We just wrapped up week two of a six week class called, “I Was Broke. Now I’m Not.”

Over the last four years Sherri and I have taken control of our finances. While we are neither wealthy or debt free (yet) we are in control of our money like we have never been before. It is exciting and liberating to be the boss of our money! It is empowering to tell our money what to do and where to go rather than our money telling us what we can and cannot do.

We are finally enjoying our finances and because we want to help others do the same we offer and will continue to offer financial classes at Church180.

Today we talked about putting a budget together.

Some high points:

Dave Ramsey says that “Finances are 20% head knowledge and 80% behavioral.” He’s right.

Anyone can win with and enjoy money. It doesn’t require brilliance as much as self-control and everyone has that capacity!

The first step in getting your behaviors in order is to create a budget. What is a budget?

John Maxwell says that, “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.”

The truth is that you can do whatever you want with your money. You are the boss.

You tell your money where to go when you write a budget and then you allow that budget to shape your behaviors! For instance, if you budget $50 per month for eating out, then you can eat out all you want… until you hit the $50 mark. Then you are done.

You are the boss of your budget and your budget is the boss of you.

So how do you put a budget together?

Joe Sangle says that in order for a budget to work it must look like this: Income – Outgo = Exactly Zero. He’s right.

You simply can’t spend more than you make. I did not complete algebra in high school, and even I can understand this! This is not a “head knowledge” issue. For most people it is a discipline issue… and you can do something about that!

The world’s most famous wise man (Solomon) even gets in on the “great sayings about money” action!

He says, “The plans of the diligent lead to prosperity as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)

The bottom line here is that you CAN win with and enjoy the financial process in your home!

It requires a plan and discipline and you can do both!

To get you started, here are some helpful links:

• Dave Ramsey on how to budget and his ever helpful “Envelope System.”
• Joe Sangle on how to budget.

OK, go get to work on that plan and start enjoying your money!