Phoenix Personal Bookkeeping: Tailor-Made Budgets AZ

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Enjoy!
Ericka Young

The Debt Diet: Online Poll
Many of you responded to the online poll about the American Debt Diet launched by Oprah Winfrey. I asked you to identify which family with whom you most identify. I am happy to report that nearly 50% of the respondents said they were not in debt. That is extraordinary and your deserve praise for your commitment and determination to do something different from the rest of society! I must also clarify that in terms of debt I am speaking of anything outside of a home mortgage. All of it is still debt; we just like to put the words “good” or “bad” in front of it to make ourselves feel better. I will admit though, unsecured debt (credit cards) are what keep holding many people back from financial freedom more so than any other form of debt.

Thirty-three percent of the respondents identified most with the Eggleston’s (encountered major transitions with no financial plan). In this day and age, I am not surprised by that. The job market is much more unpredictable than it was 10, 20, or 30 years ago therefore we must now think outside the box when it comes to careers, businesses, etc. If this is who you identified with, take action now! Decide to do something different and create positive financial change. Start with financial goal setting and devise a budget that you can stick to and make your dreams come alive!

April 2006

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“Small things are small things but faithfulness with a small thing is a big thing.”
- Hudson Taylor

In the News
Tailor-Made Budgets is featured in this week’s Arizona Informant. Go to www.azinformant.com to find a location near you!

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Let’s Talk Money Honey
If you have watched any of the Debt Diet shows on Oprah recently you will see that much of the financial conflict had affected the marriage relationships. In each family, it was difficult to talk about the finances and that lack of appropriate communication created stress in the marriage. This is not uncommon. Resolving financial issues and working together in this area creates a cohesiveness that draws a couple to each other. There is harmony in oneness and if you are not applying oneness to your money that harmony can lag.

According to a survey conducted by credit scoring company Fair Isaac, financial responsibility beats out sex in sustaining a marriage relationship. As a matter of fact, respondents to this survey said financial responsibility (22%) was twice as important as sexual compatibility (10%)! Maybe this information is just what you need to get your spouse on board with the household budget. Take the pen, paper, and calculator to the bedroom and see if these areas two jump up on your list of important things in a satisfying marriage!

In this same survey, respondents said problems with in-laws or relatives created just as much stress as problems with bills! I think that is amazing considering how people talk about their in-laws! Decide today that you will form a team with your spouse in the area of finances. After all, you have to live with them forever! Sit down and talk money immediately. Discuss how certain behaviors make you feel and listen attentively to your spouse. You may not work everything out in one session, but keep the dialogue open and improvements will come. At the very least, decide on one thing you will agree to work on where your finances are concerned. Give it time and see what your teamwork will do in that area. If you are about to get married, the best advice I can give you is to pull your credit reports and swap them with your finance’ now. This reality check will bring up important conversations before you say “I do.”

Selah (Pause and think about this…)
Look at your marriage as a dynamic team embarking on a journey in life that no one else can take. It was designed specifically for just the two of you. That trip can be difficult if your plans are not agreed upon and written in advance.

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
- Amos 3:3

“…Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
- Habbakuk 2:2, 3