New ideas. New people.

One of the greatest benefits about learning new money ideas is that you get to talk to some new and interesting people. When we are having financial challenges or problems we can begin to feel isolated or alone and can make ourselves miserable with thinking about it. But, the situation is opportunity in disguise.

This is a time of opportunity. Opportunity to meet new people, get new ideas, develop new lifestyles that will enrich us far beyond our pocketbooks.

There are many now experiencing the pinch who are just waiting for the moment they can get a break and will go right back to all the old things that they used to do. They will breath a sigh of relief and keep going. They will miss the opportunity.

There are others who will grasp this opportunity and learn, grow, and do things in a new and better way in the future. People, ideas, and change are the keys to this success. In my own search I found Christina who blogs on http://www.moneyfunk.net. Check out her site. She's doing a great job!

Since you are walking this route anyway be sure and stop and shake the hands of others that walk along with you.

Starting a food storage program.

I highly recommend starting a food storage program the next time you go to the grocery store! The easiest way to start is simple. When you find one of the items that you commonly purchase on a great sale buy in quantity. Instead of buying a can, buy a case. Instead of buying one jar of 1/2 price mayo, buy six. Each time you find yourself in the grocery store scan the ads and aisles for the best price on something you would normally use and buy more. Just be sure that you are buying non perishable items and/or that you are able to keep them in a manner that they will not spoil before you use them. You can put six packages of hamburger in the freezer but buying six heads of lettuce is not a good idea. Another thing is to watch and not buy too much of what your family considers treats such as potato chips, pop, or sweets. I once bought a case of Sunny D thinking that it would last a couple months only to find my son had drank the whole case in a week! I won't mention any names here for those of you who know my family but it starts with M.

There are many useful books and articles about building food storage programs and many are based on being prepared for emergencies. But, to me, the best motivation is that it saves money! 2/14/10 I just found a great new blog on this subject and have added a button on the left.

As you continue to build your storage it will save you trips to the store, keep you from buying items that are not on sale, and is an excellent way to start your own savings account with the items your family uses the most.

If you don't have much space start with one shelf in the closet or under a bed. If you still can't find the room it might be a good time to pick up a copy of In The Trenches and read the Annual 50%. Just click on the picture of the book and it will take you straight to Amazon.com where you can order a copy today.

Tithe?

Most people have never heard the word. And, of those who have they get a bad or uncomfortable or angry feeling and may not even be sure why.

Tithing is a principle mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. The nation of Israel was to give 10% of their income to the church and that was to be an acknowledgment of the fact that it is God who owns all and returning the tithe was an act of obedience. The money was used to provide the needs of the temple and provide for widows and orphans. There are many promises of blessings to those who brought the tithe. Any can find more information on this if they are interested.

What part the tithe pays in the lives of modern Christians is much debated. But those who do tithe have often given many stories about how they have been blessed once they began tithing and how their whole situation or opportunities have turned around once they began tithing.

Personnally I believe that tithing is an essential basic principle for any Christian.

Stop the Abuse: It's Time to Break Up With Your Big Bank

Stop the Abuse: It's Time to Break Up With Your Big Bank

If you have been living in the trenches you might have found that one of your adversaries was your bank. Whether it came through rising interest rates, overdraft fees, or not working with you on your mortgage it is abundantly clear that the big banks have been part of the problem and not part of the solution.

We are their customers. And, as all customers that don't get good service it may be time to consider moving your business someplace else.

If you have have had even a moment of frustration with your bank over the last couple of years I'm sure that you will appreciate the article at the top of this posting.

For couples

Much of my writing is directed toward the one person who manages the finances. This could be a single person or a marriage where one person is designated to handle the primary financial responsibilities. Marriage provides additional opportunities and challenges in managing finances because it is easy to start pulling in different directions. Community property laws in most states further complicate the autonomy of an individuals choices because one person in very real ways becomes responsible for the choices of another. A veritable hot bed of subjects to fight about. The link to the article below raises many of these issues and gives some thoughts on dealing with them. I have been adding more links to the writings of others lately because there is so much good information available right now. Of course, I highly recommend reading "In The Trenches, Financial Survival in Times of Hardship" but I also acknowledge that there are many good sources out there to assist in your journey. The more you can read the more ideas you can have to get your family through any difficulties you might be having. The American Economy must be rebuilt one family at a time.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108512/top-6-marriage-killing-money-issues?mod=retire-planning