Author: Erick Neuman
This is such a unique time in which we are living. No one could have foreseen this global COVID-19 pandemic, nor the ripple effect on economies and the daily life of people across the globe. The spread of the coronavirus and all of the related shutdowns have brought us to a stark dichotomy. While we are separating from the rest of the world through social distancing, we are spending constant time with our immediate families. In real time, many are experiencing the opposing truths of two well-known cultural proverbs, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” and “Familiarity breeds contempt.” But…
Q: We have $30,000 in credit card debt and it seems it will take forever to get it paid off. Should I use money from my 401(k) to pay off that debt? I am 35 years old. A: I realize when you see that money sitting in your 401(k), that there is a temptation to tap into it so you can make that credit card debt disappear. I also realize that it seems to take forever to make progress on your credit cards, especially if all you are paying is the minimum payment. But using your 401k money to pay…
Annie’s Story Annie is a violinist and vocalist, wife and mother. Named after her great-grandmother, Annie Moses, she was born with a love of singing. Her parents are Bill and Robin Wolaver, award winning composers/songwriters/arrangers with 25 years of experience in the Christian music industry. At the inspiration of her mother, Annie began violin lessons the week before her fifth birthday. She excelled from a young age, winning many local, state, and national competitions. At the age of 13 she made her debut as a soloist with a professional orchestra. At 15, Annie was accepted as a scholarship student…
Seth Dahl’s passion for creating a thriving family culture fuels his ministry as a writer, public speaker, and children’s pastor. He and his family recently completed a move from California to Austin, Texas. Big city opportunities with small town values was just what Seth and his wife Lauren wanted for their kids. He describes the cross-country move as “a full operation,” which included three dogs, two horses, and a cow. They’re closer to cowboys and nature now. But the Dahls are also facing challenges along with parents and guardians around the world: working full-time, teaching at home, normal life stuff, and now…
Have you ever stopped to consider the potential “future value” of the money you spend today? If you were to save it rather than spend it, what would it be worth in, say, 20 years? For example, let’s say you spend $8 each workday for lunch on the job. What if you decided to fast just once a week and save that $8 rather than spend it? Over 20 years, you would accumulate about $8,300. Not bad. But if you were to invest that $8 a week in a Roth IRA earning 6%, your small weekly investment would grow to . . . (drum…
In an age where social media prevails in almost all aspects of our lives, singer and songwriter Cade Thompson is determined to use it in a positive way to connect with those who listen to his music, and beyond. Even at 19 years old, Cade already gives off a confident sense of self, rooted in a deep faith that began in childhood and was nourished by family and his local church. His love for Jesus springs out of every note and lyric in his music. In celebration of his recent record deal, Cade is inviting people to create the official…
From the families of small business owners to wealthy executives, a lot of families are facing anxiety over a declining investment market, have been laid off of work, or are even facing the closing of a business. It’s tough everywhere for families. We need sound financial advice. Sift through the sea of articles online and you’ll find expert advice from budgeting to eliminating credit card debt. That advice is important. Take measures to protect your family’s economic wellbeing. Now, I’m not an economist or an accountant. I’m a Pastor. My concern is for heart of God and the soul of the family.…
When Karen and Scott got married, Karen had nearly $50,000 of non-mortgage debt. Scott, who was a Chicago firefighter at the time, jokingly referred to it as “a reverse dowry.” Several years before meeting Scott, Karen had been through the breakup of a relationship she thought was headed toward marriage. “I decided that if I’m not getting married, at least I’m going to have a nice apartment. I can remember standing at the counter of a furniture store unrepentantly handing over my credit card. I thought, ‘I deserve this couch; I’m going to get it.’ It didn’t bother me one…
Like so many other people, contemporary Christian band Manic Drive has experienced a year filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. In January, band leaders Shawn and Michael Cavallo’s mother passed away. Soon thereafter, Shawn and his wife welcomed their first child into the world. Then, when the coronavirus pandemic struck, the Canadian bred brothers were literally just about to embark on a much-anticipated spring tour. All of this, on the heels of a career defining 2019 that saw them impact audiences in 44 cities on the highly-popular Winter Jam tour. Rather than just shut everything…
So here we are. Stuc- I mean, blessed being home with the fruit of our loins all the merry day. Even the best, most patient of mothers find themselves feeling extra angst and exhaustion, not having anywhere to go, or to socialize with during quarantine. Here are some helpful tips to get us through. All to be exercised with a constant stream of prayer, and high end caffeine, of course. Create delusional time blocks for activities. It can be mind-numbingly boring sitting on the ground playing toy trains or dolls with your two-year old with literally no end in sight,…