May 2009

Memorial Day Music – A Country After God’s Heart

Our country was founded on the belief in, and reliance upon, the God of the bible. This belief was (and still is) reflected in our National Songs. Today I would like to honor not only our servicemen & women, but also the God who guided our country to greatness. Though our country no longer corporately [...]

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A Proper Attitude Toward Giving

by Matt Jabs

If you are at all concerned about your community, your finances, your church, your country, your favorite charities, or your example to your children, proper giving should be a concept with which you are thoroughly familiar.

Today I would like to address the role our attitude plays in our giving, and how it can truly make or break what we give!

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Lower Electricity Costs by Reducing Standby Power – DFA Tip of the Week – 5/18/2009

by Matt Jabs

This weeks tip involves…cutting your electricity bill by turning off certain breakers.

I’m sure you’ve heard it before…your cell phone charger (and/or other electronic devices) hog power even when not in use.

Standby power (aka vampire power, phantom load, low power mode, or leaking electricity) – energy consumed by devices when they’re plugged in but not in use – costs the average American household between $200 – $300 a year and typically accounts for 5 – 10% of total residential electric consumption.

Today I will show you my action plan to reduce this problem in my home.

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Credit Card Companies Are Raising Your APR – Here’s Why & What You Can Do

by Matt Jabs

Isn’t it always a blessing to come home, check the mail, and be greeted by a handful of bills! Don’t you just love that?
Today I had the pleasure of getting an extra special treat from Capital One; one of my ever so thoughtful credit card providers.
According to the literature, Capital One is raising my APR by nearly 7% due to “the challenging economic environment”. This is an incredibly steep increase in interest that has been implemented in order to pass the brunt of these tough economic times from the shoulders of a credit card company over to my shoulders! I suppose they assume I have broad, strong, healthy, able shoulders!

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The Importance of Financial Mentoring

by Matt Jabs

Recently, while reading and commenting on an EarlyRetirementExtreme post entitled “Which blogs do you read?” I strongly realized that the more I focus on securing my personal finances, the more I understand that I cannot, should not, and will not go it alone!

To get to where I want to be I need to surround myself with the experience and tutaledge of others, but also need to be ready and willing to reciprocate the favor when & where the need arises. Though I mainly submit myself to the financial principles & wisdom of the bible, today I would like to specifically address the important role others play in my journey to become financially free.

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Manually Report Utility Meter Readings To Avoid Being Overcharged

by Matt Jabs

I strongly urge you to read this post. It will help you avoid being overcharged as I was.

By calling in and reporting my gas & electric (I have one provider for both services) meter readings manually for two straight months I was able to reclaim a total of $160.13 of errant charges. Was this happenstance, or is my utility company using this practice on many of its customers to pad its bottom line in rough economic times? What do you think?

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Hot Water Savings – DFA Tip of the Week – 5/11/2009

by Matt Jabs

There are many ways to reduce costs in our every day lives, so to help do just that each Monday I will post a money saving “Tip of the Week”. “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” Luke [...]

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Financial Philosophy & Sacrifice to Create Wealth & Live Off Your Interest

by Matt Jabs

Do you have a Financial Philosophy? How much are you willing sacrifice to become debt free?

Over the course of the last week or so I have drawn several noteworthy conclusions about myself, my life, my family, and my financial goals. I recently discovered that my financial mindset was faulty, in several distinct ways…

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Monthly Debt Reduction & Savings Statement – April 2009

by Matt Jabs

Each month I will be posting a Monthly Debt Reduction & Savings Statement to help track our debt repayment and savings goals. It is my intent to use these statements as a comparison against our starting debt amounts as of January, 2009 – when Betsy & I began our Debt Free Adventure.

Here is our up-to-date Debt Reduction & Savings Statement for MONTH, YEAR:

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I’m a Regular Author on FiveCentNickel.com!

by Matt Jabs

I have not officially mentioned this on DFA as of yet, but a few weeks ago I settled a contract with “Nickel” of FiveCentNickel.com to become a regular author on the site! The advent of this opportunity is very exciting and humbling for me. I believe I am one of just two additional authors and am proud to have been considered and selected to contribute to Nickel’s excellent personal finance website.

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Quit Your Costly Habits & Invest Your Proceeds – DFA Tip of the Week – 5/4/2009

by Matt Jabs

This weeks tip involves…quitting a costly habit to save money!

For the purposes of this article we are defining a costly habit as any unnecessary or noncritical product, service, or practice that consumes your money on a regular basis.

What costly habits do you have? Have you ever compiled a list of habits that cost you more than you want to pay? Today I challenge you to make that list, kick those habits, and invest your proceeds! I’ll get you started by listing a few expensive habits.

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