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What’s Truly Impressive

What impresses you?

I’m impressed with those rare individuals who control their lifestyles. They use their financial abundance to help others and spread the good news, but it doesn’t just happen. It takes a plan! The number one expense leading to unmanageable debt is buying too much house. The monthly payment alone should be no more than 25% of your net spendable income – that’s what’s left after tithes and taxes. Adding in property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance drives the percentage up to around 38%. More than that and you’re asking for trouble.

The second trap is buying a new car. People budget monthly payments but forget about maintenance and repairs, insurance, and parking fees. Most people owe more on their one-year-old car than its actual value. Another problem is failing to plan for those nasty expenses that hit us when we least expect them. Things like car repairs, water heaters, or health issues. Without financial margin, people use a credit card and then can’t pay it off when it’s due. Rather than reducing spending in other areas, they ignore the probability and don’t budget for emergencies.

So, I recommend you listen to your spouse, seek the counsel of your parents or other trusted people before making ANY decisions that affect your family’s financial condition. Solomon said, “Without counsel, plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) By stewarding your resources wisely this year, you can live a truly impressive life.

And if you’ve been helped by Crown or this radio station, can I ask you to start supporting us this year? Our work helps all of God’s work. If you’re a regular supporter, thank you for your generosity! You can give to us today at crown.org.