Comments on: Applying the “Herd Mentality” to Your Finances: The Care & Feeding of Your Money

By: Bad with cash - Pete

Bad with cash - Pete — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:00:58 +0000

Blimey I need to do this, that first sentence about adding lines to quicken I long to be like this rather than just trying to work things out on bits of paper and my head!.

“Must be diligent” “Must be diligent” needs to be my mantra!

Pete (terrible with the cash)

By: killerpuppies

killerpuppies — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:39:39 +0000

Well…here’s an update. My anticipation was to struggle through budgeting for a month or two then be flying high with the budget of all budgets. Since that time my job has changed and came with a new compensation package. We are still earning a good wage but not what it once was as of yet. Our budget is merely a dry erase monthly calendar. We write how much is due to whom on the day it it due. That and we talk more day to day about our fiances. There have been several weeks where there was more needed than in the check book. God has been faithful and is meeting our every need. Thank you for maintaining this resource.

By: CoolHappyGuy

CoolHappyGuy — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:53:14 +0000

Killerpuppies:

“for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again …” (Proverbs 24:16)

Hang in there. Budgeting is a reiterative process. It’s great that Mrs. Killerpuppies is involved with this process. You have the power of agreement working for you. Her input, no doubt, is invaluable. You can also keep each other accountable.

This process may be frustrating but be of good cheer. The orderly often precedes the miraculous. Before Jesus miraculously fed the multitudes, he instructed the crowd to sit in groups of 50 (Luke 9:14). He had a distribution system set up before the divine increase took place. God is very efficient. That is one reason that he encourages discipline in our finances: so that we can be in a position to receive more and use it effectively.

Another illustration from this biblical scene is that Jesus looked toward Heaven and gave thanks. You (& Mrs. K) certainly can’t go wrong if you would do the same. Who knows? You might also experience an increase of bread as well! When you do, please let us know! (Feel free to use the Donate button if you need a place to deposit leftover crumbs! )

Psalm 115:14

By: killerpuppies

killerpuppies — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:42:21 +0000

I followed your link to a free downloadable spread sheet/budget. We’ve tried budgeting before to no avail. So this time I asked my wife to join me in screwing up another budget. She understands my sentiment. Our goal is to try and fail on the first months budget then do better on the next until we sort out our living and reconcile it with our income. Hopefully in 3-4 months we’ll be all systems go.

By: CoolHappyGuy

CoolHappyGuy — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:52:27 +0000

Proverbs 16:3 (New International Version)

3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.

First, take it to the Lord.

There are a TON of resources out there. My buddy Bob at ChristianPF has a forum in which his visitors (me included) discuss this very issue. They have some good insights. You might even consider joining if you want to engage in a dialogue with that community.

There are a lot of folks out there that use Excel (or Calc, the freebie alternative) or even — gasp! — paper and pencil. If you’re married, be sure and get your spouse on board.

Try to find something that works for your household. Feel free to come back and let us know how it is working out for you.

By: killerpuppies

killerpuppies — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:41:23 +0000

I am a quicken outcast. Budgeting seems to be one of the most elusive animals for me to tame. What is the first step in taming that beast?

By: Mike Harmon

Mike Harmon — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:01:05 +0000

I must say this is a great article i enjoyed reading it keep the good work