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Household budget calculator and analyzer!

Ever wonder where your money goes and why you have so little of it left at the end of the month? You’re not alone. Household budgeting is hard, but this online calculator from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans makes it easier. Just plug in your figures and you’ll be able to see your money flow — and to plan better! (Photo by Thelatin10, via bigstockphoto.com.)

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Year-round stewardship plan

Download this 29-page resource today if you’re serious about energizing your stewardship all year long, instead of just a couple months in the fall. Stewardship writer Barbara Fullerton does a great job outlining how to get things going with practical tips, charts and links for further work. Written for United Church of Canada, it is still very useful for any church. (Photo by Grublee, via Bigstockphoto.com,)

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Financial Fitness in 2012

Here’s a great way to begin the new year! How about a 30-day challenge to address your financial fitness? A new activity will be posted each day to help you become more financial fit in 2012. Click here to read more about the GOOD 30-day Challenge: Get Financially Fit. (Photo by purpleslog used under Creative… Read more»

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Finding Your Fundraising Voice

“How can we persuade people to give more?” Not surprisingly, this is one of the most frequent questions I encounter in my work as a congregational consultant. One way to respond to such questions is by teaching better fundraising techniques. (Photo by iqoncept, via Bigstockphoto)

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Paying for Higher Ed without Debt

Yes, it can be done–even if you didn’t start that college fund at birth. Click here to read one family’s story and realistic suggestions. These strategies could also be applied to graduate education. (Photo by Tulane Public Relations used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!

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Congregational Discernment and Stewardship

The spiritual practice of discernment may be a useful tool for congregations when it comes to matters of stewardship of money. Check out this article by spiritual director Teresa Blythe on the Patheos website. (Photo by hickory hardscrabble used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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Playing by the “Rules” of Money Management

Do you play by the “rules” of sound money management, or do you choose to go “rogue” with your finances. Sound stewardship is a freeing experience based on understanding and applying tried and true rules. Read this blog post by Joe Sangl and see where you stand. (Photo by ToGa Wanderings used under Creative Commons… Read more»

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Feeling a Pinch in the Parish?

If so, you are not alone. According to this article by Ron Scherer posted on The Christian Science Monitor’s website, “not since at least 1960 has the US standard of living fallen so fast for so long.” With the average American having $1,315 less in disposable income, church budgets are taking a hit, too.  Solid… Read more»

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The New Financial Reality

It is fact that our children are not destined to inherit our standard of living and financial ease. Trent Hamm, author and blogger, runs a series of numbers in response to a reader’s question that show the extent of how our financial situation has changed and the present and future generations face. The question is… Read more»

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The Seven Deadly Sins of Personal Finance

Here’s an engaging (and entertaining) look at the seven deadly sins of personal finance from award-winning financial blogger Len Penzo. In addition to linking these sins to personal finance, Penzo suggests “penance” for the repentant in the form of additional articles on financial management. (Photo by Muffet used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)