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Ryan, our 7 year old, had a few hundred pesos one time and wanted to buy several toys – from Bey Blade to Action Figures.  He realized he only had a limited budget and was wanting to have more.

My wife, Jenn, tried to explain to Ryan to guard his heart and be watchful because ‘the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.’ (1 Tim. 6:10)

To this Ryan answered, “That’s why want to spend it all!  I want to get rid of money.”

Kids are too smart these days…

P.S. Our OVERFLOW series has been amazing these past couple of weeks all over the Metro.  In case you missed last weekend’s message because you had an important “appointment” with Manny, you can log on Victory Fort’s Livestream or download podcasts from Victory Pastors Metro wide.

Picked up a book by Larry Burkett, a financial guru.  Very interesting stuff.

Here are some of the insights I got.

- The simplest economic principle ever written: “If you don’t overspend, you won’t get in debt.”

- Greater Sucker Theory: “If you’re sucker enough to buy it, there must be a greater sucker around who will pay a higher price.”

- Remember, it’s NOT what you make that generates debt.  It’s what you spend.

- Everybody SHOULD live on a budget.

Early on in the book, he discusses a pretty interesting question: “Who is the bigger spender?  The man or the woman?”

After years of counseling married couples, he has come to the conclusion that majority of spending in marriage is not done by the wife.  Under an impulse, a woman will buy too much food or too many clothes.  Under the same impluse, her husband will buy a new car, a Plasma TV, a newer version of the latest game console, etc.

According to Larry Burkett, men don’t buy often, but when we do, we buy big-ticket items.  (Anyone agrees with that conclusion?)

He then gives 3 quick suggestions to battle impulse buying:

1. Don’t ever buy anything that isn’t budgeted, unless you wait at least 30 days.

2. Get at least 3 different prices on the item within that 30 days.

3. Never have more than 1 item on your impulse list at any time.

What will you find after you do this?  Dr. Burkett says you won’t buy on impulse, because first, before the 30 days are up, you’ll find something else you want more than the first item.  So you’ll scratch the first item off and add your new item.  Then you’ll have to wait another 30 days, and the impulse will pass (usually).

“The naive believes everything but the prudent man considers his steps. (Proverbs 14:15)