Personal Finance Tools
In the Western world, much of the last twelve months has been a crash course in macroeconomics. We've grappled with issues such as "mortgage-backed securities" and "subprime lending" and witnessed devastating bankruptcies and desperate government "bailout" plans. For many of us, it all feels so eerily similar to the ongoing financial battles in our own lives, minus the trillion dollar bailout. What would it look like to live in such a way that the words "economic crisis" no longer apply? What would it feel like to get our personal finances "on track"? What would that take?
That's what this page is all about! On this page you'll find the essential tools and worksheets that you need to begin the journey to financial wholeness, to discover how to become free from worry, free from confusion, and free from debt. In other words, you'll discover everything you need to be emotionally, spiritually and financially free to pursue your God-given purpose in the world, unhindered by stress and liberated to make a real difference in the world.
This is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life: to align your financial life with God's heart for you! Experience the joy of living life -- even your financial life -- in the freedom of living God's way!
But first things first. Let's remember where this journey starts - by soaking in the love and value that God has for us. Check out this video.
Personal Budget Spreadsheet
This resource is from Crown Financial Canada. It combines everything you need from your financial overview, to planning your debt payments, to tracking monthly expenditures.
The second sheet in this file is the "Personal Financial Overview" that goes along with the first Unbroke message: "Free From Worry". If you're more comfortable filling in number on the computer than on paper, this replaces the "Personal Financial Overview" handout. You will also be able to continue using this spreadsheet throughout the series (and beyond), with all your numbers in one file.
Financial Overview
- Week One Handout: Financial Overview
- September 6 Message: Unbroke: Free From Worry
Track Your Spending
- Week Two Handout: Track Your Spending
- September 13 Message: Unbroke: Free From Confusion
Recognize Your Debt
- Week Three Handout: Recognize Your Debt
- September 20 Message: Unbroke: Free From Debt
- PBS Documentary: Secret History of the Credit Card
Set Your Priorities
- Week Four Handout: Giving Plan
- September 27 Message: Unbroke: Free For Life
Related Reading
- Unbroke Bible Reading Plan
- Money, Possessions and Eternity, by Randy Alcorn
- The Total Money Makeover, by Dave Ramsey
- The Big Birthday Surprise, by Dave Ramsey
- The Smart Cookies' Guide to Making More Dough, by Andrea Baxter, Angela Self, Katie Dunsworth, Robyn Gunn, and Sandra Hanna
Don't give up! We can help...
If all of this is overwhelming for you, we want you to know that help is available to you on your journey towards wholeness and freedom. We will be holding workshops to cover these habits and tools in more detail; please contact personalfinance@southridgechurch.ca to talk to someone about your next steps.