The Health and Wealth Connection

Ellie Kay’s new book, co-authored with Danna Demetre, offers wisdom principles from the Author of Life. In Lean Body, Fat Wallet, they help us upgrade two key areas of life: health and finances.

“It is as important to be fiscally fit as it is to be physically fit—but spiritual health trumps all else,” Ellie said.

Ah … I’m glad Ellie added that last phrase. When we are spiritually in tune with God, He gives us wisdom for every area of life.

Ellie continues …

One of the best ways to get our health and wealth in order is structure our lives according to Biblical principles. For example, Romans 13:8 says, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.”

We are encouraged to love each other and to have no financial debt other to care for each other with a God-sized love. Furthermore, we can do a better job of caring for others if we are physically healthy enough to do the work and financially healthy enough to support the work.

The beginning of a Lean Body and Fat Wallet lies in getting rid of consumer debt.

Getting out of debt is like going on a diet—it may sound simple, but it sure isn’t easy.

The only thing that really works is to:  spend less and save more.

Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Debt doesn't benefit a marriage, a family or your future. Just as being overweight leads to health and emotional concerns, so debt has its consequences as well.

On the other hand, those who have a low debt load experience many benefits.

• There are fewer arguments over money their households.
• You can answer your phone and not worry about having to screen calls from creditors.
• You also have the freedom to financially bless others in need.

Stepping on the Scales: How to Know If You’re Financially Overweight

Maybe you’ve thought, “Hey, I’ve put a few dollars here and there.” There’s no more effective way to see if you have a problem, than as stepping on the scale.

You need to go on a debt diet if you:

1. Use credit card cash advances to pay for living expenses.
2. Use and depend on overtime to meet monthly expenses.
3. Use credit to buy things that you used to pay for in cash (i.e. groceries, gasoline, clothing).
4. Use the overdraft protection plan on your checking account to pay monthly bills.
5. Use savings to pay bills.
6. Use one credit card to pay another.
7. "Float" the bills: you delay paying one bill in order to pay an overdue bill.
8. Pay only the minimum amount due on charge accounts.

Consider making an appointment with the counselors at NFCC.org (National Foundation for Credit Counseling). You can also get out of debt sooner by reducing spending and repurposing those funds. As soon as you save in one area, immediately channel the money saved toward your debt load. If you don’t take that saved money and put it toward a credit card or other debt, then it will just get reabsorbed into your spending.

By following these biblical principles of good stewardship, you will find yourself with a Leaner Body and Fatter Wallet as well as the freedom that comes from living a healthy and wealthy life.

Do you need to go on a debt diet? Which of Ellie’s points do you think would help you the most?

Ellie Kay is a regular expert on national television with ABC NEWS NOW’s Money Matters and Good Money shows. She is also a national radio commentator, a frequent media guest on Fox News, and CNBC, a popular international speaker, and the best-selling author of fourteen books including her newest release, Lean Body, Fat Wallet (Thomas Nelson, 2013). For money savings links, or to view Ellie’s blog, go to www.elliekay.com.

'Financial Language' - Are You a 'Partner'?

Janice Thompson says there are six Financial Languages that describe how women deal with money matters. In this, her third post on the topic, she describes "The Partner" approach, beginning with this quote by an unknown author:

"Working together, ordinary people can perform extraordinary feats. They can push things that come into their hands a little higher up, a little further on toward the heights of excellence."

The scriptures tell us "two are better than one" (Ecclesiastes 4:9). It's good advice for anyone, but partnering over financial decisions comes naturally for some women.

Janice continues ...

We have the privilege of observing a woman of the Bible whose partnership with her husband impacted our world.

Take a little trip with me back to 52 A.D. when the Roman emperor, Claudius, evicted al the Jews from the city of Rome. According to the Roman historian, Seutonis, the Jews were persecuting their Christian neighbors and causing considerable disturbance in the city. All Jews, regardless of their guilt or innocence in the matter, were uprooted from their homes and banished from Rome.

This included a Jew named Aquila and his faithful wife, Priscilla.

From the accounts we are given (Acts 18, 1 Corinthians 16, Romans 16, 2 Timothy 4), they were a highly-regarded, model couple.

Priscilla not only worked with her husband, but she ministered with him - they are always mentioned together in the biblical accounts. Priscilla was obviously very much a part of this dynamic team.

Some fruitful outcomes developed from this collaborative effort with her husband. Paul commended them for the work they did to help the disciple Apollos, who became a dynamic leader in the church. And not to be forgotten are the contributions they made to church doctrine through Paul. God used them to impact Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, gave us the major doctrines, and wrote the General and Pastoral Epistles.

This was a partnership that made an impression on people!

Does this sound like you? If you are "The Partner," you thrive on being a team player. You are cooperative and trusting. You prefer not to be the primary decision-maker, but you value making decisions - doing life - with someone you trust.

Whether it is with a spouse, a business partner, a friend or an adviser, you know how to make an important contribution to the collaborative dynamic and it is easy to recognize the synergy you bring.

You love to be included in the details, exercise your intelligence, and contribute to a cause. That is where you shine!

"Two are better than one," the Bible says, "because they have a good (more satisfying) reward for their labor" (Ecclesiastes 4:9, Amplified).

Is your financial language partnership? Who is your partner in financial matters, and how do you contribute to this collaboration?

Janice Thompson is the founder and president of Strategic Financial Solutions, Inc., a comprehensive wealth management firm focused on biblically-based financial solutions. Janice is a Certified Financial Planner®, Certified Life Stewardship Advisor™, and serves on the Board of Directors of Kingdom Advisors. She has two married children with one grandchild on the way. She and her husband Tom live in San Diego.

Note: Material adapted from the book, Managing Your Money Maze by Janice Thompson (Revive Our Hearts, 2009).

Graphic in Text: Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Four Habits to Transform Your Body and Bank Account

Transform your body and bank account? How are they related?

My friends Danna Demetre and Ellie Kay explain in their book, Lean Body, Fat Wallet, how to transform (UPGRADE!) these two key areas of life.

Danna shares in this Upgrade post: “Losing weight and keeping it off. Getting fit and staying that way. Paying off consumer debt and remaining debt free. Isn’t that what we really desire – permanent, positive change?”

Although there is only one direct scripture reference in the text, the authors' biblical worldview about these practical matters is clear and helpful. I took an advance copy of Lean Body, Fat Wallet on a cruise in October, and followed their advice. To my delight, it helped me make better choices at all the cruise buffets and souvenir stores!

Danna continues …

Spending more than we have creates debt (and stress), and eating more calories than we burn results in lots of new fat storage. Yet this knowledge is rarely enough to motivate most people to change. Simple “self-discipline” is not so simple. Experts say that it we have limits on our capacity to exert self-control too long or too often. That’s the bad news.

My co-author, Ellie Kay—America’s Family Financial Expert—and I discovered that the same things that drive us to eat too much or fall into a sedentary lifestyle also propel us to spend too much and save too little; and the practices that help us get and stay healthy are similar to those which help us manage our money more responsibly.

In Lean Body, Fat Wallet, we share four habits that can transform your body and your bank account. They are:

• The You Are What You Think Habit
• The 3D Habit
• The In and Out Habit
• The Sustainable Lifestyle Habit

Habits silently influence our emotions and behaviors as if we are running on automatic pilot. The first and most important habit of all is the “You are What You Think” habit. It is foundational to the other three—my focus for this article.

You can begin to change your bad habits by changing how you think. When the new healthy habits of the mind are coupled with effective daily practices, amazing results can be experienced.

With the advances in brain science, we now understand that in about 21 days, the neuron pathways within the brain begin to physiologically change. If an old dominant message is ignored, the neuron pathway associated with that thought begins to atrophy. If a new message is repeated day after day, it will stimulate that neuron pathway to enlarge. Amazing.

For unhealthy thoughts to lose their power, you must squelch those thoughts and replace them with new healthier ones day after day for an extended period of time.

Over twenty years ago, I became fascinated with a story I read about Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D. In his personal research about high performance athletes, he discovered some Eastern European Olympians had full-time self-talk trainers that helped them develop new messages to drive them toward optimal levels of performance.

Helmstetter decided to try this method out on his battle of the bulge. He wrote detailed scripts related to healthy eating and living and had them professionally recorded in a studio. He began listening to them every morning while he shaved. Over a 10-week period, he lost 38 pounds—and never gained them back. More amazingly, his wife who was putting her makeup on at the same bathroom counter lost 25 pounds, eavesdropping on his self-talk messages!

When I heard this story, some of the dramatic changes I’d realized in my own life—both my ability to overcome panic attacks as well as the lasting victory I’d won over emotional eating and bulimia—started to make sense. I had been practicing healthy self-talk for many years without even knowing what to label it. In my case, I replaced old destructive messages such as, “I can’t stop eating. I’m losing my mind. I’ll never lose weight,” to more constructive ones such as, “I am in control of my food choices. I can eat small amounts and be very satisfied. My mind is strong and I am not afraid.”

After one year, the panic attacks were gone. Over the next few years, I gained total victory over not only bulimic behavior, but emotional eating altogether.

You’ve probably heard and even used the cliché, “Practice makes perfect.” A more accurate observation is:  Practice makes permanent. Whatever we practice continually will become ingrained in our neuron pathways.

Many people don’t know how to implement healthy thinking in a practical, time-efficient way. The four simple steps below are a great place to start to build a new, strong and positive habit.

1. Identify the lies you believe. (Follow the trail of persistent negative emotions.)

2. Take your negative thoughts captive. (Stop dwelling on them.)

3. Construct new healthy self-talk to counteract the lies. (It is well worth the effort.)

4. Repeat your healthy self-talk until new, dominant thoughts form—day after day after day.

What new habit do YOU want to build today?

Note: Have you considered what habit change would most transform your body or bank account? Leave a comment here, or on the Upgrade Facebook page to be entered into a DRAWING for Danna and Ellie’s new book, Lean Body, Fat Wallet (an advance reader’s copy). Drawing on November 18.

Danna Demetre is a former registered nurse and fitness professional with over thirty years experience coaching others toward healthier lifestyles. She’s a popular conference speaker, former health radio host and the author of several books to include Scale Down. You can learn more about her latest book, Lean Body, Fat Wallet at: www.leanbody-fatwallet.net

'Financial Language' - Are You a 'Thinker'?

In her first post about Financial Language, Janice Thompson, wrote about the woman whose "financial language" is expressed as The Driver. This post describes the woman whose financial language is "The Thinker."

"The Thinker's goal is to understand her financial situation," Janice said.

That makes sense to me. If we don't understand our financial situation, how will we move forward? We can't even apply wisdom principles until we "get" where we are regarding our bills, debts and investments. The Thinker takes time for critical study before making decisions.

Janice continues ...

To illustrate this point - William A. Ward wrote, "Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give."

Consider the biblical story of Esther. When called upon to make hard choices, Esther made them based upon the character she developed growing up. She was willing to suffer the consequences that came as a result of the decisions she was making.

This young woman was wise beyond her years as she sought the counsel of her cousin Mordecai.

She was willing to be used by God and knew how to ask good questions and analyze potential options and outcomes without reacting impulsively.

God was working in Esther for His time and His tasks. God had raised Esther from an orphan to royalty "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). She fasted, prayed and waited until the time was right to reveal her petition. God delighted to work through her step of faith.

Does this sound like you? Friends or family would probably never describe you as impulsive. Like Esther, you like to ask a lot of good questions. (I guess I would too, if my future and that of my people was at stake!)

You like to have all the facts laid out before you so you can thoroughly examine and analyze your decisions.

Since you are not naturally inclined to make impulsive decisions, you may need some accountability or motivation to ensure you act on the best possible directives with what you know.

A word of caution: to try to know absolutely everything about every dynamic might become a frustrating pursuit of endless detours, so ask well thought-out questions, analyze the data you collect, and take appropriate time to review your solutions.

Then make decisions that move you forward with your goals while allowing you the flexibility to edit the plans as more information becomes available.

The Bible encourages us, "Grow a wise heart - you'll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head - you'll find a good life" (Proverbs 19:8, The Message).

Are you a financial "Thinker"? Where do you go - who do you consult - for your financial decisions?

Janice Thompson is the founder and president of Strategic Financial Solutions, Inc., a comprehensive wealth management firm focused on biblically-based financial solutions. Janice is a Certified Financial Planner®, Certified Life Stewardship Advisor™, and serves on the Board of Directors of Kingdom Advisors. She has two married children with one grandchild on the way. She and her husband Tom live in San Diego.

Note: Material adapted from the book, Managing Your Money Maze by Janice Thompson (Revive Our Hearts, 2009).

Photo in text: Courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Upgrade Your Saving Power!

Holly Hanson is one of those multi-talented individuals with words of wisdom in so many areas, especially parenting and financial “smarts.”

“My plunge into motherhood almost nine years ago,” Holly said, “has taught me a lot about sacrifice.”

Anyone who’s been a mom understands that word, “sacrifice;” but I admire Holly, because she  turned financial stress into positive living with creative, productive choices. When I called her a financial expert, she said, "No, I'm not an official financial expert, just a civilian price warrior!"

She continues ...

The biggest sacrifice I made was giving up my producer job at a TV station to stay home full time. In order to make it all work and still be able to eat, I discovered a multitude of ways to be a good steward of my money each and every day.

I see this opportunity as one way to emulate the creativity and household responsibility of the Proverbs 31 Woman. In verse 27 it says, “She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”  I want that to be the way others describe me, as well.

If you can turn some of these tips into rock-solid habits, you can live a two-income lifestyle on a one-income paycheck!

1. Pick Your Time to Shop. This tip works best for major purchases.

Buy a car or a mattress on a holiday when there are sales and no tax. Buy a barbecue after Labor Day when they all go on major clearance.

If you have children, shop the clearance clothing rack at the end of the season for the next year’s sizes—your kids will definitely grow, while the price of the clothing stays small! I keep all of my daughter’s too-big clothes in an under-the-bed box. I review the inventory each season to see if anything new fits. 

This works for BOGO [buy one, get one] sales too. I buy two pairs of tennis shoes, one in the current size and one in the next size up.

If you need party supplies, shop for them after every major holiday. Heart napkins on sale after Valentine’s Day will work great for your anniversary dinner. Spring napkins/plates/decor on sale after Easter can beautify a table any time of the year!

2. Know the Menu.  When you go to a restaurant, don’t always assume the “combo” is the best deal, or that the sandwich has to be ordered the way it is described. Take a minute to review your options.

If you like lettuce and tomato at Wendy’s, you can add it to the dollar cheeseburger for free. Some Mexican restaurants allow you to add “items” to an existing combo for less than the price of a regular entrée.

We sometimes order one meal and “add on” enough to feed the whole family for much less than three separate meals! Denny’s does this with their Grand Slam breakfasts. I never get the kids’ meal when I can just add on a 99-cent item or two for my daughter!

3. Use Those Coupons! I have made it my personal mission to NEVER buy something at a store that I know I have (or can get) a coupon for. It’s amazing how much you spend on impulse items, if you can’t discipline yourself to follow this rule.

In the age of smartphones, a simple Google search can yield plenty of online coupons, many of which can be redeemed by simply showing your phone to the cashier. I’ve done this at restaurants, too, like Souplantation and Fuddruckers, when I forgot to print the email that they sent me with the offer. 

Vons also has a wonderful program called Just for U, which allows you to select coupons on your phone or computer that are instantly added to your club card. (I have even added coupons in the checkout line!) Coupons are like free money!

Don’t be foolish. Don’t waste the chance to upgrade your saving power!

Which of these helpful tips are you using now? Which would be a great new choice?

Holly Hanson is a veteran Emmy Award-winning journalist who finds her calling in her family motto: “Love God, Serve Others.” Holly has written and produced internationally for Women of Faith, Turning Point Ministries, and locally with KFMB-TV, KFMB-AM and KPBS Radio. She is married and is a mom, step-mom and soon to be step-grandma. Holly is active at Shadow Mountain Community Church, serving on the Women's Ministries Council, singing in the choir, and running Moms Inc., a ministry she founded and directs.  

Photo in text: Image Courtesty of Grant Cochrane at  FreeDigitalPhotos.net.