by his employer and it was taking time away from his family. He acknowledged that the pay was good and he had gained considerable experience, but was asked to work more often than he would like to do. With the current economy as a backdrop, I felt anxiety for him in making the decision to willingly change jobs when so many people are without work, working week to week, or will soon be without work. But he spoke with an optimism. He was confident in his abilities. He said that they have made conscious efforts to not live beyond their means, to do what they know they should be doing and to fulfill their callings and they have always felt comfortable financially.

As we study the scriptures, we tend to keep a study companion book nearby at all times to help shed light on what seem to be even the most simple verses. After reading Doctrine and Covenants 24: 3-9, Joseph Smith is told, “In temporal labors thou shalt not have strength.” The Doctrine and Covenants student manuals refers to Smith and Sjodahl’s commentary and explains, “The Prophet Joseph’s gifts were of a spiritual, not financial nature, but the Lord promised him that, if he would magnify his calling, he would always have what he needed. Financial ability is also a gift that can be used for the glory of God, but the Prophet was not a financier. He did not live for the accumulation of wealth. The Kingdom of God was his first and chief concern.”

It’s OK to not be “of great means.” It’s amazing how happy one can be by making the Kingdom of God a first and chief concern. At the same time, the reality is that we live in a society that requires money for food, shelter, medical care and other necessities. Often, when we are unable to satisfy even these basic needs, it become very difficult to focus on much anything else in life, including our Church responsibilities, building of the Kingdom, and strengthening the foundation of our testimonies.

1. If we find ourselves paying more money each month than we are bringing in I would challenge each of us to try to step back from our own lives ask God to help us separate needs from luxuries.
2. Take out a sheet of paper.
3. List the needs on one side of the paper and how much they are costing.
4. On the other side of the paper list the luxuries and how much they are costing.
5. Take that evaluation to God, ask Him for to help you figure out a way to make you income exceed your expense.
6. Ask for an interview with a member of the bishopric. Bring your sheet of paper with your needs and luxuries listed. Ask for their help. Most often, a new set of eyes will be able to see things that you have never been able to.
   

This video is a very simple explanation of how a very simple budget can be set up. Once you are able to set up the budget, the hard part is going to be to determine where cuts can be made. For that, I would encourage you to go through the steps above.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9uynrzqftI