Category: Crisis

The Blessing of Being Paycheck to Paycheck This Christmas

by timhowington, posted in Budgeting, Crisis, debt, Fear/Anxiety, paycheck to paycheck

by Tim Howington

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121

I made a $500 mistake in my checkbook. Not good.  At Christmas.  Really not good. 

I have spent the morning trying to figure out what I did and unfortunately, I found it.  I screwed up.  Just didn’t write a couple of expenses down in my checkbook. Mistakes like this can put the screws to what is looking like a tight Christmas to begin with.  I have to admit, my gut reaction is to panic.  But then I remember- this is not the first time that God has gotten me out of a tight jam.  This is definitely not my first rodeo, nor will it be my last.

Continue reading “The Blessing of Being Paycheck to Paycheck This Christmas” →

Go to God in a Crisis

by timhowington, posted in Crisis, Faith

Step 7 Financial ideas for a CrisisThe earth is the Lord’s and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it. Psalms 24:1

One of my favorite movies of all time is It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart. Stewart is cast as the super-thrifty, ever-ambitious George Bailey, who has languished in his hometown and made a somewhat unassuming difference in the lives of everyone he knows.

The whole plot of the movie builds to the central crisis where George is in an excruciating financial difficulty in his business. The potential for ruin and scandal are everywhere. George (actually Uncle Billy) has lost $8,000, which was a fortune in the 1940s.

He seeks help from Potter, his arch nemesis in the movie, and is rebuffed. Additionally, he is told that because of his life insurance, he is worth more dead than alive. So he begins to plot a swan dive off a bridge.

In desperation, George even goes as far as praying. Hear his prayer: “God, oh God, dear Father in Heaven. I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and can hear me, show me the way. I am at the end of my rope. Show me the way, God.” Continue reading “Go to God in a Crisis” →

7 Financial Ideas for Weathering a Crisis- Intro

by timhowington, posted in Basic Money Management, Budgeting, Crisis

7 Financial ideas for a Crisis-cover fbCrisis come in all shapes and sizes.  As I write this, the whole world is experiencing the Coronavirus Pandemic.  We are all huddled at home watching the news trying to figure out when the government is going to give us the all clear.  In this particular crisis we are all struggling with the vulnerability of our health and our finances.

If you happen upon this article at a later time- the crisis you may be experiencing may not be as life altering as a pandemic, but a crisis is a crisis no matter the cause.

I assume that the reason that you are checking out this booklet is that you or someone you know is experiencing some kind of financial challenge.  The content contained here is very basic and is meant to be a quick reminder of how to manage your finances in a crisis.

Our ministry has coached hundreds of families through many difficult situations.  From sudden job loss, divorce, medical emergencies, transitions and the like. We find that there are few basic things that you need to be working through and evaluating.  That is the purpose and content of this study.  We want to help you work through 7 Financial Ideas for Weathering a Crisis.

We don’t know what kind of problem you are going through.  But we are sorry you are where you are, and we do hope that this exercise will be helpful.  If you would like to talk to a Freedom 5:one Financial Coach go to our website (www.freedom5one.com) and contact us.  We would love to help.

Click here to download this on our Financial Hotline.

Survival Budget

by timhowington, posted in Crisis, How to Manage Yourself Book, Money

survival budget-fb

If you are in a financially difficult time and  would like to have us put together a simple spending plan for you click here to fill out our Survival Budget survey.  Our coaches will send your plan back to you in 2-3 business days.

This is found on the Freedom 5:one Hotline.  Let us know if we can help!

Freedom 5:one Ministries Financial Hotline- Coronavirus

by timhowington, posted in Crisis, Stress

Trouble shows up in a variety of way.  Every kind of trial has it’s own unique set of challenges.  Coronavirus is not only scary because of the obvious threats to our health.  But, it also has the potential to effect our financial situation.  As our leaders scramble to figure out what the next step is, it is important to remember that God still sits on His throne and that He loves and cares for us.

Sometimes it helps to talk through your situation with someone.  If we can be of help during this time please give us a call or drop us an email. Continue reading “Freedom 5:one Ministries Financial Hotline- Coronavirus” →