Tired of living in clutter? Are you ready for a do-it-yourself home makeover? We’ll lead you through the process, one step at a time.Browse our suggested storage options: smart, nice-looking boxes for things that don’t fit in drawers or on shelves, and storage system ideas for toys.Here’s how to get started:To receive all the benefits, register here for only $1 per month. You’ll receive continual unlimited access to all our season 1 episodes, articles, and resources.Follow our 7 week home organization process. There you'll find the free download to the home organization checklist that we mentioned in this episode.Choose your storage options: smart, nice-looking boxes for things that don’t fit in drawers or on shelves and storage system ideas for toys.Let us know how things are going! Send us your before and after pictures as well as a photo of your family celebrating your success. We’d love to hear from you!

How to Live Debt Free (Episode 8)“A Biblical Perspective on Debt” by Focus on the Family:The Bible doesn’t say it’s a sin to borrow.It doesn’t say it’s wise to borrow.It doesn’t say God will bail you out of debt.It doesn’t say debt is an exercise in faith.It doesn’t say it’s a sin to loan money.What does the Bible have to say about debt?It’s wrong not to repay debts.It’s foolish to put yourself in a surety situation.Debt may violate biblical principles that directly affect our relationship with God.What do you do if you find yourself in any kind of consumer debt?Pray and wait on the Lord for an answer.Follow a proven debt elimination plan (See: Financial Peace Revisited for more information.)Baby Step 1: Make every effort to get $1,000 in your emergency savings fund.Baby Step 2: Pay off all personal debt except your home.Baby Step 3: Save 3-6 months of worth of expenses in your emergency fund.How to keep from getting back into debt:Be content with what you have.Pray before any major purchaseMaintain a zero balance on all credit cards, or don’t use them at all.Recommended Course: Financial Peace UniversityThis was a financial life-changer for us as we raised our five children. To this day, we have no consumer debt, no student loans, and no car loans--just our mortgage.Recommended Book: Financial Peace RevisitedPurchase this book if you are unable to attend the course.All 7 “baby steps” are in chapter 21, then you’ll find some financial management forms in the back of the book.Other Financial Articles by Stewardship and RomanceFinancial Freedom God's WayThe Blessing of GivingHousehold BudgetingHow to Live Debt Free (detailed notes)To leave a testimonial or ask a question: Contact Us

Basic Assumptions from ScriptureWe are commissioned by God to ruleStewardship of our resources is an act of worship to GodBeing rich is not evil; it’s mis-managing riches and wealth that is evil.Great things come through careful planningGod’s desire is that we multiply our finances, talents, and skills.Good accounting practices lead to prosperitySteps in household budgeting:Step 1: Track your monthly income and expenses. If you doing household budgeting, we recommend using computer software for this task. (We really like Quicken Home & Business, but if you're not running a business, Quicken Deluxe is just fine.)Step 2: Set up a budget spreadsheet that includes the most realistic amounts for each expense category. (We have always used Excel for that, which is part of Microsoft Office 365.)Step 3: Set up your “sinking funds”. There’s so much freedom in having money set aside to meet expenses that are variable or occasional, such as clothing and gifts. Think of a “sinking fund” as a money pot with a name on it, such as “auto repair”.Step 4: Maintain a “Watched Expenses” report for categories that can vary based on how much you spend. This will help you know how much to budget each month in a particular category, or how much to maintain in a particular sinking fund. Examples of watched expenses may include: groceries, eating out, clothes, gifts, and sundries.Maintaining your Budget using a computerAssuming you are using computer software similar to what is described above, you only need to do the following steps each week:1. Download your banking transactions from all your accounts account, including your credit card, then categorize any income and expenses that have not yet been categorized.2. Copy amounts you see in your watched expenses report to your spreadsheet, as well as all paid fixed expenses. (These should both be listed in the “paid” column of the spread sheet.)3. On your spreadsheet, list any actual income that is pending, then move it to the paid column after it arrives in your account.4. Update your checking and savings balances.5. Adjust your sinking funds as needed until your budget is balanced.For tips on managing credit, budgeting without a computer, and other details on this topic, visit our article on budgeting.To leave a testimonial:· Comment on the show-notes of any episode listed on our resource page, or· Visit our contact page to send us an email or leave a voice mail.

Give cheerfully & liberally!God loves it when we give cheerfully whatever we have determined in our hearts to give. Why? Because he knows that when we give from our hearts it sets in motion a universal principle that applies to us all, regardless of how rich or poor we think we are. (II Cor. 9:6-7; Luke 6:38)Three Phases of Giving· Tithing (the foundation phase)· Impact Giving (the accumulating wealth phase)· Legacy Giving (the strategic income phase)Guard Your HeartIn the end, we will not be taking money and possessions with us. Guard your most precious, eternal possession—your heart! God knows our propensities. He gives us commands in his Word that so that we don’t hurt ourselves! Here are some principles regarding giving from the heart in Scripture that we should follow as we pursue financial freedom:Principle #1: Give regularly and generously—not just because there is a need to give to, but because our hearts have a tendency of holding on to riches. Hoarding means saving money without having a specific need in mind. This is actually a form of idolatry—and idolatry is simply giving first place in our hearts to something other than God. Matthew 6:21; I Timothy 6:17)Principle #2: Check your motives. Give because you genuinely care about people, not for any selfish reason. Jesus said, “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:2-4)Principle #3: Be content with what you have. The tenth commandment is, “Thou shalt not covet.” Coveting means taking delight in something in a wrong way. I Timothy 6:10 says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Notice that it’s not money itself that is evil, but the love of money. There is nothing wrong with having money and possessions, but when those things have you, then there is a big problem.Highly Recommended!Course: Financial Peace University, by Dave RamseyBook: Financial Peace Revisited, by Dave RamseyTo leave a testimonial:· Comment on the show-notes of any episode listed on our resource page, or· Visit our contact page to send us an email or leave a voice mail.

Why is going to church important? There are a lot of opinions on this subject, but what does the Bible have to say? Is going to church really necessary? What are the benefits?

How to Maintain Healthy Eating HabitsWhen we steward our bodies by watching over what goes inside, we are bringing honor and praise to God and taking care of his “temple”. This involves eating some foods in moderation, simplifying what we eat, and adjusting the quantity of what we eat.To find our recommended resources on this and other health topics, visit https://stewardshipandromance.com/healthy-habits-for-life/To ask a question or leave a testimonial:Comment on the show-notes of a given podcast episode (either within your podcast app or on our website)Leave us a voice mail on our Google Voice #: 1-425-998-6083Email us: [email protected] Disclaimer:Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

You have a God-given destiny, both here and in eternity. Step back for a moment from all your activities to consider the purpose of your life. What did God place you here on this earth to be and do?

Learn about the very foundation for your life—your identity. Once you know who you really are at a deep level, you’ll be able to walk through life with great confidence.

Prepare yourself for marriage, or enrich your current marriage, by faithfully practicing the following:1. Develop your “mundane muscle”Which of these areas need to be cultivated in your life?Maintain a daily time of prayer, listening or reading the Bible, and Scripture meditationFellowship with other believersClean and organize your roomEat healthyForm good life habitsChoose your friends carefullyManage your time well.Save your money2. Work out your relationshipsHonor your father and motherGet reconciled to siblings and others. (Find the best way to work out areas of hurt.)Deal with memories of past relationships.Get things in the light that have been kept in the darkness.If you are single, get involved with groups of people on worthwhile projects.If you are already married, find something you can do with your spouse on a regular basis.3. Practice “genuine love.”It’s kind, unselfish, and patient (I Corinthians 13)It has substance behind it—more than just words.It goes beyond the world’s superficial system of “recreational dating”, (which often leads to distraction and broken hearts.)It is not self-indulgent, but willing to wait for sexual intimacy until the after the making of covenant. (For more on this subject, read: What is CovenantRecommended Books:Your Marriage Masterpiece, by Al JanssenDiscover what marriage is all about from God's frame of reference.30 Day Faith Detox, by Laura Harris SmithThis guide will enable you to effectively prepare for marriage by renewing your mind, cleansing your body, and healing your spirit.Related Articles:Unsure if you should believe what the Bible says? “Why Believe the Bible”To leave a testimonial:Comment on the show-notes of a given podcast episode (either within your podcast app or on our website)Leave us a voice mail on our Google Voice #: 1-425-998-6083