Ask Chuck: 5 Steps To Improve Your Finances This New Year
Dear Chuck, Covid set me back financially this year. As a result, we’re having a very frugal Christmas. Can you offer any tips on setting financial goals for next year? I want to be better prepared for what may lie ahead! Getting Ready for 2021 Dear Getting Ready, I am so sorry for the […]
Ask Chuck: Christmas Shopping on a Budget
Dear Chuck, Money is tight for Christmas this year. Any tips for shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales? Looking for Deals Dear Looking for Deals, You can search for articles pointing you to the “best deals” on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but be aware that many of those articles are really just […]
Ask Chuck: Preparing for Negative Interest Rates
Dear Chuck, Are we headed towards negative interest rates? If so, how in the world do I prepare for that? Rates Below Zero? Dear Rates Below Zero, This is a great but very challenging question. With our federal funds rate (the cost for our banks and financial institutions to borrow money) essentially at zero […]
Why Getting Out of Debt May Be Overrated
Are you in debt? Do you feel guilty about being in debt? Most Christians probably know it is best to be debt-free. In fact, it has been so popularized as a goal for Christians that it may be overshadowing other more important Biblical financial principles. Having studied the Bible to understand what God says about […]
Ask Chuck: What to Know Before Investing
Dear Chuck, I’m trying to teach my children/grandchildren some basic financial principles. Any tips I could pass on in regards to investing? Motivated Grandmother Dear Motivated Grandmother, What a blessing for your family that you want to help them get better with their finances. It will not only help them for the here and […]
Ask Chuck: Second Stimulus Check?
Dear Chuck, The government is talking about a second round of stimulus money – is it real? What should I do with it? Watching for Money in the Mailbox Dear Watching for Money in the Mailbox, You are correct; the government is discussing the passing of another stimulus package. The Republican Party offered a […]
How To Reduce Financial Stress
With many things causing stress in today’s world, here is a short list of financial practices that will reduce your stress, make managing your money simpler, and generally improve your quality of life. 1. Spend less than you earn. It sounds easy, but this is too often our greatest financial challenge. The vast majority of people that […]
Ask Chuck: Planning a Budget-Friendly Wedding
Dear Chuck, We anticipate two of our girls will be getting married in the near future. Due to the uncertainty with COVID and the economic setback in our family business, we are unsure how to proceed. Any advice? Father of the Brides Dear Father of the Brides, These are in fact strange times for […]
Ask Chuck: Credit Card Vs. 401(k)?
Dear Chuck, My home’s air conditioner went out. We’re getting by with some fans but need to replace the unit soon. Should I use a low interest rate credit card or borrow from my 401(k)? Hot in Texas Dear Hot in Texas, Having grown up in Texas myself, I understand this is a need […]
Ask Chuck: Is Refinancing My House Worth It?
Dear Chuck, With interest rates so low, should we refinance our house? We bought it in 2014 for $220,000. We put 10% down and still pay PMI. We think it is worth $240,000 now. We also have some troubling credit card debt we want to pay off in the refi. Refi Now? Dear Refi […]
