Compass » Money Wise

God's Vocational Calling On Your Life - Howard Dayton and Steve Moore discuss the importance of asking the Lord what His purpose is for your life. Next, they answer calls and questions at (800) 525-7000 and MoneyWise@compass1.org about the following: Could the Lord use the lottery to bless me financially? How can I better manage my retirement investments? I can't find a bank that will refinance my mortgage given that my balance is now below $50,000. Any suggestions? Are there any scriptures that address dealing with a difficult supervisor at work? Does the IRS limit how long you can run a business that is technically in the red? Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise Weekend on the air!

Christmas Shopping Tips - Howard Dayton and Steve Moore offer advice to help stretch your dollars during the holiday season, while avoiding additional debt. Next, they answer calls and questions at (800) 525-7000 and MoneyWise@Compass1.org about the following: Should you carry life insurance on young children? Would it be wise to continue renting out our second home, or should we sell it? Is it Biblically okay to accept unemployment benefits? How can our grandson get adequate transportation with little money and poor credit? My employer offers a thrift incentive plan. What is this and should I take advantage of it? Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

Once and for All Decisions - Howard Dayton and Steve Moore talk about making Bible-based commitments that govern your financial decisions throughout your life. Next, they answer calls and questions at (800) 525-7000 and MoneyWise@compass1.org about the following: How do I invest in advance of heading into the mission field? I am disabled and deeply in debt. How do I handle this debt and address my creditors? I have just enough income to meet my monthly expenses. Should I continue to tithe? Mentioned in today's program: Kingdom Advisors (Christian financial advisors) and Credability (debt counseling) Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

The Problem of Identity Theft (with Dr Axton Betz) – Howard Dayton and Steve Moore welcome Dr Axton Betz. As a victim of identity theft herself (at age 11), Dr Betz offers advice for protecting yourself and your children from identity theft, as well as direction if your identity has already been stolen. Several helpful resources are mentioned on the program: AnnualCreditReport.com, the Identity Theft Resource Center and the Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov),. Dr Betz also recommends checking with the office of your particular state Attorney General and investigating whether someone has tampered with your child's credit (click here for instructions from ehow.com). For a good overview of biblical money management, consider Howard's book, 'Your Money Counts'. And be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

Beware of Greed  – Howard Dayton and Steve Moore help you avoid becoming a victim of greed.  Then they turn to questions from listeners (800-525-7000 or moneywise@compass1.org): "Should I cash out a life insurance policy to stabilize my finances in the wake of a divorce?" (Howard mentioned the 'Money and Marriage God's Way' study; also available as a book and audio CD) "Is it okay to accept loan forgiveness for school debt?" "I'm a widow in need of a new roof, but I have no money. What kind of loans should I consider?" Mentioned on today's program was the 'Navigating Your Finances God's Way' small-group study. Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

Is the Economy Straining Your Marriage?  – Howard Dayton and Steve Moore offer encouragement and guidance for using financial stress to actually strengthen your marriage.  Then they turn to questions from listeners (800-525-7000 or moneywise@compass1.org): "What's a reverse mortgage?" "As newlyweds, should our focus be on paying down debt or putting money away for retirement?" "With low mortgage rates, would it be better to buy a bigger house OR buy the same size house but pay it off faster ?" Mentioned on today's program was the Compass Map and the Financial Stewardship Bible. Howard also mentioned  the book, 'Trusting God', by Jerry Bridges. Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

Raising Adult Children  – Howard Dayton and Steve Moore offer guidelines for raising financially responsible children and then setting healthy boundaries as they enter adulthood. Then they turn to questions from listeners (800-525-7000 or moneywise@compass1.org): "How can I best prepare for a looming layoff at work?" "How do we safely close out multiple credit cards?" (Howard recommended AnnualCreditReport.com) "Are there legal grounds for not paying income tax?" "How do I correct a mistake on my credit report?" "What's the difference between a credit report and a credit score?" (Howard recommended CreditKarma.com) Mentioned on today's program was Howard's book, 'Your Money Map' and the Compass small-group study, 'Navigating Your Finances God's Way'.  Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources, radio archives and calculators. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep Money Wise Weekend on the air!

Evaluating Your Investments for 2013 - Howard Dayton and Steve Moore are joined by investment adivsor Mark Biller to discuss Bible-based investing. Next, they answer calls and questions at (800) 525-7000 and MoneyWise@compass1.org about the following: We have a surplus of around $2,000 per month. How should we invest that? I am 70 years old and retired. I have a 401k and I am at the age where I will begin taking that out. What should I do with those funds? I'm thinking about retiring overseas. Is there anything I should be thinking about investment-wise as I prepare for this? Can you recommend a reputable company from which to buy gold or silver, and what percentage of my investments dollars should be in precious metals? All of my investment money is in tech stocks. Am I on the right track? Learn more about Mark Biller and Sound Mind Investing at SoundMindInvesting.com. Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

MoneyWise Thanksgiving Special - Howard Dayton and Steve Moore reveal what God's Word says about giving thanks as it pertains to finances and every area of our lives. Next, they answer calls and questions at (800) 525-7000 and MoneyWise@compass1.org about the following: I'm upside down on my mortgage and would like to refinance, but do not qualify for the HARP program. What can I do? We're thinking about building a house, but I have an irregular income. How do I determine what kind of house I can afford? I received a gift of $5,000. Should I tithe on a gift? Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

The Benefits of Being Thankful  – The Bible tells us that a joyful heart is good medicine. Howard Dayton and Steve Moore elaborate today on MoneyWise.  Then they turn to questions from listeners (800-525-7000 or moneywise@compass1.org): "How do we decide between a 15-year and a 20-year re-fi?" (Check out MakingHomeAffordable.gov) "Medical bills, job loss and the death of my husband have wiped out my finances - what's my next step?" "What's a good investment strategy for a young married couple?" (Howard recommended checking out SoundMindInvesting.com and the Crown small-group study, 'Navigating Your Finances God's Way'.) Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

The Principle of Trust  – Do you trust God, or just SAY that you trust God? Howard Dayton and Steve Moore discuss the difference today on MoneyWise.  Then they turn to questions from listeners (800-525-7000 or moneywise@compass1.org): "Where do I tithe since I have no church home at the moment?" "With a mortgage balamce of only $27,000, is it worth it to re-finance?" (see the Compass mortgage calculator) "Do you have any recommendations for getting an auto deficiency paid off faster?" Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

Keeping Good Records  – Keeping good records is essential to good financial health, and Howard Dayton and Steve Moore break the process down into easy, bite-sized pieces today on MoneyWise.  Then they turn to questions from listeners (800-525-7000 or moneywise@compass1.org): "How do I acquire a piece of abandoned property when the owners won't respond?" "How can a husband and wife - with very different approaches to money - learn to work together?" "How do I deal with tax-filing errors made by my tax preparer?" (Howard recommended contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service at the IRS - here's a link) Mentioned on today's program was  the Compass Map and Howard's books, 'Your MoneyMap' and 'Money and Marriage God's Way' ('Money and Marriage Money God's Way'  is also one of the small-group studies offered by Compass). Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

Entertainment/Recreation and Your Budget  – There's a God-ordained purpose for rest and recreation, but, without a plan,   it can wreak havoc on your budget. Today on Money Wise Weekend, Howard Dayton and Steve Moore  help you restore balance to your recreational spending. Then they turn to questions from listeners (800-525-7000 or moneywise@compass1.org): "As a young, growing family, what do we need to think through before buying a home?" "I'm over my head in debt - what are my options?" "What do you think of investing in 'junk silver'? How about gold and silver parties?" Several helpful resources were mentioned on today's program, including;  the 'Set your House in Order' workbook, Howard's book, 'Your Money Map', the small-group study, 'Navigating Your Finances God's Way',  CredAbility.org and Compass coaches. Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep Money Wise Weekend on-the-air!

Christ Centered Capitalism - Howard Dayton and Steve Moore discuss the importance of keeping Jesus at the center of all business practices. Next, they answer calls and questions at (800) 525-7000 and MoneyWise@compass1.org about the following: My mother has a great deal of money in savings bonds, but the tax burden when I cash them in is outrageous. What can I do? I'm concerned about a possible looming economic crisis. How can I prepare? I'm taking a new job. I'm concerned if I provide 2 weeks notice to my current employer, he might let me go immediately. What do you recommend? We have suffered a loss of income. Should I continue to tithe or wait until we get back on our feet? Are house repairs tax deductible? Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!

God's Vocational Calling On Your Life - Howard Dayton and Steve Moore discuss the importance of asking the Lord what his purpose is for your life. Next, they answer calls and questions at (800) 525-7000 and MoneyWise@compass1.org about the following: Could the Lord use the lottery to bless me financially? How can I better manage my retirement investments? I can't find a bank that will refinance my mortgage, given my balance is now below $50,000. Any suggestions? Are there any scriptures that address dealing with a difficult supervisor at work? Does the IRS limit how long you can run a business that is technically in the red? Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives. Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on the air!