March 25, 2020
Money can destroy a marriage.
All the assumptions and experiences of the way your family used and managed money come into your marriage. Each spouse was raised in a different environment, so no two people come into a marriage thinking exactly the same way as their spouse on any issue, most especially money. And that difference can mean disaster.
Learn how to tackle those important money decisions as a team in this podcast and the Compass Catholic blog
March 18, 2020
The world seems a little upside down right now with a lot of uncertainty about the spread of the COVID-19 virus, consumer mayhem in stores, events being cancelled and the ensuring financial panic.
We may be on edge because of uncertainty or we may be in panic mode because everyone around us in is panic mode and the media is doing a great job of spreading the fears.
None of us knows the future. All we have is today. If you are feeling overwhelmed by everything around you, meditate on these verses:
Isaiah 41: 10 “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
Psalm 46:2 “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.”
The Compass Catholic blog has more on staying calm while the winds of fortune swirl around us. It also has links to several charts showing the ups and downs of the financial market.
March 12, 2020
“Thus says the LORD, ‘Set your house in order, for you are about to die’” (2 Kings 20:1). Not a very pleasant thought is it?
Even if you live, your family may need to deal with your affairs in case of an accident or illness. Being prepared is the best gift you can give them. If you don’t do it, the government will make those decisions for you.
Our guest on this podcast is Vanessa J. Skinner, an estate attorney at Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, P.A., who will share thoughts on what to consider in estate planning, which is NOT just for those who are rich.
The Compass blog has more on what to consider in your estate plan. The Compass Catholic Set Your House in Order Bible study provides forms and discussion points for you to consider when making these important decisions.
March 4, 2020
Sunday has turned into just another day of the week, instead of being that one day dedicated to the Lord when we relax, recharge and spend special time with family and friends.
If the pressure to work on Sunday is limiting the time you have for the important people in your life, it’s time to make some changes.
The Compass blog has changes to consider if you are challenged by feeling like you have to work seven days a week.
February 19, 2020
Filing your tax return is a once-a-year event but paying attention to your taxes all year could easily save you thousands of dollars.
The goal is to be tax neutral–not paying too much or too little. The Compass blog has more on what to consider in adjusting your W-4 so you can come out as close as possible to that net zero goal.
Our guest on this podcast is Matt Marcoux, CFP and co-founder of CandorPath Financial.
February 19, 2020
The WealthSimple.com website features interesting people telling their financial life stories in their own words.
While many of the stories are uplifting as people have gotten their finances straightened out, many of the stories are so sad as the people have gotten themselves in to terrible financial situations.
This is the story of one couple who did just about everything wrong in their finances. AND they continue to make the same mistakes.
Here’s their story and suggestions about how we at Compass Catholic can help people recover from these same mistakes.
February 12, 2020
Money can ruin a marriage or make it stronger. Couples who are opposites when it comes to money can be in never ending conflict unless they find a way to work together.
Surveys show that couples who talk about money, share financial goals and make joint financial decisions report happier marriages than those who don’t.
The Compass Catholic podcast and blog this week are about why it is so important for couples to work together to manage money in their marriage.
February 5, 2020
No matter how careful you are when buying goods or services, you may run into problems and when that happens, here are tips on how to get your complaint heard and resolved:
- Be very clear about the problem
- Define the resolution you expect
- Mention the company’s reputation
- Follow the complaint process if there is one
- Complain using e-mail, or in person, rather than phoning
- Keep track of the details
- Use social media
- If you don’t get the response you want, say so
- Take it to the next level
The Compass Catholic blog has more details about how to complain and get the resolution you want.
January 29, 2020
The failure rate for keeping new year resolutions is 80%. What seems like a good idea at the time can turn into drudgery if you don’t have a solid plan in place for how to actually keep the resolutions you make—whether you make them at the beginning of the year or the middle of July.
Here are 7 Steps to help you keep those resolutions:
- Make one or two resolutions, not more
- Define the reason you want to make the change
- Make sure your resolution is achievable
- Make your resolution part of a long term goal
- Make the resolution very specific
- Automate as much as you can
- Check you progress regularly
The Compass Catholic blog has more details about the above suggestions for actually making the change you want in your life.
January 23, 2020
Are you confused by trying to figure out whether it’s better to pay off debt or invest? The answer is to do both in an organized approach. Just like losing weight includes both diet and exercise, a solid financial plan includes both paying off debt and investing for the future.
Before you start investing aggressively, there are some basic financial principles to put into place, such as tackling credit card debt, having an emergency fund and setting up a spending plan.
Listen in or click on our blog link for suggestions on getting your debt paid off so you can invest and meet your long term goals.
January 16, 2020
Is your financial vision 2020? You’ll never know unless you do the financial version of an eye test by performing a financial health checkup. Figure out your current financial situation and define what’s going to change or remain the same in 2020. Match that against your short, mid and long term goals to see what you need to modify to improve your financial vision.
The Compass Money Map is a great place to start and the Compass blog has more about a financial health checkup.
January 8, 2020
Join us for a discussion with one of our favorite financial planners, John Kennedy of Candor Path Financial Services. John will share ideas with us about how to get your finances in shape for 2020.
The Compass Catholic blog has more ideas for you to consider.
January 1, 2020
We all have a tendency to think that SOMEDAY we will be happy, content and financially stable. But if we don’t start today, we’ll never get there.
Join us for 10 easy steps you can take today to improve your monthly finances: track your spending; review monthly payments; determine if you still need to pay PMI on your mortgage; earn more; review insurance; discern wants vs needs; question every purchase; set spending priorities; stop shopping as entertainment; quit comparing yourself with others.
Listen in and check out the Compass Catholic blog to learn more about ways to start improving your monthly budget today.
December 26, 2019
Saving money means paying attention to both large and small opportunities. Large opportunities to save may be a bonus, refund, raise or inheritance. Small opportunities to save means paying attention to the many ways you may be wasting money on the everyday items you purchase.
The Compass Catholic blog has more on money saving ideas.
December 18, 2019
Financial advice comes in so many shapes and sizes that it can be overwhelming. The simplest way to get control of your finances is to spend less than you make. It’s that simple!
Consistently spending less than you earn will ensure your financial success a lot faster than any other financial advice you can get.
The Compass Catholic blog has more ideas about keeping it simple!
December 11, 2019
Join us for a discussion with one of our favorite financial planners, John Kennedy of Candor Path Financial Services. John will share ideas with us about how to get your finances in shape for 2020.
The Compass Catholic blog has more ideas for you to consider.
December 4, 2019
Financial planning can be difficult if you don’t have the knowledge and skill set to do it well. Making informed objective decisions is hard to do when you are emotionally involved with the outcome.
Join us for a discussion about why using a financial planner will benefit you in the long term and how to find a financial planner who is a good fit for you.
The Compass Catholic Blog has more on this topic.
November 27, 2019
Do you 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.
November 20, 2019
The advertising industry was created to make you discontent so you will want to buy whatever they are selling. Ads encourage you to focus so hard on what you want and what you DON’T have, that you often fail to appreciate what you DO have.
Develop an attitude of gratitude by learning the virtue of contentment. It all starts with recognizing the blessings we already have and being thankful for them. Join us as we share ideas for appreciating what we have and learning to be content.
The Compass Catholic blog has more ideas about ways to be content and grateful for the blessings God has given you.
November 13, 2019
Do you know where your parents keep all the information you would need in case of an emergency? Here are 10 questions to ask your parents just in case you (or other family members) ever need it:
- Where do you keep your important information, in case I need to find it in an emergency?
- Where can I find a list of your key contacts?
- How are your accounts registered?
- Do you have an up to date will?
- Have you Designated a Power of Attorney?
- Do you have a Health Care Proxy?
- Do you have a living will or an advance health care directive?
- How can I access your electronic assets in an emergency?
- How do you want to disposition your personal Items?
- Have you documented your final wishes?
The Compass Catholic blog has more details about what to ask and why it’s so important to know where this information is kept.
