Change Maker by Compass Catholic Ministries

Getting Into a Cost Cutting Mindset

We can get so used to doing things in the same old ways that’s hard to make a change. Any change can be difficult, but if you are successful with small changes, they can help you to succeed with large changes. Taking time to make small mindset changes can lead you to a path of financial freedom, just by concentrating on doing things differently and thinking about things differently.

Tune in for suggested mindset changes that can help you on the path to those significant changes. The Compass Catholic blog has more on this idea.

Debt Payoff Plans

Paying off debt is a lot like losing weight. There are fad diets that may help you lose weight quickly, but some on those diets may not be very healthy. It takes a lifestyle and mindset change along with discipline to keep the weight off.

In the same way, paying off debt takes a lifestyle and mindset change along with discipline in order to manage your spending and concentrate on paying off debt. But some of the ways to pay off debt may not be financially healthy.

Join us here and on our blog for things to think about when planning a debt pay off plan.

10 Easy Steps to Improve Your Monthly Finances

We all have a tendency to think that SOMEDAY we will be happy, content and financially stable. But if we don’t start today, we’ll never get there.

Join us for 10 easy steps you can take today to improve your monthly finances: track your spending; review monthly payments; determine if you still need to pay PMI on your mortgage; earn more; review insurance; discern wants vs needs; question every purchase; set spending priorities; stop shopping as entertainment; quit comparing yourself with others.

Listen in and check out our blog to learn more about ways to start improving your monthly budget today.

26 Weeks Till Christmas

Lots of people are preparing for beach vacations. The furnace is turned off and the air conditioner is on. NOW is a great time to consider … Christmas! 

Don’t let Christmas catch you financially unprepared. We encourage you to avoid going into debt this Christmas and now is the right time to start planning so you can achieve that goal.

The Compass blog has more on staying out of debt for Christmas.

Mid Year Tax Review

Filing your tax return is a once-a-year event but a mid-year review will help you maximize your tax savings. It’ll only take 30 minutes to do a mid-year review, and it could easily save you thousands of dollars.

The goal is to be tax neutral–not paying too much or too little. The Compass blog has more on what to consider in your mid-year tax review and how to adjust withholding to come out as close as possible to paying or receiving net zero on your taxes.

Birthdays on a Budget

Birthdays can be budget busters if you get carried away with an over the top party, tons of gifts and spending money instead of time with your child.

Don’t try to outdo the neighbors. Instead, make each birthday memorable by having special family birthday traditions, which will be cherished by your child much more than any birthday gifts they may receive.

The Compass blog has more on developing special birthday memories your kids will remember and pass on to their children.

Master Your Money

A large part of mastering your money is based on giving it place in your life it deserves, and it’s not first place. Everything in our culture influences us to think that more is better, especially when it comes to money. Yes, more money may ease the financial pressure for a while, but it will never provide lasting happiness. 

Master your money by learning to be a good steward of God’s many blessings, including the way you give, save and spend.  

Read the Compass blog to learn more about how to master your money.

Learning to be Content

Scientific evidence suggests that being content may have major benefits for your health. For starters, it helps combat stress, boosts your immune system, protects your heart and reduces pain.  What's more, it may even increase your life expectancy.

What does it mean to be a contented person? Happiness is a temporary "high,"whereas contentment is a longer lasting, deeper feeling of satisfaction and gratitude for everything in your life.

Read the Compass blog for more on learning to be content.

Heal Financial Infidelity

Marriage is a joint venture in all areas, even when it comes to money. When you get married, you don’t vow to share all financial aspects of your life with your spouse—but maybe you should.  Nothing will ruin a marriage faster than hiding financial details from each other. Our podcast suggests ways to break down those financial walls that are separating you from each other.

Also check out our blog for more ways to share your finances with your spouse.

The Benefits of Using a Financial Planner - Part 2

John Kennedy, CFP and fiduciary, offers advice on saving for retirement. Check out this link and look at page 13 for the intersection of your age and salary. Multiply your salary by the number in the intersection to see how much you should have saved for retirement at your current age.

John also comments on his personal experience with the Compass Catholic Navigating Your Finances God’s Wayand Set Your House in OrderBible studies. Not only did it help him in his financial planner role, it also helped him and his wife communicate about their personal finances.

Read the Compass Catholic Blog for more benefits of using a financial planner.