Investing

We seem to have developed a "pawn" and debt mentality about life, in general, here in the US of A.  I've been contemplating a few theories about different types of money management and mismanagement.  Of course, I prefer my own method of management and my perspective of money, but then I guess most of us do, or we'd make changes.  I've come to realize, even those who say they want help don't actually want to change their method of management, they just want an increase in funding.  Fortunately for many, our society has a great many safety nets available, but rather than use these agencies for emergencies, the supply has become a way of life . . . being subsidized is budgeted in, if you will.

As I've shared here, previously, my expenses are pretty minimal.  I receive questions about financial management almost daily.  Often those "questions" are really veiled requests for funding.  Most of the time I share information, rather than funds, but when Abba leads me to offer financial assistance I do it.  I am an enabler by nature, so I have to hear Him before I just hand out cash, because I've done that in the past, only to realize that really didn't help the individual at all.  

As I listen to various management practices, I sometimes struggle to understand the mentality.  I struggle, especially when it comes to believers and our responsibility to Abba in the way we should manage our money.  There are four kinds of people and it becomes apparent in financial matters as well.  There are three types of folks who save.  Those who designate a set amount from every paycheck, those who are always afraid they won't have enough, and those who simply don't spend as much as they earn.  Of course the fourth kind of person is a non-saver.  When it comes to professing believers, I've actually heard some of them say saving and investing is a lack of faith . . . and some of those same folks aren't afraid of hard work, while others have no shame in begging.

I know people who always take care of their bills and finances, but don't necessarily believe in savings accounts or funds.  I got out of the stock market, I think in '06, maybe '07, before the crash.  I never went back.  My only stock investment now is four-legged in the pasture, rather than paper on Wall Street.  I don't have a huge savings account, but things in this world do break and do wear out, and sometimes an opportunity is presented that I just don't want to pass up, so I like to have a little nest egg.  I want enough to buy a good milk goat or a used tire, if need be.

I've been hearing a lot lately, about selling things that I consider an investment . . . For example, many folks in my circle of influence raise various breeds of livestock.  My goats and chickens are an investment, and some years I do better than others, but the point is, I plan to own a milk goat and laying hens over the long term.  I'm not getting rich here!  I do buy and sell bucks seasonally, but rather than sell a milk goat when prices are high, I figure she'll produce so much milk and so many kids . . . Yah willing, and she's much more valuable to me in production than in a one time sale.  I have one milk goat, I paid $100.00 for, over two years ago.  I've been offered $200.00 for her, but she's worth so much more than that!  So far, she's given me four kids and milk to feed bottle calves, which means meat in the freezer.  Usually the young doelings bring about $75-$100 and the bucks at least $50.  Right there is more than the $200.00 offer.  Then there's all the milk, and we all know the price of beef.  I truly do not remember any returns or dividends from Wall Street investments that can match this in a year or two.  I know I never owned any stock that doubled in value in two years, while also paying "daily" dividends.

If America returned to an agrarian society, I know we'd be healthier, but I also believe our economy would be stronger.  Flocks and herds are a safer investment than paper . . . and caring for flocks and herds means we'd have more exercise, need far less entertainment, and have much less stress!  An agrarian society invests in life, instead of possessions. 

Assistance

The last couple of weeks I've noticed a real upsurge in requests for financial assistance and spiritual advice regarding money across social media.  Although I don't consider myself to be wealthy, I do know YHWH is my provider, provides well, and I'm debt free, but I am still in this world and like it or not, some things require money.  I'm heading off grid to eventually pay no electric bill, but to do that requires me to purchase a battery bank, and even if I could make solar panels and wind turbines, I can't make them out of air and rocks.  I do know there is a day coming in which buying and selling will not be an option without the mark, therefore; I am investing now for what I think we may need then.

I offer financial assistance in some situations and in others I offer products as a gift, but truth be told, some situations actually need financial management instruction and work ethic motivation.  I do not subsidize poor money management.  I can't afford to!  As long as we are in this world, before Messiah returns, we have to accept the fact that life in this world is not free.  Of all things the public education does not teach and parents tend to not prepare children for is budgeting.  Oh, I grew up being made to have a savings account and tithe, but other than being told how much and when, I was clueless.  I had to learn by trial and unfortunately error . . .

That is why I truly want to help people, not just throw money at them and certainly not judge them.  Many folks have not been taught good financial planning or budgeting, and sadly today there are few examples of a good work ethic.  Knowing, my entire adult life, I had to make it on my own, I really would like to help folks budget for independence and develop a strong work ethic that will carry them through their life.  Yes YHWH does provide, but part of His provision is giving us talents to use to make a living.  It's not about "making money" it's about using our talents to provide for our life and family.  Some of that provision will involve money, but much of our life really doesn't need to.  We just haven't really been taught a good way of money management and prioritizing is difficult for nearly everyone.

I realize any of us can fall on hard times and the economic condition of our country is alarming, which is all the more reason to learn a better way of money management and less dependency on our current system.  I am not advising people to exchange their dollars for silver, at this time, but I wholeheartedly recommend whittling down the number of dollars you depend upon in life.  We have to prioritize and the priorities are shelter and food to start with, then other things.  David wrote that he'd never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging . . . Paul penned that we are to be content with what we have, where we are.

We've been programmed to believe our worth is based upon our possessions and the terms rest and entertainment have been exchanged in the connecting term "leisure."  This nation has produced two generations, going on three now that are of age for the work force, but programmed to believe their leisure time should be their top priority.  Scripturally, leisure time isn't even an issue and a good life provides it's own entertainment!

Purchasing Power

By nature, I'm not a shopper.  I do give Abba glory for His provision and am grateful for the creativity in which He has blessed me, but I hated shopping long before I was a servant of the Most High.  Perhaps He blessed me with the gift of improvisation, because of my disdain for shopping.  At any rate, most of the purchases I do make, are business related, so it's mail order, internet, or auction.  Even though it's not a mall or brick and mortar, it's still shopping.

I've caught on to something that I'd like to share, though.  When I place an order, it seems within 24 hours I'm offered a coupon for something I just purchased, but the coupon has a very limited time frame.  I have a recent example and I'm so thankful I listened to Abba as I was placing my order.  I'm getting ready to make new catalogues for The Land of Goshen, so new color toner was in order.  I was going to purchase all four colors and a new drum, as it's gone long past it's paper count.  I felt a check in my spirit as I was adding toners to the cart, so I removed all of them except the one that actually tripped the warning on the printer.  The order was large enough to qualify for free shipping, but just the basic replacements.  I knew it would get me through label making, but not completion of the catalogues.

True to form, with my order confirmation, I received a coupon for 20% OFF of my next order of toner, but . . . the offer was only good for 3 days.  Tricky, they are!  So, having removed most of the toners off of the first order, I then proceeded to place that order and saved quite a bit of money in doing so.  Internet shopping has sort of become like a sport.  I've also learned to do a few google searches for specific items, a couple days before I actually intend to make a purchase.   And the coupons roll in.

I am not thrilled with being tracked and I'm certainly not agreeing to a great deal these days, but I have determined to make the best of the situation.  If Google chooses to track my product searches, and retailers pay to track my cookies or whatever happens, I can't change it; but I can work with it and let it work for me.