31 Days of Discipline-{Day 21}

Today we are talking about the discipline of budgeting.  Since I didn't feel like I could really speak well on this topic, I have enlisted the help of my very talented friend Ann Newman.  Not only is she a big DIY-er....she loves talking about budgets, money, and financial planning in between working and raising her two little ones!  Seriously....she gets excited! So, here she is to help us better understand the need for a budget. Tomorrow I will post some resources for keeping up with your budget...including an excel download created by Ann herself! You can check out the rest of the 31 Days series here!

Hi, there.  I'm Anne from Hello Newman's and am excited to be sharing a few thoughts on the discipline of budgeting.  The Bible has so much to say about money.  But the majority of what it says has to do with the matters of your heart in relation to money. 

Budgeting is not a prison - in fact, it’s just the opposite. Creating and living within a budget is freedom. Freedom to roam within defined boundaries.  I like to think of a budget as a fence around a yard. Unfortunately, we don’t have one.  But let’s pretend for a minute that we do.  I would be able to let my toddler run around in the yard because there are set boundaries in place. She would have the freedom to explore within a safe environment. Without a fence or supervision, you better believe she would find her way out into the street in no time.  

It is the same way with our money.  Without a budget, you don't have a roadmap for where or how you plan to spend your money. You are essentially giving yourself a gift of freedom within boundaries by creating and following a budget. It will help you define where and how you spend God’s money. Because let’s remember the truth - its not really ours to begin with. We are simply stewards of His gifts.  

Christopher and I sit down at least once every other month to "go through our budget." It makes me happy in a weird "I'm overly anal about all things concerning money" kind of way. He knows how excited I get for those meetings. We always start out by going through how much money is coming in, how much is going out, and where it is going. "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations." Proverbs 27:23 - 24.

I don't think it’s enough to simply say "Oh, we make more than we spend each month so we are doing ok." I firmly believe God calls us to something more.  We are accountable for the gifts He has given us – no matter how small or large.  Luke 16:11 says "If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"

What about you?  How do you view the budgeting? I would love to hear your thoughts on money and managing your finances.

Ann is married to her awesome hubby Chris, and has a daughter, Ashlyn and a son, Chase. You can check out more about their family and the awesome projects they do around the house (on a budget) at Hello Newman's!