I’m writing
this specially to those people who are struggling financially. I’m telling you,
I was once like you. I am not really wealthy right now but I can say I’m pretty
much living a good life with the resources that I have compared before.
I started
working after college and at the early stage of my career I can say that I didn’t
managed my income properly. Because of that, I end up in debts and I’m always negative
by the end of every month. I always anticipate the coming of my next salary
because every time my salary comes, it seems like it goes with the wind and
perishes very quickly.
After a
couple years, by the grace of God and with the help of some friends, I learned
the technique of managing my income. Right now, I am so happy that I was able
to save and now starting to engage in a small business with a full time work at
the same time without compromising the leisure that I still love to do like
shopping, eat at fine dining restaurants and little bit of travel at least once
in a year.
How did I managed
to do that? Here is my advice.
11. Be a good
steward of your finances.
We need to realize that everything that we have right now is coming from
God. He is the owner and we are the manager. We need to be wise in everything
that we spend. First, ask God for wisdom how will you spend your money wisely.
Everytime you receive your salary, always say a prayer “Lord teach me to be a
good steward of this finances”.
22. Bring the
whole tithe.
Since I was young, my pastor would always remind us to tithe. In that
way God will bless you abundantly. Tithe is the 10% of your gross income to
bring for the support to the church. In Malachi 3:10 it says Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food
in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord
Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour
out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
In this passage, notice the phrase “test me in this”. If you want to
experience the abundant, overflowing blessings from God, test him and bring
your whole tithe into the His storehouse which is the church. I heard lots of
amazing testimonies how God provided all their needs and how He blessed them
through tithing. I can say so far this is the best tip I can share to you.
Unless you don’t practice bringing your tithe then don’t expect the true financial
freedom that is coming from God.
33. Save Money
This is one of the hardest and most neglected practice by a lot of
people. Personally, I know that saving money is very important but it took me
years to practice it. Why? Because I don’t have proper planning. I don’t have
wisdom how to use money properly. Now I’m going to share to you the best thing
to do in order for you to save money.
The moment you receive your salary or income. Set aside your tithe
already. Next, you make a list of your bills and grocery. If you are supporting
your family, you also put that in the list how much you are going to allot for
that. You also set aside an amount for leisure like budget for cinema, shopping
and eating at restaurants. Please note, you have to be very wise on this part. Now,
you set an amount for yourself how much are you going to save in a monthly
basis. You should learn how to discipline yourself that you should learn to
stick to that amount whatever it takes.
Go open an account for savings that you cannot easily withdraw. Yes, this
really works for me! Since I work overseas, I used my bank account in my home
country to save money so I cannot easily withdraw it. Since you already have a
breakdown of your salary, the next thing is very important. Segregation. First
segregate your tithes, next must be your savings, next is your needs, needs of
your family and last should be leisure. Notice this sequence because this is
the start of discipline.
How much should be allotted for savings? Well its really up to you, at
first I struggled because I’m not used to this practice. What I did was to
start with small amount and religiously follow it month by month and when you are
able, increase it. If you are a beginner, I advise you to start saving at least
10% of your income and have a goal to increase it in the coming months or year.
44. Avoid debts
Never ever take loans. Don’t make this as a practice to borrow money because
this habit brings curse into your life. If you want to buy something, save for
it! Don’t borrow. I personally don’t have credit card. Why? Because I know that
I cannot control myself to swipe it everytime I’m attracted to stuff specially
if they are on sale. I always pay stuff by cash or by debit card.
If you have existing loans or debts, I advise you to prioritize paying
these asap. Immediately get rid of this so you can start saving more. Set a timeframe,
a target for yourself when you are going to finish it and accordingly set an
amount to pay it.
55. Weigh the
need vs want
When you are buying something, think first if it is really necessary to
buy it? Ask yourself if you really need this stuff or it’s just a want. If it’s
really needed, then go for it but if it’s a want then think 100 times if you
still have budget for that.
66. Invest
Think of something that will make your money grow. When you save enough
money in the bank, it is good to start investing it. Do not be in a hurry, wait
for that opportunity because when you have money it is very easy to spend and
when you don’t invest it wisely, then your savings can go as quickly as one
blink of an eye.
For now, if you don’t have any idea what investment or business you want
to engage. I suggest you start with gold and land. These two things can never depreciate.
It is a very good investment. Later on I believe, lots of investments and
business opportunities will come but you have to be very careful with it
because there are a lot of investment scams nowadays. If is its easy money and
more than 100% profit, think about it if it’s a scam.
In investing or making business, always start small. Do not put all your
money in it because business is always a risk. Some businesses work and some don’t.
So just in case it won’t work, at least you still have money in your account. If
finally, you found a business that makes a good profit, then start expanding it
little by little.
77. Don’t be
greedy
Learn the art of giving and be generous to those in need. When you are
able to give, then give because God is able to bless you exceedingly, mightily more
than you could ask or imagine.
Luke 6:38 (NKJV)
38 Give, and it
will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running
over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it
will be measured back to you.”
So
there it is! This 7 steps really works for me and to those people I know. Lastly
I’ll give this passages to in the Bible to encourage you in your journey through
financial freedom. Godbless you!
Deuteronomy 8:18
18 “And you shall remember the Lord your
God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may
establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this
day.
Galatians 6:7
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for
whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Philippians 4:19
19 And my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Haggai 2:8
8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is
Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts.
