This is the fifth of 7 blogs, each exploring a different element of a successful marriage. Each of these blogs will include a biblical reference that you can look up on your own followed by a comparison between the elements of marriage and the components of a sailboat. Each element also begins with the letter “C” resulting in the name for this blog series.

Part 5: CASH (The Sail)

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Malachi 3:10

There are times when conditions require trimming the sail, and at other times, you can let it out full and race through the water. In marriage, you share that sail. It helps move you along, but it’s only one piece of the overall picture.

To clarify, “Blessing” in the scripture reference above may not have anything to do with money. There are so many other ways we may be blessed in our lives. However, some people may misinterpret this reference and think, “If I give, I’ll get something” or “The more I give, the more I’ll get”, but that’s not really the point of the verse. It’s really more about being disciplined with your money and other talents and resources.

My Dad helped me experience that when Barb and I got engaged. He told me that if I saved my money, he’d let me live at home rent free until Barb and I were married. That arrangement worked out very well. We paid off our student loans, her car, and any other outstanding bills. The result: We were debt free on our wedding day. Jokingly, I say we’ve been in debt ever since because sometimes bills can make it feel that way, but we are very aware of where the money goes.

When we were first married, we’d run errands on Saturday mornings. We’d stop at the bank, grab some cash, and begin our day. As we arrived back home, I’d look at how much cash was left and ask, “Where did it go?” We’d then spend the next few minutes accounting for every dollar. I still find great joy in knowing where our money goes.

The best way to know where your money goes is to create a BUDGET. I’d suggest taking 3 months and documenting every spending item no matter how large or small. Once you’ve done that, begin to categorize how you spend your money. Then, you can take a monthly average, and you’ll have a starting point for your budget. Your B.U.D.G.E.T. could include the following categories:

B=Bills
This category is for monthly or annual expenses that must be paid to maintain those items. Some items in this category include: Mortgage/Rent, Health Care, Utilities, Cars, and Phones.

U=Unavailable
This category is for monthly or annual giving, investing, and saving. I’d encourage you to put 30% of your income in this category allowing for 10% in each of the 3 areas.

D=Debt
This category is for lines of credit, loans, or payment plans not associated with items in the Bills category. Some items may include credit cards, a second mortgage, and student loans. One note about credit cards: If you use a credit card for monthly expenses and pay the balance in full each month, that card doesn’t belong in this category because it’s like you used cash.

G=Groceries
This category is for daily, weekly, or monthly consumables and personal care products. These items include food, pet supplies, and toiletries to name a few.

E=Extras
This category is for daily, weekly, or monthly items that may not be necessary on a regular basis. Some of these items include entertainment, dining out, home furnishings, and gifts.

T=Take Home Pay
This category is not about what you spend, but rather about what you earn. Once taxes are deducted from your pay, the portion you actually take home is the amount used to calculate your budget because it’s truly the amount you have available for use.

To balance your BUDGET, subtract your total expenses (B, U, D, G, and E) from your total take home income (T). The ideal budget would leave you with a zero balance. However, if you have a little extra remaining cash, consider leaving it where it is in case you experience a slight budget overage the next month. For the first year, keeping that remaining cash available for overages is a good idea because your budget may fluctuate as the year progresses. However, after one year, adjust your budget for the following year. If you find you still have extra remaining cash, begin adding it to “U” or “D”.

Contact me if you’d like a detailed spreadsheet to help you get started. I encourage you and your spouse to begin the BUDGET process. The effort you put into being disciplined with your money will result in greater peace in your marriage and in your life, and that peace in itself is a tremendous blessing.