FUNDamentals

Just Getting Started Budget Redux
Spiritual Financial Planning
One of our readers just sent in this updated budget! He and his wife downloaded the Just Getting Started budget, used it, added some very useful twists of their own and sent it back to us. We here at FUNDamentals LOVE this kind of reader feedback. It not only helps us know what's useful for everyone out there, but, most importantly, it's helpful for all of you!

Like the previous version, the redux version includes all kinds of categories, including our spiritual and financial responsibilities like giving to the fund, paying off school loans, and the money we spend on things like devotionals and children's classes. The major change is a new column called 'Actual.' This is helpful in that you can still enter your figures into the 'Budgeted' column, then go back and enter what you actually spent into the new column. This is a great way to get our minds around what we're really spending our money on.

Click here to download the Just Getting Started Budget Redux. And let us know if you have any changes for your own!

"Dependent on Material Means" Slide Show
Spiritual Financial Planning
We've just finished (and even field tested!) an online slide show about budgeting. It's called "Dependent on Material Means: Budgeting in Seven Easy (or Maybe Not So Easy) Steps", and links selections from the Baha'i writings with practical tips on how to set up and maintain a budget. This is ideal for anyone learning how to budget, refining one's budget, or assisting others in learning how to budget (hint, hint, treasurers). Feel free to embed this presentation or share however you'd like. Enjoy!

Spiritual Financial Planning
8 Myths (and Truths) About Investing
'Abdu'l-Baha encourages all people to be a “seeker of the truth.” In that spirit, we asked Lindsey to shed light on some of the most common myths (and truths) regarding investing and how to save for retirement. Prepare to be enlightened.

Spiritual Financial Planning
Planting the Seed for Your Retirement

In this third and final installment on saving, Lindsey talks about the importance of saving for retirement and two key ways to begin planting the seed for a fruitful retirement.

Spiritual Financial Planning
Finding a Competent Financial Physician

Baha'u'llah, in His Most Holy Book the Kitab-i-Aqdas, counseled His believers to, "Resort ye...to competent physicians: We have not set aside the use of material means, rather have We confirmed it through this Pen, which God hath made to be the Dawning-place of His shining and glorious Cause." Sometimes we all need a little check up and it's no different with our finances. What do we do when we need a little advice? We asked a financial planner what to consider when searching for a financial planner and here's what we found out.

Spiritual Financial Planning
The Power of Long Term Saving, Or, Seeing the End in the Beginning
Sustainability, environmental or financial, is all about thinking for the long term. Investing is no different. In this second installment, Lindsey shines a light on the long term power of saving and what happens when you see the end in the beginning.

Spiritual Financial Planning
Short Term Saving

Lindsey Cameron, in the first of 3 articles, talks about the importance of savings and where it might be best to put your money. Hint - it's probably not where you think.
 

Spiritual Financial Planning
It's 10 pm. Do You Know Where Your Money Is?: Why Budgeting May Be the Most Important Thing You Ever Do.

Ok, so it may not be the most important thing you'll ever do (prayer is, you know, up there too), but it is one of the first steps in managing your money. So now, all in one place, just for you, the FUNDamentals Team has developed several budgeting tools for almost any kind of financial situation.

Respecting Your Money

 Mary Lou explains how money is sacred, and two key aspects of respecting your money: figuring out your real hourly wage, and keeping tabs on where it all goes. You'll never look at a latte the same way again.