Daydreaming can be lots of fun. Thinking about what-ifs and if-onlys.But when wishful thinking replaces wise money management, those daydreams could cause a lot of nightmares down the road. The truth is, all the happy thoughts in the world won’t help you pay the bills. Today on MoneyWise Rob West and Steve Moore reveal three delusions about money so you can avoid them. Next, they answer your questions at (800) 525-7000 and [email protected] about the following:

-My insurance will expire at the end of this month. Should I go on COBRA? Or should we look into a Christian health share plan?

-My husband and I are in conflict a lot when it comes to money. I’m a spender and he’s a saver.

-My husband and I have 6 children and we’re struggling financially. Can you give me some advice on how to get on a firm financial footing?

Be sure to check out our new website at moneywise.org to connect with a MoneyWise Coach or access our books, videos, or any of our free helpful resources.You can also find us on Facebook. Thanks for your prayerful and financial support that helps keep MoneyWise on the air.And if you'd like to help, just go to the website and click the Donate tab at the top of the page.

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

Daydreaming can be lots of fun. Thinking about what-ifs and if-onlys.But when wishful thinking replaces wise money management, those daydreams could cause a lot of nightmares down the road. The truth is, all the happy thoughts in the world won’t help you pay the bills. Today on MoneyWise Rob West and Steve Moore reveal three delusions about money so you can avoid them. Next, they answer your questions at (800) 525-7000 and [email protected] about the following:

-My insurance will expire at the end of this month. Should I go on COBRA? Or should we look into a Christian health share plan?

-My husband and I are in conflict a lot when it comes to money. I’m a spender and he’s a saver.

-My husband and I have 6 children and we’re struggling financially. Can you give me some advice on how to get on a firm financial footing?

Be sure to check out our new website at moneywise.org to connect with a MoneyWise Coach or access our books, videos, or any of our free helpful resources.You can also find us on Facebook. Thanks for your prayerful and financial support that helps keep MoneyWise on the air.And if you'd like to help, just go to the website and click the Donate tab at the top of the page.

The 18thcentury Irish statesman Edmund Burke once said, If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free. If our wealth commands us we are poor indeed. We often think that if we had a bit more money, our problems would be solved. The trouble is, that’s rarely how things work out. Today, host Rob West and Steve Moore talk about the ways money can affect our happiness.

1 Timothy 6:10 reads, For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Expecting that more money will always make your life better is a recipe for disappointment.

You often hear the phrase money can’t buy us happiness but then everything around us tries to convince us that it can.

More money can actually lead to less joy in your life. The greater your wealth, the greater a burden it puts on your life.

John D. Rockefeller, who earned about $420 billion through the Standard Oil Company, said plainly, I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.

In Ecclesiastes 5:10, Solomon writes, He who loves money will not be satisfied with money nor he who loves wealth with his income this also is vanity.

Ron Blue put it like this, It doesn’t matter whether you make $20,000 or $200,000 per year. You will always have choices to make. More money simply means more choices. And more choices mean more complexity, more confusion, and more time spent mulling over options. Taken together, all of these things add up to less freedom.

The more you have in your home or investment accounts, the more you have to lose.

The only way to get rid of your financial fears is to acknowledge that it’s not your money. You are merely a steward of the resources God entrusts to you.

Here are a couple of questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

Do you know of any faith-based ETFs or mutual funds available? (Rob mentions FaithDrivenInvestor.org)

I have a $60,000 inheritance from my grandfather. Do you think it would be best to keep it in the bank or to invest it somewhere?

Read more inWealth Paradox: Money and Happiness.

Ask your questions at (800) 525-7000 or email them [email protected]. Visit our website atMoneyWise.orgwhere you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources like the MoneyWise app.

Like and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab at the top of the page.

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

The 18thcentury Irish statesman Edmund Burke once said, If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free. If our wealth commands us we are poor indeed. We often think that if we had a bit more money, our problems would be solved. The trouble is, that’s rarely how things work out. Today, host Rob West and Steve Moore talk about the ways money can affect our happiness.

1 Timothy 6:10 reads, For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Expecting that more money will always make your life better is a recipe for disappointment.

You often hear the phrase money can’t buy us happiness but then everything around us tries to convince us that it can.

More money can actually lead to less joy in your life. The greater your wealth, the greater a burden it puts on your life.

John D. Rockefeller, who earned about $420 billion through the Standard Oil Company, said plainly, I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.

In Ecclesiastes 5:10, Solomon writes, He who loves money will not be satisfied with money nor he who loves wealth with his income this also is vanity.

Ron Blue put it like this, It doesn’t matter whether you make $20,000 or $200,000 per year. You will always have choices to make. More money simply means more choices. And more choices mean more complexity, more confusion, and more time spent mulling over options. Taken together, all of these things add up to less freedom.

The more you have in your home or investment accounts, the more you have to lose.

The only way to get rid of your financial fears is to acknowledge that it’s not your money. You are merely a steward of the resources God entrusts to you.

Here are a couple of questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

Do you know of any faith-based ETFs or mutual funds available? (Rob mentions FaithDrivenInvestor.org)

I have a $60,000 inheritance from my grandfather. Do you think it would be best to keep it in the bank or to invest it somewhere?

Read more inWealth Paradox: Money and Happiness.

Ask your questions at (800) 525-7000 or email them [email protected]. Visit our website atMoneyWise.orgwhere you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources like the MoneyWise app.

Like and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab at the top of the page.

Congratulations! You made it to 2021! Last year was tough for many people and we all could use a fresh start. How about a New Year’s resolution to pay down debt?Think of it as a Christmas present you’ll giveyourself next December, paying off a credit card or maybe a car loan. Kingdom Advisors President Rob West has some great advice to get started. Then it’s your calls at 800-525-7000.

A lot of people generally wait until a new year to make resolutions. In the West it could have roots in Watchnight services held at the end of the year by some Christian denominations. These allow believers to reflect on the past year and perhaps resolve to do better in the one ahead. There’s also data to show that you’re more likely to keep your resolutions if you make them at New Year’s, as opposed to other times.

Three out of 10 people make resolutions each New Year, but by March, only 28-percent of them are still following them strictly. Long term, only about 10 percent of people keep their resolutions.

But you might increase your odds of being in that group by keeping your resolution SMART or S.M.A.R.T. That’s short for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

For many people the thought of getting out of debt is overwhelming, so they don’t try, or they give up too easily. But don’t think of it that way. Think about debt a little at a time. And we’re just talking about consumer debt now, not your mortgage, that’s a subject for another day. So, if you can’t envision being out of consumer debt by the end of the year, just think about making some amount of progress instead.

The first thing you need to do is write down all of your debts and their amounts. Gather up all your credit card statements, auto loans, and outstanding bills. Then total it up.

Now, after you’ve got your debt totaled up, make a plan to pay it off. Start by figuring out where you can trim spending from your budget to create margin, that’s money left over after all necessary spending.

Now you know how much money you have to attack your debt each month. While still paying the minimum due on each debt, take that surplus money and put it toward the smallest debt each month. When that’s paid off, takeall the surplus money and start paying off the next smallest debt, and so on. This is the snowball strategy. It starts out slow, but picks up speed. As each debt is paid off, you have more and more money to apply to the remaining debt. It snowballs.

Here are a couple of questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

My husband and I are very different with spending and saving. One of us spends a lot and we aren’t able to save as well as we could. Advice?

What do you know about index universal life?

Should we refinance our home? Should we consolidate all of our debt into our home?

Ask your questions at (800) 525-7000 or email them [email protected]. Visit our website atMoneyWise.orgwhere you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources like the MoneyWise app.

Like and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab at the top of the page.

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

Congratulations! You made it to 2021! Last year was tough for many people and we all could use a fresh start. How about a New Year’s resolution to pay down debt?Think of it as a Christmas present you’ll giveyourself next December, paying off a credit card or maybe a car loan. Kingdom Advisors President Rob West has some great advice to get started. Then it’s your calls at 800-525-7000.

A lot of people generally wait until a new year to make resolutions. In the West it could have roots in Watchnight services held at the end of the year by some Christian denominations. These allow believers to reflect on the past year and perhaps resolve to do better in the one ahead. There’s also data to show that you’re more likely to keep your resolutions if you make them at New Year’s, as opposed to other times.

Three out of 10 people make resolutions each New Year, but by March, only 28-percent of them are still following them strictly. Long term, only about 10 percent of people keep their resolutions.

But you might increase your odds of being in that group by keeping your resolution SMART or S.M.A.R.T. That’s short for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

For many people the thought of getting out of debt is overwhelming, so they don’t try, or they give up too easily. But don’t think of it that way. Think about debt a little at a time. And we’re just talking about consumer debt now, not your mortgage, that’s a subject for another day. So, if you can’t envision being out of consumer debt by the end of the year, just think about making some amount of progress instead.

The first thing you need to do is write down all of your debts and their amounts. Gather up all your credit card statements, auto loans, and outstanding bills. Then total it up.

Now, after you’ve got your debt totaled up, make a plan to pay it off. Start by figuring out where you can trim spending from your budget to create margin, that’s money left over after all necessary spending.

Now you know how much money you have to attack your debt each month. While still paying the minimum due on each debt, take that surplus money and put it toward the smallest debt each month. When that’s paid off, takeall the surplus money and start paying off the next smallest debt, and so on. This is the snowball strategy. It starts out slow, but picks up speed. As each debt is paid off, you have more and more money to apply to the remaining debt. It snowballs.

Here are a couple of questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

My husband and I are very different with spending and saving. One of us spends a lot and we aren’t able to save as well as we could. Advice?

What do you know about index universal life?

Should we refinance our home? Should we consolidate all of our debt into our home?

Ask your questions at (800) 525-7000 or email them [email protected]. Visit our website atMoneyWise.orgwhere you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources like the MoneyWise app.

Like and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab at the top of the page.

As we head into winter in the midst of a pandemic, many people are wondering, How can I lower my heating bill? Keeping the furnace going over the long winter months can be challenging. Today, host Rob West and Steve Moore talk about ways to save on heating and more.

With many families and individuals staying home, heating costs are going up. They no longer have the option to turn the heat off while they’re out of the house.

TheMayday Budgetcan help you prioritize your spending with limited income.

If you can’t pay your heating bill, call your utility provider and let them know your situation. They may be able to come up with a plan to allow you to keep having heat.

Be organized and be prepared to tell your utility provider about your current financial situation. Have your utility bill handy to discuss.

To see if you qualify for energy assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program, start by visiting the National Energy Assistance Referralwebsite.

Here are a couple of questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

I have access to a matched 401(k) at my work. Would that be something I should invest in?

I’m 11 years old and I have about $300 in savings. What would you recommend I do with my savings?

Ask your questions at (800) 525-7000 or email them [email protected]. Visit our website atMoneyWise.orgwhere you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources like the MoneyWise app.

Like and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab at the top of the page.

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

As we head into winter in the midst of a pandemic, many people are wondering, How can I lower my heating bill? Keeping the furnace going over the long winter months can be challenging. Today, host Rob West and Steve Moore talk about ways to save on heating and more.

With many families and individuals staying home, heating costs are going up. They no longer have the option to turn the heat off while they’re out of the house.

TheMayday Budgetcan help you prioritize your spending with limited income.

If you can’t pay your heating bill, call your utility provider and let them know your situation. They may be able to come up with a plan to allow you to keep having heat.

Be organized and be prepared to tell your utility provider about your current financial situation. Have your utility bill handy to discuss.

To see if you qualify for energy assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program, start by visiting the National Energy Assistance Referralwebsite.

Here are a couple of questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

I have access to a matched 401(k) at my work. Would that be something I should invest in?

I’m 11 years old and I have about $300 in savings. What would you recommend I do with my savings?

Ask your questions at (800) 525-7000 or email them [email protected]. Visit our website atMoneyWise.orgwhere you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources like the MoneyWise app.

Like and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab at the top of the page.

Happy New Year! It’s the first day of 2020 and we’ll begin with a question. What’s the one thing most New Year’s resolutions have in common? It’s that most of them don’t make it to Groundhog Day! But this doesn’t stop most of us from making them every time. We hope that each year will be different. Today on MoneyWise, financial planner and teacher Rob West has some ways to help us achieve these personal goals.

Christian New Year’s resolutions should focus on God and fulfillingHiswill, not our own.

Christians should ask for guidance on what resolutionsGod would want us to make. James 1:5 says,If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.Resolve to pray daily for wisdom and strength to keep any resolutions.

Resolve not to take the credit for any fulfilled resolutions. Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.Keep in mind that it’s God empowering you to achieve success with your resolutions.

The failure rate is high for resolutions because even though many of them sound simple they require fundamental changes in lifestyle. Although the majority of us still make New Year’s resolutions, less than 10% achieve those goals.

A survey of 2,000 people showed that going on a diet is number one at 71% followed by exercising at 65%. Saving more or spending less money came in 4th at 32%. After that came learning a new skill, quitting smoking, finding another job, and spending more time with family and friends.

In today’s show we also answer your questions:

We’ve never used credit cards or had any debt. But can’t it be wise to sometimes use credit?

How can we get released from a timeshare? Visittimeshareexitteam.comfor more information.

My daughter has money to invest and wants it placed where she’ll receive the highest interest. However, she needs the money in less than 5 years. What’s the best option? Competitive interest rate information can be found atallybank.com,capitalone.com, ormarcus.com.

Should I refinance or consolidate student loans to lower my monthly payments?

To ask your questions, call (800) 525-7000 or email them [email protected]. Also, visit our website,moneywise.org,where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources.

Like and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!And remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. You can help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab at the top of the page.

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

Happy New Year! It’s the first day of 2020 and we’ll begin with a question. What’s the one thing most New Year’s resolutions have in common? It’s that most of them don’t make it to Groundhog Day! But this doesn’t stop most of us from making them every time. We hope that each year will be different. Today on MoneyWise, financial planner and teacher Rob West has some ways to help us achieve these personal goals.

Christian New Year’s resolutions should focus on God and fulfillingHiswill, not our own.

Christians should ask for guidance on what resolutionsGod would want us to make. James 1:5 says,If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.Resolve to pray daily for wisdom and strength to keep any resolutions.

Resolve not to take the credit for any fulfilled resolutions. Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.Keep in mind that it’s God empowering you to achieve success with your resolutions.

The failure rate is high for resolutions because even though many of them sound simple they require fundamental changes in lifestyle. Although the majority of us still make New Year’s resolutions, less than 10% achieve those goals.

A survey of 2,000 people showed that going on a diet is number one at 71% followed by exercising at 65%. Saving more or spending less money came in 4th at 32%. After that came learning a new skill, quitting smoking, finding another job, and spending more time with family and friends.

In today’s show we also answer your questions:

We’ve never used credit cards or had any debt. But can’t it be wise to sometimes use credit?

How can we get released from a timeshare? Visittimeshareexitteam.comfor more information.

My daughter has money to invest and wants it placed where she’ll receive the highest interest. However, she needs the money in less than 5 years. What’s the best option? Competitive interest rate information can be found atallybank.com,capitalone.com, ormarcus.com.

Should I refinance or consolidate student loans to lower my monthly payments?

To ask your questions, call (800) 525-7000 or email them [email protected]. Also, visit our website,moneywise.org,where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources.

Like and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!And remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. You can help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab at the top of the page.