Become a better steward of your money

Are you determined to change your financial ways and become a better steward of your money? It isn't always easy to break poor habits that have been developed over many years, but setting some specific goals can help. Use the following tips to get started.

Avoid Overspending

With the holiday season in full swing, it can be easy to go overboard with spending money. But one of the main reasons so many people have gotten into financial hot water is because they have been living above their means.

It's fun to buy gifts and attend concerts and other holiday events. But the real celebration of Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ, not how many baubles and trinkets you can squeeze onto limited credit lines.

Fix your attitude

Do you have an "I-need-it-now" mentality? Do you constantly compare yourself to others and spend too much money trying to compete? Has that contributed to high levels of debt?

Part of being a good steward is recognizing that God has and will continue to provide for all your needs. He gives us the tools and resources we need to make informed choices about how to use money. Handling money wisely doesn't mean running up unnecessary purchases on credit cards to impress our family and friends.

Tithe faithfully

Many people debate whether or not Christians should tithe and exactly what that should involve. Proverbs 3:9 instructs, "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops" (NIV). Okay, so you may not have any crops to give back as firstfruits, but you probably have an income and other resources God has provided.

Tithing is an act of faith that shows you acknowledge God as Lord over your money and resources. Tithing regularly also trains you to be more disciplined with money and obedient to God's will. Whether you make $30,000 or $300,000, putting together a consistent plan of giving will help you get on the right financial track.

If you don't have an income because you lost your job, avoid feeling guilty when the collection plate is passed on Sunday morning. God understands that you are going through a tough time right now and don't have an income.

Once you find employment you can get back on track with a plan for tithing and giving. In the meantime, consider tithing some of your time by volunteering at your church or in your community.

Get rid of debt

The average credit card debt for American households with a credit card was $10,679 at the end of 2008, according to the Nilson Report. Debt affects people of all ages, races, cultures, religions and professions. You'll need an aggressive plan to get out of debt and stay out.

Leave the credit cards at home and make purchases with cash. If you don't have cash to pay for it, then you can't afford it. Only when you begin to stop spending mindlessly and actually track where your money is going will you begin to see patterns of behavior that can be corrected.

If your current income isn't enough to cover your necessary expenses, consider getting a second job or starting a part-time, home-based business. Look around your home to see if there are things you can sell to raise some fast cash. Use any extra money to pay off debt.

Stay committed

Being a better steward over money requires careful planning and a commitment to learn as much as possible about handling money. Don't expect everything to fall in place overnight. But if you keep at it, you'll begin to break those habits that have been holding you back.