Lesley Parker wrote that to watch your savings grow, cut out the small pleasures. Parker wrote that it's taken a global financial crisis and a run of interest rate rises to scare us into it but it appears Australians are rediscovering the lost art of saving.
Statistics on household saving and the use of credit cards bear out what financial advisers are starting to see among clients - a greater inclination to build a financial buffer against bad times.
Parker stated that fear may not be the only catalyst for this change. Mortgage Choice's annual survey of consumer sentiment, conducted late last year, found that 36 per cent of respondents thought they'd save more in 2011 because of the economic recovery and improved rates of interest. (Sydney Morning Herald)
A financial planner for Multiforte, Kate McCallum, says she's ''picking up a trend to a greater consciousness around managing cash flow and saving - including among people who earn very good incomes''. She says people are starting to say, ''we do want to be more careful''.
Michael Snape, of Federation Financial Services in Canberra, says his advice to younger clients is to make saving a priority. A rule of thumb might be to hive off 10 per cent of your income.
Parker quoted a financial planner for Multiforte, Kate McCallum, who said that if you spend $100 a week on food or going out, that's $5000 a year to save. Drive to a carpark that's $5 a day cheaper and walk a block or two further and you'll have $1000 more in your pocket.
Mark Tronson said that missionaries have known of these savings forever, this is nothing new and it not a new revelation. It has been said, give a missionary a dollar and that missionary can make it work for many additional benefits.
Mission giving, Mark Tronson explained, comes from people motivated by love for their Lord and they freely and generously and joyously give because they want to see the Kingdom of God on earth expand.
The recipients of that giving comprehensively understand the spirit in which it is given, consequently they want to be good stewards of what they have received.
Stewardship is what's behind the "thrift". Every cent is invested well for Kingdom ministry. It is a cooperative venture between the giver, receiver and the Lord.
Mission people are "thrifty" in the sense that they ensure the money is used wisely and well. There is a spiritual motivation behind this.
Malachi 3 verse 10 first part of the verse speaks of giving to the Lord. and then the promise is assured:
"And test me in this" says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing."
This is the God who continues to provide to generation after generation of those who love and serve Him. This is the God who multiplies. This is the God who works miracles as funding arrives as the need arises.
Mark Tronson says this is his family's experience over 29 years of faith financial mission as it has been for thousands upon thousands before him.
