Being financially independent goes a long way in how you
feel about yourself and in the way you live. It is never too
early to plan for your future or to teach your children about money. If I had a child just graduating from college and getting ready to live on their own here are a few suggestions I would make:
Pray about your financial decisions.
Do not spend more than you earn.
Give God the first 10% of your income.
Give yourself 10% of your income before other expenses. Place it in
some type of savings account and allow it to grow.
Develop a financial plan or goal.
Credit cards should be paid off
every month, if possible
If you have an unexpected large expense and must use your
credit card, do not continue to charge on it until that expense is paid off.
In today’s world, cash is mostly a word of the past. In using credit or debit cards monitor those
purchases. Keep a record of what you are
spending and will expect to have to pay to clear up those expenses when the monthly
bill appears in the mail.
Pay bills timely to avoid needless late fees.
If your employer offers a matching IRA, contribute at least
the amount needed to obtain those matching funds.
If you have a job, value it, even if it is only
temporary. Perform the best work
possible. Be on time and respect your
boss. Remember, this is your livelihood.
Dress for success on the job. This does not mean to go out and buy clothing
beyond your budget. Do obtain one nice
outfit that can easily be mixed and matched to provide an attractive appearance
on the job.
Determine what is a necessity versus a desire to stay on budget
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10
