Change Maker by Compass Catholic Ministries

Don't Get Scammed

Have you ever gotten a phone call from your own phone number? There are any number of ways people hide their true identity in an effort to scam you. They may want your money or your personal information but they are persistent in trying to get you to give them what they want.

We have suggestions for how to avoid being scammed by being smart about who you talk to, what information you share, and how you can protect the information the scammers want the most.

The Compass Catholic blog has additional ideas about avoiding scams.

Plan to be Content at Christmas

Christmas can be a time of discontent as we try to keep up with what everyone around us is doing or expects us to do. If Christmas exhausts you financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually, learn the virtue of contentment from Philippians 4:11-13.

If spending less, buying fewer gifts and cutting back on activities will help you be content instead of exhausted at Christmas – go for it!  Christmas only comes once a year, so do more of what makes you and the rest of your immediate family happy and less of what causes stress and discontent.  

Check out the Compass Catholic blog for more on being content at Christmas.

Should Children Get an Allowance?

We met a mom a few weeks ago who was telling us that her son and daughter started a dog walking business when they were young. Mom and dad taught the kids how to manage money wisely, and how to save. As the kids got older they took on more responsibility for their personal finances.

Their son is now graduating from college with no student debt. His entire college experience was funded by scholarships and money he saved. Even more amazing is that he has $100K in the bank as he graduates! What a wonderful way to get a head start in life.

This week the Compass Catholic podcast has ideas about how to train your kids to be financially responsible. If you don’t teach them when they are young, they will never learn as adults. Check out our blog for more on helping your children be financially responsible.

Financial Clutter

Recently, we were talking to the president of a Catholic Credit Union who mentioned the term “Financial Clutter” as all those things that get people off track with their finances.

Maybe it’s doing something you should NOT be doing or maybe it’s NOT doing something you should be doing.  Financial clutter is whatever gets us off track from being a good steward of God’s blessings. Join us for a lively discussion on financial clutter.

The Compass Catholic blog has more on how to find and eliminate the financial clutter in your life.

Plan to LOVE Your Retirement

When people retire, many times the goal is to simply stop working. As our lifespan increases, retirement can be a time of great fulfillment if you plan well. Not planning for retirement may result in a dead end feeling when you no longer have a reason to get out of bed every morning.

Finding a passion to use your talents and skills in serving others can result in a fulfilling lifestyle and a feeling of accomplishment during this season of life.

The retirement years can be one third of your adult life. What are your plans for loving retirement? The Compass Catholic blog has more about planning for happy, fulfilling retirement years.

One step in planning is to be financially prepared. Check out our retirement calculators to review your financial readiness.

What is a Crisis Budget and When Do I Implement it?

Sooner or later almost everyone faces a financial crisis.  A job loss, illness, birth of a special needs child, or damage from a hurricane or winter storm can all wreak havoc on your financial stability.  Plan for the unplanned by having a crisis budget. A crisis budget will help you survive economic setbacks with minimum impact to your financial stability.

This podcast shares how to create a crisis budget and when to put it into action, and be sure to check out the Compass Catholic blog on crisis budgets.

I just graduated from college, now what?

College graduation is one of those milestones in life that need to be celebrated. And after the celebration it’s time to face a lot of planning and decisions about your future, including strategies for how to handle money, pay off the student loans, and become a financially responsible adult.

Join us for ideas and suggestions about how to get organized for your financial future.

The Compass Catholic blog has more on how to get a handle on your finances.

Money Saving Ideas

Saving money means paying attention to both large and small opportunities. Large opportunities to save may be a bonus, refund, raise or inheritance. Small opportunities to save means paying attention to the many ways you may be wasting money on everyday items you purchase. Join us as we discuss some small ways to save those pennies.

The Compass Catholic blog has more on money saving ideas.

How Much Do I Have to Give?

When you think about giving, are you focused on the minimum or the maximum? It is easy to think giving is based on some exact number that will satisfy our obligation, yet true generosity comes joyfully out of a heart filled with love.

By developing a giving plan, you can reconcile the natural tension between meeting a minimum obligation and the response to a generous God who has given us everything.

The Compass Catholic blog has more on developing a giving plan.

What Your Graduate Needs to Know About Money

Seniors in high school or college or recent graduates or are on the cusp of making financial decisions that may have a life-long impact. Help them become wise money managers and good stewards by being sure they have learned the important financial lessons. None of these lessons are complicated but they are all necessary to avoid future financial disasters.

The Compass Catholic blog has more on this topic.