Financial Challenge: Emergency Plan!

I was in college and my mother had a heart attack at 42. It cost over $50,000. No health insurance and other mounting bills spun my parents into a hole they could not climb out of...this resulted in a personal bankruptcy. One of the hardest things my family has ever been thru.

The average emergency cost $5000. That's a lot less than my moms did...and almost any car repair you'll drop between $500-$1000. If money only grew on trees we'd be prepared however there aren't any leaves in Winter. 

Would you be ready for an emergency-No more debt-no credit card-Cash! Dave Ramsey recommends starting with a $1000 in your savings account for emergencies. Let's prepare! Let 's get that $1000 saved!

Challenge Issued: Save a $1000! Examine your income and bills and how fast can you save $1000. How about adding some odd jobs to increase your income and get there faster? You can do this! 

When I find the money tree I will let you know...until then prepare for an Emergency!

Challenge Issued!

Educational Challenge: Tribute Day!

Today we are less one amazing man...Howard Hendricks changed so many lives and impacted this world for GOD in a passionate, creative way that made a DIFFERENCE! His books, teaching, speaking engagements and his life was a glorious display of someone who was here to make change in others in a positive way.

He was an Educator who taught more than 10,000 students and many others in a personal way.  Howard Hendricks is a huge part of the reason why my family is in Kansas...as he was say, "not being manure and stinking but fertilizing the entire world" for the Lord.

Today's Challenge: 

Check out this tribute website and spend a few minutes and read how a 6th grade teacher changed his life and see how he paid it forward.

http://www.dts.edu/howard-hendricks-tribute

Be like this educational hero-Make a difference in others and plan to check out some of his work on your personal time. 

Challenge Issued!

Physical Challenge: Vitamins?

BetterU Followers/Readers the challenge today is something I don't do...so it's as much for me as anyone.  I am not a lover of pill taking, however, I've discovered that I really need to consider adding a vitamin supplement.  I've read some research and it says if you eat like you are suppose to you would consume all the necessary vitamins you need to live a healthy life...

FACE THE MUSIC...

How many of us really do that?  

Today's Challenge:  Implement a Daily Vitamin.  Watch your eating-examine the nutrients and then look for a multi-vitamin that would be a good fit to make you a BetterU!

Challenge Issued!

Spiritual Challenge: Who is Your Healer?

Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. (NIV)
 
This is the worse season for colds, flu, ear infections, runny noses---you name it---these winter months can be horrible for any age person.  How about bigger illness: cancer, diabetes, depression--these too are sickness that are tough to cure or are incurable.

Yet we must realize that our GOD is able to heal us from broken bones, broken hearts and even the incurable diseases.  Sometimes that healing may not be what we think or want--sometimes it may mean a permanent healing which could result in a glorious body in heaven but our GOD is a Healer.

Today's Challenge: Read Psalms 103--Praise GOD for being our Healer!


Other Verses to Meditate ON:
Psalms 147:3
Psalms 30:2
Matthew 8:7
Mathew 9:21
Tons of healing passages in the gospels...Jesus healed so many.

Challenge Issued!

Sunday Family Challenge: Take A Break!

Sunday's are Family Challenges...During Monday-Saturday how often do you stop! Sundays are supposed to be about rest and worship...I don't think about how busy my little ones stay thru-out the week, or my husband.  I think you need to give yourself and those close to you a break...Commit to REST!

Today's Challenge: REST! If you already have something prepared for today--look forward and implement next week. Cancel activities and just spend some time resting today.

Challenge Issued!

Organizational Challenge: Plan & Post Your Week!

Saturday's are grocery or shopping day. One of the biggest time wasters is multiple trips to the grocery store thru-out the week. Also you'll spend more money with extra trips to the store. Saturdays  may not be your grocery day, but adopting this organizational practice will save you time, money and frustration.

Every week on Saturday I take our dry erase board-write out each day then beside each day write out the meal for the day and any event going on. It's a great communication tool and it helps me stay on top of our groceries and prep that may need to be done for the week. Children's parties, church events, dinner plans with friends; you name it-it's on the board! If I skip a week-it's obvious...we eat out more, less $$$ at the end of the week, and usually we run late for something.

If you don't have a dry erase board-just do it on a piece of paper and post on your frig. Planning your week will benefit your whole family. You may even come home one day and dinner be done!

Today's Challenge: Plan and Post your week-include meals and events.

Challenge Issued!

Challenge #46: Eliminate the Big D

"Falling in love is not a choice.  To stay in love is."

According to DivorceRate.com the United States ranks 6th in the highest divorce rate among countries.  WOW! Land of the free-home of opportunity and top 10 in divorces.  This is a pretty sad statistic.  Just recently I visited with a young girl who was contemplating moving in with her boyfriend. They have hopes of getting married in the next few years but wanted to make sure they were compatible.  I almost feel off my rocker! Yes, I am old-fashioned and don't believe that you should live together before you are married--here's my primary reason why....

Couples who live together before they are married are twice as more likely to get divorced.  And article in Discovery Fit & Health (July 21,2012) said that couples who lived together before they were married reported lower martial satisfaction.  Living together isn't a means to save rent or reduce your bills.  It's a disaster for the one you love.

OK-so today I've been on just a soap box...and there will be tons of people who disagree with me and who lived together before marriage and have very successful relationships-Yeah! However, the odds in life are against you no matter what--why add fuel to the fire!  

Today's Challenge: Whether U are single or married--Examine your relationships and pick out the goods and the bads that you have encountered...Learn from them. Make your own one-line advice note. Write it down and freely give it out....

My marriage/relationship is great because....WE TALK....WE CHOOSE TO WAIT.... I SAY I'M SORRY....I LISTEN BEFORE I SPEAK....what's yours?

Mine:  Don't move in together-save that exciting adventure for when you are married.

Challenge Issued!