Are you among the 92% who don't achieve New Year's resolutions? Make 2024 different! Bob and Shawn will show you how to use the SMAC Method - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, and Compatible - to make meaningful and achievable goals. As Christians, we believe goals should align with God's plan and also be compatible with one’s values and beliefs. Only a small percentage of people actually achieve their New Year's resolutions, but that number rises with written goals that are visually placed...

What financial topics first come to mind when recalling 2023? Is it the emotional rollercoaster of 2023's stock market or the endless printing of money? Bob and Shawn want to provide perspective on key events that impacted many financial portfolios. Before looking ahead, they are recapping the past year's twists and turns. This includes the markets’ obsession with interest rates, as well as the volatility caused by concerns about the Federal Reserve's actions. Looking ahead to 2024, it is...

This inspiring Christmas episode is all about reminding listeners of the joy of the season! Bob and Shawn share the original Christmas story of the birth of Jesus as told by Luke, as well as telling an inspiring story about a family who anonymously blessed another family in need. This Christmas season, we encourage listeners to find ways to help those in need during the Christmas season, whether through financial donations or volunteering time. Use your time and resources to help bless...

Are you thinking about buying a car? Bob and Shawn discuss 7 smart steps to take before you make your decision. This episode is here to help you learn how to make the right vehicle choice with confidence. It’s crucial to approach the car purchase with the right mindset, not emotions. A vehicle’s price is more than the minimum monthly payment, and it is important to be cautious of all of the add ons and price points that many salespeople will use to manipulate you into a premature purchase....

Are sky high fees making cash value life insurance a poor investment for you? Should you just buy term life insurance and invest the difference yourself? Bob and Shawn discuss the true cost of cash value life insurance, such as whole life and universal life. Life insurance is almost always a must to protect your family and immediate loved ones in the case of your death, especially from your 20’s to 60’s. This episode highlights the various fees and charges associated with these policies,...

Want to give beyond just cash this year? Donate stocks, real estate required IRA distributions, and more by December 31st. Bob and Shawn the importance of alternative non-cash giving, as the majority of charitable giving is done through cash, despite cash being a small portion of people's assets. Various options for non-cash giving are discussed in depth, including opening a donor-advised fund, contributing to a charitable gift annuity, donating appreciated stocks, and donating other...

Want to avoid debt this Christmas? Make a budget, limit gifts, and remember the reason for the season - Jesus. Bob and Shawn discuss seven takeaways for Christmas spending. Some takeaways suggest using cash or a debit card instead of a credit card to prevent overspending. Thoughtful and meaningful gifts that will be remembered are usually better than expensive gifts. This Christmas, don’t forget to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and to have fun giving gifts!

It’s time to discuss strategies for 2023 year-end tax planning! Want to lower your 2023 taxes with strategies like charitable giving, retirement plan contributions, and medical expenses? Small moves now could save you thousands in the future. It’s important to pay our fair share of taxes, but also equally important to not pay more taxes than necessary. By taking advantage of strategies like sales tax deductions, you may be able to lower your tax bracket. As always, it’s important to consult...

Massive inflation is eating budgets alive, but with some wise choices like shopping thrift stores, fixing items ourselves and avoiding impulse buys, there are ways to overcome it. Bob and Shawn emphasize the importance of making wise choices, such as shopping at thrift stores, fixing items yourself, and avoiding impulse buys. Both hosts provide personal anecdotes and examples to support their points. Overall, this episode is highly aimed to help listeners save money and assist in navigating...

Ever wondered how financial advisors really get paid? Join Christian Financial Advisors as Bob and Shawn discuss the six types of payment and the potential conflicts of each. They emphasize the importance of transparency and encourage clients to ask their advisors about their payment structure. Just a couple of the ways financial advisors get paid include hourly fees and salaried advisors. They also highlight the potential conflicts of interest that can arise when advisors are motivated by...

Ready to clear up a big misconception in the financial world - are traders and investors the same thing? Spoiler alert, they're not. From Warren Buffett's long-term growth strategies to the quick buck culture of trading, Bob and Shawn demystify these often confused terms. Traders focus on short-term profits and are often compared to professional gamblers, while investors have a long-term perspective and aim to build wealth over time. The misuse of these terms by financial websites can lead...

Bob and Shawn finish the second half of their series on “What God’s Word Says About Money”. They discuss the importance of saving and investing, inheritance, seeking wise counsel, and faithfulness according to Biblical teachings. Listeners are highly encouraged to seek wisdom from trusted advisors and to be faithful stewards of their resources, emphasizing the order and responsibility that comes with building wealth. As always, several scriptures are highlighted that emphasize the...

Bob and Shawn get back to what Christian Financial Perspectives is really about by delving into key scripture on what the Bible says about money, finance, and stewardship. In part 1, they cover four key biblical principles related to finances: honesty, debt, giving, and ownership with scripture references and real-life applications for each principle. The importance of honesty in business dealings and the benefits of living debt-free is emphasized, as well as the joy and significance that...

Avoid these common mistakes when it comes to your investments! Bob and Shawn discuss the 10 ways they often see clients sabotaging their investment portfolios. They emphasize the importance of discipline, wisdom, and seeking counsel in making investment decisions. Whether it is a client making large frequent withdrawals or even treating their investment portfolio like a savings account, there are many ways to sabotage your investment portfolio without knowingly doing so. They stress the...

“Recession” is a word constantly looming in many Americans’ minds, and it is a common topic among news outlets. But, what if you could prepare financially for a recession? Bob and Shawn discuss the ongoing predictions of an economic recession in the financial markets. They emphasize the inevitability of economic cycles with periods of boom and bust. Through insight from various scriptures, they encourage diversifying investments across different sectors of the economy, saving during...

Delve deep into the history of Christian financial stewardship and Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) as Shawn speaks with Timothy Plan team member, Brian Mumbert. Christian Financial Advisors is proud to be a part of this movement since the beginning of Timothy Plan. 30 years ago, Timothy Plan introduced only a few morally responsible investment fund choices, and they now offer several mutual funds and ETFs, along with multiple other firms now offering Biblically Responsible Investment...

Join financial advisors, Bob Barber and Shawn Peters, as they discuss the Biblical view on retirement. Drawing from Numbers 8:23-26, the only passage in the Bible explicitly mentioning retirement, they note that the Bible's context of retirement doesn't perfectly align with typical Western ideas. The Bible actually heavily emphasizes the importance of work, viewing it as a blessing, not a curse. Retirement for Christians should not mean disengaging from life to pursue leisure but should...

Join Bob and Shawn as they delve into the topic of Biblically responsible investing, questioning if God really cares where Christians invest their money. Drawing on various scriptures, they argue that Christians should invest in a manner that aligns with their faith and values. There’s a difference between merely doing business with companies and actually profiting from them. Thus, ownership implies a greater level of responsibility. They also address a common question about whether one can...

Professional financial fear mongering is something many have seen or been affected by. Bob and Shawn address the tactics used by individuals and groups to deliberately spread fear or alarm about financial issues. Highlighting examples like claims of the stock market crashing or the need to rely on gold coins for transactions, it is important to question the credibility of such messages. Listeners are warned to be cautious of such fear-inducing narratives, especially on platforms like social...

This episode is great for anyone who has or wants to contribute to a work retirement plan, which is most of us! Using the analogy of a dismantled car, Bob and Shawn suggest that many people feel overwhelmed when it comes to deciding how to invest their retirement funds. They highlight common types of retirement plans like 401k, 403b, and SEP, while unpacking the differences (spoiler alert - there’s really not that many!). As always, listeners are warned about the risks of making uninformed...

Bob and Shawn discuss the often-difficult topic of managing finances after the loss of a spouse, either through death or divorce. With compassion, they explain the necessity of understanding your financial picture, such as incoming and outgoing monthly expenses and overall assets and liabilities. As always, they highlight the importance of working with a fiduciary financial advisor who can provide impartial advice, free from conflicts of interest. The importance of keeping personal finances...

Bob and Shawn delve into the complexities of deciding when to take Social Security. They discuss factors to consider when taking Social Security such as your current age, anticipated lifespan based on family history, potential income sources, and whether you're still working. Bob emphasizes the importance of calculating the breakeven point for starting Social Security benefits early versus later, factoring in the time value of money. They also touch on political implications and...

How do you view your finances? Is it through a secular or a Biblical lens? Find out by listening to Bob and Shawn discuss the stark differences between a secular and Christian worldview of finances. They share 14 fundamental contrasts, tackling concepts like ownership, control, contentment, decision-making, needs, generosity, fair wages, honesty, and investment choices. Drawing from Biblical teachings, this episode challenges the self-centeredness of the worldly view, advocating instead for...

Welcome to part 2 of our series on Sudden Wealth, where Bob and Shawn continue their discussion on "Navigating the Minefields of Sudden Wealth". They dive into the dangers associated with sudden wealth, and how to manage it wisely with topics like entitlement, arrogance, and becoming a target for manipulation due to newfound wealth. While sudden wealth is a blessing, there are also many pitfalls that may surround it. Therefore, Bob and Shawn emphasize the importance of Biblical teachings in...

In part 1 of our 2 part series on Sudden Wealth, Bob and Shawn discuss the complex issues around sudden wealth, common sources, and frequent pitfalls. Exploring this from a Biblical perspective, they emphasize stewardship and wise decision-making. Some common sudden wealth sources, including inheritances, property value increase, oil and gas discovery, and divorce settlements are discussed. They outline common mistakes such as failure to pre-plan for taxes, misunderstanding how quickly money...