Crown Ministries of Bakersfield

Some days feel like that.....

Only 165 shopping days left until Christmas! BUT - if we start planning NOW (crazy thought in 100 degree heat) we won't have to still be paying for it in January (February? March?). It's never too late to start a Christmas fund - or too early. PLUS, on July 15th both Amazon and Walmart are said to be having crazy sales maybe put stuff back.....but don't break the budget doing it!

The holidays are just around the corner but they don't have to break the bank. Plan ahead and be certain to include them in your monthly budget planning.

Congratulations! You have come to the right spot. You can use this link to our website to find out more information about our company and any future upcoming events. http://www.crownca.org/

What is one small thing you can do to make someone else's day

Tell your money what to do! Give every dollar a place to go otherwise it might just run away leaving you to wonder where it went.

Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also?" Where is your treasure today?

Basic foundations in finances are not always easy. There are several ways to "kick start" your emergency fund, even for those living paycheck to paycheck. Start with that Budget, are there any bills that you are paying more than the minimum balance on? This is the only time you will ever hear me recommend to only pay the minimum balance. Take any extra that you may have been paying (even if it is only $10 - $20) and redirect it to a savings account. This is your starting point, remember we are shooting for the minimum of the car insurance deductible to begin with.

Once you have the basic foundation of knowing where your money is going (sorry for lack of a better word I'm going to have to call this a budget - always open to suggestions), then you can move on to the next basic foundation. This one sounds harder but all in all it is a foundation to improving your financial situation. You have to have an emergency savings account. The amount in this account will vary but I will recommend that you shoot for a minimum of whatever you carry on your car insurance deductible to start with. For many, this isn't easy and I will spend the next post talking about ways to help fund this emergency savings account - but no matter what it must be funded.

One of the first financial foundations is to KNOW where your money is going. Call this whatever you want - most call it a Budget but it isn't meant to be constrictive it can actually be very liberating. If you are having difficulty drawing up your own plan there are people who can help - many (including CMB) offer free coaching to help set this important financial foundation.

Have you been trying to get your finances in order but you often feel like a "square peg trying to fit in a round hole"? Stay tuned as I share with you some financial foundations as well as some things that can fluctuate with your own personal life journey. If you have any questions, feel free to ask I will address them as well.