Category: For the Love of Family

Finances, For the Love of Family

Food Budgeting 101: A conversation with Collin

Explanation and Disclaimer: Last week Collin, our middle son and recent college graduate, and I wrote a blog on graduating from college almost debt free. For the next few weeks, we will be having an ongoing dialogue about his food budget. Much can be learned from his journey, and we would love to have your feedback and suggestions. And the disclaimer. Collin is a natural researcher, saver, and able to live very simply. We are convinced he came out of the womb this way! Oh, the stories we will tell! But he does give each of us a perspective that […]

Family, Finances, For the Love of Family

Almost Debt-Free College – is it worth it?

A few weeks ago we celebrated our son Collin’s college graduation  At both the senior dinner and the graduation ceremony, graduates were encouraged to practice generosity – not forgetting the private institution from which they were graduating. Within six months over 70% of American graduates will begin their student loan payments. In 2014, Wall Street Journal reported that the average student debt for that year’s class would be $33,000. And with an upward trend of over 70% of college students choosing to borrow money, coming out of college debt-free is really a minority position. In order to do so, students […]

Family, For the Love of Family

When Silence Isn’t Golden

As he pulled out of the church parking lot, Ken engaged in thought. The lesson was inspiring, and he was looking forward to discussing with friends over lunch.  Yet, it was silent in the car; what had he done now? Did he say something wrong causing embarrassment?  or was she too, pondering the sermon?  That uncomfortable feeling set in: the fear of saying something when he shouldn’t, and the fear of keeping quiet when he shouldn’t.  Two more blocks and if the car was still silent, he would muster the courage to say something.  Here goes: “so what’s wrong with you?” […]

For the Love of Family

use what you’ve got….

“She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.” Luke 2:7 As I listened to this familiar story, something struck me; I had never seen it before. Mary and Joseph used what they had, what God provided. Mary and Joseph were being obedient to the law, and had left their home so that Joseph could take part in the census. The baby came at an inconvenient time. Mary and Joseph were traveling. There wasn’t a place to […]

For the Love of Family

Gas prices drop. Buy a new BIG car.

That might sound crazy, but according to a report on Bloomberg News, Americans are buying larger cars once again. Why? Gas prices dropped. And, many consumers are now taking out 7 year sub-prime loans to pay for this new said vehicle. That’s simply crazy and wrong thinking.  If you want to do things for the love of family, you will need to think differently. If you think like the average American (see example above), your choices will be a curse to the family, not a blessing. Here are 7 key principles to follow when purchasing a car (or other mode […]

For the Love of Family, Raw Footage

Raw Footage

We were caught off guard, Gary and I. Our church youth group was gathered to celebrate God’s plan for marriage. Our son, Collin, was the youth intern; Dylan a senior. Each of us were to answer a question; luck of the draw would give us a serious or not-so-serious question about marriage. Collin was to answer “whose marriage do you admire and why?”. We have been surrounded by many strong marriages, marriages that have conquered the odds. Who does he admire? The answer surprised us. His answer was “my mom and dad’s. It is raw footage.” Swallow hard. No, you […]