Search
JAM Program Simple Steps
JAM Interactive Budget Program
December 2009
You are browsing the archive for December 2009.
Spending Fast Preparation
This was the last day that we could spend money before our January spending fast (no spending besides monthly bills and gas.) Any spending will need to come from proceeds made from stuff sold in our house.
Today, we made some last minute preparations. Dana made a trip to Target to child proof our house and [...]
Spending Fast – January 2010
I hope everyone had a great Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas and feel very blessed to be surrounded by such awesome family and friends.
We are back at home in time for the New Year’s weekend. We will need to child proof the house this weekend as baby D has started to crawl as of [...]
Why Tackle Credit Card Debt First
Two primary reasons:
Your credit card debt holds no value to you and your family. At least you have a car to back your car loan, and even an education to back your student loan. No, your memories from your trip to Europe that you put on your credit card hold no value to you and [...]
Where do you put your $1,000 emergency fund?
Where do you put your $1,000 emergency fund? I personally don’t care where you put it, as long as you have it saved. The question always comes up though, so I better offer some suggestions.
In your checking account. My bank considers this amount too small for savings and charges me a monthly fee it I [...]
Set-backs and Victories
Set Backs
Does anyone remember the song in 2000, Try Again by Aaliyah, that says, “If at first you don’t succeeeeed, dust yourself off and try again. You can dust it off and try again (try again.)” This will be the theme as you go through this program. (My apologizes if that song gets stuck in [...]
Enough is Enough
Two years ago, my wife and I were making a five hour drive home from her parents house after Christmas. With Christmas behind us, we usually discuss our plans for the new year on this trip home. This year, I was not in the mood. I was 25 lbs overweight and had no energy. I was [...]
Son of a Budget – Why we don’t budget and why we should
Whenever I am coaching a group of individuals on getting out of debt, I ask the question each week: So, how are your budgets going? What follows is a long awkward silence finally ended by someone saying, “hmm, pretty good.” It’s the same response I give to my wife when she asks me how my [...]
Setting Your Budget
So, you are ready to start budgeting? This really isn’t as painful as you think.
Know the Numbers
Quick. Off the top of your head, what are your monthly fixed and variable expenses? What is your net income after taxes and tithe per month? What is the net profit or loss? These are the important numbers that [...]
Three Phases of JAM
The JAM program is broken down into 3 Phases. Each phase is broken down into 3 simple steps. The intensity level changes with each phase.
Red Level Intensity- We are going to run, not walk, out of debt. Personally, my only regret with getting out of debt is that we didn’t do it faster. You are [...]