Keys to Wise Spending

God expects us to have faith, but also to use common sense and wise planning in allocating the resources He has given us. The best way to manage your money and stay out of debt is to have a strategy in place before the expenses or temptations arise.

BEGIN WITH A BUDGET. A budget is a road map that guides you and tells you when you are on course. Budgeting won't ensure prosperity, but it will keep you from overspending your resources and will help you avoid the debt trap.

DECIDE TO FOLLOW THE BUDGET. Most people understand the need for a good budget, but few follow through. Only 25% of American families operate on a budget. Fifty percent say they want to budget but never get around to it. Make your plan and stick to it.

PRIORITIZE YOUR EXPENDITURES. Make a list of what is most important to you. Start with the necessities (housing, food, car, utilities, insurance and taxes). Then list what you "should have" (clothing, furniture, etc.). Finally, list the things you'd like to have.

PAY THE LORD FIRST. If you get this first priority right, each step thereafter is easier. God makes it clear He is to receive the first fruits of your income, not the leftovers. The key to honoring God with your finances is remembering that your money is not your money. God owns it all and gives it to us as He pleases.

PAY BILLS ON TIME. Establish a budget that allows you to pay all your bills in full and on time each month. If you can't pay them all, pay something on all of them and communicate your intentions of paying everything to those you owe. If you can't pay your regular bills, it's time to move to a smaller house, drive an older model car, or make drastic cuts until your outgo matches your income.

GET OUT OF DEBT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Debt carries with it heavy responsibilities. Don't allow yourself to become a slave to creditors. Don't take on debt unless you have a clear plan for repaying it. Certainly stay away from debt if it is a habit out of control.

PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES. Small emergencies can eat at your budget every month unless you begin to set aside funds as part of your budget. For example, the dog gets sick, your car radiator dies, time for back-to-school clothes, etc.

HAVE SOME FUN. Use your resources for personal enjoyment. After you have managed your money wisely and given generously, there comes a time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY, INVOLVE THEM. When you create a list of priorities, it's important to involve your whole family so everyone understands the priorities and is focused on the goals.

IF YOU HAVE A SPOUSE, ASSIGN THE JOB OF PAYING THE BILLS. This isn't about control, since both should fully understand the financial situation and goals, but about the most capable person taking on the job.

上帝希望我们每个人都有信心，不过他希望我们每个人都能用上常识与精明计划来分配他给予我们的资源。管理财富不欠债的最好方法就是在开支发生或诱惑出现时，能有一个适当的策略。

首先要有预算

预算就象一张给你指引的路线图，它能告诉你什么时候你在规定过程中。预算不能保证你富裕，但能防止你过份消费自己的资源，帮助你避免掉进债务的陷阱。

决定要服从预算

许多人都理解需要有个好预算，但却很少有人真正坚持到底。只在25%的美中家庭按照预算运转。50%的人说到他们想按预算安排开支，却从来做不到。所以，制定自己的计划还要坚持！

改善优先顺序排列

将对自己最重要的事项列个清单。从生活必需品开始（房子，食品，车，水电费，保险和税金），然后列“应该购买”的东西（衣服，家具，等等）。最后，列出自己想要的东西。

PAY THE LORD FIRST

如果你排序正确了，后面的每一步操作起来就容易了！上帝很明确告诉我们了，他要收回你收入的第一蓝果子的，而不是剩下的。用自己的财务来取悦上帝的关键就在于要记住，你的钱并不是你的钱！上帝全部拥有它，看上帝高兴给我们多少。

及时支付帐单

建立一个预算，使自己能每个月按时全额支付帐单。如果你不能全部支付，那就把有些帐单全额付清，然后联系对方，表达自己愿意对自己欠付的帐务支付所有可能的钱。如果你连定期帐单都付不起了，那是时候要搬到一所小房子住了，或者考虑开老款车，或者考虑大幅削减开支，下去自己支出与收入吻合。

尽快还清欠款

欠债是很重的责任。不要让自己成为债务的奴隶。除非自己有清晰的还款计划，否则不要欠债。如果欠债成了一种不可控制的习惯，那就一定要戒除了。

要有应急计划

每个月一些小的应急事件也可以消耗掉你的预算，除非你另外设立了应急基金作为预算的一部分。例如，狗生病了，车子的雷达不行了，回学校聚会要买衣服了，等等。

一定的娱乐休闲

还要将资源用于个人休闲娱乐。在对自己的钱财精明管理和大方支出后，你享受自己劳动成果的时候就来了！

有家者让全家都参与

在列优先顺序清单时，有一点很重要，那就是让你全家都参与进来，这样每个人都能理解优先顺序，可以集中在这些目标上。

如果有配偶，让对方来付帐单

这并不是讲控制，因为双方都应该彻底理解财务状况和财务目标，这讲的是让最有能力的人来担当此任。

上帝希望我们忠诚，也希望我们在安排他赐予我们的东西时要动脑筋，做出明智的安排。管理好自己的钱，不欠债，最好的办法是在花钱或想花钱之前先合理安排。

1.先做预算。预算就像地图，它能指导你怎样消费。预算并不能保证你有钱，但能让你避免过度消费，陷入债务。

2.按照预算去做。大部分人都知道做预算，但很少有人会按预算去做。只有25%的美国家庭按预算去做。50%的家庭想按预算去做，但却做不到。做好计划，严格执行。

3.优先安排日常花费。把对自己来说最重要的东西写下来。先写必需的东西，如住房、食品、汽车、家庭用品、保险、税收等，再写应该有的东西，如衣服、家具等，最后写想拥有的东西。

4.先要感谢上帝。先安排好必需的东西后，接下来的事就容易多了。上帝说得很清楚，他需要的是最初的收获，而不是残羹冷炙。感谢上帝的关键是要记住，你的钱并不是你的，而是上帝高兴的时候赐予你的。

5.按时付清账单。做一份能每月按时、足额付清账单的预算。如果不能全部支付，先支付一部分，然后告诉对方你打算什么时候全部付清。如果你连日常的账单都不能支付的话，就应该搬到更小的房屋，开旧车，或大幅削减开支，直到收支相抵。

6.尽快摆脱债务。债务像沉重的大山。不要让自己成为卡奴。除非你有明确的还债计划，否则不要欠债。如果欠债已经成为一种习惯，那么一定不要欠债。

7.为突发事件做准备。除非你每个月额外留出部分资金，否则一些小的突发事件会减少你的预算。比如，狗生病了，汽车的散热器坏了，需要买衣服了等等。

8.要快乐。花钱要让自己快乐。在明智消费、慷慨付出之后，你就可以享受劳动成果了。

9.全家总动员。要让全家人知道并且按照你的支出计划去做，这一点很重要。

10.让妻子支付账单。因为大家都了解收入状况和消费情况，所以这不是支配，而是人人参与。