Bountiful: The Heart of Money Management

A lot of people attend college or study some other type of post-secondary education. However, the cost of colleges, especially, is almost impossible to pay without help. In this episode, we talk about a few options that are available to cover these costs – scholarships, grants, loans, work-studies, and savings. Then we end with some general tips & guidelines to consider when saving for college.

Episode Resources

• Episode about credit card basics – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bs2e3/
• Episode about whether college is worthwhile – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls3e10/
• https://www.collegedata.com/resources/pay-your-way/whats-the-price-tag-for-a-college-education
• https://www.moneyunder30.com/7-tips-on-saving-for-college-as-a-teen
• https://www.savingforcollege.com
  
  

Packing up belongings and moving them to a new residence seems straightforward, but there’s a lot more to it than having boxes and tape. In this episode, we provide some tips to help with this process, including how to decide what items to keep, how to be efficient in packing, and things to keep in mind when asking for help with moving your stuff.

Episode Resources

• Bountiful episode about the Konmari method: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls7e5/
• Bountiful episode about Swedish death cleaning: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls6e13/
• https://makinglemonadeblog.com/25-clever-moving-hacks-to-make-your-move-easier/
• https://siraustinmovers.com/packing-tips-move/
• https://bysophialee.com/moving-hacks/
• https://www.pods.com/blog/2020/10/packing-moving-tips/
• https://www.moving.com/tips/change-address-checklist-who-to-notify-when-you-move/
• https://www.thebalance.com/moving-tips-for-selling-your-home-1798816
• https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-calculate-the-costs-of-relocation-4174726
• https://www.livingwellspendingless.com/how-to-let-go-of-stuff-guilt/
• https://www.moving.com/tips/12-tips-for-getting-to-know-your-neighbors/
• https://www.moving.com/tips/helping-hands-8-ways-kids-can-help-move/
• https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/things-to-throw-away.html

Bountiful 101 is when we take a subject, like investing, and break it down into its rudimentary parts. Our goal for episodes like this is to combine our Christian attitude with a little bit of knowledge in order that we may glorify God by making wiser decisions with the money & possessions with which we are blessed.

Warren Buffet is quoted as saying, “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” The goal of investing is to help us reap in later years the seeds of money we invest today. In this episode we define some terminology, talk about some types of investments, and provide some advice when it comes to investing.

Episode Resources

• Episode about retirement planning with Dale Hubbert – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls4e8/
• Other Bountiful 101 Episodes:
  • Banking: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls3e8/
  • Credit Scores: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls3e13/
  • Retirement – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls7e2/
  • Buying a Car: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls7e4/
  • Cryptocurrency: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls9e15/
• https://www.wellsfargo.com/goals-investing/saving-vs-investing/
• https://www.investopedia.com/articles/basics/06/invest1000.asp
• https://www.thestreet.com/static/25-rules.html
• https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing
• https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/trading/exit-strategies
• https://www.thebalance.com/where-to-take-profit-when-day-trading-exit-strategy-4117900
• https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/investing-101
• https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-us/learn/investing-basics
• https://www.sofi.com/investing-101-center/
• https://www.fool.com/investing/how-to-invest/stocks/
• https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/infographic-How-time-horizon-affects-risk-and-return.pdf
• https://askanydifference.com/difference-between-investing-and-speculating/

High expectations can push us to greatness. Unfortunately, high expectations have a tendency to mutate into unrealistic expectations, even when it comes to personal finance. In this episode, we discuss some of them, including:

• If I have money, then I’ll be accepted or feel like I belong
• If I give to others, then I will be in need
• Money can solve all my problems
• If I don’t succeed financially, then that must mean the Lord doesn’t care about me

Episode Resources

• https://chiefmomofficer.org/2019/04/26/personal-finance-societys-money-expectations/
• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-giving-is-good-for-your-health/
• https://www.christiantoday.com/article/3-reasons-why-money-wont-solve-all-problems/123022.htm

Bountiful 101 is when we take a subject, like cryptocurrency, and break it down into its basics. Our goal for episodes like this is to combine our Christian attitude with a little bit of knowledge in order that God may bless us to make wise decisions with our money.

There’s been a lot of buzz in the financial world about cryptocurrency. In this episode, Gary & Christy talk about the legitimacy of cryptocurrency, its pros and cons, and then a few considerations when thinking about this topic.

Episode Resources

• https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-cryptocurrency-and-scams
• https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/cryptocurrency-7-things-to-know
• https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/investing/brokers/coinbase
• https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cryptocurrency.asp
• https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/121515/bitcoin-legal-us.asp
• https://bitcoin.org/en/
• https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-cryptocurrency-4778145
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocurrency
• https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/04/investing/cryptocurrency-how-to-invest/index.html
• https://www.pwc.com/us/en/cfodirect/publications/point-of-view/cryptocurrency-bitcoin-accounting.html
• https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/financial-services/fintech/bitcoin-blockchain-cryptocurrency.html
• https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-many-currencies-are-in-the-world.html

Our guest, Julie, is a recruiter based out of SC, and she talks with us about how the job market has been since the COVID-19 pandemic, including how the interview process has changed and whether working from home will become the new normal. We also talk about how a job description may be viewed differently by men than how it’s viewed by women.

Episode Resources

• Julie’s first episode with us: https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls6e10/
• The “dorky YouTube Video” we talked about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQwanxQmFnc
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/prepare-pandemic-job-interview-questions-andrew-seaman/
• https://hbr.org/2014/08/why-women-dont-apply-for-jobs-unless-theyre-100-qualified
• https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/diversity/2019/how-women-find-jobs-gender-report
• https://www.glassdoor.com/employers/blog/10-ways-remove-gender-bias-job-listings/

We’re talking about financial tendencies in this episode. How can we make sure we’re consistently doing the right things and have healthy spending habits? First, look backward, asking yourself “why” or “when” rather than just “how much”. Second, look inward; do our emotional roller coasters lead to financial roller coasters? Third, look upward to make sure our giving is right with the Lord. Fourth, look forward, making sure our financial decisions are anchored in Biblical principles.

The author of “Beyond the Tithe”, Westley Hazel, talks with us about stewardship & giving that pleases the Lord. As we go through some of the topics from his book, we discuss the word “tithe”, greedy stewardship, and potential obstacles our possessions could have in our spiritual walk. Westley says, “We need to spend special time thinking about why God has given us so much. If we don’t wrestle with that, it may be the tool Satan uses to destroy us.” If you have questions about the book or about seminars Westley hosts, he can be reached via email: [email protected].

Episode Resources

• Link to purchase the book “Beyond the Tithe” – https://www.focuspress.org/product/beyond-the-tithe/

If you work inside the home, for yourself, or for an employer, have you asked yourself what role work plays in your life? In this episode, we talk about how work may play a negative role, like scapegoat or the object of our affection. Then we talk about healthier roles work should play in our lives. Take a listen to find out more.

Episode Resources

• https://jstanier.medium.com/your-career-is-your-responsibility-391cafd0e1af
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/your-identity-wrapped-up-job-kelley-wacher/

Have you wanted to get a present for someone, but you weren’t sure about what  to get that person? In this episode, we consult with Katie Pruett, gift purchasing extraordinaire, who talks about 9 guidelines to follow in order to pick the perfect gift. Katie shares, “I enjoy the gift-giving process so much because I think it’s a special way in which to tell somebody ‘I love you’.”

Here are those principles we discuss in this episode:

1- Pay Attention.

2- Listen, listen, listen.

3- Think about that person’s past

4- Think about that person’s interests

5- Remember, it’s about them and what they like

6- Think about shared experiences

7- Give an experience instead of a tangible present

8- It’s the thought that counts

9- Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean it’s the right gift

Episode Resources

• Katie shares her personal finance journal with us in this episode – https://thelightnetwork.tv/bountifuls3e7/
• https://www.theunconventionalroute.com/how-to-pick-gifts/
• https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/gift-buying-tips/