Most people like surprisesthe good kind at least: the unexpected birthday party or bumping into an old friend you haven’t seen in awhile. But few of us like surprises with our retirement savings. We like to think we’re on track to retire someday and that we’ll be able to support ourselves when we can no longer work. Today, financial planner and teacher Rob West has some reasons that may not be the case.

I guess we’re in bubbleburstingmode today, telling folks that their retirement assets may not be all they’re cracked up to be!

The first surprise is good news and bad. You’ll probably live longer than you think. That’s the good part. The bad news is that it’ll put more strain on your retirement savings. Why is that a surprise? Because we think average life expectancy is around 79. But that’s the average for all age groups combined and it’s misleading. You have to look at the life expectancy for those who make it to age 65. Half of womenreaching that age have a 50% chance of living to nearly 87 and half of men reaching 65 will make it to age 84. That means younger workers should plan for 20 years or more of income in retirement and that folks currently retiredwho have all of their assets in bondsshould probably move some of it into the market or risk running out of retirement savings someday.

The next surprise shouldn’t surprise anyone but it does. For the vast majority of people, Social Security alone will not provide enough income in retirement. Financial advisors recommend having a retirement income of around 80% of your working income. Social Security won’t come close to that and it was never intended to. At most, you can look to Social Security for around 40% of the income you’ll need in retirement. The solution, again, is to increase your retirement holdings. The sooner you do it, the easier it is because of compound earnings.

Most Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that the median retirement savings for Americans age 55 to 64 is only $107,000. That might seem like a nice nest egg, but here’s the reality: expecting a 4% annual return on that money amounts to just $350 a month. That’s not much of a supplement to Social Security and that was the median savings, meaning half of Americans have less than that.

The fourth surprise is that a surprising number of Americans haven’t figured out that pensions are a thing of the past. Today, most workers don’t have that benefit. For those that do, the median annual payout is just over $9,000 a year. Today, most workers absolutely must have a defined contribution plan like a 401(k) or IRA. But according to a report by Vanguard, a third of American workers have no workplace retirement plan. The solution is obvious: if you’re not saving in a qualified retirement plan, open one and start today.

Here’s another surprise. Since people are caught off guard by surprises 1 through 4, many are staying in the workforce well after they reach Social Security eligibility. Bloomberg reports that nearly 20% of people 65 and older are still working full or part time. That may be good news because it seems like the percentage would be higher. But the the bad news is that 1 out of 5 workers of all ages say they’ll never be able to quit working.

The final retirement surprise has to do with Medicare. A lot of folks think that once they reach age 65, Medicare will cover all of their needs. It won’t. One prime example is that it doesn’t cover most assisted living expenses. And studies show that around 70% of those reaching that age will need long term care which could run about $4,000 a month. Medicare covers only the first 100 days of care at a skilled nursing facility and only then if it results from a hospital stay of three days or more. The solution is long term care insurance which can be expensive. The best time to buy it is in your mid 50’s with the longest term offered.

Here are some questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

I’m having difficulty understanding my credit report related to collections.

Can you help me to better understand annuities?

I find it difficult receiving gifts. What encouragement can you give me?

In light of the COVID-spooked markets, I was thinking about withdrawing some money out of my 401(k). Is this OK?

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 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

Most people like surprisesthe good kind at least: the unexpected birthday party or bumping into an old friend you havent seen in awhile. But few of us like surprises with our retirement savings. We like to think were on track to retire someday and that well be able to support ourselves when we can no longer work. Today, financial planner and teacher Rob West has some reasons that may not be the case.

I guess were in bubbleburstingmode today, telling folks that their retirement assets may not be all theyre cracked up to be!

The first surprise is good news and bad. Youll probably live longer than you think. Thats the good part. The bad news is that itll put more strain on your retirement savings. Why is that a surprise? Because we think average life expectancy is around 79. But thats the average for all age groups combined and its misleading. You have to look at the life expectancy for those who make it to age 65. Half of womenreaching that age have a 50% chance of living to nearly 87 and half of men reaching 65 will make it to age 84. That means younger workers should plan for 20 years or more of income in retirement and that folks currently retiredwho have all of their assets in bondsshould probably move some of it into the market or risk running out of retirement savings someday.

The next surprise shouldnt surprise anyone but it does. For the vast majority of people, Social Security alone will not provide enough income in retirement. Financial advisors recommend having a retirement income of around 80% of your working income. Social Security wont come close to that and it was never intended to. At most, you can look to Social Security for around 40% of the income youll need in retirement. The solution, again, is to increase your retirement holdings. The sooner you do it, the easier it is because of compound earnings.

Most Americans arent saving enough for retirement. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that the median retirement savings for Americans age 55 to 64 is only $107,000. That might seem like a nice nest egg, but heres the reality: expecting a 4% annual return on that money amounts to just $350 a month. Thats not much of a supplement to Social Security and that was the median savings, meaning half of Americans have less than that.

The fourth surprise is that a surprising number of Americans havent figured out that pensions are a thing of the past. Today, most workers dont have that benefit. For those that do, the median annual payout is just over $9,000 a year. Today, most workers absolutely must have a defined contribution plan like a 401(k) or IRA. But according to a report by Vanguard, a third of American workers have no workplace retirement plan. The solution is obvious: if youre not saving in a qualified retirement plan, open one and start today.

Heres another surprise. Since people are caught off guard by surprises 1 through 4, many are staying in the workforce well after they reach Social Security eligibility. Bloomberg reports that nearly 20% of people 65 and older are still working full or part time. That may be good news because it seems like the percentage would be higher. But the the bad news is that 1 out of 5 workers of all ages say theyll never be able to quit working.

The final retirement surprise has to do with Medicare. A lot of folks think that once they reach age 65, Medicare will cover all of their needs. It wont. One prime example is that it doesnt cover most assisted living expenses. And studies show that around 70% of those reaching that age will need long term care which could run about $4,000 a month. Medicare covers only the first 100 days of care at a skilled nursing facility and only then if it results from a hospital stay of three days or more. The solution is long term care insurance which can be expensive. The best time to buy it is in your mid 50s with the longest term offered.

Here are some questions we answered from our callers on todays program:

Im having difficulty understanding my credit report related to collections.

Can you help me to better understand annuities?

I find it difficult receiving gifts. What encouragement can you give me?

In light of the COVID-spooked markets, I was thinking about withdrawing some money out of my 401(k). Is this OK?

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 and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that its 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.

God ordained man to work before the fall so we know that labor is good for us andnot a punishment, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like a blessing either. If your job’s getting you downit may be time for a refresher course on the biblical principles for work. Host Rob West welcomes Compass founder Howard Dayton to discuss those in some detail then we take your calls and questions at 800-525-7000.

Work was God’s idea for humans even before sin entered the world. Genesis 2:15 reads, The Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.

The first thing the Lord did with Adam was to give him a job. Despite what many have come to think, work was initiated for our benefit in what was then the sinless environment of the garden.

That changed, of course, with the fall. Work was made more difficult. In Genesis 3 we read,Cursed is the ground because of you, in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorn and thistles it shall grow for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread.

So, we know that work was never intended as a punishment and that’s true even today. It’s simply more difficult because we live in a fallen world.

Scripture doesn’t elevate any honest profession above another. There’s dignity in all types of work, and we find a wide variety of vocations in the Bible.

No matter who you work for, your real boss is the Lord Himself. Colossians 3 verses 23 and 24 tell us,Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the lord rather than men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

God gives us skills. In Exodus 36 we see,And every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work.God gives us all unique skills and a wide variety of abilities.

God also gives us success. He’s responsible for getting you that promotion, or not getting it, at least for now.

in Psalm 75 we read,For promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only from God.That means your earthly boss is not the one who controls whether or not you get promoted. When you understand this, you’ll work with a different attitude.

Once you realize that you’re actually working for Christ that He’s your real boss you’ll naturally want to work hard. Proverbs 12 reads,The precious possession of a man is diligence.

Compass founder Howard Dayton’s been our guest today. You can read more about work in his book,Your Money Counts, available at MoneyWise.org.

Here are some questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

Are you aware of any mutual funds that invest only in countries that are democracies?

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 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

God ordained man to work before the fall so we know that labor is good for us andnot a punishment, but sometimes it doesnt feel like a blessing either. If your jobs getting you downit may be time for a refresher course on the biblical principles for work. Host Rob West welcomes Compass founder Howard Dayton to discuss those in some detail then we take your calls and questions at 800-525-7000.

Work was Gods idea for humans even before sin entered the world. Genesis 2:15 reads, The Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.

The first thing the Lord did with Adam was to give him a job. Despite what many have come to think, work was initiated for our benefit in what was then the sinless environment of the garden.

That changed, of course, with the fall. Work was made more difficult. In Genesis 3 we read,Cursed is the ground because of you, in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorn and thistles it shall grow for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread.

So, we know that work was never intended as a punishment and thats true even today. Its simply more difficult because we live in a fallen world.

Scripture doesnt elevate any honest profession above another. Theres dignity in all types of work, and we find a wide variety of vocations in the Bible.

No matter who you work for, your real boss is the Lord Himself. Colossians 3 verses 23 and 24 tell us,Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the lord rather than men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

God gives us skills. In Exodus 36 we see,And every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work.God gives us all unique skills and a wide variety of abilities.

God also gives us success. Hes responsible for getting you that promotion, or not getting it, at least for now.

in Psalm 75 we read,For promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only from God.That means your earthly boss is not the one who controls whether or not you get promoted. When you understand this, youll work with a different attitude.

Once you realize that youre actually working for Christ that Hes your real boss youll naturally want to work hard. Proverbs 12 reads,The precious possession of a man is diligence.

Compass founder Howard Daytons been our guest today. You can read more about work in his book,Your Money Counts, available at MoneyWise.org.

Here are some questions we answered from our callers on todays program:

Are you aware of any mutual funds that invest only in countries that are democracies?

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 and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that its 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.

Have you ever heard of a Rube Goldberg Contraption? It’s a machine that performs a simple task in a very complicated waynot exactly what you want to pay off your mortgage more quickly! Nevertheless, there are oodles of systems out there that claim you can be mortgage free in just a few years. Today, Kingdom Advisors President Rob West explains what’s behind the idea.

I remember as a kid seeing cartoons of Rube Goldberg contraptions where you need a soup ladle, a bird, a clock, and a skyrocket all working in sequence just to dab your face with a napkin. Are we saying that these speedy mortgage payoff systems are like that? No, but it’s still pretty complicated, while relying upon things to go perfectly as planned. If one link in the chain doesn’t work, the whole thing falls apart.

There are variations, but for any of them to work you have to have a healthy, positive cash flow. That means a significant amount of money left over at the end of the month. So, if you’re struggling to meet your obligations now, this definitely isn’t for you. The idea works like this: To start, you need a credit card that gives you a grace period of around 45 days to make a payment without hurting your credit score. Then you need to take out a home equity line of credit or HELOC. Then, in certain months, you put your entire paycheck towards your mortgage. The amount above your normal payment goes against the principal, of course. Meanwhile, you use the credit card to pay for all your other expenses, running up a tab there. Then, when that card’s grace period is about to end, you pay off the entire credit card balance with the HELOC.(You still with me?)

Then, instead of your mortgage, you use yournextpaycheck to pay off the HELOC balance. And you do that over and over again.

So unless you’re awfully good at staying on a budget, you’ll end up just borrowing even more and racking up more interest.So, yes, a scheme like this looks great on paper if everything works perfectly. But in practice,that’s another matter.

What does the Bible have to say about this? Generally, I think that borrowing to save is hardly biblical stewardship. Proverbs 22:7 warns that the borrower is slave to the lender. You’re always borrowing from two lenders to pay off a third, in a sense, floating your debt around in a circle.

Our advice? Take whatever discretionary income you have and put it directly on your mortgage principal. Skip the credit card and HELOC idea. It’s a lot simpler, and you don’t have to pay anyone $2,500 to get started.

Here are some questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

I have some money both in checking and savings. What do you think about investing in physical metals like silver and gold?

What do you think about additions to homessunrooms, extra rooms, etc.?

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 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

Have you ever heard of a Rube Goldberg Contraption? Its a machine that performs a simple task in a very complicated waynot exactly what you want to pay off your mortgage more quickly! Nevertheless, there are oodles of systems out there that claim you can be mortgage free in just a few years. Today, Kingdom Advisors President Rob West explains whats behind the idea.

I remember as a kid seeing cartoons of Rube Goldberg contraptions where you need a soup ladle, a bird, a clock, and a skyrocket all working in sequence just to dab your face with a napkin. Are we saying that these speedy mortgage payoff systems are like that? No, but its still pretty complicated, while relying upon things to go perfectly as planned. If one link in the chain doesnt work, the whole thing falls apart.

There are variations, but for any of them to work you have to have a healthy, positive cash flow. That means a significant amount of money left over at the end of the month. So, if youre struggling to meet your obligations now, this definitely isnt for you. The idea works like this: To start, you need a credit card that gives you a grace period of around 45 days to make a payment without hurting your credit score. Then you need to take out a home equity line of credit or HELOC. Then, in certain months, you put your entire paycheck towards your mortgage. The amount above your normal payment goes against the principal, of course. Meanwhile, you use the credit card to pay for all your other expenses, running up a tab there. Then, when that cards grace period is about to end, you pay off the entire credit card balance with the HELOC.(You still with me?)

Then, instead of your mortgage, you use yournextpaycheck to pay off the HELOC balance. And you do that over and over again.

So unless youre awfully good at staying on a budget, youll end up just borrowing even more and racking up more interest.So, yes, a scheme like this looks great on paper if everything works perfectly. But in practice,thats another matter.

What does the Bible have to say about this? Generally, I think that borrowing to save is hardly biblical stewardship. Proverbs 22:7 warns that the borrower is slave to the lender. Youre always borrowing from two lenders to pay off a third, in a sense, floating your debt around in a circle.

Our advice? Take whatever discretionary income you have and put it directly on your mortgage principal. Skip the credit card and HELOC idea. Its a lot simpler, and you dont have to pay anyone $2,500 to get started.

Here are some questions we answered from our callers on todays program:

I have some money both in checking and savings. What do you think about investing in physical metals like silver and gold?

What do you think about additions to homessunrooms, extra rooms, etc.?

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 and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that its 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.

There are two kinds of people in this world, those who like low interest rates and those who don’t. Put another way, borrowers versus savers. Right now, times are not good for savers.

Today’s historically low interest rates are tough on folks with fixed return investments. Today, host Rob West talks with Sound Mind Investing’s Mark Biller about strategies to protect your nest egg from inflation. Then we take your calls and questions at 800-525-7000. Mark Biller is the executive editor at SMI and they have a detailed article in their October newsletter about ways to keep inflation from eating away at your savings.

Things you dobeforeretiring have the most impact on your saving, getting out of debt, maximizing contributions to your retirement plan, and having an emergency fund in place. After doing all that people near retirement, still have to face a tough question.The question is, which is of greater concern to you, potentially losing principal in the short run or losingpurchasing powerto inflation over your retirement lifetime?

Some retirees are uncomfortable with the idea of ever losing any of their investment money or spending any of their principal. That mindset limits them to savings-type investments like CDs and savings accounts.

With interest rates near zero today and people living longer in retirement, most retirees need to continue investing at least some of their money a little more aggressively in order to maintain their purchasing power over time.

The Federal Reserve’s policies today and over most of the past decade have been wonderful for borrowers but brutal for savers. Mortgage rates are at record lows, but savings vehicles earn next to nothing.

Here are a few idea to increase income without increasing capital risk:

First, don’t settle for your local bank’s savings rates. Compare local rates to the higher rates available from online-only banks.

Another idea regarding CDs is to build a CD-savings ladder using those highest earning CDs you’ve found online. Longer-term CDs typically pay higher rates than short-term ones, so building a ladder lets you earn higher rates without sacrificing liquidity.

A lot of retirees worry about running out of money during retirement.The way to address that concern is by constructing a retirement portfolio that grows with inflation and will protect your purchasing power and standard of living. In other words, a portfolio that continues to invest in stocks even after retirement.

Many advisors use the rule of 100 for a portfolio’s stock/bond mix. Subtract your age from 100 and that’s the percentage of your portfolio that should be in stocks. Mark Biller says thathat’s probably too conservative given today’s yields. I wish that wasn’t the case, but the Federal Reserve has intentionally created this dynamic to force people out of safer fixed-income and savings vehicles.

Mark Biller of Sound Mind Investing has been our guest today. You can read his article The Retirement Investing Challenge: Keeping Up With Inflation While Limiting Risk at SoundMindInvesting.org.

Here are some questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

I need to sell my mobile home at a loss. When I do sell it, do I still need to pay income tax?

I was told that I would have to pay a fee once I pay my house off. Is this correct?

I am a young father. I have debt and bills to pay. How do I maintain this correctly and still save money for my family?

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 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

There are two kinds of people in this world, those who like low interest rates and those who dont. Put another way, borrowers versus savers. Right now, times are not good for savers.

Todays historically low interest rates are tough on folks with fixed return investments. Today, host Rob West talks with Sound Mind Investings Mark Biller about strategies to protect your nest egg from inflation. Then we take your calls and questions at 800-525-7000. Mark Biller is the executive editor at SMI and they have a detailed article in their October newsletter about ways to keep inflation from eating away at your savings.

Things you dobeforeretiring have the most impact on your saving, getting out of debt, maximizing contributions to your retirement plan, and having an emergency fund in place. After doing all that people near retirement, still have to face a tough question.The question is, which is of greater concern to you, potentially losing principal in the short run or losingpurchasing powerto inflation over your retirement lifetime?

Some retirees are uncomfortable with the idea of ever losing any of their investment money or spending any of their principal. That mindset limits them to savings-type investments like CDs and savings accounts.

With interest rates near zero today and people living longer in retirement, most retirees need to continue investing at least some of their money a little more aggressively in order to maintain their purchasing power over time.

The Federal Reserves policies today and over most of the past decade have been wonderful for borrowers but brutal for savers. Mortgage rates are at record lows, but savings vehicles earn next to nothing.

Here are a few idea to increase income without increasing capital risk:

First, dont settle for your local banks savings rates. Compare local rates to the higher rates available from online-only banks.

Another idea regarding CDs is to build a CD-savings ladder using those highest earning CDs youve found online. Longer-term CDs typically pay higher rates than short-term ones, so building a ladder lets you earn higher rates without sacrificing liquidity.

A lot of retirees worry about running out of money during retirement.The way to address that concern is by constructing a retirement portfolio that grows with inflation and will protect your purchasing power and standard of living. In other words, a portfolio that continues to invest in stocks even after retirement.

Many advisors use the rule of 100 for a portfolios stock/bond mix. Subtract your age from 100 and thats the percentage of your portfolio that should be in stocks. Mark Biller says thathats probably too conservative given todays yields. I wish that wasnt the case, but the Federal Reserve has intentionally created this dynamic to force people out of safer fixed-income and savings vehicles.

Mark Biller of Sound Mind Investing has been our guest today. You can read his article The Retirement Investing Challenge: Keeping Up With Inflation While Limiting Risk at SoundMindInvesting.org.

Here are some questions we answered from our callers on todays program:

I need to sell my mobile home at a loss. When I do sell it, do I still need to pay income tax?

I was told that I would have to pay a fee once I pay my house off. Is this correct?

I am a young father. I have debt and bills to pay. How do I maintain this correctly and still save money for my family?

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 and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that its 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.

The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.Proverbs 12:24 was a clear caution for the ancient Israelites and it’s just as true for us today. Like much of Proverbs, that verse is a lesson for handling our financial affairs. Managing money wisely requires good habits. Today, host Rob West explores how to do that with financial expert Howard Dayton. Then it’s your calls at 800-525-7000.

Howard Dayton offers his wisdom and explains his daily routine to exercise and eat healthy to stick to his disciplines.

He goes for a 4 mile walk with his wife 6 days a week, and every other day he does 5 sets of 100 push ups for a total of 500 during the walk. Together, Howard and his wife enjoy eating healthy to stay on top of a healthy eating lifestyle.

When talking about how long it took to get into these good habits, he says, It all started to change when I was introduced to Jesus Christ as my savior way back in 1971. Before then, I was a lot less disciplined. And the more I’ve grown as a follower of Christ, the more disciplined I’ve become.

Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In other words, what characteristics we can experience and enjoy when we are submitted to God’s spirit and allowingHimto live His life through us. It says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness andself-control.

So, submit to God’s Spirit and ask Him to live His life through you. Then develop a plan that you can follow. And for most of us, it helps is we have a buddy with whom you can work the plan together.

In specific studies about habits, routines take at least 30 days to develop. And the longer it becomes part of your routine, the more likely you are to continue.

Proverbs 21:5Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty.In other words, just be a consistent steady plodder. When you start walking don’t try to run a marathon.When you start using a budget, just take it one day at a time until it becomes a habit.

Here are some questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:

My daughter is expecting a child. She has some money that she would like to invest for her child. Where should she put it?

My son and his wife have been married two years. He has just accepted a job. He is still under our health insurance, but his wife is going to turn 26 soon. The quote that they got for insurance for both of them was very high. What are their other options?

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 and Follow us on Facebook at MoneyWise Media for 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 hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.Proverbs 12:24 was a clear caution for the ancient Israelites and its just as true for us today. Like much of Proverbs, that verse is a lesson for handling our financial affairs. Managing money wisely requires good habits. Today, host Rob West explores how to do that with financial expert Howard Dayton. Then its your calls at 800-525-7000.

Howard Dayton offers his wisdom and explains his daily routine to exercise and eat healthy to stick to his disciplines.

He goes for a 4 mile walk with his wife 6 days a week, and every other day he does 5 sets of 100 push ups for a total of 500 during the walk. Together, Howard and his wife enjoy eating healthy to stay on top of a healthy eating lifestyle.

When talking about how long it took to get into these good habits, he says, It all started to change when I was introduced to Jesus Christ as my savior way back in 1971. Before then, I was a lot less disciplined. And the more Ive grown as a follower of Christ, the more disciplined Ive become.

Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In other words, what characteristics we can experience and enjoy when we are submitted to Gods spirit and allowingHimto live His life through us. It says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness andself-control.

So, submit to Gods Spirit and ask Him to live His life through you. Then develop a plan that you can follow. And for most of us, it helps is we have a buddy with whom you can work the plan together.

In specific studies about habits, routines take at least 30 days to develop. And the longer it becomes part of your routine, the more likely you are to continue.

Proverbs 21:5Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty.In other words, just be a consistent steady plodder. When you start walking dont try to run a marathon.When you start using a budget, just take it one day at a time until it becomes a habit.

Here are some questions we answered from our callers on todays program:

My daughter is expecting a child. She has some money that she would like to invest for her child. Where should she put it?

My son and his wife have been married two years. He has just accepted a job. He is still under our health insurance, but his wife is going to turn 26 soon. The quote that they got for insurance for both of them was very high. What are their other options?

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.

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