Matt Smay

Here’s a follow up article on how thirty-somethings tend to be positioned financially. Since I’m in my thirties, I thought I’d share a few of our financial realities as described in the article:

“nine out of ten people in their 30’s owe money (including mortgages)” – count us in.

“one out of five still owe money for school” – again - we’re in, but almost done!

“55% of people in their 30’s fail to pay off their credit cards in full every month” – this is where we buck the trend (which has kept us out of serious debt problems).

Some side notes: getting into a house was the best financial move we’ve made – since there’s already some decent sweat and appreciation equity. We’re working hard to create an emergency fund while cutting back expenses - ministry income is too unpredictable these days. We added some auto debt this year, but only because my old 4Runner died and we managed a 0% loan over 6 years. We have next to nothing in retirement – already getting behind on this one. I’ll add an article on retirement savings sometime down the road, especially because that’s always a personal butt kicker.

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Your 30s: Now’s the time to get ahead

At this point of your life, you’re starting to see financial gains — or the first signs that things might not work out as planned. Here’s how you compare to your peers and where to find help.

By Liz Pulliam Weston

Perhaps I’m just a rare breed, but ministry and finances have always been two passions of mine (even competing at times). So, this is the first post of many to come that will deal specifically with money. I spend a lot of my spare time reading and watching programs that are devoted to finances and the economy. In fact, my morning routine involves eating my bowl of cereal and knocking down the first cup of coffee to CNBC’s ‘Squawk on the Street’ and the opening bell.

This post is related to an article I found on MSN that gives advice for people in their 20’s. I’m no longer in my 20’s, but my ministry often involves helping twenty-somethings make financial decisions. So, rather than giving you my 2 cents – let me pass you along to this fantastic article!

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Your 20s: See how your wealth measures up

You’re poorer than you’ll ever be again, but you can lay the groundwork for a prosperous future. Here’s how your finances compare to others your age.

By Liz Pulliam Weston

It’s not often that I’m home in the morning to take Maegan on her routine trip to the park, but today there was a change in the schedule and I offered to fill in for mom. So, I got Maegan setup in the jogger stroller and off we went together. It’s about a 10 minute walk over to the park and Maegan gets thrilled as soon as she can make out the red and yellow plastic jungle gym in the distance.

 At the playground I met Josh (2), his mom, and 2-month old brother at the playground (I later learned from Maren that this is one of the regulars at the park). I’m not sure if it was because Maegan seems to be fighting a bit of a cold, but she made quick work of the slide, swing, and a bit of climbing, and then decided it was time to start the walk back. But this time, instead of getting in the stroller she wanted to walk on her own. Not wanting to start a confrontation with our rather stubborn daughter, I decided to let her walk for a while.

After we had walked for about 5 minutes, I realized we had barely covered 50 yards and Maegan could still turn and wave goodbye every few minutes to the playground. After another 10 minutes, it sunk in that I was in for the long haul, and at Maegan’s pace (about 3 steps for every one of mine) we would be home in about an hour. So, a 10 minute walk had now turned into over an hour of small steps with my 14 month old daughter firmly holding my hand all the way.

It was the first time in a long time that I felt time slip away and I got lost in the moment of being dad. An irreplaceable moment! On that walk back to the house, the only thing that mattered was sharing a first in a long line of firsts to come. She had walked on her own all the way from the park. She had accomplished something that I had, up till this point, done for her.

I found myself thinking of all the things that I had learned to do since I was a kid, and I was struck at the never ending journey of learning and experiencing we go through, and the number countless experiences still to come. It caused me to wonder: What would this year have in store? What do I need to learn for the first time? What new challenges do I need to embrace? How can I value time in fresh ways?

But the primary thoughts centered on the issue of perspective; that time and distance can be measured, but may be experienced in a wide variety of ways. Perhaps this is why we are so infatuated with comparisons – how long did it take you to…? or when did you first…? Competition, efficiency, and productivity are so highly valued in our American culture, I wonder what would it take to value time at such a high level that I learned to simply appreciate each new experience? Or what would it take to value investing in relationships more than accomplishing another task on my to-do list. I’m not sure I know how to unlearn many of the cultural traps that make dads workaholics and kids TV junkies, but I found a unique moment of peace on that walk that left me wanting to waste more time on long walks home.

After a fairly busy day, I was torn on how to spend the evening. Maren and I considered going out, doing some minor house work (still need to touch-up some paint after replacing a few bedroom windows last month), or just relaxing in front of the TV. However, we’re finding that perhaps the best decision maker in the house is our 13 month old daughter, who after dinner, decided that she had a plan of her own – to go outside and play. It’s amazing how quick routines catch on with little kids, because after just a few nights of hanging out in the front yard, she has now decided it’s the preferable evening routine.

Tonight I figured that I could at least get a few much needed chores done while Maegan played. So, I pulled out the hose, soap and sponges, backed out the truck, and washed the vehicles. As I washed and played with Maegan, who was fascinated by the hose nozzle that spits water even when off, I also noticed the neighbors coming and going. Some were walking the dogs or the kids, some just were content to pull into the driveway – toss a quick “hello” and escape inside, and others barely acknowledged the existence of anyone else as they disappeared in their garage. Our nearest neighbor played volleyball out in the street with her daughter – a sport her mom obviously was not the best at – but she gave it her best…even though there was more chasing the ball than real volleying.

I bring this up, because I’m often asked “how to do” missional ministry or “how to engage” the world. Rather than give a teaching or lesson on the subject, I thought it would be worth bringing you into my neighborhood, a typical suburb that may not be much different than yours, and simply point out that ministry often takes time and energy, and a deliberate attempt to be ‘visible’. If given my own preferred option tonight, I would have likely sat on the couch and watched a movie…but I would have missed a few “hello’s,” the chance to say “hi” to my lonely neighbor with his new companion – a one year old “rescue dog” from the animal shelter. This friendly, but skiddish, Australian shepherd mix that tolerates Maegan’s aggressive touches – and returns the attention by licking the remnants of her last meal clean off her fingers. 

I get asked to teach and consult on missional/incarnational habits of life, but I believe apprenticeship is still the best approach to training. So, I hope you’ve enjoyed your journey with me this evening….