by Rebecca van Noppen, writer and MTE communications director

Can I remind you of something today? Make sure you know where you are going. When you head out the door, when you navigate this crazy ‘ole world, make sure you have the address. Oh yes, and one more thing. Make sure your navigation system is taking you in the right direction.

A few years ago Dave and I were traveling to Steinbach, Manitoba. We got on the right plane, carrying the address of our end destination. We got off the plane, hopped into the rental car with two new friends, and punched in the co-ordinates. It was after over an hour of driving that I began to wonder if we were going in the right direction. Well, after seeing the border sign for Saskatchewan(!!) we realized the GPS system in the rental car was faulty. We were heading out of province and because we were so busy chatting it up, we were oblivious to where we were heading. Of course, we used our phones to get back on track. We arrived later than we intended, but our misadventure became part of the adventure, and all ended well.

When I think of that time, I can’t help but relate it to navigating our finances in 2023. In fact, Dave and I remember that story on today’s podcast “Keep It Simple”. There are a few relatable financial comparisons I could make to that incident, but for now let’s focus on setting our financial course, and having a trustworthy system to help us get there.

Here are a few tips to help you get to where you want to go.

1. Take a high level look at your goals. Write them down. Where do you want to be financially in five years, in 10, in 25? This is something that you will revisit throughout the year and years to come. This is a time to also uncover your dreams and purposes, and the legacy you want to leave behind. This is the destination you want to punch into your financial GPS.

In the next few steps, you will be making sure your financial systems are working to help you get there.

1. Make a plan, and keep aware of your cashflow. Look at your bank account and put your spending into categories. Track your spending so you know your financial habits. Make a plan but also stick to the plan. As Dave often says, “Plan what you spend and spend what you plan.”
2. Re-establish good financial habits, or create a new rhythm for your finances. This includes having a financial date or money meeting every week with yourself, or with your partner. Make it part of your routine. If you have left behind some good financial habits, now is the time to restart them. For instance, start using that financial app that worked so well for you, but you have now stopped using.
3. Consider what you are going to stop doing, what you are going to start doing, and what you are going to keep doing? Don’t start doing too many new things at once, however. Take one thing at a time and get that new habit consistent. Then, think about adding another one.
4. Pray. In one of my devotional apps, PRAY is an acronym for Pausing, Rejoicing and Reflecting, Asking for help, Yielding to God’s will. (To learn more go to https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/.) Pray at the beginning and end of your financial discussions. Pray when you are worried. Pray when you are thankful. Pray over your plans, dreams and goals, and yield them to God. Don’t stop praying!

Remember to be intentional about your finances because in the culture we live in, if we aren’t intentional in our practical financial decisions we will default to debt. And debt is something, God tells us, that we should run from, like a gazelle from the hand of a hunter. “Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.” Proverbs 6:5 (NIV)

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