Saving for college—whether for your children or your grandchildren—has become easier in recent years with the emergence of state-sponsored savings plans. Called a Section 529 Plan, after the section of the Internal Revenue Code that created them, these plans are offered by all 50 states and provide tax benefits to college savers. Two options While each state plan is different, there are two general types of plans: prepaid tuition plans and college savings plans. With a prepaid tuition plan, the money you put into the plan is earmarked for tuition at your local state university. In most cases, once you […]

In this era of decreasing church attendance in many regions of the country and in various demographic segments of our society, some churches have turned to innovative marketing strategies in an intentional approach to draw the unchurched in the doors or to take the gospel to them where they are. In the eyes of some, the ends always justify the means, and these techniques are seen as cutting edge and effective tools to reach a jaded and turned-off generation. Others see these approaches as “going too far” in an effort to be “relevant” and to identify with the target audience. […]

Sadly, it has become increasingly common for the elderly to become victims of fraud, exploitation or just plain bad advice. An estimated $40 billion is lost every year to investment fraud with losses from seniors totaling as much as $3 billion.  One in five older Americans over the age of 65 — a total of 7.3 million older Americans — have been victimized financially, according to a 2011 survey conducted by MetLife. Factors like mild cognitive impairment, dementia and early Alzheimer’s may, in fact, make seniors more susceptible to falling victim. Fraud and financial abuse against elders is more widespread […]

Are you investing money like it was yours for your purposes, or are you investing as a steward of God’s resources with diligence and care? Making a return should be a by-product of doing what God has called you to do. Remember that peace does not come by building up material possessions and it is our motive for investing that determines Godly intent. The management of money requires that it be invested and multiplied, but the world and its marketing powerhouse deceives and manipulates us to invest with wrong motives of greed and fear. Many do not get wisdom or […]

It has been a full five years since the 2008 market crash, which wiped out $2 trillion or 20 percent of Americans’ retirement savings. This Great Recession rolled through and wiped out many older American’s dreams for the future. The economic downturn has reshaped the concept of traditional investing and confidence in our free market and its wealth-building promise. The market has recently returned to near historic highs, and still the anxiety of retirement investing lingers among investors. When negative headlines or an economic report hit the news, they often trigger a flight response that can impact our financial health. […]

First impressions last. Perhaps never is this truer than with job interviews. How you dress and present yourself is crucial to whether or not you get the job or even move forward in the interview process. Here are some pointers to help you make the best first impression: Context is key When deciding what to wear, always dress for context. Take into consideration the culture of the company you are interviewing with and dress accordingly. Is it a formal company where employees typically wear suits everyday? Or is it a casual, creative environment where everyone wears jeans and a T-shirt? […]

Ephesians 5:25 instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church. This love is displayed by sacrificial acts of caring, giving and provision. It is the highest calling for husbands. Statistics show that 8 out of 10 wives outlive their husbands on average by 14 years. Studies also show that a widow not only faces the grief of the loss of her spouse, but also takes on financial obligations that her husband previously supported (2009 Retirement Confidence Survey conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute). The physical care of the house, car and other functions we husbands many […]