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. 

When It Comes to Need and Provision

What do we have to bring to the table besides a fork and a need?

Today is officially the 10 year anniversary of shaking the dust off my feet as I left my training ground in northern Missouri.  In that northwest Missouri city, I'd operated an outreach mission in what was deemed a blighted neighborhood, maintained my membership and attendance at the local synagogue, while visiting nearly every church in the town on Sundays.  I'd also served as a school mentor in that blighted neighborhood, worked the food kitchen with my fellow congregants from synagogue, conducted Bible studies at the state mental health facility, and served as both police and fire chaplain for the city.  It all seems sort of a blur, now, but in that time I was learning and being trained for what I am now doing.

All of the duties mentioned in the previous paragraph were regular weekly responsibilities, except fire and police which were monthly meetings, but 24/7 on call emergencies.  I wasn't called on every call, only deaths, and thankfully there were not many criminal or fire deaths, but there were some.  Now the point I'm getting to regarding need and provision is, all of these "positions" came with a title and responsibility but no monetary compensation, whatsoever.  I had a modest income from an annuity, and by modest, I mean less than $600.00 a month.  I also had some reflexology clients @ $15.00 a session.  With that income, I was able to pay the utilities, keep gas in my car and insurance, and provide a weekend meal for the children in the neighborhood who came to the Bible class.  In that time, I actually had a few folks who simply handed me money, saying Abba had told them to give it to me.  That didn't occur frequently, but it did happen on occasion.  I also had folks, religious folks, asking for donations and bills to be paid . . . which did occur with regularity!

Through that time, I was also blessed to do a bit of traveling in mission work, and I would always receive an extra blessing along the way. In running this little outreach ministry, a larger church that was 501c3 agreed to stop sharing a devotion at their food pantry . . . Something about state donations.  It was through this time, they asked if they could donate the perishable leftovers to the mission I ran.  It was mostly veggies and prepackaged salad mixes, which just happens to be my very favorite food and probably least favorite of kids!  I was honest with them and told them salad was my favorite, but "my kids" probably wouldn't eat it.  They said, "Enjoy!"  So for three and a half years my grocery bill was less than $20.00 a week which included feeding the children on Saturday night.

 Traveling ministry was enjoyable, but I clearly heard that my mission call was to America, and three weeks before 9/11 Abba led to me to a computer ministry.  That in itself is quite a story, but that will be an article for another day.  Back to this preparation for barter and sharing.  My monthly bills also included a land line for the mission and a cell phone for my volunteer chaplain duty.  When I heard the call to move into the computer ministry, an internet connection also became a monthly bill as well.  I was still able to save some money!  In that seven years of running that mission, I discovered how very little I actually needed and how content I was just to be serving YHWH, but He was still simplifying me.

Now, as I prepare for others to join or just continue to reach out in this area, I have an electric bill, a communication bill, and a feed bill, which are all paid monthly and still amount to less than $600.00 a month.  I'm blessed with income from a business and book sales, but to this date, it hasn't put me in a new tax bracket.  I do not live "poor as a squirrel" in winter, not at all!  But, in over two decades, by the grace of YHWH and change of dependency, my cost of living has remained under $600.00 a month.  When it comes to need and provision, one of the biggest lessons I've learned and believe I will teach others is just how little worldly wealth it takes when we realize YHWH truly is our Provider.

Hone Those Talents

I went to town today and did a bit of stocking up.  I want to be prepared to help.  This is going to sound a bit selfish perhaps, but when others need help, I'd just as soon be able to hand them a can of tomatoes rather than a canning jar of tomatoes.  Of course, I'll help if I can but I don't want to lose track of my jars.  In this same trip, I discovered some very sad news, that seems to be marking an end to an era.   It's weighed so heavily on my mind, I've had to double check blogs and articles to make sure the issue has not already been published, but I think I've just been talking about it to anyone and everyone.

 In one of the many recent trips to town, I went by the Locker Plant I've patronized in the past.  Last year, they told their customers they were reducing their operation hours to deer season only, but they would still process beef through that season.  Since deer season is quickly approaching, I thought I might find someone at the place getting ready.  Rather than finding anyone there, or a note on the door as to the opening day, the place was obviously beyond abandoned.  The pens were all torn down, the refrigeration compressors were gone.  Believe it or not, I really tried to justify those two looming facts by considering, the compressors sitting out in plain view when the business is closed 8 months would just be an invitation for theft and vandalism.  As for the pens, since the focus now was primarily processing wild game, pens would really not be needed for dead animals.  The mail box atop the pile of neatly stacked deconstructed pen sides jolted me out of my idealistic denial.  There was only one more thing to check . . .

My little moment of denial came to a crashing halt and my fear confirmed, when I checked the meter box.  The meter had been pulled.  So, the next obvious thought of choice was, the elder generation had lived out his days and the descendants realized there really was no future career in a Locker Plant.  That may be what did happen, I don't know.  I know it was a family business that began right after WWII, just like the orchard up the highway that shuttered last year.  I truly do hope and pray that the senior generation simply lived out their days with the kids and grandkids juggling their "real career" and helping grandpa.  If that's the case, there's only one tragic detail to this story . . . Most in our society, even though they consume meat, do not raise their own meat, much less know how to process it.

In two years now, I've seen business shutter that were keeping alive the way of life that has sustained humanity throughout history.  It's time to dust off those talents and learn how to produce and process our own food, while we still can, or hone some talents that will produce good products for fair barter.    

Our Value

Realizing most folks under 50 have no awareness of the way business was done for centuries upon centuries before the industrial revolution, I want to share a bit of information.  Actually, if it weren't for my fellow congregants in synagogue, I'd have very little knowledge of this, myself; as the way of life I'm about to share basically disappeared through the late 50s and early 60s.

Before the industrial revolution, agriculture was the backbone of this nation and many nations, but not everyone farmed.  There were businessmen who created and produced products, but they were still very much dependent upon agriculture, as we still are today.  We just don't realize it because we, as a society, have so distanced ourselves from the basics.  Before the Great Depression, there were businesses that thrived in towns across America, primarily family businesses in which the family lived in an apartment above the business.  Actually, many of these downtown businesses survived the Great Depression and continued to flourish until the Interstate Highway system was built in the 50s bypassing the downtowns.

The downtown businesses were usually family operations that ranged from bakeries to grocery stores, even clothing shops and jewelry stores.  Farmers had basically the same situation, only they worked the rural  land that had been handed down to them, and often lived in the same farm house in which they'd been born.  The point I'm making here, is men did not measure their self worth and success by their "toys" and extras, but by what their hands and hard work produced.   Business people in town strove to create the finest apparel or long wearing leather craft, exquisite jewelry, or  . . .  a tangible product of worth.  They were recognized for craftsmanship, rather than accumulation.  Farmers strove to have the finest crops and healthy herds, rather than newest tractor and biggest house.

Now that our society has become intensely materialistic and entertainment oriented, one thing has remained consistent.  Entrepreneurs do not need entertainment.  The movers and shakers of this century are not sitting by idly awaiting the next gadget.

I've done a bit of figuring.  When the farmers and businessmen of our history made their living and supported their families, their product, produce, and the manners of their children were a reflection of their success.   Free time was considered laziness and extravagant extras were considered a sign of poor management.  A good farmer or businessman didn't owe anyone.  His value was not in what he made an hour, but what he built in life and what he would hand down to the next generation.

For the most part our society has stopped building and stopped investing.  It takes a significant hourly wage to live for the moment!  Quality craftsmanship has lasting value when applied and taught to the next generation.  Land has lasting value, when worked.  Hourly wages spent on entertainment and gadgets are gone very quickly, and soon forgotten.  Life insurance has replaced inheritances and that basically makes the statement: "we are worth more dead than alive."  

It's not too late to invest our G-d-given talents and invest in the next generation.

Counting

Last year, when my folks were planning a visit, I'd asked Daddy to pick something up for me and I'd pay him when they came down . . .  He wanted a cash transaction, so . . . I went to the bank to have the cash on me.  I was a bit shocked when he stood in my kitchen and counted the money I gave him.  I don't remember ever short changing him.  If I did, it was certainly an accident and he never said anything.  Maybe he just counts every transaction, as flesh and blood seemed to be no exception.  It did give me pause to ever consider doing business with him again though.  He's my Daddy, so it is what it is.  My parents do keep track of every dime, so it probably isn't really a personal thing, but in light of the lifestyle I have and the business I do, it does seem odd.

I've sent many orders on the promise of a check and I've never been stiffed or received a bad check.  Often times, someone includes a bit extra for my trouble or appreciation for working with them.  I'm an honest business woman and I just don't believe in being terribly distrustful.  I believe that is also an aspect of reaping and sowing.  I sow honestly, I reap honesty . . .

In the past month, I've had three financial transactions that were not small, as far as I was concerned, yet the gentlemen all said the same thing.  As I handed them the cash I repeated the amount we'd agreed upon and included the statement, "count it to make sure."  One said, "You counted it didn't you?" to which I responded, "Yes."  He responded with, "Then there's no need for me to count it."  The other two simply took the money, never looked at it, and put it in their pocket, saying, "Thank you."

These were not small ticket items either.  All of these cash transactions required a trip to the bank.

First there was the new deck.  The price of lumber for a 10' X 28' deck was not cheap ten years ago, when I designed one that we built ourselves.  This time the project was done professionally.  What can I say?  You do get what you pay for and I was delighted to pay for professional.  As stated previously, when it came time to pay, this was the gentleman who, when I told him to be sure and count it, asked me if I'd counted it.  When I nodded and said yes, he responded that there was no need for him to do it then, and handed the bank envelope to his son.

The next project was hiring a man fell some dead trees.  He's a young business man and did an amazingly efficient job.  He had to reschedule once due to a conflict of completion, but he called well ahead to reschedule, so I wasn't waiting on him, and the morning of the reschedule, he called to say he'd be on the place in within the hour.  He was here within the hour, done, paid, and gone within the next hour!  He just stuck the money in his pocket and away he went.

The third example really isn't as unique as the other two, in that I've known and done business with my hay man for several years now.  He's always been consistent with quality and delivers quite timely whether scheduled or an unexpected need.  He likes my soap and his wife likes several of my products, so we do business back and forth regularly.  He's lived here his entire life and is well known and respected throughout the area.  In country measure, we're practically neighbors, so for him to just take my money without counting doesn't seem so unusual.  The fact that we are practically neighbors and have done business for a number of years, I'm sure has enhanced our trust level, but I've known Daddy longer than I've known my hayman.  I'm truly thinking it's a matter of locale and simply "the way things are done" in this region.  I like it!

Glitches

A dear brother and I were talking a couple of weeks ago about what we thought could be expected here in the states.  We spoke of Operation Jade Helm 15, same sex marriage, judgment, and the warning of High Alert Terrorist's Threats the week-end of the 4th.  I told him, now that good is evil and evil is good,  I did think there was reason to suspect serious problems, but I expected various glitches to begin to occur that seem relatively innocuous, isolated, and just a temporary inconvenience.  I didn't really look for an overhead attack, but rather a crumbling from beneath.

The grounding of American Airlines seemed to be in line with my expectations.  I was also following a friend's journey and there were several glitches in his train travels . . . that seemed what I expected.  I wasn't expecting what happened, also today though, at least not on this scale.  The New York Stock Exchange went down for a few hours, claiming it to be a glitch.  The Wall Street Journal had issues, but what I heard in town today, threw me for a definite loop.  The US Mint will has ceased producing silver American Eagle coins

When I saw the price of silver posted outside a jewelry store, I stopped.  It's rather low right now.  They didn't have any silver American Eagle coins, or rounds, or junk silver coins for that matter.  He told me I could order whatever I wanted, pay for it today, plus shipping and he'd call me when they came in. Interestingly, he never mentioned the cessation of production, but simply stated they were back ordered.  I told him I'd think about it and left.

In these times were are living, I won't buy money!  Dollars and precious metals are an exchange only, for me.  I'm happy to exchange some dollars for silver, I would for gold too, if I could afford it, but alas . . . At any rate, I refuse to purchase precious metals that are on "back order."  I don't buy "certificates" of precious metal ownership, ether.  That is risky business.  Prepaying or just receiving a paper stating ownership seems no different than investing second hand in panning for gold or becoming part owner in a silver mine you've never seen.

I still didn't know the mint was not producing, but thinking my friend in town might have a bargain or two since prices were low, I went in to see him.  That's where I learned the US Mint isn't minting silver dollars at this time.  The fact that the mint is not producing for an indefinite period of time seems questionable in correlation with Shemitah, Operation Jade Helm 15, and the general heightened tension in this country.  This has raised some questions in my mind.

Are the powers that be hoarding the silver"  Or is there just none available?  Are our lenders getting ready to call in the note?  Is our currency about to be devalued further?  Is the government getting ready to call in precious metals like they did gold in the 30s?  Whatever the answer to any of these questions might be, it is clear we need to be ready for a potential major change to our current economy.

Earthly Economy

For those of us believing the Bible, we know the earthly economy is prophesied to ultimately exclude the remnant.  The way things are looking, we probably should be working our way out of dependency and debt as quickly as possible, now.  That's not to say our independence will happen overnight, but it won't happen at all if we don't start heading that direction.  I personally would love to have the money to get a number of people all set up and out of debt, but money really isn't the answer.  A new perspective is the foundation and the mind of Messiah is the path.  We have to unlearn the programming that debt is the path to the American dream!  It's time to wake up, smell the coffee, and look around!  The dream has turned into a nightmare.

If I had it all to do over again, I'd of course, done a great many things differently.  All glory to our Heavenly Father that He allowed me to get hold of this.  It's still possible to live within one's means and remain debt free.  I used to be real big on "homeownership," and I do own land and a home, but at this point in our existence, the only true advantage of home ownership is the rent can't go up.  However; the taxes can and city codes can create expenses and frustration!  I'm blessed to be in a very remote part of the county, and several miles from any city limits, but corporate government is gaining ground at every opportunity.

Now, as to my desire to help folks become less dependent, we have to get basic.  By now, there is enough information available, I would think most of our society would see the hazards of not preparing our own food.  In all the government paranoia and concern about invasion of privacy, I am absolutely offended when those same people insist upon putting my address into their GPS.  We have to stop pretending there will be special protection and provision from our Creator, when we've chosen to use other means all along.  Too many people think they will be ready to fend for themselves when it hits the fan, but they are still entirely dependent now.  Unfortunately, I think many religious folks are scoping out their plan of moving their dependency from the government simply to another dependency.

Entirely too many Americans remain in constant need of assistance while claiming it to be of G-d.  We've got to get away from that programmed thinking and it's not easy.  There have been years and years of it woven into the very fabric of our society.  According to the Word of G-d, rain in it's season, bountiful produce, full kneading bowls, and flocks and herds defined prosperity and were the results of obedience.  A good credit rating was never promised as prosperity.  A fat bank account wasn't mentioned in the list of blessings.  An all powerful government is actually not a blessing at all, and as we can see; is actually unfolding to be quite a curse.

Come out from her my people.  Think of one thing that is costing money and not really helping your spiritual or physical health and get it out of your life.  I assure you, you will live through it.  I got rid of my television years before I got a computer and my computer is still a desktop.  I am not continually connected.  Yes, the tax man knows my address and sadly, I now know I register on GPS, but I still maintain a certain autonomy in my dependency at this time.  Eliminating "earthly dependency" is the key to eliminating debt.  There are a lot of folks saying "G-d is all I need" but for most of us, those are just words.  We've got to start disconnecting before the dependency and connections lead to captivity.