Change Maker by Compass Catholic Ministries

I"m Going Back to Work, Now What?

Finally, we are beginning to recover from all the shutdowns that began in February and got worse in March and April and people are going back to work.  When you get back to your job, it’s also the time to get back to your new financial normal.

Create a budget, and use that to create a crisis budget.  Build up your emergency fund and start digging out of any debt you incurred.  It will be a long hard road, but starting now will put you in a better position if there is another emergency around the corner.

The Compass Blog has more on how to get back to some sense of financial normal.

Money Stories: Money and Multiples with Lauren Faul

Lauren and her husband have been blessed with five children including triplet boys. With five children under four years of age, Lauren learned many lessons about prioritizing and the logistics involved with having a large family. She shares those lessons and explains how she and her husband decided to make a career change to benefit their large family.

For more information about Compass Catholic, please visit www.CompassCatholic.org.

Retiring During a Recession

Planning retirement while there is a recession can be tricky.  Start by looking at your current monthly expenses. Exclude expenses related to work and include new expenses related to retirement.  Subtract the monthly expenses from your monthly retirement income.

If your expenses are more than your income, how much do you need to withdraw from savings each month and how long will your savings last?

Doing these calculations before you retire will either bring you peace of mind or the realization that retirement needs to be delayed.

The Compass Blog has more on details to consider if you are retiring during a down market.

Money Stories: Faith and Finances with Allison Gingras

Allison Gingras shares the story about her financial journey. Allison realized the extent of her debt when the bank refused to extend her any more credit. Around the same time, she met the co-founders of Compass Catholic Ministries, Jon and Evelyn Bean. They presented her with the opportunity to participate in a Compass Catholic Bible study, which she now credits for her much of her family's financial wellness. It hasn't always been easy but now Allison can use her family's financial journey to glorify God. 

Learn more at the Compass Catholic website.

Life After the Pandemic

How has your life changed for the better since the pandemic? Have you looked for the good in the stay at home orders and the chance to stop the crazy busyness that pervaded our pre-pandemic normal?

While this situation wasn’t something anyone wanted, there is always some sort of good that comes out of any situation.  Maybe now is the time to think about the good and say a little prayer of thanksgiving for whatever bright spots you can find.

The Compass Blog has more on some of the positives that will come from our new normal.

Money Stories: Pursuing Financial Independence with Brent and Amy Jones

You may have heard of the FIRE Movement either on social media or in the news. FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. Brent and Amy Jones are a young couple with young children. In this episode of Money Stories, Brent and Amy talk about their pursuit of financial independence and how they balance their family's needs, generosity, and their financial goals.

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Money Stories: Finding a Money/Life Balance with John and Jaclyn Kennedy

A sequel to last week's episode, Jaclyn and John Kennedy are back to discuss their desire to find a money/life balance that works for their family. Jaclyn has been able to modify her work schedule to be able to spend more time with their young children. Like most decisions, this one had financial implications they've had to navigate together. 

Challenge Your Expenses

It is easy to get into a spending rut and not pay attention to where the money is going. But those assumptive spending habits can be wasting your hard earned cash.

Look at both the big things and the small things you buy on a regular basis in order to challenge each and every expense to see what can be eliminated.

The Compass Catholic blog has more on which expenses to challenge. Your bank account will thank you!

Money Decisions for Your Marriage

Money can destroy a marriage.

All the assumptions and experiences of the way your family used and managed money come into your marriage. Each spouse was raised in a different environment, so no two people come into a marriage thinking exactly the same way as their spouse on any issue, most especially money. And that difference can mean disaster.

Learn how to tackle those important money decisions as a team in this podcast and the Compass Catholic blog

How to Handle a Financial Pandemic

The world seems a little upside down right now with a lot of uncertainty about the spread of the COVID-19 virus, consumer mayhem in stores, events being cancelled and the ensuring financial panic.

We may be on edge because of uncertainty or we may be in panic mode because everyone around us in is panic mode and the media is doing a great job of spreading the fears.

None of us knows the future. All we have is today. If you are feeling overwhelmed by everything around you, meditate on these verses:

Isaiah 41: 10 “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

Psalm 46:2  “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.”

The Compass Catholic blog has more on staying calm while the winds of fortune swirl around us. It also has links to several charts showing the ups and downs of the financial market.