Monday, September 26, 2011

Impulse Buying

Impulse Buying With No Budget Equals Financial Disaster by Rick Warren

"Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough."  (Proverbs 21:5 TEV)

A budget is simply a plan. It's telling your money where you want it to go, rather than wondering where it went. And the problem many of us have today is that we don't know where our money is going because we don't have a budget.

But if you want to get out of debt, you have to nip it in the budget. Do you remember Barney Fife, from The Andy Griffith Show? He used to say, “Nip it, nip it, nip it in the bud.” We need to nip it in the budget.

Notice today’s verse says, “Plan carefully.” That means budgeting; a budget is simply planned spending. Planning carefully means you say, “This is what we're going to spend next year and next month,” and by doing that, the Bible says, “You will have plenty.” It's a promise of God.

On the other hand, as today's verse says, “If you act too quickly, you will never have enough.” This refers to what advertisers, marketers and retailers call impulse buying. You know what impulse buying is? Have you ever gone into a store without planning to buy something, but you bought it on an impulse? You didn't think about the purchase; it was totally emotion-based. You saw it, you wanted it, and you bought it.

And if you act too quickly, impulse buying plus no budget equals financial disaster. Have you ever bought something without thinking and later regretted it? Most of us have! And that's why you've got to have a plan.

When you make purchases this week, ask yourself if what you are buying is something you really need. Ask, “Is this an impulse buy?”

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Debt Free

You Can Be Debt Free by Rick Warren

"Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other." (Romans 13:8a MSG)

My hope for you is that you will be debt free by the end of this decade. It is possible if you are disciplined. Let me say that if you've never been debt free, you have no idea the freedom you will experience when you no longer owe anybody anything.

And this is why it is important: if God told you to go do something right now, some of you couldn't do it because you are in such financial bondage.

The Bible says we should not withhold the repayment of our debts, that we should let no debt remain outstanding. What does that mean? If you are only paying the minimum on your credit card, you are letting a debt remain outstanding. The Bible says don't do that. God is not going to bless that.

You need to set up repayment. You may be thinking that would be hard. It is hard! That's why most people are in debt. If it were easy, everybody would be rich. The fact is, most people do not have the character and discipline to do what God tells them to do. First, give 10% to God; second, put 10% into savings; then, set up a repayment plan.

You might say, “Wait a minute. Are you telling me to save before I pay off my debts?” That's exactly what I'm telling you to do, because if you wait until you get all your debts paid off to start saving or tithing, you will never do it.

You may think you can’t afford it, but the truth is, you can't afford not to do it God’s way.

How will you need to adjust your finances so they line up with God’s way? Even if it seems impossible, set up a repayment plan for your debts.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Invest in the Future

Invest in the Future by Saving by Rick Warren

"Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it." (Proverbs 21:20 TEV)

The Bible says a lot about making financial investments. In fact, you can see that Proverbs 21:20 is God's IQ test! Let's see how smart you are: wise people save for the future, but foolish people spend whatever they get.

There is a question you can ask yourself that will help you save more money. It's really simple. When you get ready to buy something, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” And then be honest enough to tell yourself.

For instance, do I really need a new car? Well, I know I'd like it. But do I really need a new car? Do I really need this upgrade? I know I'd like it, but do I really need it?

A fundamental financial principle is this: when you spend your money, it's gone. Yet when you save your money, it works for you. The problem with most of us is that we work for our money instead of letting our money work for us. If you'll do it God's way, you can get out of debt, and you can be blessed.

How will you need to adjust your finances so they line up with God’s way?

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

COURAGEOUS Movie Trailer



Honor Begins at Home


"Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.

While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a new found urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?

Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the movie making ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Riveted moviegoers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous.

In Theaters September 30

Friday, September 16, 2011

Deeply discounted CTMH supplies




Tons of new items have been added to the “while supplies last” shopping section of my CTMH website.  Everything from paper packs, ink cubes, embellishments, accessories and card kits, to rub-ons, ribbon and chipboard Dimensional Elements.  There's something for every paper crafter! 
And the prices are ridiculous!

It's an easy way to save a ton of money on great supplies,
qualify for the SOTM (Limited Edition) AND
our current National Stamping Month promotion
(first-ever double stamp set, Pair-a-Phrase). 

Here's a sprinkling of the great products available at crazy low prices.
 
ink cubes for only $0.25

Kraft Color Ready Borders - LOVE this product

Heartfelt Whimsy Die-Cuts for 75% off

Tops Coats Framed-In for $1.00

Jolly Twinkle Brads for a buck!

Irresistibles Villa Chipboard Die-Cuts for almost 50% off

Shop on-line and have your order delivered directly to you.
Questions, contact me here.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Cricut Expression Giveaway


Close To My Heart is giving away a Cricut Expression® Machine to one random winner!

Larger than the Cricut Create® Machine or the Cricut® Personal Electronic Cutter, the Cricut Expression® Machine precisely cuts letters and shapes in impressive sizes using the 12″ × 24″ mat or the 12″ × 12″ mat. Use your Cricut Expression® Machine with CTMH’s new Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection (sold separately) to create gift boxes, cards, spiral flowers, and more!

Jump to the CTMH facebook page and click on "Cricut Giveaway".

GOOD LUCK!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Long Striped Hand Warmers


Oh my gosh I love these!  Should be easy to whip up, I just need to find the right yarn.  Purl Bee is one of my favorite inspiration sites and I discovered this pattern while just browsing.  The Long Striped Hand Warmers are simple, yet stunning.

The color caught my eye since we are all about "Royal & Lime" in this family.  My two youngest cheer for TSC and we are always on the hunt for items to show our pride.  I'm hoping to find just the right match for the stripes and make a pair for each of my cheer girls.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Stretch Your Stamping Know-How



Create a multi-layered stamping imaging using the base and shade technique and CTMH's My Acrylix® So Grateful stamp set. As you can see on this video, it's as easy as pumpkin pie—and will look great on your Thanksgiving dinner invitations and cards.

Friday, September 2, 2011

National Stamping Month with CTMH


Get a FREE My Acrylix® double stamp set
with your qualifying purchase!

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we are offering our first-ever double stamp set. You can get the exclusive My Acrylix® Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set FREE when you place an order of $75.00 from August 15 through September 30, 2011. You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images you’ll use in your handmade cards all year. And with a retail value of $35.90, this set drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase. Have double the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set!

Shop online and have your order shipped directly to your doorstep. Questions, contact me here.
*Offer available August 15–September 30, 2011. Shipping/handling charges apply.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

CTMH's September SOTM - Limited Edition


Beautiful Stamps, Amazing Discounts

Each month you can enjoy a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in CTMH products, you qualify for this special Stamp Of The Month pricing.
 

In love with the artwork (shown above) we created with this stamp set? Get ready to make it yourself! CTMH now provides a materials list and instructions for creating all their gorgeous Stamp Of The Month artwork.  Click here for details.