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Live Like No One Else

02.13.2012 by Matt Jabs //

“Live like no one else so later on you can live like no one else.” – Dave Ramsey

The Dave Ramsey quote explained

I suppose understanding this quote isn’t rocket science, but for whatever reason I was little slow to appreciate its rich truth.

What does he mean by living like no one else?

Ponder it for yourself then read my explanation; if you’re familiar with Dave’s teachings you have heard it before . . . but have you ever meditated on it?

After a few years of hearing this quote often (I’m an FPU church leader), one day its meaning hit me on a deeper level.

For years Betsy and I have been sacrificing present wants for a debt free lifestyle in the future, which, though it’s growing in popularity is still an anti-cultural conduct. Thing is, after you have been living this way for awhile it’s easy to overlook the eventual benefits. Not only that, it’s easy to become frustrated with the sacrifices now and again.

Not too long ago, while leading an FPU class, the quote hit me afresh, “Matt, you’re living like no one else so that later on you get to live like no one else.”

The simple quote reminded me that our sacrifices will pay off, and gave me renewed appreciation for how they already have.

Ways we live like no one else

Here are a few ways me and Betsy “live like no one else:”

paid off and cut up all our credit cards
stopped buying things we don’t need
canceled cable tv
canceled my cell phone
drive paid off vehicles
using cash envelopes
sold our house and went from a $1,450 housing payment to a $650 payment.

There are other ways we save but these are the biggies. Looking back over them reminds me of all the ways we live outside the culture so we can have greater freedom and peace of mind. It inspires me to continue on. It motivates me to keep pushing the limits. It reminds me of my calling to help you understand and embrace biblical stewardship so you can experience the blessings of obedience to God’s Word.

What about you?

We’re sacrificing now to benefit later, but what about you? Are you indulging, perhaps trying to balance your lifestyle with those around you? Careful, it’s really easy in our culture; much easier than practicing wise stewardship.

If you are new to this I encourage you to be on your guard continually; but don’t worry, after awhile it becomes instinct. Just keep going.

If you’re stumbling I challenge you to reevaluate your goals . . . why did you set them and what do you have to do to reach them?

Encourage yourself to live like no one else so that later you can live like no one else, and whenever possible surround yourself with people who are choosing to do the same. Fellowship with the likeminded can provide a shot in the arm in times of weakness and need.

Ways you can live like no one else

How can you live like no one else now so you can live like no one else later? Don’t let me answer for you, answer for yourself.

Use our experience to find inspiration and the motivation to make changes. Start small and work your way up, remember that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Find a financial peace university course close to you and sign up.

Talk to your family about financial fundamentals and get them on board. Apologize for your lack of leadership, take full responsibility, and ask for their help. Show them where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there. Be humble if you want to be successful, pride will get you nowhere.

Enjoy yourself

Sacrifice does not mean you have to stop having fun. Some of my best memories are of experiences made on a shoestring budget; if you don’t use money you have to use creativity – which always makes for better memories.

Hold fast to your goals and inspire others. Trust me, God will bless your sacrifice and stewardship!

Cash Envelopes For Couples

01.23.2012 by Matt Jabs //

Using cash envelopes can be a huge financial blessing for singles and couples. Many people steer clear because they’re unsure how to make them work in their relationship.

Here are 4 great tips to help you get started. My goal is to get you to use them because they have saved us money, time, and financial stress for years.

How do they save money?

You can argue cash envelopes won’t work for you but until you try it your point is moot. Keep an open mind, listen to our experience, and consider the benefits to your financial health.

To show how cash envelopes save money I considered pointing to some Ivy League study, but I’ll keep it existential since it’s what I know.

Using cash sets limits in each category. When the money in each category is gone, it’s gone. You preconceive how much you’ll spend rather than just spending whatever you have. I call this “telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” Define what categories work with cash and create those envelopes. We have five: groceries, miscellaneous, clothing, dining out, and entertainment. We each get $300/month total; when it’s gone, we stop spending. If we don’t spend it all, we carry it over and withdraw less for next months envelope.

Using cash hurts more. Try it and you’ll see. I still remember the first time we took our grocery envelope to the store. Each item placed in the cart went through a rigorous screening rather than tossing in whatever we wanted. Things we needed went in regardless; things we wanted were added according to how much was already spent. Turns out we didn’t want many of them bad enough to spend the cash.

It made a big difference in the way we shopped; and it still does.

Cash envelope tips for couples

Perhaps you know cash envelopes would save your family money . . . if only you could figure out how to make it work with your spouse.

This is how me and Betsy have made it work for us:

1. Direct deposit paychecks – do this so you don’t have to go to the bank to deposit your checks every time you’re paid. It saves time, gas money, and hassle. If your employer doesn’t offer direct deposit, ask them to; I did this once and the employer obliged.

2. Define cash categories – what categories work best for cash in your situation? As mentioned above, we use cash for groceries, miscellaneous, dining out, entertainment, and clothing so we have 5 separate envelopes. We each get half the total money allotted for all envelopes each month.

3. Withdrawal once per month – now that you know how much cash is needed for a months worth of cash purchases, withdrawal that amount once per month. This saves gas money, trips to the ATM, and ATM fees (you’re not stuck using a machine that doesn’t belong to your bank).

4. Divide the money – does one spouse do the majority of the shopping and purchasing or is it divided equally? Figure this out and distribute accordingly so you each have enough for all categories.

We used to give Betsy most of the cash for everything but miscellaneous (we both get $100/month for misc. regardless) because she did most of the shopping. Now we’re together most of the time so we split it down the middle. It works incredibly well for us; do what works for you and don’t stop until you find what works. If your situation changes, change your system accordingly.

Give it a shot

Use our experience and tips to test this out for your situation; what do you have to lose? Most folks I know save a lot of time, money, and hassle by using cash envelopes together.

I dare you to prove me otherwise.

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Ways To Save Money This Christmas

12.02.2011 by Matt Jabs //

1. Don’t participate in gift giving

Instead of buying people gifts they don’t need, let them know you’re not participating and why. Tell them it goes both ways and that you strongly prefer not to receive gifts either. Explain your position so they understand, and be honest. If it’s because you want to organize a family drive for the needy instead, let them know and encourage participation. If you want to reject consumerism, illustrate your reasons without being pushy or judgmental of those who disagree. If you just plain can’t afford it, be honest, I promise they will understand, and it may be contagious – many people feel the same but are afraid to be different.

Be a catalyst for positive change and people will follow your lead.

2. Give to the needy

When did you last spend time helping people in need? There is a reason it is called, “the gift of giving.” Giving to those who have real needs (food, shelter, clothing, transportation) creates happiness for all involved. Call your church and ask where your help is needed most. Give unused clothes – nice stuff, not something raggedy you never wear – to your local homeless shelter. Serve at the food bank and help organize the drive to provide Christmas meals for families who have lost jobs and would be otherwise unable to celebrate the season.

3. Give of your time

You can cook people dinner, do chores around their house, babysit their children while they go out to a romantic dinner, or write letters explaining how people are important to you. Be creative and think outside the box. Spend time thinking about the individual needs of your loved ones so you can do something really special for each of them.

Shoveling driveways for neighbors without telling them is a great show of charity. Help your church put up and take down Christmas decorations… trust me, there is no such thing as the decoration fairy and it doesn’t “just happen.”

Making gifts is another great way to give of your time, and a great way to use your God given talents creating something awesome for those you love.

4. Make homemade gifts

There are many benefits to making homemade gifts. It shows you dedicated time to people. It allows you to use your gifts – if you can cook, give baked goods. If you can woodwork, make toys or simple decor pieces to show you care for them. Make your own cards, gifts, gift labels, or just write people Christmas letters explaining why they are special to you. This will require more of your time but less of your money. When you spend time creating unique gifts for people, it really shows. Especially if you include hand written memories explaining why they are special to you. People love to hear why they are important, think about it… we just don’t get much of that in our culture. Change that this year and do something unique and special for loved ones.

Give anonymously

However you decide to give, do it anonymously whenever possible – I promise it’s one of the coolest things you will ever do. Anonymity is one of the secrets of true charitable giving. In the bible the Lord Jesus tells us to give without seeking the praise of men. It shows we believe Him and that we seek His reward in the afterlife and not the praise of men in this life.

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:1-4

However you give, do so with charity. Be creative and use the talents God gave you to express your love for family, friends, and the needy. You know how you feel about people better than Walmart does… so tap into the power of the season and do something awesome this year.

How will you give while saving money this Christmas?

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