Why quit blogging?  First, it’s time consuming.  There are many things I’d rather be doing with my personal time like watching a favorite TV show or reading a book.  Second, blogging just isn’t much of an interest anymore.  What was once exciting has kind of become boring.  Not because I don’t have a passion for personal finance.  It’s just because I’m bored with sitting in front of the computer and writing.    Finally, I got into blogging mainly for the money.  Money was the main focus and now that I’ve learned there isn’t any money to be made it just doesn’t make sense to move forward.

All that being said, I do want to pass along my thanks and appreciation.  You’ve been a great audience!  You’ve kept me honest with your comments and feedback and I do appreciate it.  But hopefully you understand and will certainly find another source for your personal finance information.  What other blogs do I recommend?  None, really.  I would recommend you pick up a nice book, sit on the porch in the shade and soak up springtime.

What will happen to the writing team?  I’m releasing them back to their freedom.  No more nasty deadlines and harsh notes from the editor that their content was off the mark.  They now have the freedom to pursue their own blogging interests and can be happy the shackles of One Money Design have finally been released!

Ha!  Did you really believe all that?  Don’t for a minute because it’s April Fools Day!  Did I get you?  Well, hopefully you know that personal finance and writing on the subject is still a passion of mine.  I love sharing experiences and helpful information with you and hope to do so for a long time into the future!  Happy April Fools Day!

In honor of America Saves week I’m sharing some of my favorite savings tips with you, but I also want to tell you about the Twitter party tonight that my friend Philip Taylor from PT Money is helping host.

America Saves Twitter Party Details

Join @AmericaSaves, Philip Taylor of @PTMoney and@SallieMae for a Twitter party tonight full of tips for saving money in honor of America Saves Week 2012. This is a great opportunity to share your financial goals and receive advice from experts and other American Savers.

We are so proud of the community of people that have joined together to make saving a priority and look forward to tweeting with everyone tonight.

Need another reason to join the party tonight? Prizes will be given out including a $500 Apple gift card.

Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Time: 8-9pm EST

Hashtag: #SallieMaeSaves

Follow: @AmericaSaves, @ptmoney & @SallieMae

America Saves Week – Tips to Save More Money

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite savings tips to help you achieve your savings goals this year.

Photo © by 401K

Budget your savings  - I don’t think it’s possible to achieve savings goals unless you have that monthly goal written in your budget.  If you don’t have a savings goal listed above other priorities you’ll likely be unable to attain them each month as many other expenses are always likely to come up.

Save consistently every month even if it’s not much – Not everyone is able to save a lot of money each month.  However, I do think just about everybody can save something.  So, even if it’s as little as $20, don’t be afraid to set that money aside as it will eventually add up.  It will also help you practice the discipline of saving.

Automate your savings and keep it out of your checking account – I also think it’s important to automate your savings by setting up any auto deposit of your paycheck to your savings account, or an automatic transfer each month.  Doing so will help you avoid tapping your savings.  Out of sight, out of mind!

Cut unnecessary spending back to get a good start – A lot of people may think they can’t save money each  month, but often times it’s a matter of spending priorities.  Take the time to track all your spending every month for two months using a software program like YNAB.  Then take the time to review your spending habits as a percentage of your net income. You’ll quickly see where you’re spending all your money and if it’s on entertainment, clothes or other things that may not be essential each month, reduce spending to fund your savings goal.

Set a savings goal – Speaking of goals, it’s definitely important to have a savings goal to achieve and motivate you.  Write your goal on a note card, tell others about it and reward yourself when you achieve it.  You might even consider breaking that larger savings goal down into monthly goals.  Often the larger goal can seem to large to achieve and a monthly goal seems more manageable.  One step at a time!

Increase savings with increased pay – Finally, if you do receive a pay increase, make sure you increase savings contributions each month as well.  It’s easy to take that extra money and spend it each month, however, make sure you’re setting aside a certain percentage to help increase funding of your goal.

Will America Saves week help you focus on saving more money this year?  I hope so!

Jennifer guest posted here a few months ago and has now become a regular writer.  She is the owner of Best Grocery Coupon Websites, where she focuses on reviewing grocery coupon websites and providing printable coupons to readers.  Today I’m sharing an interview I conducted with Jennifer to help everyone get to know her better as well as learn more about the great value she brings to the One Money Design community.

I like your quote (in the author section in our  footer) –

“Our homes, imperfect as they are, must be a haven from the chaos outside. They should be a reflection of our eternal home, where troubled souls find peace, weary hearts find rest, hungry bodies find refreshment.” – Jani Ortlund

Why do you like this quote and what is your favorite practical tip for making a home a haven from the chaos outside?

There are two things this quote reminds me of. First, that the little things we do – buying groceries, cooking meals, laundry, cleaning, changing diapers – are not little at all. They’re part of creating that haven for your family and friends. That place that is so much more than four walls is a home only because we strive to make it so.

This quote also reminds me of the importance of sharing our blessings with others. To give your food to those who are hungry and even to share your home with someone who needs a place to live is a blessing that reminds us that all that we have is not ours, but a gift from God.

You asked: “What is my favorite tip for making a home a haven from the chaos outside?” I have to say, it’s hard to come up with just one tip (I could write entire article on this – so I think I will!).

What I can say is that I’m passionate about removing chaos from my home and life. Things like financial worries, clutter, and un-done to-do lists create chaos. So, my tip is to remove these things one-step at a time. Envision your ideal home. Awake every day with the thought that you’re going to take one more step toward that vision.

I’m excited to have you as a writer.  I think spending money wisely is something we can all learn more about.  You specialize in saving money, living frugally and saving with coupons and have built a website around doing so.  How should readers get started with using grocery coupons to save money?  Should they expect a lot of work to collect them?

Couponing used to be a lot more difficult in my mother’s day. Today, there’s no reason to pay retail … for anything! Printable coupons, coupons by mail, and digital coupons are just a few of the ways to save at the grocery store.

Getting started using coupons is very easy, especially in the digital age. Unless you’re an “extreme” couponer, couponing doesn’t take an enormous effort. Retailers make using coupons even easier by placing items on sale when manufacturer’s coupons come out.

Get started by collecting coupons and organizing them in a coupon organizer. There’s a free organizer on our website. Peruse articles on the best-grocery-coupon-websites to learn how to get even more coupons, how to stack coupons, how to get free samples, and how to match coupons to sales.

Using coupons is a way a life that’s addictive. After you’re comfortable with living frugally, hopefully you’ll discover the challenge of finding deals and the pleasure of taking advantage of them makes life interesting, fun and ultimately less stressful.

Tell us about your website and how your tips help people save money.

We focus on reviewing grocery coupon websites and providing printable coupons. But money spent on groceries is just one aspect of a household budget. We know that our visitors are looking for ways to live within, or ideally below, their means.

To be a more complete resource for our visitors, we include our other suggestions on other ways to save. The counterpart of saving is making more money, particularly when you can do it in stride with your other everyday activities. To save the most money you should be organized and plan ahead; so we include tips on this as well.

At The-Best-Grocery-Coupon-Websites.com, we share our ideas on how to save money, make extra money, and get things for free!

You created a special grocery list on your website that looks quite handy.  Tell us about how this list can help grocery shoppers be more organized and wise in their spending?

A shopping list is essential for saving money on groceries. But, I use a shopping list for everything – even clothing!

First, a list helps the shopper complete his or her shopping trip without accidentally leaving the store having forgotten something.

Next, it helps us avoid impulse buying, which is a real budget buster!

What do you think about the grocery coupon games such as The Grocery Game and similar websites?  Do they really work?

The grocery game is a term used to describe the experience of getting groceries at phenomenal discounts (or for free). It seems as if there is a game played between the grocery store and the shopper – who will win?

The grocery game does work. However there’s a fee for the service offered on the Grocery Game website. The grocery game website offers software that matches coupons to grocery store fliers.

Since I only shop at a few grocery stores, I can view my store’s flyers online and match my coupons quickly over a cup of coffee. For people who want to “play the game” by visiting 4 or more groceries stores, they might find this software helpful and the cost may be worth it to them.

In truth, there are lots of wonderful grocery coupon websites out there. Many even offer different coupons, depending on whom they affiliate with. So, it’s a good idea to frequent a few different sites.

You’ve already provided some great tips for readers here at OMD (recycling, time management, garage sales, green cleaning products), what types of posts can we expect in the near future?

Coming in October, readers can expect an article on all the different ways to get coupons (some might surprise you) and couponing for newbies! Other articles I’m working on include how to create a household budget.

I’m also VERY excited about an article entitled the “The $50 Christmas” that you can expect in November. It’s my personal story of saving for the holidays. You can also expect an article on holiday money saving tips for Christmas..

On my own site, I’m just published an article on over 100 ways to save money. This article is nearly 5000 words with details on saving in every aspect of your grocery and home budget. As far as I can find, it’s the most extensive single article on money saving tips currently published on the web.

I conducted a brief interview with Derek and want to share his responses so you can get to know him better.  Welcome to the team, Derek!

How did you get started blogging?

I started blogging in 2008 on a conservative political blog called Geek Politics. We started that during the presidential campaign that year and I have been blogging ever since. I started blogging about finance in March of 2010 with a website called Christian Common Cents. I have a passion for personal finance and I wanted to start sharing that with others.

How has understanding Christian stewardship changed the way you manage money?

Everything about my understanding of money has come from the principals God lays out in the Bible. I once heard Dave Ramsey say that if read Proverbs a few times you get an Master’s degree in finance. It’s pretty true. There is so much in there about how we should handle money it is crazy. One of the most important in my opinion is Proverbs 22:7, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave of the lender.” If you owe somebody money, you really are their slave. If you have a mortgage you have to keep working to pay it, otherwise the bank will take it. You are a slave to the bank.

What is your favorite practical financial tip you’d like to share with readers?

Rule #1 for me is that you have to spend less than you earn. I think that simple truth is the key to personal finance. Everything else is just about spending less or earning more. The practical side of that is get on a budget. You have to know how much money you are spending and on what to succeed financially. I personally like the envelope method of budgeting where you allocate the money for the month and then spend down until you run out. When you run out in a certain category you need to stop doing that until next month.

What do you like to do when you’re not blogging?

I have lots of different hobbies that keep me busy. I make a living by writing software, and I play pretty much any and all sports. Specifically I spend a lot of time playing softball, golf, and bowling. I also like road biking, and swimming when I get a chance.

Anthing else you’d like to share about yourself or your blogging?

I recently resigned from my day job to start my own software business. I currently have several iPhone apps for sale, the latest being an envelope budgeting app called Ez Budget. It has kept me very busy lately, and I have plans to release an iPad and Mac desktop version this summer.

What made you decide to start a financial ministry?

I’ve always known that my heart as been to serve the Father in whatever way He could best use me.  When I was seven years old, I can distinctly remember my mom and I frequently listening to Larry Burkett.  I loved to learn about finances through his show.  And my parents included me in their financial journey as they sought to get out of debt.  So from a very early age, this was an area I learned a lot in.  As a result of what the Lord has done in my life, I want to share those some Biblical principles He taught me with others.  “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:” (Luke 12:48b)  I had been working for another ministry and knew that the Lord was calling me to lay the foundation stones for beginning my own ministry.  Interestingly enough, YHVH had told me to be prepared by February 2011.  While that did not make sense to me at the time, a change in the direction at the ministry I worked for lead to me going into full time ministry with Standing in YHVH’s Hand.

What is the mission and vision of your ministry?

Standing in YHVH’s Hand Ministries exists to train believers how to be stronger in their walk with the Messiah and free of the “world” through lifestyle, finances, and relationships.  The Lord has called me to  challenge, encourage, and strengthen other believers all to His glory.  I’m seeking to do this through the web, live speaking, writing (my first book is in progress), blogging, online articles, radio, and our Money Management Mentors (financial coaching).

What principles is your ministry based upon?

There are two principles in which this ministry is founded – when we have been taught something we are responsible to pass that on to fellow believers and the Bible is there for us to live by in all areas of our life (spiritually, physically, practically, and emotionally).  So while our focus is our a few key areas such as finances, being a Godly woman, parent/child relationships, and our relationship to our Heavenly Father, our goal is to encourage fellow believers to living a life continually growing in relationship and likeness to YHVH.

How do we get more information?

Please visit www.standinginyhvhshand.org.  There you can read more about the ministry, see how we can serve you, request a speaker for an upcoming event, or request your personal Money Management Mentor.  You can also check out our specific page for the Money Management Mentors at www.moneymanagementmentors.org.

How do people contribute or make a donation?

Thank you for asking!  We are fully supported by people who believe in our mission and either give one time gifts or become a monthly supporter.  You can donate online at www.standinginyhvhshand.org/donate.htm or by mail to Standing in YHVH’s Hand Ministries, 8780 Long Rd, Ostrander, OH 43061.  Please do not forget to sign up for our newsletter when at our website, so you can be part of this exciting calling that YHVH has called us to.

Don’t forget to follow Jocelin’s articles here at One Money Design.  You can read them by clicking here.  You can also find Jocelin on on Facebook or Twitter.

According to the hosts, the Shred Your Credit Card video contest received:

• 23 video submissions
• 300+ total comments
• 5000+ total votes

$25 Winner!

Overall, both PerkStreet and Lending Club feel like the contest was a great success.   Because of the succces, they have given me $25 to giveaway to one of the video submissions! I’m pleased to announce and congratulate DJ, who submitted Deep Fried Credit Card, as the recepient of the $25!

Great job on this creative video and for reminding us all you there are other options besides scissors for getting rid of your credit card!

The hosts have already started working on their next project so stay tuned!  

Stay in touch with Shred Your Credit Card:

• Follow on Twitter
• Like on Facebook

This contest is for you if you’re willing to make a bold move and shred your credit card and stop spending more than you have in your bank account.  Or, you might be tired of messing around with credit card companies and want to show them whose boss.  Either way, this is a great motivator for people to get on the right track in the new year and possibly pay off $1000 in debt.

How does the contest work?

I’ve reposted the instructions below from the www.shredyourcreditcard.com website.

At the end of the contest, I get a $25 gift card to give to my favorite submitter from among the people who cite OMD as the place they heard about the contest.  (There’s a dropdown on the submit page listing blog participants so don’t forget to select OMD.)

• Cancel a credit card. (Make sure you disguise your credit card number in your video, just to be safe.)
• Film yourself talking about why you’re done dabbling with debt this year, or record the most creative way you can think of to destroy your card.
• Submit your video to ShredYourCreditCard.com
• Vote for yourself EVERY DAY and encourage others to do the same on Facebook and Twitter, or via email.
• Check ShredYourCreditCard.com every Wednesday through the end of January to see if you’ve won a weekly prize.
• Visit ShredYourCreditCard.com on Shred Your Credit Card Day (Jan. 31) to see if you’ve won the GRAND PRIZE ($1,000) or any of the Second Place prizes ($300 each).

Visit www.shredyourcreditcard.com to submit your entry and learn more.

Rob has outlined a set of 20 core Biblical beliefs in which website or blog owners agree to hold themselves accountable to when publishing their content.  I’ve decided to join the group and have shared the beliefs in this post.  Overall, I agree with them and plan to do my best to insure our content is in-line with them since they represent God’s truth.

Want to add your blog or website to the Alliance?  Read the core beliefs and if you agree, follow the simple instructions outlined over at the Dollars and Doctrine blog.

Christian Financial Alliance Core Beliefs:

1. I believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). My heart, soul, mind, and strength seek to glorify God through the pursuit of Christ, and it is my hope that my life and financial management will reflect this fundamental purpose (Luke 10:27).
2. I believe the Bible is the supreme authority and source of truth and instruction for Christians; therefore, I seek to root my financial teaching in the truth of God’s word (2 Tim. 3:14-17).
3. I believe stewardship does not equal salvation (Acts 8:20). We are saved by grace alone through faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9). No financial action can save a soul (Matt 16:24-26).
4. I believe God owns everything (Ps. 89:11) and I am merely a steward of His resources for His purposes (Luke 12:42).
5. I believe the heart is the focus of the New Testament’s instruction regarding money (2 Cor. 9:7). This does not make obedience contingent upon our feelings, but calls our attention to focus on the intentions of our heart (Prov. 21:2).
6. I strive to be rich towards God (Luke 12:21) and not place my hope or trust in riches (Rev. 3:17-19).
7. I seek to serve God as my master, not money (Matt. 6:24).
8. I believe how we spend our money reveals what our heart treasures; therefore, if God’s kingdom has its rightful place in our hearts, it should show up in our budget (Matt. 6:21).
9. I believe prosperity is not the purpose of Christianity (John 6:29). It is a gift that God may or may not choose to give (1 Sam. 2:7), and should be handled with generosity and humility recognizing that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).
10. I believe Christians are called to be content in all circumstances (Phil. 4:11) because God has given us everything we need in Christ (2 Pet. 1:3).
11. I believe we are called to be wise stewards of resources (Luke 12:42) but not consumed with a love of money (1 Tim. 6:10).
12. I believe stewardship, generosity, and contentment are fruits of a deeper walk with Christ, not ends in themselves (1 John 5:21). I seek first His kingdom and wait for the rest to be added. (Matt. 6:33)
13. I believe the Bible does not speak highly of the bondage caused by debt (Prov. 22:7); therefore, it should-if nothing else-be approached with extreme caution (Prov. 22:26-27).
14. I believe Christians are called to be generous (Acts 20:35) to their family (1 Tim. 5:8), God’s kingdom (1 Cor. 9:14), and those in need (1 John 3:17). After these things, we are free to spend money on ourselves (Prov. 10:22).
15. I believe heavenly reward awaits those who choose to invest in God’s kingdom (Luke 12:33), and whether or not God chooses to bestow earthly reward is up to Him (Job 1:21).
16. I believe integrity is more important than financial gain (Prov. 10:2).
17. I believe money can be a blessing and a curse depending on the heart of its holder (Luke 6:44-45).
18. I believe that the way we handle our money should be a testimony of our devotion to God not a distraction from Him. (Col. 3:17)
19. I believe there are many things in life that are more important than money. (Prov. 23:4-5)
20. I believe true riches are found in Christ alone. (Eph. 3:8)

By the way, if you haven’t already done so, you may want to look into a PerkStreet Financial account.  You can read my review of PerkStreet to learn more about how you can receive perks and cash back rewards when you spend with your debit card!

I’m looking forward to blogging for PerkStreet.  Being a customer who believes in the PerkStreet way and financial blogger, it was the perfect fit and an easy decision to join the team.

Here are a few things I’m thankful for:

• My wonderful supporting wife!
• My kids which bring more and more joy into my life each day.
• My church family at Preston Trails Community Church
• My job as an Information Technology project manager which God has blessed me with
• All of my extended family and friends.  Relationships are so important to be thankful for this holiday season!

I hope you take the time out today from all the fun and food to also give thanks to the Lord for his greatness!  Let us not forget to praise Him as the creator and owner of all things which includes money.  And He has given us the priviledge of being His financial stewards.

O Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth; The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.  (Psalms 95: 1-6)