Debt is a burden. You desperately want to get rid of it, but your income is limited. What do you do? In this episode, Art talks about how you can increase your financial margin to pay off debt more quickly.

Listener Question:

How much housing allowance should I take?

Resources mentioned:

The Money Challenge | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/the-money-challenge

Find More Money | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/find-more-money

The Essential Emergency Binder | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/essential-emergency-binder

Episode Sponsor:

Most churches struggle to get people to give. SecureGive has created a system that helps churches increase giving so their ministry is funded to reach their community. SecureGive helps churches increase giving in 3 ways: software that makes giving easy, a custom growth strategy, and ongoing stewardship resources. They stand out by offering a real ministry partnership, the most cost-effective solution with the lowest processing rates, and the most comprehensive giving platform available. Use the code 'RAINER20' to get 20% off your first year! Learn more here: https://www.securegive.com/

Various pricing strategies surround you every time you walk into a store. In this episode, Art talks about four pricing strategies that you need to guard yourself against. Plus, Art answers a few listener questions.

Listener Question:

1. Debt snowball method or debt avalanche method?

2. Should I include my match as part of my 15% retirement savings goal?

Resources mentioned:

The Money Challenge for Teens | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/the-money-challenge-for-teens

The Essential Emergency Binder | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/essential-emergency-binder

Episode Sponsor:

Most churches struggle to get people to give. SecureGive has created a system that helps churches increase giving so their ministry is funded to reach their community. SecureGive helps churches increase giving in 3 ways: software that makes giving easy, a custom growth strategy, and ongoing stewardship resources. They stand out by offering a real ministry partnership, the most cost-effective solution with the lowest processing rates, and the most comprehensive giving platform available. Use the code 'RAINER20' to get 20% off your first year! Learn more here: https://www.securegive.com/

Did you know that there are companies out there that will pay for some or all of an individual’s college tuition? In this episode, Art shares thirteen of those companies. He also answer a couple of listener questions.

Listener Question:

Should I wait until the government pays off my student loans?

Florida Prepaid or a 529 Plan?

Resources mentioned:

The Money Challenge for Teens | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/the-money-challenge-for-teens

The Essential Emergency Binder | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/essential-emergency-binder

Episode Sponsor:

Most churches struggle to get people to give. SecureGive has created a system that helps churches increase giving so their ministry is funded to reach their community. SecureGive helps churches increase giving in 3 ways: software that makes giving easy, a custom growth strategy, and ongoing stewardship resources. They stand out by offering a real ministry partnership, the most cost-effective solution with the lowest processing rates, and the most comprehensive giving platform available. Use the code 'RAINER20' to get 20% off your first year! Learn more here: https://www.securegive.com/

What is God’s view on wealth? Why should I stop asking, “How much should I give?” Is it okay to decrease my giving? On this episode, author of God and Money, John Cortines, joins Art to help think through what God says about money.

Listener Question:

Is it okay for me to decrease my giving?

Is there anything lost when someone gives online?

Resources mentioned:

God and Money | Buy it here: http://www.godandmoney.net/

The Essential Emergency Binder | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/essential-emergency-binder

Episode Sponsor:

Most churches struggle to get people to give. SecureGive has created a system that helps churches increase giving so their ministry is funded to reach their community. SecureGive helps churches increase giving in 3 ways: software that makes giving easy, a custom growth strategy, and ongoing stewardship resources. They stand out by offering a real ministry partnership, the most cost-effective solution with the lowest processing rates, and the most comprehensive giving platform available. Use the code 'RAINER20' to get 20% off your first year! Learn more here: https://www.securegive.com/

Should you refinance your car loan? How can I achieve my goals for 2022? How much should I save for college? In this episode, Art answers several of your money questions.

Listener Questions:

How can I do a better job of keeping my New Year’s Resolutions this year?

Do you have an opinion about refinancing car loans to a lower interest rate so that more goes to principal and gets paid off quicker?

How much do I need to save for my kid’s college?

Resources mentioned:

The Essential Emergency Binder | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/essential-emergency-binder

Episode Sponsor:

Most churches struggle to get people to give. SecureGive has created a system that helps churches increase giving so their ministry is funded to reach their community. SecureGive helps churches increase giving in 3 ways: software that makes giving easy, a custom growth strategy, and ongoing stewardship resources. They stand out by offering a real ministry partnership, the most cost-effective solution with the lowest processing rates, and the most comprehensive giving platform available. Use the code 'RAINER20' to get 20% off your first year! Learn more here: https://www.securegive.com/

Money is the number one issue married couples argue about. In this episode, Art talks with Melissa and Murphey Stewart about their debt-free journey and how to get your spouse on board with eliminating debt.

Notes:

1. Discuss your “Why.”
2. Have Weekly budget meetings.
3. Have consistent communication.
4. Have mini celebrations.

Listener Question:

When should I tell my boyfriend about my debt?

My fiancé wants a prenup. Do you think this is a good idea? There is something about it that makes me uncomfortable.

Resources mentioned:

fitnfunds.com

The Essential Emergency Binder | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/essential-emergency-binder

Episode Sponsor:

Most churches struggle to get people to give. SecureGive has created a system that helps churches increase giving so their ministry is funded to reach their community. SecureGive helps churches increase giving in 3 ways: software that makes giving easy, a custom growth strategy, and ongoing stewardship resources. They stand out by offering a real ministry partnership, the most cost-effective solution with the lowest processing rates, and the most comprehensive giving platform available. Use the code 'RAINER20' to get 20% off your first year! Learn more here: https://www.securegive.com/

It is New Year’s Eve. We hope you had a wonderful 2021. This week, we are closing out 2021 by playing, some of our greatest hits from the past year. This episode is the fifth and final greatest hit. In the episode, Art talks with Dr. Thom Rainer about whether ministers should pay off their mortgage, knowing it will impact their housing allowance.

Listener question answered:

Are pastors required to take minimum distributions from their 403(b)?

Notes:

Housing Allowance for Ministers: Made Easy | Buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/Housing-Allowance-Ministers-Made-Easy/dp/1731052367

The Essential Emergency Binder | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/essential-emergency-binder

Episode Sponsor:

Most churches struggle to get people to give. SecureGive has created a system that helps churches increase giving so their ministry is funded to reach their community. SecureGive helps churches increase giving in 3 ways: software that makes giving easy, a custom growth strategy, and ongoing stewardship resources. They stand out by offering a real ministry partnership, the most cost-effective solution with the lowest processing rates, and the most comprehensive giving platform available. Use the code 'RAINER20' to get 20% off your first year! Learn more here: https://www.securegive.com/

It’s almost New Years. This week, we are closing out 2021 by playing some of our greatest hits from the past year. This episode is the fourth of our greatest hits from 2021. It caught a lot of traction with our listeners. In the episode, Art and Robby Scholes discuss three financial tools you need to know. And they have some good laughs in it as well.

Listener question answered:

Question 1: Should I pay off debt or save for retirement first? Also, should I take from my retirement to pay off debt?

Question 2: I am considering taking Social Security early at age 62. Can I also work full time?

Notes:

3 Reasons not to take money from your retirement:

1. 10% penalty
2. Ordinary income taxes
3. Opportunity cost (compounding)

The Essential Emergency Binder | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/essential-emergency-binder

Episode Sponsor:

Most churches struggle to get people to give. SecureGive has created a system that helps churches increase giving so their ministry is funded to reach their community. SecureGive helps churches increase giving in 3 ways: software that makes giving easy, a custom growth strategy, and ongoing stewardship resources. They stand out by offering a real ministry partnership, the most cost-effective solution with the lowest processing rates, and the most comprehensive giving platform available. Use the code 'RAINER20' to get 20% off your first year! Learn more here: https://www.securegive.com/

This week, we are closing out 2021 by playing some of our greatest hits from the past year. These are episodes that we and our listeners loved. One of the most faithful stewards we know is Dr. Chuck Lawless. He’s the real deal. And in this episode, Chuck talks about a few ways we could be terrible stewards.

Listener Questions:

Question 1: Should I buy a high quality, expensive item that will last a long time and take care of it, or should I buy cheap and just know it may not last?

Question 2: My wife and I disagree on the amount we should give to our church. I like our current 10% of gross income. She wants to increase it to 15%. How do we resolve the difference?

Additional Notes:

Nobodies for Jesus: 14 Days Toward a Great Commission Lifestyle | Buy it here: https://chucklawless.com/books/

The Essential Emergency Binder | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/essential-emergency-binder

Episode Sponsor:

Most churches struggle to get people to give. SecureGive has created a system that helps churches increase giving so their ministry is funded to reach their community. SecureGive helps churches increase giving in 3 ways: software that makes giving easy, a custom growth strategy, and ongoing stewardship resources. They stand out by offering a real ministry partnership, the most cost-effective solution with the lowest processing rates, and the most comprehensive giving platform available. Use the code 'RAINER20' to get 20% off your first year! Learn more here: https://www.securegive.com/

We are closing out 2021 by playing some of our greatest hits from the past year. And man, this one was a big episode. In this episode, Art asks Dr. David W. Jones, a financial ethicist, some common but difficult questions.

Listener questions answered:

Should I use the money to invest in the stock market or pay off my mortgage?

Notes:

8 Money Milestones | https://www.artrainer.com/8-money-milestones

The Essential Emergency Binder | Buy it here: https://www.artrainer.com/essential-emergency-binder

Episode Sponsor:

Most churches struggle to get people to give. SecureGive has created a system that helps churches increase giving so their ministry is funded to reach their community. SecureGive helps churches increase giving in 3 ways: software that makes giving easy, a custom growth strategy, and ongoing stewardship resources. They stand out by offering a real ministry partnership, the most cost-effective solution with the lowest processing rates, and the most comprehensive giving platform available. Use the code 'RAINER20' to get 20% off your first year! Learn more here: https://www.securegive.com/