October 16, 2019
We are in the middle of an economic expansion and the unemployment rate is at a 50 year low. But change is inevitable and at some point there will be a recession. Are you prepared to weather an upcoming economic storm?
A recession may be months or even years away so the best time to prepare is now. Join us for some ideas about how to get ready.
The Compass Catholic blog has more about preparing for the next recession.
October 9, 2019
It is so easy to separate our faith from our finances and think of them as two entirely separate unrelated things. But often times when we get into debt there is a spiritual void we are trying to fill by buying things we can’t afford.
Financial challenges can be a hidden monster in many families and marriages. By shining the light of faith into that dark corner, we can tackle and tame the debt monster and learn that every area of our life, including how we handle money, has a spiritual impact.
The Compass Catholic blog has more about the spiritual impact of debt.
September 25, 2019
Have you ever gotten a phone call from your own phone number? There are any number of ways people hide their true identity in an effort to scam you. They may want your money or your personal information but they are persistent in trying to get you to give them what they want.
We have suggestions for how to avoid being scammed by being smart about who you talk to, what information you share, and how you can protect the information the scammers want the most.
The Compass Catholic blog has additional ideas about avoiding scam
September 18, 2019
Christmas can be a time of discontent as we try to keep up with what everyone around us is doing or expects us to do. If Christmas exhausts you financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually, learn the virtue of contentment from Philippians 4:11-13.
If spending less, buying fewer gifts and cutting back on activities will help you be content instead of exhausted at Christmas – go for it! Christmas only comes once a year, so do more of what makes you and the rest of your immediate family happy and less of what causes stress and discontent.
Check out the Compass Catholic blog for more on being content at Christmas.
September 11, 2019
We met a mom a few weeks ago who was telling us that her son and daughter started a dog walking business when they were young. Mom and dad taught the kids how to manage money wisely, and how to save. As the kids got older they took on more responsibility for their personal finances.
Their son is now graduating from college with no student debt. His entire college experience was funded by scholarships and money he saved. Even more amazing is that he has $100K in the bank as he graduates! What a wonderful way to get a head start in life.
This week the Compass Catholic podcast has ideas about how to train your kids to be financially responsible. If you don’t teach them when they are young, they will never learn as adults. Check out our blog for more on helping your children be financially responsible.
September 4, 2019
Recently, we were talking to the president of a Catholic Credit Union who mentioned the term “Financial Clutter” as all those things that get people off track with their finances.
Maybe it’s doing something you should NOT be doing or maybe it’s NOT doing something you should be doing. Financial clutter is whatever gets us off track from being a good steward of God’s blessings. Join us for a lively discussion on financial clutter.
The Compass Catholic blog has more on how to find and eliminate the financial clutter in your life.
August 21, 2019
Sooner or later almost everyone faces a financial crisis. A job loss, illness, birth of a special needs child, or damage from a hurricane or winter storm can all wreak havoc on your financial stability. Plan for the unplanned by having a crisis budget. A crisis budget will help you survive economic setbacks with minimum impact to your financial stability.
This podcast shares how to create a crisis budget and when to put it into action, and be sure to check out the Compass Catholic blog on crisis budgets.
August 14, 2019
College graduation is one of those milestones in life that need to be celebrated. And after the celebration it’s time to face a lot of planning and decisions about your future, including strategies for how to handle money, pay off the student loans, and become a financially responsible adult.
Join us for ideas and suggestions about how to get organized for your financial future.
The Compass Catholic blog has more on how to get a handle on your finances.
August 7, 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 everyday items you purchase. Join us as we discuss some small ways to save those pennies.
The Compass Catholic blog has more on money saving ideas.
July 31, 2019
When you think about giving, are you focused on the minimum or the maximum? It is easy to think giving is based on some exact number that will satisfy our obligation, yet true generosity comes joyfully out of a heart filled with love.
By developing a giving plan, you can reconcile the natural tension between meeting a minimum obligation and the response to a generous God who has given us everything.
The Compass Catholic blog has more on developing a giving plan.
July 24, 2019
Seniors in high school or college or recent graduates or are on the cusp of making financial decisions that may have a life-long impact. Help them become wise money managers and good stewards by being sure they have learned the important financial lessons. None of these lessons are complicated but they are all necessary to avoid future financial disasters.
The Compass Catholic blog has more on this topic.
July 10, 2019
Paying off debt is a lot like losing weight. There are fad diets that may help you lose weight quickly, but some on those diets may not be very healthy. It takes a lifestyle and mindset change along with discipline to keep the weight off.
In the same way, paying off debt takes a lifestyle and mindset change along with discipline in order to manage your spending and concentrate on paying off debt. But some of the ways to pay off debt may not be financially healthy.
Join us here and on our blog for things to think about when planning a debt pay off plan.
July 3, 2019
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 our blog to learn more about ways to start improving your monthly budget today.
June 26, 2019
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.
June 5, 2019
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.
