29. November 2008 by admin.

As I wrote earlier, I received a few reader questions regarding my “18 & Drowning in Debt” article. In the next few posts, I will address these questions.

One reader asked: “What were the steps you used to stop spending and start repaying your debt? Did it involve taking another job? I’m sure you made a budget, but any specifics you can share will be helpful.”

I’ve read many books on personal finance and the one that REALLY helped most was Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Makeover” This book outlines seven steps for people to get out of debt. It will take most people at least seven years to work through all thesteps. If you are patient, disciplined, and consistent, you will get there. Here are some of the steps which Dave Ramsey outlines in his book.

Step 1: Save $1,000 in emergency cash.

You know the cliche. Bad things happen to good people. A tire may blow out. An appliance may need repair. When unexpected expenses pop up, people usually charge it on their credit card. This only adds to their already mounting debt. That’s not good. Having $1,000 stashed away for emergency expenses minimizes debt.

If you think you’ll be tempted to spend your emergency fund on outfits or the latest gadget, sock it away in a CD (Certificate of Deposit) where you can make periodic deposits. There are many out there.

Each time you receive money, put a portion of it towards a $1,000 fund. It may take you two weeks, two months, or two years but once you arrive at the magic number, you’ll experience the added psychological boost of knowing you are able to save money.

And you are able.

So get cracking.

Feel free to post your questions regarding these steps. I’ll do my best to address them.

Stay tuned for Step 2.

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22. November 2008 by admin.

Debt…ugh!! With the economy in a tailspin, there are many out there who are struggling financially - especially college students.

My article “18 & Drowning in Debt” offers helpful tips to tame the debt monster. You can access it here: http://www.cbn.com/finance/williams_indebtat18.aspx

Since the publication of this article earlier this year, I’ve received many questions from readers regarding their finances. I plan to post my responses to those questions in the hopes this will help you navigate your dollars and cents. So stay tuned…

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19. November 2008 by admin.

I had an interesting conversation earlier this week with some eighth graders. They compared how many friends they had on their My Space pages. It’s a badge of honor to have huge amounts of friends on My Space. It’s like, er, frequent fliers miles?

Anywho, after debating the issue, they discovered one thing in common.

Tom.

You know Tom. He’s the guy on My Space who becomes your instant friend once you sign up. (I used to have a My Space page but I deleted it. That website is too complicated for me.)

I remember being greeted by this pasty, nerdy looking guy in the white T-shirt and wondering..who is he? It’s Tom.

One of my eighth grade comrades quickly informed me that Tom created My Space. He must be pretty rich. If he truly is the creator of My Space, I suggest he purchase a new T-shirt with his gazillions of dollars.

Anyway, another girl chimed in: “Tom is not the creator of My Space.”

“Then who is it then?” the first girl retorted.

“Jesus”

We all looked at her perplexed. Her eyes flitted as she searched for a proper defense to her argument. Then, she casually responded: “Jesus gave Tom the idea for My Space so Jesus created it.”

My husband laughed. I pondered her logic.

I don’t give Jesus proper credit for my ideas.

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18. November 2008 by admin.

My newest magazine article entitled “A Cut Above” is now available in the Winter 08/09 issues of Clear Direction and Clear Horizon magazines.

This article addresses a very serious topic: self mutilation (aka, cutting) among young people. It offers tips on how to overcome this compulsion both spiritually and emotionally.

My prayer is that many who struggle with cutting will read this article and start on the road to recovery. You can order a copy from Randall House at http://www.randallhouse.com/

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17. November 2008 by admin.

Right now, I am going through a trial. What’s the trial? You ask. I’m not telling. The wound is too fresh.

Suffice it to say, I have two choices before me. I can see this circumstance as a huge disaster or I can use it as an opportunity to train. This could be the extra weight I need to strengthen my spiritual and mental muscles. Seeing it as a disaster would be easy for me - too easy. Seeing it as a training tool is difficult - too difficult, almost as difficult as the trial itself.

After moping for days, I’ve decided to buckle down and enter into the training process. (Ugh! It’s hard for me to say that.) I’m counting this trial as a joy.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4, NASB).

I’ve spent the last month studying and memorizing James Chapter 1, not knowing I would encounter fiery darts shortly thereafter. If I had not prepared myself with this Word, I would be falling apart right now. The avalanche of despair and self pity would have stifled me completely.

And that’s far worse than the trial itself.

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