Money is not important enough to let it control our life! So why not learn how to control our money so we gain more control of our life?  But money is like water.  It's a valuable resource necessary for life that can easily slip through our fingers.  The key is to not let it slip through our fingers without our permission. In this round table discussion, we share some of the things we have done to build money management paradigms and processes into the fabric of our individual and family finances.  We reference The Gienger Good Stewardship plan that we developed to help debt proof our family and give our kids a solid financial foundation for their adult lives.  Several times in this episode, we reference the following introduction to the plan which we used when we first presented these concepts in our family: The Gienger Good Steward Plan Gienger Family Mission Statement:  To courageously lead generations of people to become devoted friends and sold out followers of Christ. Gienger Family Vision Statement:  To be intimate Friends of God and effective Kingdom Builders. Gienger Good Steward Plan Purposes: To develop our kids into effective manager’s of God’s resources which He provides them so they can be generous on every occasion in ways that result in thankfulness to God. To teach our kids to be channels of God’s material blessings to the world so that people will be lead to become devoted friends and sold out followers of Christ. To help our kids learn to give, save and spend money wisely and avoid consumer debt in order to give them a solid financial future. To gradually turn over to our kids the money required for their care and support as members of our family. To trust them to be good stewards of a portion of the Gienger family resources. To provide a foundation of personal financial management training that will serve them well the rest of their lives. Plan Guidelines Salary and Other Income While on the plan, kids will receive a monthly “salary” that will become theirs to manage. The amount of salary will be determined by the parents.  Salaries will be subject to annual review by parents, or more often as deemed necessary.  Salary will be reviewed and may be increased on the first day of each new school year at parent’s discretion according to the kid’s real needs and demonstrated ability to be an effective and wise financial manager.  Note that additional money may be earned to supplement the base salary from income producing jobs…inside the home for specific pre-agreed extra tasks for extra money beyond normal “privileges” for being a part of this family. Giving and Saving Requirements Kids must give away at least 10 percent of the total salary and other income to things that directly build God’s Kingdom.  They must save or invest at least 10 percent of total salary and other income in a real bank or other parent-approved investment vehicle.    The balance of the monthly salary will be used according to the kid’s plan and in keeping with our family’s values.  Note that kids can give additional money and/or save up more in short term savings for future larger purchases from additional earnings or under spending. Financial Responsibility List Kids will have a list of items and activities the parents will no longer pay for while the kid is receiving a monthly salary.  The list is subject to review and revision at any time by the parents.  Additional items will be added to the list on the first day of each new school year related to the increase in salary. Home Privilege Responsibility List Kids will continue to have a list of tasks they will be responsible to do as a privilege because they are part of the community of this family.  Citations with fines may be required if these tasks aren’t done in the time or manner agreed. Spending Plan and Record Kids are asked