Today on MoneyLife with Chuck Bentley
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Kari Jagodzinski: Faithful in Sickness and Health
In 2001, Joe was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He underwent radiation therapy that year and the tumor went into remission. In 2008, the tumor became active again and Joe underwent a year of chemotherapy, which he recently finished. Joe could not keep his job through the chemo treatments and was placed on disability at 70% salary. To help him through the most recent ordeal, Kari sold her marketing company and went to work part time for the new owners, giving her more time to care for Joe. This reduced her salary by 30%.
Instead, they went on a tight budget and paid their debts. They have also continued to tithe faithfully. Kari says she is the “number cruncher” in the family. She constantly works the budget, and started thinking of ways to lower their expenses down the road in anticipation of further medical expenses for Joe’s condition. Listening to MoneyLife one day, she became inspired to see if it were possible for them to get completely out of debt , including their mortgage (12 years left) in 5 years. She was amazed to find it was possible! It would require redirecting their savings for a new SUV to extra payments on their mortgage, but Kari discovered they could save nearly $25,000 in interest by paying off the mortgage early. That’s their goal now. The couple has 2 children, Joey, 12, and Juliana , 9. Recently, Juliana required braces, which may set the plan back a year, but they aren’t discouraged. Kari believes strongly that God will provide for her family no matter what. To illustrate her point, she recently inherited oil rights on land from a relative she barely knew. It will likely be years before they see any money from the bequest, but she feels it was a hint from God that He’s watching out for them. |
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7-Step Solution to the Economic CrisisIt is time we stop looking to the federal government and mobilize the grassroots of this nation to bring about the economic change that is desperately needed. |
Is Welfare Scriptural?Welfare was transferred from the church because the church neglected it. It can be recovered, and the church can become a leader in caring for the needy. |
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Morality and EconomicsThe decline in moral standards and values not only affects our spiritual and emotional welfare, but it directly influences our value system. |
Federal Reserve SystemAlthough the Federal Reserve may not always operate in the best interest of the nation, it’s regulatory use is presently the law of the land. |
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Other Resources: |
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Kari and Joe Jagodzinksi have had a rough time of it the last 10 years. In the face of major medical and financial setbacks, they’ve maintained their faith in God and their journey to financial freedom.
Their co-pay for Joe’s chemo treatments came to $1100 a month. At one point during the treatment, Kari and Joe were advised to file for bankruptcy, but they didn’t feel that was right.
