Wade's World

Friday, February 21, 2025

BUILDING YOUR EMERGENCY FUND (Because Life Happens!)

Ever had one of those weeks where your car breaks down, your Wi-Fi goes on strike, and your fridge dies? 😱 Yup, life loves to throw curveballs when you least expect it! That’s why an emergency fund is your financial shield. 🛡️

💡 What’s an Emergency Fund? It’s your “I’m not stressed, I’m financially prepared” fund. 💪 Think of it as your money’s equivalent of a superhero cape (no, it won’t fly, but it will save the day). 🦸‍♀️

If you are working to pay off debt, your goal is to have $1,000 set aside in an emergency fund.

If you are debt free - with exception of mortgage - your goal is to save 3 - 6 months of expenses for an emergency fund.

It is always wise to have savings for a rainy day.
Proverbs 21:20 says, “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”

🛠️ How to Build Your Fund:

Start small – You don’t need to save for a yacht. Aim for $25/week and work your way up. 🚤

Set up automatic transfers – Make saving as easy as hitting “next episode” on Netflix. 🍿

Keep it separate – If it’s in your regular account, it might just vanish faster than your leftovers. 🍕

Track your progress – Celebrate the small wins. You’re one step closer to not stressing when the fridge decides to take a nap. 🥳

🔑 The moral of the story: Life will definitely throw some surprises your way. But with an emergency fund, you can face them like a pro. Or at least with a little less panic. 😂

❓What’s the craziest “emergency” you’ve had to deal with? Share your stories in the comments!

Friday, January 31, 2025

AVOIDING BROKE-NESS: A Biblical Guide

Let’s be real—nobody wants to be broke. The good news? The Bible is packed with financial wisdom that can help us avoid empty wallets and stressful bank statements.

From avoiding debt to saving wisely and giving generously, God’s Word offers timeless principles for handling money the right way. So before you make another impulse purchase (yes, even that “must-have” Amazon deal), let’s dive into some Biblical truths that can keep you financially faithful and financially stable!

💼 Work Diligently – “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
Translation: Get-rich-quick schemes are usually get-broke-quicker schemes.

💳 Live Within Your Means – “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)
If you’ve ever felt like your credit card owns you… well, the Bible warned us!

🐿️ Save for the Future – “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” (Proverbs 21:20)
Aka: Don’t spend your entire paycheck on DoorDash. Future-you will thank you!

💝 Give Generously – “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” (Proverbs 3:9)
Even if your "crops" are just your paycheck, giving blesses both the giver and receiver (and no, eating at Chick-fil-A doesn’t count as tithing, even if you say 'My pleasure').

💰 Trust God, Not Money – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” (Hebrews 13:5)
Money can buy coffee, but it can’t buy peace… unless that peace comes from not checking your bank balance every five minutes.

At the end of the day, handling money God’s way isn’t about hoarding riches or stressing over every dollar—it’s about stewarding well, blessing others, and trusting Him to provide. So, whether you’re budgeting like Joseph in Egypt or trying not to be the prodigal spender, Biblical financial wisdom can keep you from the land of broke-ness.

So, what’s one money habit you’re working on this year? Drop it in the comments—we’re all in this together! 💰🙌

Thursday, November 07, 2024

POST 2024 ELECTION PLANS

The 2024 election is over. How do you feel today?

Do you feel relief?
Are you depressed?
Maybe you are wondering what to do now?

Here is what I am determined to do moving forward:

1. I plan to continue investing. I want to pour my life and my treasure into the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:25-33)

2. I plan to keep working for equality. In Christ, there is no Greek or Jew, male or female, slave or free. We are all one in Him. (See Galatians 3:28)

3. I plan to help those who are less fortunate. Pure religion is taking care of widows and orphans. (See James 1:27)

4. I plan to fight against the pollution of the world. (See James 1:27 again)

5. I plan to enjoy life! Consider these words from the Apostle Paul found in 1 Timothy 6:17: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

6. I plan to pray for our leaders. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 we read: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1 – 2)

7. I plan to keep trusting in the Lord. He is the One who is ultimately in control.

This is my plan for today, and tomorrow, and all of the days after that.

What are your post-election plans?

Monday, September 16, 2024

MONDAY MUSINGS...

Random thoughts on a Monday...

It is good to get away with your family and relax. It is REALLY good when you have 2 bathrooms in your condo.

Assassination attempts are scary and I pray that our 2024 elections will not be impacted by any violence against the candidates and their families.

It's not fun to be away from home when there is a big excavation project happening in your backyard. (Our pond is being filled in, but we didn't know they were going to do this on the dates we were out of town.)

The Cincinnati Bengals looked like the better football team on Sunday playing against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, too many mistakes and a lack of self-discipline were the difference between winning and losing. There's a reason the Chiefs are going for their 3rd Super Bowl win in a row... and it's not because they argued with a ref about not getting the call they wanted. (I'm looking at you Chase...)

When I was younger I did not enjoy going to water parks, but now that I'm going with Amanda and Lilly, I love them!

It is always encouraging for me and Amanda to visit with our friends at Kissimmee Christian Church in Florida. I love seeing the impact of the ministry they are doing there.

It's been fun to go out to eat at restaurants on our vacation... something we rarely do at home. But now I'm looking forward to getting back and eating our normal food again.

How is September half way over already???

Does Green Day still ask people to wake them up when September ends?

I could totally become a coffee drinker... but I don't want to start the habit. (Or spend the money on it!) lol