In Episode 4 of this Faith and Finance Top 10s season, Simon and Bex discuss their Top 10 Tips for Giving and Being Generous.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon’s first top tip for giving and being generous is to give first and then budget with what is left. [01:17]
• Top tip number two is to decide how much to give before we decide to whom we wish to give. [04:34]
• Thirdly, Simon explains the principle of giving regularly but also on an ad hoc basis. [06:13]
• Next, Simon talks about the benefits of being deliberate in the act of giving even when it happens through an automated process. [07:01]
• Simon highlights the importance of using the likes of Gift Aid and automated money transfer options (such as standing orders and direct debits) to help us to be as efficient as possible in our giving. [09:37]
• Another important element to prioritise is to review our giving on a regular basis. [11:29]
• Simon explains why he would suggest that we commit ourselves to giving to a cause for a specific period of time and communicate that arrangement clearly to those to whom we are giving. [13:13]
• Simon encourages us to include others in our giving endeavours so that they can learn from that involvement and can be inspired to go on to experience for themselves the joy and benefits of being generous. [15:26]
• Simon’s penultimate tip is to be inquisitive about the charities to which we are giving and to develop a meaningful connection with them. [18:06]
• Simon’s final top tip is to recognise that giving isn’t just about money; there are many ways in which we can make significant contributions to the charities that we wish to support. [19:49]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

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In the third episode of this Faith and Finance Top 10s season, Simon shares his Top 10 Tips for Practical Budgeting.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon’s first top tip for practical budgeting is to itemise carefully all of our income so that we know how much money will be coming in monthly and over the course of a year. [01:43]
• Because of the great importance of giving and being generous (as discussed in Season 5), Simon suggests that top tip number two should be to decide how much we are going to give. [04:02]
• Thirdly, Simon highlights the importance of prioritising budgetary items through a process of identifying essential payments and then discretionary items, with the latter category being ranked according to their importance to us. [05:33]
• Top tip number four is ‘Write it down!”. [07:33]
• Next, Simon suggests that we should ensure that we review our financial commitments regularly. [09:32]
• Simon explains the ‘three bank account system’, which can help us manage our money according to the type of expenditure involved; ‘pots’ that are available through banking apps can be used to achieve the same outcome. [11:06]
• Simon explains how we can put in place an arrangement for coping with less frequent, but potentially very significant, expenses [14:22]
• Another key principle is to focus on reducing and then eliminating any debts that we may have. [17:16]
• Simon’s penultimate point is that we should try to balance our budget on an ongoing basis so that we are living within our means. [20:39]
• Simon’s final top tip on practical budgeting is to develop the habit of saving to buy rather than borrowing to buy. [22:21]
• The focus of the next episode in this season will be on generosity when Simon and Bex will discuss ten top tips relating to giving well and effectively. [24:28]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

In the second episode of this season of Faith and Finance Top 10s, Simon talks about his Top 10 Ways to Achieve a Healthy Relationship with Money.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon explains that this episode is designed to be a practical guide to developing a healthy relationship with money. [01:10]
• Simon’s first top tip is budgeting because of the immediate, practical benefits of putting in place a deliberate and organised way of managing money. [01:29]
• Top tip number two is to recognise that our relationship with money can have a strong emotional aspect, which needs to be understood and managed. [03:46]
• Thirdly, Simon stresses the importance of establishing healthy and wholesome priorities, as captured by the saying, ‘Use money and love people; don’t use people and love money’. [05:38]
• Next, Simon suggests that it is worthwhile to be aware of, and to reflect on, the idea of ‘the marginal return of money’. This theory acknowledges that money can be very important and desirable for people with little or no money but suggests that once someone has ‘enough money’, ‘more is not always better’. Bex draws attention to a BBC Radio 4 ‘Money Box’ episode on this theme, which may be of interest to listeners. [06:21]
• Simon encourages listeners to avoid accumulating more and more possessions; instead, a thoughtful and well considered approach of buying ‘experiences’ can prove to be beneficial, especially when used to deepen and enhance relationships with others. [08:46]
• Another principle that can have emotional as well as practical benefits is, ‘Pay now; consume later’. [10:48]
• Simon also highlights the importance of ‘valuing things that money can’t buy’ and of freeing up time to spend on the activities and people that are most important to us. [14:31]
• ’Making it a treat’ is another approach that can help us to use our money in an effective and fulfilling manner. [17:17]
• Simon’s penultimate point is the vital one of making sure that we talk about money with others normally, naturally and regularly. [19:05]
• Simon’s final tip for developing a healthy relationship with money is to make a habit of saving regularly, even if that involves only small amounts at a time. [21:33]
• The next episode in this season will focus on top tips for practical budgeting. [23:40]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.