Great tips!

Hi Jamie,

I looked up your benny on a budget blog and just wanted to commend you for your family's desire to get out of debt. So many people choose to not take action or even admit to themselves that they can make changes in the way they live, think, and spend money. People assume quick fixes will take care of their problems as opposed to choosing true financial freedom, which involves a lifelong way of thinking and living. You're right, finances are the most difficult, hush, hush topic for people to converse about. This is because it isn't just about money. The way we spend money is more an outward manifestation of our inner values and behavioral patterns. That's why people get so easily defensive at the thought that they might not know how to control their spending/finances.

If you haven't already heard of these, I thought you might enjoy reading these 10 financial principles that are great little maxims for living:

Take care and good luck on reaching your goals!

Jen

Ten Financial Principles Everyone Should Know (...and live by...)

No, I'm not on a soap box. I really just felt like posting this because I love to be reminded of simple maxims for living. With our nation experiencing it's current economical crisis, I thought it'd be nice to post these basic financial principles that I've learned that can easily be forgotten as we live day to day. For those of you who are LDS, I've included scripture references that correlate with each principle. Take some time to ponder the concepts - it'll be fun! :)
Ok, here we go:
1. Financial problems are usually behavior problems rather than money problems. (Matthew 25:14-18)
2. If you continue doing what you have been doing, you will continue getting what you have been getting. (Galatians 6:7)
3. Nothing (No-Thing) is worth risking the relationship for. (1 Timothy 6:7-11)
4. Money spent on things you value usually leads to a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. Money spent on things you don't value usually leads to a feeling of frustration and futility. (Matthew 6:24, 31-33)
5. We know the price of everything and the value of nothing. (Matthew 6:19-21)
6. You can never get enough of what you don't need, because what you don't need can never satisfy you. (2 Nephi 9:51)
7. Financial freedom is more often the result of decreased spending than of increased income. (Proverbs 21:20)
8. Be grateful for what you have. (Ephesians 5:20)
9. The best things in life are free. (1 Corinthians 2:12)
10. The value of an individual should never be equated with his or her net worth. (Matthew 16:26, Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)
It's easy to look at these principles and think "Duh, that's common sense!" But if we look at ourselves and the world around us we'll quickly learn that common sense doesn't always equal common knowledge practiced. Let's all try harder to act more responsibly over all that we've been blessed with.
(10 Principles and correlating scripture references taken from "For Love and Money: How to share the same checkbook and still love each other" by Bernard E. Poduska, c.1995)