4 Mar
Today I made another student loan payment. As I look at the amount I am paying versus the amount left to pay on the laons, I have one word to desribe how I feel about it.
Woof.
So I was encouraged to find this letter in the pile of stuff I hadn’t read yet:
Yeah!
May the Lord’s will be done,
CWillZ
15 Jan
I forgot to do the Giving Highlight last month. I chose another micro-finance related organization to give to. I really like this concept. Before I tell you about Five Talents, I should give an update on the loans I made through Kiva a few months ago. All of the loans have gone into repayment, which means that I am starting to get money back. So basically the people who needed it have used it and have started to make enough money to support themselves/their families and repay me. The money they have paid back I have re-loaned, which will hopefully create another sustainable job for someone else. The cycle continues.
I chose to give to Five Talents because of they address more than the economic/systemic issues of poverty by wokring also for spiritual development. Also, they make online giving easy via credit card!
From thier website:
Five Talents’ mission is to fight poverty, create jobs and transform lives by empowering the poor in developing countries using innovative savings and microcredit programs, business training and spiritual development.
Also, a YouTube Special for you:
May the Lord’s will be done,
CWillZ
26 Nov
It is time to thank the Lord for His goodness this year. I’m making this post a tradition by repeating it from last year.
An abridged list of things for which I am thankful:
Life is a gift and blessing.
May the Lord’s will be done,
CWillz
22 Oct
Today I made a preemptive strike against the soon-to-be whelming war that is paying off student loans. Of course, this is an example of a necessary yet reactionary measure – the proactive and wisest solution would have been not to take on debt in the first place.
My loans go into repayment in November, which means that the first payments are due in December. I have set up my budget so that I will be able to pay over the minimum payments, reducing the overall cost of the loans (if you are sure to have the amount you pay over go towards the principle of the loan). Since I have been living off my budget for several months, today I was able to pay off the smallest loan completely. It feels good to win this first battle.
I have chosen the path of repayment prescribed by Dave Ramsey. He calls it the Debt Snowball. Here is basically how it works:
List all of the debts you owe and arrange them from smallest to largest. Pay all the minimum payments and then pay over as much as you can against the loan/debt on which you owe the least amount of money. When that debt is paid off, take the money you would be paying against it towards the next loan. When the second loan is paid off, apply all the money you were putting towards it towards the next loan. Battle by battle, you win the war.
Although I tremendously regret getting myself into this debt, today is a victory.
May the Lord’s will be done,
CWillZ
Related:
Make Love, Not Debt - A Very Active Blog about Personal Finance
Dave Ramsey - Money Stud
Crown Financial - Biblically Sound Teaching on Money
Good Sense - Willow Creek’s Stewardship Ministry
4 Sep
Recently I posted asking for input on where to give money. I then featured Kiva as where I decided to give and gave a brief intro to micro financing. I want to start featuring at least one place each month that I am going to give money or have given money to. My hope is to highlight some of the light that is being cast into this dismal world and to encourage both the organizations and those who may chose to give, pray, or join with them.
And the August giving highlight goes to … The International Justice Mission. Here is a blurb stolen from their website:
International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local governments to ensure victim rescue, to prosecute perpetrators and to strengthen the community and civic factors that promote functioning public justice systems.
IJM’s justice professionals work in their communities in 12 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to secure tangible and sustainable protection of national laws through local court systems.
It is obvious to see why this is a great org. to support. Seek justice, protect the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17). This is all part of the love affair we enjoy in the Kingdom.
May the Lord’s will be done,
CWillZ
19 Aug
Recent history of my transportation:
April 2008: Sell 82 VW Vanagon Westfalia, Buy 88 VW Cabrio
August 2008: Sell 88VW Cabrio, Buy 89 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE
Before you hate on my newest ride, realize that it came at a very discounted cost as my grandmaw is now rolling in a much newer, and much much faster Benz.
Nelly and Cedric the enteratiner knew what they were talking about when they talked about “Rollin around town in a big body Bez with two dollas worst of gas”(Country Grammar: Intro).
SO- I bought a new bicycle. It comes today. Should save me some money, help me be less fat.
More to come.
May the Lord’s will be done,
CWillZ
6 Aug
1) I went to college and spent money I did not have – DON’T DO THIS
2) I realized that I needed to pay it back – DO THIS
3) I payed the minimum payment for a long time because it was what I had – Only do this if you have to, but DON’T DO THIS
4) I payed over the minimum payment to reduce the debt – DO THIS
5) I transferred the balance to another CC with 0% interest – DO THIS only if you are serious, read carefully, don’t spend any more money you don’t have
6) I paid it off. DO THIS
Not a very interesting story, but the basics are there. Thank you Carol, the Fogler Family, Dave Ramsey, and all my friends who have shared thoughts and ideas along the way. Praise the Lord!!
Now about those student loans… Please pray / send me checks.
