An Excellent Skit From SNL on Money Management
Posted by Chris L on Jan 13th, 2008
2008
Jan 13
It’s the beginning of the year, and January is often “bankruptcy month” for financial institutions. In that light, and since we’re not supposed to be like the systems of this world, it is even more incumbent on Christians to avoid the trap of spending money we don’t have. Here’s a great skit from SNL that illustrates this (and it might make a good discussion piece for your small groups, if you discuss money management):
http://www.mypartypost.com/watchvideobig/2008/SNL_Stop_Buying_Stuff
(It’s a quicktime video, so if you don’t have QT, you won’t be able to see it).
January 13th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
That guy’s book in the video is good…but I like Paul’s better.
=)
Joe
January 13th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
What’s up with the password post?
January 13th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Nate,
I just had a few confidential areas I’ve been praying about and wanted to use a blog format with the other writers as an alternative to email…
January 13th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I love the password posts… it saves me time!
LOL!
iggy
January 14th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Quit rubbing it in, Iggy. Some of us weren’t allowed to play!
8^)>
re: Debt. Not neccessarily plugging Dave Ramsey here, but my wife and I went through the “Financial Peace University” several years ago. Although we don’t do everything by the book, we have established a consistent savings plan (best option is auto-withdrawal/direct deposit for us) and we’ve kept our credit card paid off. Actually, we’ve reduced considerably using the credit card for purchases, using our checking account debit card instead. If we don’t have the money in the checking account, we don’t buy it. We also set aside $xx each paycheck for stuff like Christmas, auto expenses, and clothing. It’s nice to be able to pay for a new set of tires or not be stressed when the new school year rolls around and the kids need clothes. Still haven’t got the house paid off yet.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Keith,
Rubbing what it… I was not invited to the party… (though I tried to hack my way in… but I have limited hacking skill… they usually include Kleenix)
And as far as Dave Ramsey, I am doing the “Financial Peace University†at our church starting this Wednesday… 7pm email me for directions. I am the coordinator.
We showed this skit last Sunday as part of the promotional…
iggy
January 14th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I think it could use more cowbell.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Keith,
My wife and I went through the Larry Burkett program about 10 years ago (give or take), and our church is getting ready for one of its two FPU sessions. I have found the advice of both (along with a cousin who is a financial counselor) to be very helpful.
Like you, we’ve moved away from credit in general (except in the case of true emergencies, which rarely arise). Something we did to help us out for several years was to put our lone credit card in a big block of ice at the back of the freezer. Believe me, you have to think a WHOLE lot about using a card if it’s gonna take you a long time to get to it!
About all that is left is our mortgage, and we’re looking for ways to accelerate its payoff (though having kids in school/college makes it a challenge)!
While I have not gone through FPU myself, there are a number of folks at my church that have been greatly blessed by following Ramsey’s well-rooted, Biblical advice.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Chris L and Iggy: I think a lot of people believe they simply can’t live without certain things or even within a budget of any type. We don’t watch every penny per se, but we do simple things like throw a little extra at the principle on payments –amazing what $25-$50 a month on a 30 year mortgage will buy you. We have only purchased two show-room new cars in 28 years–both for my wife. I drive “beaters” that I pay cash for. “BIC lighter cars” you might say. We clip coupons, look for the bargains, always check out eBay before we buy…
My wife was a systems admin for Occidental Petroleum when we married. For eight years, we did whatever we wanted…then kids came along and she wanted to stay home. Even tho’ she made more money than me, we adjusted our spending (God was really good to us–her layoff package paid off everything but the house) and for 14 years, we were a single income family. It can be done, you just don’t live in the bigger homes in the nicer neighborhoods. In fact, now that she is working again–teaching preschool at a private Christian school, we’ve decided to stay where we are. Cheap house payment; decent neighbors. Can’t beat it. We have friends with $1000-$2000 per month mortgages! CHOKE!!!!!!
January 14th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Sad to say, that’s not unusual around here. I would say that anything under $1200 a month would be consider cheap in town. My wife and I were blessed, as we bought right before prices really started going up.
The thing that I see that is really troubling to me is the amount of student loans kids are graduating with now. I had $20,000 when I graduated, and that was bad enough, but now it’s not uncommon for me to talk to kids with $50,000 or higher in loans. And it’s not like these kids are going to be doctors or lawyers. I don’t know, I just wouldn’t want to be in their shoes.