Big Kang Theory

FPU Friday Five!

Need a little more summer reading before the leaves start to fall?  Then check out one of the 54 books recommended by our financial-guru-Bible-quoting-buddy Dave Ramsey.  Just click here.

Overwhelmed?  Don't know where to start?  Here are 5 I've read and would recommend (in no particular order), along with (of course) a 5 word synopsis:

1) Good to Great - Kill the mediocrity in you.

2) The Millionaire Next Door - can live in your house!

3) The Spirit of the Disciplines - Not for the faint hearted.

4) Who Moved My Cheese? - Hate change? Read this now!

5) Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters - My reasons: Alysa, Anorah, Amayah...

Enjoy!

FPU Friday Five!

If you plan on visiting one of our FPU classes in the near future, BEWARE of sharp objects!

You see, for the past several weeks we've been witnessing the slicing and dicing of credit cards here at Liquid.  And if classic straight-line scissors aren't your style, others have suggested hole punchers, blow torches and other creative ways to destroy your credit cards.

Meanwhile, check out the damage from Wed's FPU group led by Steve & Susan Yarad:

                          (GREAT job everyone!)

And so with all that in mind, this week's FPU Friday Five gives you 5 suggestions for what to do with all that freedom you'll feel after clipping up your credit cards for good:

#1: DEATH CAN BE ART  Put up your newly defunct and dead cards up on display.  Watch friend s and family faces light up as they behold your accomplishments -- both as an artist and Ginsu knife wielding FPU member.

#2: TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOURSELF  You've made some significant changes in your behavior  (remember FPU is 20% knowledge, 80% behavior!)!  And whether you realize it or not, this is the start of a new look on life!

#3: LEAP FROG YOUR FINANCIAL BURDENS  With that gazelle-like intensity in place, you're ready to experience tangible changes in position over the next months, so continue that momentum and just hop to it!  

#4: DRESS FOR SUCCESS  Now that you're on a serious track toward financial freedom...you may wanna show everyone an alternative way of using your credit cards to get that perfect dress!  (ok ok this was a stretch! ; )  

#5: HUM AND STRUM YOUR WAY TO PEACE  Pick-up that rusty guitar and use your newly minted credit card guitar picks to strum a new song!  After working out your own debt snowball schedule, you'll know the exact date you'll be debt-free...and that is definitely something to sing about!

So how about it everyone ~ what else can you come up with?  Share your ideas for the Credit Card Clipping AFTER-PARTY with us in the comment section below!

FPU Friday Five!

Hey folks!  For the past couple weeks over 200 people at Liquid have been involved in something HUGE!  Lives are revamping around the biblical-based approach of putting our financial houses in order

Financial Peace University sets itself apart from many other personal finance programs because it gets to the heart of what the Bible teaches about money.  And this week our FPU Friday Five highlights 5 principles from God's Word about money, debt and financial peace...check it out:

#1 - Deuteronomy 8:18 - But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.  Everything we do must first respect God's position relative to what we're doing.  God comes first and is the reason why we must have integrity in our finances.

#2 - Luke 16:11 - So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?  If we are keenly aware of God's significance in our lives, we also are aware of our responsibility as trustees on earth.  Our future in God's kingdom has even more to come.

#3 - Proverbs 6:6-9 - Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!   It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will  you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?  One of God's smallest creatures can teach us A LOT about life ~ so remember that no discipline feels comfortable at the time.  But if you embrace diligence and "gazelle-like" intensity today you will secure your future.

#4 - Proverbs 22: 26-27 - Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.  The secret formula: Consume LESS THAN you make.  Crazy, right?  But remember: "Live life like no one else, so that later on, you can live like no one else!"

#5 - Proverbs 22:7 - The rich rule over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.  The WIIFM (What's In It For Me) factor is easy to picture.  Do you feel like you're in bondage to money, debt and all the material things?  The reality is that you can tangibly work toward Financial PEACE that exudes the Peace of God for your life!                   

Question of the Day: How do you see the connection (or disconnect) between God's will (and Word) and how you handle your money?

The FPU Friday Five

And they’re off!  Our first round of our Financial Peace University classes started out the gates as if someone infused an extra shot or two of espresso in everyone’s cup o’ Joe at Liquid.  Over 200 people are immersing themselves over the next 13 weeks in community to get rid of the burdens stuffed into our wallets and pocketbooks.  The excitement was definitely felt in the classroom.

"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender."  Proverbs 22:7 (TNIV)

In order to break free of the bondage that quickly invades all parts of one’s life, Dave Ramsey prescribes the 1st Baby Step to establish a $1000 Emergency Fund…as quickly as possible.

Our Liquidites never cease to amaze as we heard some really creative suggestions on how to find the first $1000 in the next couple of WEEKS before we move onto the rest of the action plan toward Financial Peace.

Here’s this week’s FPU FRIDAY FIVE – a sampling of crowd-sourced tips to raise the money needed for a $1000 Emergency Fund:

1. "Fast" groceries – Most families spend hundreds of dollars a month on food alone.  But cutting the trips to the grocery store probably won’t be noticed a bit since most pantries, fridges and freezers are filled with food that could feed the whole gang for over a month at the very least.  

2. Walk the dog – With summer just about here and schools letting out, it means family road trips for many.  This is the perfect time to post some flyers or ask around if anyone needs dog/pet sitters for dog walking while they are out of town.  It’s the perfect P/T extra pocket money gig.

3. LIQUIDate – A $1000 Emergency Fund is probably not that hard to muster up if you just look around the house and realize that there’s tons of stuff that is just screaming to be shipped to their new owners…from eBay.  Sell! Sell! Sell!

4. Go GREEN – Yes, it’s true, you pay 16-22% MORE with plastic than with good ol’ greenbacks.  As simplistic as it is, paying cash will save you big time money.

5. Hit the bank – But instead of going to the ATM, go make a deposit!  Get into the routine of dropping off any money you accumulate each and every week  until you reach your goal.   Whether it’s $2 or it’s $200 any given week, get it into the bank vault.  It’s safer there!

What other tactics are YOU taking to get to your $1000 Emergency Fund goal?  Please share your tips – creative or mundane with us in the comment section below!