Okay. We're here. We didn't plan to be in a tight economy, but that's where we're at. We can (and should!!) look back and study how we got here. We can study the world economies, bank practices, and our own responsibility in this situation.but what can we do right now to ensure that we'll get to the other end of this economic downturn without sinking this poor little rowboat?

The first step is to get very honest about you're current situation. If you're broke, acknowledge that fact. The time for putting on a mask and hoping to squeak by and 'save face' is long gone. If you do that, you are virtually guaranteeing utter failure, financially speaking.

This blog started out as a way for me to list a few of the money saving tips that I had come across over time. I started writing articles like "How to save money on..."

But since then, the economy has hit a bit of a rough patch and I think I need to shift my direction a little. In the next few weeks, I want to help people get their finances in order and really make progress in the area of becoming debt free.

The first thing I would suggest is getting a financial advisor to look over your finances. After all, if you are sick, you can only self-medicate so much before you call a doctor. Or if your car breaks down, at some point you have to call a mechanic. Sure, we can take care of the minor things on our own, but over 75% of Americans are well beyond "minor problems" in their finances.

However, you can't just go to anyone with a "Financial Advisor" sign in their window. Many times those people are glorified sales people whose jobs exist to sell insurance or loans. If you are not careful you will rapidly find yourself worse off then when you started.

For those readers who are of the Christian faith, this post will apply to you. If not, feel free to move on. I won't be offended. This is a post about my Christian faith and beliefs to others that would share the same faith.

I teach a financial class at my church, and I often hear people say that they cannot afford to pay a tithe. From my experience, I've found that you can't afford to NOT pay your tithe. Indulge me for a few minutes and let me explain what I've seen day-to-day.

First of all, It's not that your church NEEDS your money. It's not that God needs your money. He is God -- Creator of Everything. Why on earth would God need scraps of paper, and round bits of metal. And if he did need them, wouldn't he create them?

You may be asking "Where have you been, Jerry?"

I'm asking that, too. In the recent economy, new president, new-this, upside-down-that... life has slipped away from me. I've been working overtime to complete a project, and haven't had time to post.

But the good news is I haven't forgotten you. I'm working on new articles for this Spring/Summer. Keep your eyes peeled for new articles on how to spend less, get a better job, and make the most out of what you already have.

I just ask that you bear with me a few more days until I can get things wrapped up.

Thanks.

Cheryl and I were going through boxes in the garage recently, and I am amazed at how much STUFF we have out there.

While we do give alot of items away to Goodwill and to our local church, we still end up with more and more stuff. I saw an article recently on some Christmas ideas and one really jumped out at me: Christmas Exchange.

Since we all have our piles of "stuff", if we bring gently-used items together with friends and family, we can all bring a bunch of items that we don't mind getting rid of and put them into one big pile. Now, that pile might be bigger for some than for others. But the idea is still the same.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

We're looking forward to visiting with family all week and weekend, and we hope that you take the time to count each and every thing you are thankful for this holiday weekend.

I'll start my list...

1) Cheryl -- my lovely wife. Without her, I'd be lazy scum-bum. A cheap, lazy, scum-bum at that!
2) A decent home.
3) A warm place to sleep.
4) A great family support structure.
5) Amazing friends that put up with alot of my scroogie-ness.

I have a raging headache today. There's a low-pressure system moving in today, and -- as usual -- my head feels like its about to explode.

In fact, I wish it would. I would definitely feel better. But alas, I would also be dead, and I'm really at a good point in my life, so I guess I should just find some relief for the headache instead.

There are several good products for the common headache. But I have never been one who thought that putting drugs in my system was much of a solution unless absolutely necessary. (Caffeine is a necessity.... and my one daily exception to the rule.)

In today's article, I review some frugal solutions to my headache issue.