RECENT QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

!! May 17: “We are debt free except for our home which we are due to close on this month.  We have been debt free for 10 years.  My hubby & I are both self employed & when our home caught fire & burned 2 years ago, we lost our only way of making a living (we both worked from home).  We were homeless & income-less for 5 months.  Had we had any payments to make outside of our groceries, etc.  we could not have made it.  It’s worth it, guys.  It’s a pain to cut things back & not get the stuff you want when you want it.  I make our laundry detergent from scratch, we use coupons (massive amounts of coupons), we combine trips to town to save gas, we barter services (I am a photographer & often barter for haircuts & even dentist work.)  If you focus on away to make it happen, you’ll find a way.  If you say  Woe is me, I’ll never be able to get out of debt.  then you won’t.   Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re usually right.”  Comment only/no response needed

?? May 14: “Hey Dr. Louder, Just wanted to let you know that my wife and I have become debt free from your counseling! You helped inspire us to pay off our debt in less than half the time it was supposed to take- from $32,000 to $0 in 2 years! Thanks so much for you dedication and support no matter how difficult it was along the way. May God continue to bless you and your ministry! Now that we have paid off the debt, what do you suggest we do for saving for the future? We want to adopt a child and buy a house but have no idea where to start. See Response

?? May 2: ” question: My family  and I all have the same problem with finances. We all work but none of us seem to get ahead. I am single with no children. My car is paid for and I make enough money to pay my bills and should have some left over. I’m not a shopper and I cook my meals. To those who know me, especially my family, I am cheap. I pay my tithes but it seems that it is increasingly difficult to even do that anymore. My family has the same problem. all my siblings are struggling when there is no reason that we should be. This has been going on long enough.  What scriptures/Prayers can we put with our actions to break what I think is a curse? I’m ready to do battle. My parents are getting to the point that us kids need to be stepping up but we cant afford to.”  See Response

?? May 2: “question: I am a single dad of my beautiful 5yr old daughter.  And have a desperate situation . I’ve been laid off and am losing our place to live we will be out on the streets in 2 days. And need help so we can keep our home so I can focus on getting a new job.  Please lord I pray for your help and Xxxx outside my community to my family church members for help.” See Response

?? April 25: “I am a widow who lives in the the Houston, TX area and wondered if you could recommend a Christian company for financial planning assistance?  Thanks and God Bless you.” See Response

?? April 25: “I’m a single mother in debt up to eyeballs. I filed for divorce because my husband is and addicted/emotionally abusive individual.  I hold no grudges, as he needs help, but refuses to see the light.  Anyway, I have one beautiful daughter.  I’m a lifetime member of Dave Ramseys…. but I forgot what to do with debtors.  I can’t pay two and they don’t care.  I was thinking options this morning, suicide or bandruptcy (how do I pay), or taking the phone calls because I feel so responsible.  I don’t know what to do.  I know God is in my life as I see his works daily.  But somedays, like today, I feel like I can’t get out of the hole or I can’t see the light !!  It breaks my heart.   The whole thing… the divorce and my financial situation.  I pray to God all the time thru Jesus Christ.  I am a believer, a christian and a catholic.  I haven’t gone to church because I feel so unworthy of God.  I tell him I am so sorry everyday for the breaking of my vows and letting myself get into this financial mess ($80,000).  Now thats a hole !!  Thank you for your time this morning and God bless each of you for being there for people like me.  (((Hugs forever))) Xxxx.”  See Response

?? April 24: “How can I plan for financial freedom from debt and gain my financial independence. I would like to purchase my own home and not live pay check to pay check.” See Response

?? April 23: “Where can I find a Bible based Money Management Seminar/conference to attend?  I am an educator in Arkansas and my school district would like me start the school district’s first course in Personal Finance.”  See Response

?? April 12: “Is there a way to invest in a mutual fund or a 403B retirement fund where we can choose to invest only in the stocks, bonds, etc that are for companies which maintain ethical practices?  We don’t want to invest in companies which are supporting abortion, or funding money into same-sex marriage, etc.  We have an opportunity to have company-matched funds, but we do not have a peace about investing in companies that we don’t support.  Please help. “  See Response

?? April 9: “question: I would like to know if you sponsor the preaching of God’s word on the Television? If yes! How do I apply for? If no, can you recommend any organizations to me?  Thank you.”  See Response

??  April 6: “Do you offer debt management programs? Thanks”  See Response

?? April 4:  “Dr. Louder.  My daughter and her fiancee come from two very different financial backgrounds.  His father is a very affluent professional from back East.  Ours is a blue-collar family of modest income from the Midwest.  His annual income is about 10 times more than our daughter’s.  Do you believe these differences are great enough that we should recommend they do not get married?”  See Response

?? March 27: “Would like to know if Christian Financial Ministries can help me with my situation. To sum up:  I am basically starting over financially at the age of 47.  It is depressing but not the end of the world.   Other than, getting a job, saving money, working with the money, avoiding spending on others and keeping costs low, I’m not sure what else to do? I would like to have a home again and my own business.   thank you in advance.”  See Response

??  March 22: “My wife and I over see the couple ministry at our church, we are looking for information on budgeting or how to put a budget together.”  See Response

??  March 22: “Rev. Louder.  My husband and I both work.  Should we tithe from our total income, or just my husband’s income, since I plan to only work for a short time?”  See Response

??  March 19: “Bob.  My grown children are not handling their money properly, and my two grandchildren are sometimes going without clothing, food, and other necessities.  I want to help, but I don’t want to interfere.  What do you suggest?”  See Response

??  March 14:  Hi Bob.  I find that the older I get the more I worry about the future, especially my financial future.  For example, how would I earn a living if I lost my job, or, what would happen if I can’t afford to retire.  Honestly, sometimes it seems like I’m almost paralyzed by fear of the future.  I know it’s wrong, so how can I change? See Response

??  “My husband and I are considering rolling over my small traditional IRA which I have in mutual funds to a gold IRA.  From a Christian point of view, is this wise?”  See Response

??  “Bob, I’m the wife and it’s been my job to keep our finances in order.  I’m OK with this mostly because I have the time and my husband doesn’t.  However, I heard a Christian teacher say that the finances are the husband’s responsibility.  What do you think.”  See Response