Manage Your Money God's Way

Lots of people are preparing for beach vacations. The furnace is turned off and the air conditioner is on. NOW is a great time to consider … Christmas!  Don’t let Christmas catch you financially unprepared. We encourage you to avoid going into debt this Christmas and now is the right time to start planning so you can achieve that goal. The  Compass blog  has more on staying out of debt for Christmas.

A large part of mastering your money is based on giving it place in your life it deserves, and it’s not first place. Everything in our culture influences us to think that more is better, especially when it comes to money. Yes, more money may ease the financial pressure for a while, but it will never provide lasting happiness.  Master your money by learning to be a good steward of God’s many blessings, including the way you give, save and spend.   Read the  Compass blog  to learn more about how to master your money.

Scientific evidence suggests that being content may have major benefits for your health. For starters, it helps combat stress, boosts your immune system, protects your heart and reduces pain.  What's more, it may even increase your life expectancy. What does it mean to be a contented person? Happiness is a temporary "high,"whereas contentment is a longer lasting, deeper feeling of satisfaction and gratitude for everything in your life. Read the  Compass blog  for more on learning to be content.

Marriage is a joint venture in all areas, even when it comes to money. When you get married, you don’t vow to share all financial aspects of your life with your spouse—but maybe you should.  Nothing will ruin a marriage faster than hiding financial details from each other. Our podcast suggests ways to break down those financial walls that are separating you from each other. Also check out our blog  for more ways to share your finances with your spouse.

John Kennedy, CFP Ò and fiduciary, offers advice on saving for retirement.  Check out this link and look at page 13 for the intersection of your age and salary. Multiply your salary by the number in the intersection to see how much you should have saved for retirement at your current age. John also comments on his personal experience with the  Compass Catholic Navigating Your Finances God’s Way and  Set Your House in Order Bible studies. Not only did it help him in his financial planner role, it also helped him and his wife communicate about their personal finances. Read the Compass Catholic Blog  for more benefits of using a financial planner.