Money 101
Does Having Money Make Me a Better (or Worse) Christian?
A few years ago, I surveyed the young adults at my church, expecting to hear the usual money concerns: student loans, budgeting, saving for a first home. But what I didn’t expect were the deeply spiritual and personal questions: Does having a lot of money make me a bad person? Is it selfish to earn…
The “Passive Income” Myth
A few years ago, a client in their twenties told me excitedly: “I’m going to buy a rental property, and then I won’t really ever have to work-just collect checks and continue to buy more rental properties.” That dream is alluring, especially in a culture saturated with quotes like “make money while you sleep” or…
Is the FIRE Movement Burning Too Bright?
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just focus on the things you’re passionate about and not worry about earning a paycheck? That idea is what draws many people into the FIRE movement, or “Financial Independence, Retire Early.” On the surface, it sounds ideal: save aggressively now so you can leave the workforce in your…
Using Student Loans Responsibly
Student loan debt is a hot-button issue for many. If you ask your older friends, family members, and people in your community, you’ll likely get conflicting advice about whether college is worthwhile and how to approach paying for classes-and student loans are often a big part of that conversation. Taking on such a major debt…
Life Insurance as an Act of Stewardship
A few years ago, I sat down with a couple who were both schoolteachers. They had recently purchased permanent life insurance policies, sold to them as a kind of financial Swiss Army knife: life insurance, retirement savings, college savings, even a pseudo bank account, all in one. The promise? Tax-free growth and flexible use. But…