For shame

I listen to the Christian radio a lot.  We have about four, actually, where I live, so if there's a boring conversation/song I don't prefer/lousy reception I just flip to another station and I'm set.  Rather handy.

It's especially handy when it's Share Week (every station calls it something different, but Share Week is the week when listener-supported radio stations ask for donations and hope you feel led/guilted into sharing of your bounty).  I'm going to be honest--I've never donated to a radio station.  Even though I listen to several, most of which are listener-supported (the one Christian station we have that isn't listener-supported is irksome to me because of the commercials.  Which, of course, is what the other ones avoid by being listener-supported), I just don't donate.  And I could say, "Oh, but I don't have a job!" but the truth is, even when I had a job I didn't donate.

So anyhow, obviously guilt keeps me from listening during such weeks (yes, your ministry has been an encouragement.  No, I apparently do not want to help fund you so you can encourage other people.), but sometimes I hear part of their programming anyhow, because I don't prefer the songs on the other ones so I come back, even though I feel guilty.

I should probably stop feeling guilty.  Guilt is a sort of sin.  Or something.  Anyhow, I hope my guilt has not caused you to stumble somehow.  Please ignore me if it has.

So, recently I was listening to part of a Share Week, and they read an email from a listener whose name was Jason.  Jason donated to their Share Week because he liked their radio station.  Jason, however, wasn't a Christian.  He didn't like it because of it's Christian-ness, but he did like what they were doing and wanted to support them.  They obviously asked for prayers that Jason would get saved, and that the programming would perhaps reach others like him.

(Picture this:  me, hearing this on the radio, basically crippled with guilt.  Scene set.)

Jason-who-is-not-saved donates and I don't?  There is something wrong with this picture.

Went to the Moody website and what did I see?  That I can still Share with them.  GUILT.

Down side, though, I still haven't donated to any of those stations.  Up side, I pray for Jason.  I like to think that he's accepted Christ as his Saviour by this point.  I think we would all agree that that would be the nicest happening.

Evil, in root form

I rant about money all the time: how much I hate it, hate to spend it, love to spend it, wish I didn't simultaneously love and hate to spend it, that sort of thing. But in general, and especially having the job I have (word to the wise: your insurance will cost less if you have a better credit score!), I'm thankful for what I do know/feel about money.

Before I go on, don't think that I've learned all my money stuff from the radio or work. My family is full of wise people who are awesome at managing money. I have an aunt who saved a bunch of money before she got married and single-handedly put the down payment on their first house. She is held up as a pinnacle of virtue in our household; someone to live up to, if possible.

Back in the day I used to listen to Money Matters on the radio pretty much every day while I was making supper. That, of course, was back when it was actually called Money Matters, and back when Howard Dayton did the show, and back when I had time to make supper. So, back when the show was cool and I had enough time to listen to money management radio shows. By the way, to all of you Dave Ramsey enthusiasts out there, I still like Howard Dayton better. Sorry.

But it was a really good thing for me, I think. My friend mrg and I used to talk about mortgages and loans and other things we didn't really understand, but because we nerdily listened to such money programs, we at least felt mildly comfortable with it all. Even now I don't really understand all the stuff with Living Wills and Revocable Trusts, but at least I know something. Ish.

So I dutifully went out and got myself a credit card earlier this year, just so I could start having some sort of credit history (the whole insurance company mindset does something to me, I tell you what). It's strange to think that you have to spend money to show that you're good at it, I guess, but it's how these things go.

But my dad and I were talking about money the other day, because I'd missed a talk he'd given about money, and I wanted him to fill me in on what I missed, and *drum roll* he was explaining how budgeting is bad. For a second I was quite confused, because that's what I hear on Moody Radio all the time: Have a budget! Manage your money wisely! But my dad has a great point. Most people create a budget based on how much money they have, and work out from there. Uh, as my dad points out, when you do that, you're basically allowing yourself to spend most (if not all) of the money you make. Just live simply, WELL within your means, and save the rest. Well, save and give back to the Lord--also hugely important (also emphasized by Moody Radio and my dad all the time).

But I've been thinking about it recently, because I've been trying to save pretty much all of my money these days, less necessary evils (prizes for my SS class, gas, etc. etc.), and it's sort of awesome to do my online banking and see very very few debit or credit card purchases each month. Woo hoo!