Ed Week Notes 2011-2 lectures:
Personal Finance: A Christ-Centered Approach
T-Nine Myths of Family Finance: What Wise Financial Stewards Know
F-Preparing for Retirement: What You Can Do Now to Prepare
by Brian L. Sudweeks
personalfinance.byu.edu is a great resource. It has many online manuals that are free to download that cover different stages of one's life as well as having other tools and resources.
1st lecture: Nine Myths of Family Finance: What Wise Financial Stewards Know
Myth 1: Life revolves around me
They decide what they should do and what they want is right, regardless
Reality 1: Life is about others
Life is not about us, it's about what we do with our life. Put Christ first.
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Myth 2: It's all mine
They think they own their belongings, education, money. In the Book of Mormon, destruction started with pride from riches. Alma 1:30 and Moses 7:18 show 2 cases where riches do not lead to destruction.
Reality 2: I am a steward
4 Principles of Personal Finance:
Principle 1: Ownership-everything we own is the Lord's
Principle 2: Stewardship-we are stewards over all that the Lord has
Principle 3: Agency-the gift of "choice" is man's most precious inheritance
principle 4: Accountability-we are accountable for every choice we make
D&C 72:3: And verily in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity.
Neal A. Maxwell-"The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar." Ensign November 1995
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Myth 3: It's all about money
If you can solve it with money, it's not a problem
Reality 3 (part 1): It's about faith.
It's an important tool to teach gospel principles (such as work, sacrifice, the law of the harvest, self-control, responsibility, planning, delayed gratification, and being content to name a few). Elder Scott, when talking about the trials in his life (like losing 2 children and then his wife to death), said he never asked "why?" but "What can I learn from this?"
In most cases, financial problems are behavioral problems--we need to live within our means, get out of debt and stay out of debt, build reserves.
Elder Packer: “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. “ Ensign Nov 1986 p 16
Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent unto himself; and I gave unto him commandment, but no temporal commandment gave I unto him, for my commandments are spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal, neither carnal nor sensual. Doctrine and Covenants 29:35
Reality 3 (part 2): It's about freedom
No man is truly free who is in financial bondage. Ezra Taft Benson Ensign January 1974 p 69
Reality 3 (part 3): It's about happiness
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Myth 4: It's a temporal matter
1-all things are spiritual (D&C 29:34)--the love on money is evil, not money
2-money is a medium of exchange--we can build up the Kingdom with money
3- there is no true freedom without financial freedom
4-money is a tool to teach gospel principles
5-financial management is simply part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ--God loves us enough to guide us in all things, including finances.
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Myth 5: It's a man's responsibility
It’s not a priesthood responsibility in the home.
Unrighteous dominion-husband makes it so he decides where it goes.
Reality 5: Finances are a shared responsibility
“Control of the money by one spouse as a source of power and authority causes inequality in the marriage and is inappropriate.“ Elder Marvin J. Ashton Liahona April 2000 p 42
Removing oneself from money management is abdicating a necessary responsibility. Go the speed of the slowest and continue to work together.
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Myth 6: Credit card, auto, and consumer debt is OK
General Authorities have said that debt is OK for education, house, and perhaps a first car.
Reality 6: “Debt is dumb.” --Dave Ramsey
Debt stops growth and savings and is expensive, both economically and spiritually.
In Pres. Ezra Taft Benson’s talk “The Faces of Pride” he said that living beyond our means is being prideful. New Era Oct 2003 p 40
Being in debt is like spending your retirement money, your kids' mission money, etc now.
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Myth 7: Budgets are for college students
Save 20% of every dollar after college.
If you live like most people won't, you'll live like most people don't.
Reality 7: Every family should have a budget
Conference Report Apr 1975 Spencer W. Kimball: Brethren, watch church finances carefully.
A budget is the single most important tool in helping us attain our personal goals. It's a tool that needs thought to create and discipline to follow, but it always works.
income - pay the Lord - pay yourself - expenses = other savings (paying yourself and other savings both go to meet your personal goals)
Elder Perry Ensign November 1991 p 64: Pay 10% tithing and then pay yourself a set amount.
Ashton Ensign September 1982 p 72 "It's No Fun Being Poor": Budgets help us to be better financial stewards.
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Myth 8: Parents are responsible to support theri adult children financially
If your child has a problem, instead of bailing them out ask "what have you tried?" Teach them to take care of themselves.
Reality 8: Adult children are responsible for their own finances.
If we continue to bail out our children, they will continue to need to be bailed out.
See the book We Don't Have to Make it All Better by Gary and Joy Lundberg.
Give them a chance to learn their own lessons. Don't take away the natural consequences.
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Myth 9: I pay my tithing so I have nothing to worry about financially.
The blessing of the windows of heaven (Malachi 3:10) are not necessarily monetary.
Reality 9: We must learn to be wise financially
In 2007, the average debt is $14,500 excluding mortgage. Credit card users pay 12-20% more than cash users do when shopping. 70% of married couples say finances are a major stress in their marriage.
How do you learn to be wise?
education, motivation, action
providentliving.org has resources as well as personalfinance.byu.edu
The Lord gives us challenges because He wants us to be strong.
What wise stewards know:
1-recognize their stewardship
2-have priorities in order (Matthew 6:33)
3-plan their future early and live their plan
4-know it’s what they become that’s important-like become like the Savior
It's not what you earn, but what you save that counts.
5-money can't buy happiness, but it can help us. Use it for what it does.
6-understand assets and liabilities.
7-understand income (earned, passive--ie real estate portfolio)
8-they are responsible (rich, poor, or middle class)
9-know they make a living by what they earn, but a life by what they give.
10-remember the "ifs:"
The Ifs:
1- The scriptures make us wise...if we learn to read them and obey the commandments.
2-The Savior makes us holy...if we repent (D&C 18:11-12)
3-The storms make us strong...if we learn the lessons God wants us to learn. The Brother of Jared and his group navigated because of the storms God created and made it across the sea.
2 Nephi 2:2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my first–born in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
The storms which He sends us will take us where He wants us to go.
Learn the lessons from the 1st storm and the next storm you'll be ready for.
“I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.” Pres. Monson Ensign May 2009 p 92 “Be of Good Cheer.”
D&C 45:62 For verily I say unto you, that great things await you;
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2nd Lecture: Preparing for Retirement: What You Can Do Now to Prepare
Pres. Ezra Taft Benson counseled, "Plan your financial future early; then follow the plan."
The key is to learn the lessons from our retirement planning challenges.
-we need to watch the signs in the roads (budget, size of retirement account)
-when you realize you're off the path, get help (Heaven Father)
-listen to those along the way (Bishops and leaders)
-use the tools necessary to get the job done
4 Thoughts on Personal Finance
1-financial management is not separate form the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is the gospel (think of the four-fold mission of church...finances are used in each one)
2-financial management just as much a part of the gospel as is family history, food storage, employment, and welfare
3-feast on the words of Christ and the Holy Ghost will tell you all things that you should do (including financial management).
4-the only things that are truly ours are our minds and our wills.
“…the submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give,’ brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!” Elder Neal A. Maxwell, November 1995 Ensign
B. Myths of Retirement Planning
In retirement planning, we must do what we can based on where we are today to prepare for the future ahead. Any preparation we do now will help us in the future.
Myth 1: Retirement planning is easy
Reality 1: It requires sacrifice. Curtail spending, live on a budget
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Myth 2: I can spend my way to retirement
Continue buying super nice things and have debt won‘t work--paying tithing isn't enough.
Reality 2: You must save for retirement
1-get on budget and start saving more (20%)
2-get out and stay out of debt--if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
3-decide if you will help with children's missions and education
4-get serious about retirement planning. Reduce your fixed and variable expenses.
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Myth 3: Social security is enough
It's not governments responsibility to fund your retirement. Social security will fund 43% of your retirement, not 100%.
Reality 3: (You must fund 57% of your retirement or more)
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Myth 4: Social security is secure
Reality 4: Social Security is a promise.
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Myth 5: My kids will take care of me
Reality 5: It's tough for your kids, too
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Myth 6: You need $2 million in retirement to survive
Reality 6: It depends
write goals for retirement
what does it take to continue your lifestyle?
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Myth 7: I will retire at age 62
76 is full retirement age now.
Reality 7: Are you prepared to retire?
B. Understand the Principles and Stages of Successful Retirement Planning
“Plan your financial future early; then follow the plan.” Pres. Ezra Taft Benson "To the Elderly of the Church" Ensign Nov 1989 p4
Principles:
1-know yourself
--personal and family goals--written
--what kind of retirement do you want
goal setting (budgets)-process of spiritual and then physical creation
2-understand the retirement investment vehicles available and how to use them wisely [403 (b)--employer, Roth IRAs--individual and small business, Social Security--government]
3-choose the financial assets wisely for those vehicles and invest wisely consistent with your tolerance for risks. Follow the priority of money.
4-know retirement planning steps
-estimate your needs, annual income...
5-develop a good retirement plan, write it carefully and follow it closely
6-start today!
Stages of Retirement Planning
Stage 1-accumulation
starts when you start work
budget (10% minimum)
strategies
--save 15% of every dollar, with 10% in a Roth IRA, 3% in educational IRAs, 2% in children’s mission accounts
--save 20% of every dollar with 10% company match, Roth IRA, 401(k) before match, 5% taxable retirement account, and 5% children's mission and educational funds
Stage 2--Retirement or annuitization
begins when you retire
Calculate the minimal acceptable level of retirement income
Stage 3--Distribution/disposal
maximum 3.6% total distribution/year
C. Understand the steps of retirement planning
factors that determine your savings needed:
-desired income
-other sources of retirement income
-age started investing, age at retirement
-estimated taxes and inflation
-risk tolerance
-expected return on your savings
Tools-
1-set goals
where do you want to live?
will you need more or less when you retire
be realistic when estimating
2-estimate your current annual income available at retirement
3-estimate your total retirement needs after inflation (ie the inflation-adjusted shortfall) to meet goals
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