Living a Better Life™
(featured column... from the editor's desk)

My "Top 10" List for Financial Success

by Michelle Jones

You don't have to be wealthy to be successful in my book.  In fact, many of my most favorite people in this world have very little money at all and for most of my life I had very little as well.  Yet, I also believe it is important that we manage the money and resources we do have well so that we can provide for our families and have more to share with others.  I wrote this "Top 10" list several years ago and it is still so true.  I hope it will be a blessing to you and your family!  More...

Now of course it would be really wonderful if the ten things I've included on my "Top 10" list below were all we needed for financial success, but I think we're all well aware that there are many factors that contribute to whether we are financially successful or not, including opportunities and circumstances, and how we are able to handle them at the time they present themselves.  

We work diligently all throughout the year to provide you with as many money-saving and money-managing tips as possible here on the BetterBudgeting.com Web site and in our free monthly ezine, but I'd like to take just a moment to share ten things that I believe are critical for success in life, and our personal finances...

1. Be Faithful - Put God, Family and People First

2. Be Thankful – Count Your Blessings and Appreciate What You Have

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5

And one of my most favorite verses...

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13

3. Be Wise – Manage What You Already Have, Better

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

4. Be Generous - Share What You Have

“A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9

5. Be a Good Steward – Stretch Your Resources and Prioritize Your Finances

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34

6. Be Disciplined – Work Hard (do your BEST), Spend Less & Save More

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." Proverbs 21:5

7. Be Loyal - Always Pay Your Debts

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…” Romans 13:8

8. Be Honest – Do Not Cheat or Steal

“Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Proverbs 13:11

9. Be Compassionate – Help Those in Need

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25: 35-36

And finally, what I remind our readers to do every month...

10. Enjoy Your Life, it's a Precious Gift!

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Copyright © 2005, 2008 by Michelle Jones.  All rights reserved.

Scripture verses are from the Holy Bible, NIV (New International Version).

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