Simple Guide: 3 Steps to Start Organizing Your Finances Today
Recently, my husband and I had a deep conversation about something that, for many of us, wasn’t fully explained while growing up—personal finances. If only we understood the impact this area has on our lives, I believe our attitudes toward it would be very different. For a long time, I thought I had it all figured out. I believed that I had control over my finances, and that others who struggled were simply failing. After all, I always paid off my credit cards in full, and that made me feel like I was doing better than most.
But everything changed after I got married. Over months of tense conversations, my husband and I realized that there was so much we didn’t know, and we didn’t have as much control as we thought. Admitting this was difficult. Yes, it hurt our pride. As humans, it’s always hard to let go of pride, but as Christians, we can’t let it become a stumbling block.
We had to face the reality that many of our financial habits were not as God wanted them to be—often without us even realizing it. I know this isn’t something that just affected us; it’s a struggle many people face around the world. That’s why I want to share with you three important steps that helped us start organizing our finances.
- Recognize the Need for Wisdom and Guidance
The first step is to recognize that we don’t have all the answers. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Financial wisdom comes from God, and we need His guidance to manage what He has entrusted to us.
Practical Tip: Begin each day by praying for wisdom in your financial decisions. Ask God to open your eyes to any areas where you might be blind and to guide you toward making choices that honor Him.
- Create a Budget and Stick to It
Luke 14:28 says, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” Creating a budget is like laying a foundation for your financial future. Also, Proverbs 27:23-24 advises us to “be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds; for riches are not forever.” A budget helps you stay aware of your financial situation and ensures you’re living within your means.
Practical Tip: Begin by listing your income and expenses. Categorize your spending, and be honest about areas where you may be overspending. Adjust your budget to prioritize necessities and reduce unnecessary expenses. If you find it challenging to stick to the budget, consider finding an accountability partner to help you stay on track. Remember, living within your means allows you to save and give generously.
- Pay Off Debt Aggressively
Proverbs 22:7 tells us that “the borrower is servant to the lender.” Being in debt can feel like being in chains, and it limits your ability to give, save, and live with financial peace. Paying off debt frees you from this burden and allows you to fully experience the blessings of financial freedom.
Practical Tip: You can follow the “Debt Snowball” method popularized by Dave Ramsey (this is the one that we are currently using). List your debts from smallest to largest and focus on paying off the smallest one first while making minimum payments on the others. Once the smallest debt is paid off, move on to the next one, and continue this process until you’re debt-free. Celebrate each victory along the way as you watch those chains of debt fall off.
There’s so much more to this topic than I want to cover here, but I encourage you to start small. It takes humility and effort to admit that we need help and to change our financial habits. But when we surrender our pride and seek God’s wisdom we can experience true financial peace.
Seek guidance from the Lord, dedicate yourself to learn more, and become intentional about how you manage your money. As you grow in understanding, you’ll be able to make the necessary changes.
Remember, it’s not just about managing money—it’s about being faithful stewards of what God has given us.
