What health care options should a Christian consider? Health insurance is the topic of the day Every day we are bombarded by the news and media regarding the rising costs of healthcare and the proposed overhaul of the industry by our federal government. Healthcare issues and the affordability of obtaining services are a major concern for most Americans. We can all agree some solution is needed but what that solution looks like varies across the political spectrum. For Christians, the healthca... Read Full Story

As mentioned Free Stuff Friday changed to a monthly giveaway (on the first of each month) but due to the chaotic nature of my November, I am just getting around to it now. I am also a fairly recent Mac convert, so it might seem odd that I am giving away an upgrade to Windows 7, but I am well aware that many people still use (and some even love) Windows, so therefore I thought it’d be nice to give away the new upgrade. Details about the giveaway In order for the Windows 7 upgrade to wor... Read Full Story

Always ask for a discount – Just ask “Can you do any better than that?” or “Is that the best you can do?” This simple question could potentially save you a lot of money. Be prepared for the unexpected.  You never know when the heater might break or the car transmission might go out. An emergency fund with 3-6 months of your living expenses ought to be adequate. Curb (or cancel) credit card spending.  Since people spend more money with credit cards, you need to decide if you are in a position ... Read Full Story

I recently received an email from a reader that I thought would be perfect for discussion, because my hunch is that there are others who are dealing with or have dealt with a situation like this. I promised that I would try to get some opinions from the CPF audience, so if you have any thoughts or opinions, please share them in the comments. Here are the important parts from the email I received… I have a question that I’m wrestling with, which I’m hoping you can help me wit... Read Full Story

The following guest post was written by CPF reader Amy Sullivan. We live in a country resounding “Instant Gratification!” as its lifestyle cadence call. But despite the fact debt has become a badge of the American dream, some folks are going back to saving money and paying for big-ticket items with cash. With this new concept, there is no debt, there is no minimum payment due…but there is a lingering question – is it worth it? Put debt into perspective My husband and I decided to sell our hom... Read Full Story

I once heard someone say, “challenges are just wonderfully disguised opportunities for growth.” I really do believe it to be true. Just like a strong physical body requires exercises that push it beyond what is comfortable, so a strong character requires challenges that aren’t comfortable. My newest challenge is that an advertiser owes me a lot of money. The first time someone owed me money I remember as a teen selling my guitar to an acquaintance from church and after month... Read Full Story

The following is a guest post written by Benjamin Clark who writes for ModernGraham.com. What is a Charitable Gift Annuity? A charitable gift annuity is an excellent tool for charitable giving. Most charities and religious organizations offer gift annuities. Here I will outline some aspects of the gift annuity and I encourage anyone who is interested in pursuing this financial opportunity to contact their local charity. The basic premise of the charitable gift annuity is the donor gives a g... Read Full Story

The following is a guest post from John Schroeder who regularly writes for his blog PassiveFamilyIncome.com. Are you looking for ways to make your life simpler? If you are like most people, then getting your personal finances under control would go a long way to improving your life. Paying for monthly expenses, managing your career, and saving for retirement are just a few of the financial issues that ordinary people face every single day. So what are some ways that you can fix your persona... Read Full Story

Time is running short. You need to prepare now.  I know it seems like Christmas is a long way away.  But, it will not be long until Father Christmas is saddling up his reindeer.  Today is the day to decide to make 2009 a  debt free Christmas.  Bob even has 6 tips for a debt free Christmas.  In fact, you are more likely to get through Christmas without any new consumer debt if you set your Christmas budget now. Step By Step Guide for Making Your Christmas Budget 1. Make a long list of everyon... Read Full Story

A few months ago I wrote an article about what you should do with your old cell phone. It talked about a service that Amazon offered where they would buy your old cell phone off of you. I gave it a go and pulled out a 3 year old cell-phone that was collecting dust in my closet and they sent a check for $20. I found a few more places online that will not only buy your old cell phones, but a lot of other electronic junk you may have laying around the house. And yes, some of them buy your broke... Read Full Story