Each week we send out a free eNewsletter with articles covering current and relevant estate and gift planning topics. This page features our current eNewsletter as well as an archive for you to peruse. If you would like our eNewsletter to be delivered directly to your inbox each week, please click on the ENEWSLETTER SIGNUP button.

Current eNewsletter

Saturday |  February 20, 2020

STEWARDSHIP WELL DONE JOURNEY

STEP 2: Budgeting

Jack and Evelyn had been married 13 years.  They both had good jobs, owned a home and had 3 children.  All seemed great, but Jack had a couple nagging issues in the back of his mind. 

He was frustrated they weren’t giving and saving more.  He knew they had good income but felt they should be further along with college and retirement savings.  Plus, he wanted to give more to a few ministries in his church where he and Evelyn volunteered. 

Jack shared his concerns with Evelyn. Through their conversation, they started discussing their life’s priorities. Three things rose to the top: their family, their faith community, and their future. Jack knew they needed be to more intentional about pushing their money towards those priorities. He was not sure how they’d make it all work, but he felt confident that they needed to more closely monitor their spending and put giving and saving first. 

_______________________

To continue the Stewardship Well Done Journey discussion, after you have identified your priorities, evaluated your time and money spent on those priorities, and prayerfully asked God to speak into them – the next step is preparation

How can you prepare to provide and protect your priorities? The first step is intentionally allocating resources towards your priorities.  Allocate your money toward the things you have identified as being the most important.  Some people call this “budgeting”. That word can stir up all kinds of emotion, but remember, very little happens by chance.  Your preparation will significantly increase the odds of your success.

_______________________

A few weeks later, Jack and Evelyn were lying in bed talking and Jack remarked how free he felt knowing they were working on being more intentional with their resources.  Evelyn agreed, “I was really worried at first because I didn’t know where to start and I was afraid we would find out we weren’t going to be able to make it all work. I guess I thought it was easier to avoid things than do the hard work.  But you know what? I am so glad we are talking about this stuff and taking action.  It feels good to be proactive instead of reactive.” 

While the story of Jack and Evelyn is for illustration purposes, it is very similar to the countless stories we hear from those we serve.  Maybe you too resonate with some of Jack and Evelyn’s concerns.  We exist to answer our client’s questions, provide sound biblical advice, and help them utilize the tools to take the next best step on their stewardship journey.

Spiritual Freedom comes from believing in God and trusting Him to lead you.  Financial freedom comes from being intentional to prepare well and having your priorities as a compass for your life decisions.  Loving God and Loving Others starts with your family (which most of our clients list as a top priority).  Living with fear about the future is not living. 

If you have questions, please contact us and let’s begin the conversation. We also invite you to watch the brief video above.

FINANCES

SAVVY LIVING

Do I Need to Sign Up for Medicare If I Am Still Working?
I will turn 65 in a few months and plan to keep working for several more years. I have good health insurance from my employer now. Do I have to sign up for Medicare when I reach 65?
Read More »

PERSONAL PLANNER

Gifts of Stock
What will the market do this year? Perhaps the best answer is, “It will go up and down.” Stock returns vary to a significant degree each year. However, long-term stock returns have been reasonably substantial.
Read More »

WASHINGTON NEWS

Flexible Spending Account Options for 2021
A flexible spending account (FSA), also known as a “cafeteria” plan, enables individuals to pay for medical or dependent care expenses. There are at least 33 million employees in the U.S. who use their FSA to pay for various medical expenses.
Read More »

DONOR STORY

Tax-Free Sale
Howard and Lynn were age 55 when they purchased some land outside of town, and they thought it would be a good investment that they could later sell.
Read More »

FREE ESTATE PLANNING GUIDE

It’s never too late to plan for the people and causes you care about. Our easy-to-use estate planning guide can help you gather the information you need before meeting with your attorney.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE >>

PLANNED GIVING CALCULATORS

Use our online calculator to view the tax and income benefits of making a gift to support our cause. This can help you determine the best plan to meet your needs and goals. 

VIEW CALCULATORS >>

Content from Crescendo Interactive. 

CONTACT US TODAY TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION

We believe that with effective counsel and financial management, each person can multiply the impact of the resources entrusted to their care. 

Hours

Monday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

FMF Financial Services

8050 Spring Arbor Rd
PO Box 580
Spring Arbor, MI 49283
(517) 750-2727: phone
(517) 750-2752: fax