Last-Minute Gift Doesn’t Have to Be Costly (USA TODAY).  Shopping in a hurry often leads to overspending, but not if you follow this advice.

5 Tips for Being a Fabulous Holiday Host (Main Street).  Got company staying with you over the holidays?  Here’s how to keep ‘em happy while keeping your sanity.

10 Myths About Job Hunting During a Recession (US News).  Feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle in your job search?  Don’t let these falsehoods hold you back.

Year-End Reality Check: 71 Percent of Americans Don’t Have a Retirement Plan (Financial Planning).  A good place to start is with this simple retirement calculator.

5 CD Dos and Don’ts (Bankrate).  I’d add one more “do” to this list: Do consider a credit union when shopping for a CD, including my long-time sponsor, Christian Community Credit Union, which offers better rates than I believe you’ll find anywhere else.

And from the blogosphere…

15 Dynamo DIY Projects That Cost Less Than $20 (Apartment Therapy).  Thanks to my wife, Jude, for bringing this one to my attention.  Some great, inexpensive ways to spruce up your home.  Rug painting, anyone?

The Top 10 Best and Worst Communicators of 2011 (Ragan’s HR Communication).  Great communication skills are essential for excelling on the job and in life.  There’s a lot to be learned in studying the best…and the worst.

Free Apps To Help You Recover a Lost Phone or Laptop (Clark Howard).  With so much important information stored on our digital devices, we can’t afford to lose them.  Here’s how to put them on an electronic leash.

25 Ways to Make This the Best Christmas Season Ever (Pick The Brain).  Hat tip to Trent at The Simple Dollar, where I saw a link to this post.  It’s not too late to incorporate some of these great ideas.  Or, if you read this after Christmas, there’s always next year.

A Peace That Transcends Understanding (Matt About Money).  As with last week’s roundup, I thought a post from the Christmas archives would be in order.  This one certainly speaks to me this year.  I hope it does to you as well.

Here’s wishing you a wonderful Christmas. And to my Jewish readers, Happy Hanukkah.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

6 Classic Movies About Holidays and Money (Bankrate).  From a timeless tearjerker about a bank too small to fail, to several reminders about what really matters, most of these movies will help bring some extra cheer to your holidays while also teaching some important lessons about money.

Tipping in Tough Times: Here’s What You Need to Know (MSNBC).  If coming up with tip money is more difficult this year, the good news is that those who typically receive tips seem to have lower expectations.

A First-Time Manager’s Hiring Discoveries (Chicago Tribune).  Some good insights about how to stand out from the crowd of candidates.

How Your Attitude Determines Your Career (Forbes).  Solid advice for not just keeping your job in a tough economy, but excelling over the long haul.

“A” Is For Freebies: 7 Perks You Can Get For Good Grades (Main Street).  If your kids bring home a good report card, here are some extra ways you can reward them.

And from the blogosphere…

31 Great Gifts That Keep On Giving (Wise Bread).  If you haven’t finished your shopping yet, this list should help you get the job done.

Tipping for the Holidays (Free Money Finance).  More good advice on tipping, including research from Consumer Reports about how much people usually give to various service providers.

Avoid the Resume Clone Wars: Tell Me Your Story! (Glass Door).  Real world advice from a real world hiring manager.

Saving Money: There’s An App For That (Moneyed Up).  Five apps that have tested positive for being financially helpful.

The Heart of the Matter (Matt About Money).  This season brings up all sorts of stuff for people, including issues around forgiveness.  If that’s true for you, I hope you find this post from a previous Christmas encouraging.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Your Christmas Gift This Year: Free Job Advice (Main Street).  For many people, all they want for Christmas is a new job.  If that’s you, take advantage of this free help.

How to Get Your Dream Job in a Bad Economy (Time).  Any job might sound good to you if you’ve been out of work for some time, but this author suggests that you aim high.

Relationships, Realistic Expectations Temper Holiday Stress (USA TODAY).  Good advice for making sure you enjoy the holidays and not get all stressed out.  Along the same lines, read the results of this survey I conducted right after a past Christmas (click on Holiday Regrets) in which people were asked what they wish they had done more and less of during the holidays.  The answers will help you make the most of this year’s Christmas.

What Not to Buy Before Christmas (CNNMoney).  Among the many other things that go on deep discount after Christmas are gift baskets sold by many department stores.  They can make for nice New Year’s gifts.

Online Bargain Hunting: 6 Secrets to Saving Big (US News).  Here’s a 7^th secret: Amazon is offering users of its Price Check app an added discount on December 10.  While shopping in a retail store, just use the app to see if Amazon has a better price, and if you end up buying from Amazon, the company will add another discount.

And from the blogosphere…

5 Reasons to Put Your Retirement Plans Ahead of Your Children’s College (ChristianPF).  As a parent, I know how easy it is to get these priorities turned around.  This article clarifies why it’s important to put them in the right order.

5 Ways to Celebrate the Birth of Jesus (Bible Money Matters).  I love these ideas.  Your kids will benefit, and so will you.

5 Powerful Negotiation Strategies That Work Every Time (Wealth Pilgrim).  I would add a sixth strategy to this list: just ask.  It’s amazing what you can get if you just ask.

Daily Deal Sites Secondary Market (Bargaineering).  The popularity of daily deal sites has spawned several offshoots.  Recently I reported on daily deal site aggregators – services that sort through the deals from multiple deal sites and then send you one e-mail with all of the deals near you.  Now, it turns out, there’s an organized way to sell deals you bought that you’re not able to use, or to buy the deals other people aren’t able to use at an even greater discount.

Give a Gift That’ll Pay Lasting Dividends (Me!).  Yes, this is a link to a promotion I’m running for about another week.  If you have an engaged or newly married couple (a couple that’s been married for about 5 years or less – okay, maybe 10) on your gift list, I truly believe this book will be a blessing to them.  I wrote it because money messes with far too many people’s marriages and that bothers me.  A lot.  This book helps couples get the money thing right.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Our family had been invited to lead “a responsive call to worship” that morning – a short time at the beginning of the service in which we were to read some Scripture related to Advent and then the congregation would respond.

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas.  It’s a season of anticipation, a time of preparing to celebrate Christ’s birth and also to prepare for His return.  So we were asked to read from Mark 13, where Jesus told His disciples to “keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back…If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.”

As we practiced our lines on the way to church, the part about not being found sleeping made our oldest son think that Jesus was all about work and no rest.  I pointed out that it was really a metaphor.  To be awake is to live our lives in a state of constant preparedness for Christ’s return, which means living in relationship with Him and living as He taught us to live.

The Advent/Money Connection

As a financial writer/speaker, one of my job hazards is a tendency for my mind to drift toward the financial implications of, well, just about everything.  So, as our pastor delivered a great Advent message, I kept thinking about what it would look like financially to live in a constant state of preparedness for Christ’s return.

If He came to our house tomorrow, it’s a sure bet that toys would be scattered throughout the house and the newspaper pile would be in dire need of being taken outside to the recycling bin.  I don’t think He’d care about those things.  But I think He would care about what He saw inside our checkbook and our hearts.  Here’s what I think He’d want to see.

Financial Identity

He’d want it to be clear that we know who we are, financially speaking. He’d want it to be evident that we look at the world through the eyes of a steward, not the eyes of a consumer.

Financial Attitudes

Since He has an uncanny ability to see inside our hearts, I think He’d want to see plenty of contentment in there.

He wouldn’t want to see a hunger for more stuff or jealousy over what other people have; He’d want to see gratitude for what we have.

He wouldn’t want to see us living under a cloud of guilt or shame over past financial mistakes.  Sure, He’d want to see us taking responsibility for cleaning things up, but He’d want us to know that He is quick to forgive all who seek His forgiveness.

I think it would please him if He saw that our financial lives were marked by patience – a willingness to wait until we can afford things before we buy them, and the realization that our ultimate happiness won’t be found in what we can buy.

I think He’d understand if those attitudes didn’t come naturally or easily, and if we felt uncertain or uneasy about the economy and our job security. But He’d want to see that we’re leaning into Him for strength, encouragement, and perspective.

Financial Behavior

If Jesus showed up tomorrow, I think He’d want to see that we’re not winging it with His money – that we have a plan.  After all, according to His own instruction manual, it says those who profit are those who plan (Proverbs 21:5).

I think He’d want to see us living generously – not just because the Bible teaches that generosity is to be our first financial priority (Proverbs 3:9), but because generosity has become a natural way that we express our gratitude for all that He has done for us.

I think He’d want to see that our finances are in order – that we keep some money in reserve (Proverbs 21:20), are cautious in our use of debt (Proverbs 22:7), take a slow and steady approach to investing (Proverbs 13:11), and try to be smart about spending decisions big and small.  After all, He said that money matters and matters of faith are tightly intertwined (Luke 16:11).

Company’s Coming, But We Don’t Know When

A little over 20 years ago, when I was new to the whole experience of living a life of faith, I remember reading the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and having one of those ah-ha moments.  For the first time I saw the big picture of what it means to manage money from a biblical perspective.

In that parable, Jesus tells of a master who was going on a journey.  While he was gone, he put three servants in charge of his property.

Of course, the master is The Master – God.  And the servants represent us.  God has temporarily entrusted everything we have to our care.  We don’t really own any of our stuff; it all belongs to God.  It’s all to be managed according to His instructions and for His purposes.

And then I read these words: “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.”

My eyes lingered on that line for a long time.  I realized that one day I would have to give an account for how I managed the resources God entrusted to me.

The thing is, we don’t know when that day will come.  It could be 20 years down the road.  It could be today.

The only way to prepare is to always be prepared.

How Prepared Are You?

What’s your response to the idea of living in a constant state of financial preparedness?  Does it overwhelm you?

I don’t think Jesus would want you to feel overwhelmed, and I know He wouldn’t want you to think you’re on some sort of performance plan.

If He returned tomorrow, mostly I think He’d want it to be clear that we cherish our relationship with Him above all else.  Yes, He’d want to see the fruit of that relationship, that our financial attitudes and behaviors are being increasingly shaped by His teachings and leadings.  But also that we live with a sense of peace about the areas that are still kind of messy.  A sense of peace that’s been shaped by His grace.

Once a month, I take a closer look at what the Bible teaches about money.  Here’s why.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Arsenic in Your Juice (Consumer Reports).  Getting the best deals at the grocery store means more than finding the best prices.  It means finding the best prices on food that won’t kill you!

Christmas for Less Than $100 (MSN).  Regular readers know I’m not crazy about the word “frugal.”  But this writer does frugal well.

Black Friday’s Deals May Not Have Been The Best (New York Times).  Scientific research says the best deals are yet to come.

Holiday Shipping Deadlines: Time Your Purchase Right (Main Street).  Here’s what you need to know to make sure your gifts arrive on time.

How to Live Happily on Less (US News).  An ode to slowing down and enjoying some of life’s simple pleasures.

And from the blogosphere…

7 Small Gifts That Can Make a BIG Impact This Holiday (Money Ning).  You don’t have to spend big to make the recipients of your gifts smile big.

The Best and Worst Things to Buy in December (Wise Bread).  Some of this advice will help for this year’s holiday gift buying, some of it will help for next year.

MasterCard Launches Contactless Payment Wristwatch (Money-Watch).  In this case, time truly is money.

Where to Buy Cheap Checks Online (Dough Roller).  By now, checks were supposed to be so yesterday.  But lots of us are still writing them, so we might as well stop paying so much for them.

4 Things That Keep You From Your Goals (Pick The Brain).  Words of wisdom for all who like to set goals at the start of each New Year.  And if you’re really serious about achieving your goals, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of clarity.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Think Black Friday Has the Cheapest Prices?  Think Again (Time).  Worried that you might have missed something by not camping out in front of Wal-Mart after Thanksgiving dinner?  This will make you feel better.

Should I Hire a Financial Advisor or Go It Alone? (CNN Money).  Good guidance as to when you might want or need help with your investments.  I have some additional ideas on how to find a good advisor.

Credit Cards Make Shoppers Less Likely to Focus on What Items Cost (Main Street).  Just one more reason why we all need to follow the four essential rules to using credit cards wisely.

10 Ways to Stay Safe While Shopping Online (US News).  Do you know the difference between “http” and “https”?

Use or Lose Your Flexible Spending Account (Bankratre.com).  It’s tougher to use those FSA dollars for over-the-counter meds these days, but there are still plenty of healthcare expenses that qualify.

And from the blogosphere…

How Making a Gratitude List Can Change Your Life (LearnVest).  Sure, Thanksgiving is over, but now’s the perfect time to start stocking your blessing box.

The $50 Christmas Budget (One Money Design).  How to have a blast finding creative, meaningful gifts that don’t cost a ton.

The Best Way to Be Broke for Life (Bucksome Boomer).  A good reminder to choose wisely when buying a home.

7 Ways to Clear the Clutter and Find Your Life (Stepcase Lifehack).  I’m a firm believer that an organized life and wise money management go hand in hand.  If you’re buried in clutter (or just not as organized as you’d like to be), this article offers simple ideas for taking small steps in the right direction.

25 Ways to Communicate Better Today (Wise Bread).  No matter what you do for a living, a key to getting ahead is communicating well.  A 26^th tip is to ask questions.  This is a lost art.  If you cultivate it, people will enjoy being around you.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

80 May Be the New 65 for Retirement Age (CNN Money).  Lots of people are finally waking up to just how unprepared they are for retirement.  One simple yet incredibly helpful step to do a better job of preparing is to calculate our needs.

Your Grocery Bill is Getting Higher, and Higher (MSNBC).  What are you doing to fight food inflation?  Are you cherry picking?  Becoming a super couponer?

What Hiring Managers See When They Look at Your Resume (Main Street).  A good section-by-section review of what to include and what to leave off (MSNBC).

7 Biggest Holiday Money Wasters (MSN).  Tis the season for overspending, but not for you if you heed some of these warnings.

Social Experiment Tests How Far You’ll Go to Find $20 (US News).  Quirky experiment raises some interesting questions about how we think about money and the lengths we’ll go to get a little more.

And from the blogosphere…

The Blessing Box (Matt About Money).  With Thanksgiving approaching, I couldn’t resist including this post from my archives.  It contains one of the best holiday-related ideas I’ve ever heard – an idea shared with me by a very special couple.

Create Memories With 6 Inexpensive Experience Gifts (My Dollar Plan).  Great ideas for giving gifts that can’t be broken, won’t need to be exchanged, and are likely to be treasured long after they’re unwrapped.

The Best Free Apps For Black Friday (LearnVest).  I hate to participate in all the spending hype associated with the holidays, but some of these apps, like RedLaser, are helpful all year.

Four Ways to Include Your Spouse in Financial Planning (Five Cent Nickel).  Good reminders about how to do the whole money thing as a team.

The Three Best Financial Moves You Can Make For Your Child (Free From Broke).  I’m not sure I’d call these ideas the three best, but they’re good, and in the case of the credit score idea, creative.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

To Help Boost Retirement Savings, Face the Facts (Financial Planning).  Interesting research about how truly envisioning the future helps us prepare more effectively.

6 Percent of Us Are Still Paying Off Last Year’s Holiday Bills (Time).  Everyone says it; apparently not enough people do it: set a budget for gifts.  You’ll find a simple form that will help on the Resources page of my site.

Need a Job?  Getting Creative Works for Some (Market Watch).  This job market requires more than a reactive approach.

How to Stand Out When Applying for a Job (US News).  Some essential homework to do before the interview.

10 Companies That Pay You To Recruit (Main Street).  Help your friends find deals and the deals get sweeter for you.

And from the blogosphere…

Teach Your Kids About Money Concepts Early (Money Ning).  Teach ‘em early and teach ‘em often.

The Case for Stay-At-Home Moms (LearnVest).  Based on questions I get at workshops, one of the best-kept secrets is that more couples with kids would prefer to be one-income couples.  If that’s you, be sure to read An Uncommon But Brilliant Money Move for Young Couples.

15 Career Advice Sites You Should Know About (Wise Bread).  Whether you’re looking for a job or wanting to excel in the one you have, here are some go-to sites.

7 Ways to Simplify Your Life (Pick the Brain).  I’m a firm believer that simplicity and wise money management go hand in hand.

5 Money Mistakes College Students Make (Bible Money Matters).  I would add one more mistake to the list: owning a car.  In fact, I think this is one of the most important decisions college students make that determines whether they end their college career with money in savings or not.

Have a response to any of these articles or something to add?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Six Tips to Help Your Kids Become Entrepreneurs (USA TODAY).  Good advice from kid entrepreneurs and their parents.

Saving for Retirement or Your Children’s Future (via US News).  A good reminder to put funding our later years ahead of paying for our kids’ college expenses.

10 Ways to Tap Your IRA Early Without Penalty (US News).  I generally don’t like the idea of raiding retirement funds before retirement, but if you’re in a pinch here’s what you need to know about pulling money out of your IRA.

Meet With a Financial Planner for Free  Each year, four non-profit organizations, including the board that certifies financial planners, puts on this event where you can meet with a credentialed planner for free.  Here’s how to schedule an appointment.

Focusing on Your Work is More Important Than Multitasking (USA TODAY).  In a tough economy, lots of workers are being asked to do the work of two or three people.  However, in order to excel, it’s best to do one thing at a time.

And from the blogosphere…

Halloween Spending: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid (Get Rich Slowly).  With people spending spooky amounts of money on this holiday, here’s how to have fun for less.

How Pulling the TV Plug Led to a Tropical Vacation (Money Ning).  I love the idea of questioning every expense item to make sure we’re using money for what matters most.  I once met a couple that cut their Internet connection to free up money for debt repayment.  Crazy, huh?  Crazy good.

How to Prove Your Usefulness, Keep Your Job, and Maybe Even Get Ahead: Be Indispensable (Free From Broke).  Doing these things will go a long way toward keeping you employed, and in a worst-case scenario, employable.

The Spiral of Success (Gail Vaz-Oxlade).  In order to get to where we want to go – financially, or otherwise – it helps a lot to break the journey down into smaller steps.

Helpful Answers to Flexible Spending Account Questions (My Dollar Plan).  Do you have access to a Flexible Spending Account at work?  If so, here’s what you can pay for with pre-tax dollars.  Lasik surgery or orthodontics, anyone?

Got some feedback on any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this article?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

During a reception after the service he was surprised at how many people talked about that very thing—his mom’s influence. Some said her example made them better moms. Others said she influenced them to serve more or to be more forgiving.

Less than a month after the service, Craig talked to a good friend, Mark, who had been there. One week later Mark had been to another memorial service, this time for an extremely successful businessman.

Mark said that at the businessman’s service, people talked about his business skills and career success. At Craig’s mom’s service, people talked about her generosity and kindness. During gatherings with friends or family, she was always the last one to eat. She wanted to make sure others were served first, even if that left her with table scraps. She was always quick with an offer to help, whether that meant making someone a meal or even mowing someone’s lawn.

Mark told Craig he had spent years looking up to the businessman, wanting to be like him. But now, more than business success, he wanted to leave a legacy of giving and service, like Craig’s mom had. As Craig put it, “It turns out that my low-income mom was more of a hero than this millionaire.”

That conversation clarified something Craig knew deep down—“Life is about impacting other people.”

Craig’s an extremely busy guy, managing his own successful but demanding business.  I’ve always been impressed by his passion and his knack for business.  It’s no surprise that he has achieved great success at a young age.

But what’s become even more apparent since his mom’s death is his outward focus.  He takes time to get away with his wife.  He makes the effort to build special memories with his kids.  He finds time for his friends.  And he and his wife generously use their resources to benefit others, especially single moms.

I know his mom would be very proud.

To subscribe to this blog, just click here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.