Spending less than you make sounds simple, and it is, but it requires finding the one or two leaks in your budget that are quietly draining your account and plugging them. That is Step 1 on the Fuel Gauge. If you have done that work, you are ready for Step 2. I will warn you right now: this one is going to surprise you. Step 2 is to give 10% of your income, creating a tone of gratitude and abundance in all of our finances. I know what you are thinking. You picked up this colu

The foundation of every family's finances comes down to one simple principle: spend less than you make. That's Step 1 on the Fuel Gauge, and if you've been plugging the leaks in your budget with tools like the 24-hour pause, the buddy system, or cash, you're already on your way. Now it's time to make sure that progress sticks, every single month. I'll be honest with you, I don't love budgeting. Some people get nerdy about spreadsheets and fall in love with the whole process.

What good is a full tank if there's a hole in it? That's the question at the heart of Step 1 on your Fuel Gauge: Spend less than you make. Although it sounds simple in theory, I've sat across from enough people to know that this first step is where most of us are quietly bleeding in our personal finances.  The first winter I spent with Lauren's family in Michigan, her dad offered to let me chop down a tree with an ax. Now, I had never held an ax in my life. But when he asked

Last week, we talked about your G.P.S. — your General, Personal, and Specific Purposes — and the roadmap they provide for where you're called to go, who you're called to be, and what you're called to do. If that conversation stirred something in you, I'm glad. Remember, when money is tied to purpose, it becomes incredibly powerful.  It becomes FUEL.  So, I want to ask a very practical question before we go any further down that road: how much fuel is in your tank? Because her

Money targets independent of purpose targets are meaningless. Money is not the destination—it’s the fuel. And fuel is only useful if you know where you’re going. I want to introduce you to a concept that has helped me think through where I’m headed. I call it your personal G.P.S. Just like a GPS helps you get to where you’re going, your Personal G.P.S. will provide a path to walk down as you pursue the life you were created for – a life I believe is worth fueling! Without tha

After my younger brother and I had moved out of the house and started families of our own, God provided an incredible opportunity for my parents and my grandma to build their dream house on the hills alongside the Shenandoah Valley. We are headed to Virginia for Easter and I’m excited to see those beautiful mountains start to bloom.  Before they broke ground, they invited the whole family to go out there and pray over the land. I have to tell you, I believe those prayers have

In fourth grade, my family moved from a small ranch in the bustling city of Winchester, Virginia, to the “suburbs” of Stephens City. We moved into one of those perfect suburban neighborhoods that had fenced backyards, cul-de-sacs, and trees that were planted 15 years before when the neighborhood was built.  In our backyard, there was an amazing maple tree that my brother and I loved to climb. Almost every single day, we would climb this tree with our pocket knives and carve o

This past week, my wife Lauren and I welcomed our fourth baby girl, completing our family of six. There is something divine that happens when a parent holds their baby in their arms for the first time. Having experienced this four times, I can also attest to each experience being unique. If you’re a parent, what was it like when you held your kids for the first time?  This past week, the closest thing I can think of to describe what happened was like fast forwarding a DVD. I

When thinking about increasing your income, starting a new job or career can seem like an easy path towards making more money. The grass is always greener on the other side, right? Maybe. But here’s what I’ve learned about greener pastures in my life: if I’m not watering the grass under my feet today, then the greener grass I’m moving to will die as well.  If you aren’t happy with the job you have, if you think you’re being under paid or under valued, or if you feel you keep

If you’ve been following along each week, you’ll know that we’ve defined money as fuel for your journey. Your dreams and goals are worth fueling, so we’ve been discussing how to have a full financial tank in 8 practical steps. If you’re just jumping into the conversation, you can catch up on where we’ve been at trumbleagency.com/increase . But for today, we are going to discuss the 8’th financial marker on our Fuel Gauge.  Our final mark of financial health is keeping our hou

Last week, we spent time talking about firming up your financial foundation with adequate insurance. Today, I want to talk about a policy that is the most important that fits right into that foundation, but often gets pushed aside or misunderstood: life insurance . Let me say this upfront — life insurance isn’t about death. It’s about life. It’s about the people who depend on you and the income you provide right now and the amazing life you have built for them. Often, people

Today, we’re going to talk about a topic I have devoted my life to professionally. Yes, your favorite subject! Insurance!  I know, I know. Who doesn’t love a good conversation about deductibles and coverage limits? Sounds thrilling, right? Obviously, I’m kidding. Insurance has a reputation for being a total snooze fest. But stick with me, because insurance plays a critical role in the financial foundation you’re working so hard to build. In fact, if you have been following al

Welcome back and I hope your New Year is starting out on the right foot! This is about the time (yes, it only takes a couple weeks), where people start giving up on those New Years resolutions and go back to their old ways they were just unhappy with a couple weeks ago.  But that isn’t going to be you! Especially when it comes to your financial goals. Because now you have a system and that system is Increase - 8 practical steps to having a full financial tank and the freedom

Every January, people flood the internet with New Year’s resolutions. Eat better. Exercise more. Lose weight. But one resolution rarely makes the list—getting your finances right. And that’s a problem, because money stress quietly controls more lives than we’d like to admit. Several years ago, one of my employees stomped into my office, clearly frustrated, and slammed the door behind her. “I am never getting ahead,” she said. “I feel like I’m on a hamster wheel that doesn’t g

Merry Christmas! This week, we celebrate the birth of Christ and I pray that you and your family experience his peace and generosity as you exchange gifts and spend time eating delicious food! If you’re anything like me, you live for the holiday deserts, so before everyone starts talking about New Year’s resolutions, enjoy that cookie or two!  Today, we’re going to continue our conversation on laying a healthy financial foundation as we discuss step 6 out of 8 on our fuel gau

Over the last several weeks, we’ve been walking through what I call the Fuel Gauge —eight practical markers that help you build a strong financial foundation before you chase the big dreams on your heart. Because if your tank is empty, it doesn’t matter how nice the destination is—you’re not getting there. We started with Step 1: Spend Less than You Make , where money stops leaking out of your account and you begin telling your money where to go instead of it just flying the

As I broach this emotional topic, I want to begin by being clear. I am neither for nor against debt. Debt is amoral, meaning, it is not in and of itself, categorically, moral. Debt can be a destructive evil. It has torn people down and has caused heartache, divorce, and all sorts of strife. Debt has also built churches, businesses, and hospitals that have been used for incredible good. Debt is neither right nor wrong categorically.  To understand different sorts of debt, we m

We’ve been walking through the eight steps that help you fill up your financial tank and finally move toward the dreams that have been put on the back burner for far too long.  We’ve covered Step 1: Spend less than you make. We’ve hit Step 2: Give 10%.And last week, we talked about Step 3: establishing a “New Zero” in your checking account. And today, it’s time for Step 4: Adequate Insurance —the protection mark on your Fuel Gauge. Up to this point, you have already been maki

Happy Thanksgiving week to you and your family! This is the time of year when we notice how full our homes feel, how full our tables feel… so it’s a great week to take a look at how full our financial tanks feel as well! If your financial fuel tank is a little emptier than you’d like it this time of year, take heart. We have been working on the 8 marks that, when achieved in succession, create a full financial tank. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve already covered Step 1:

Today, we are going to discuss the second financial health marker on your fuel gauge. If you’re just joining us, here’s a quick recap.  Money is fuel. Fuel to get you where you want, or even feel called to go. Therefore, we need a full tank so we can live confidently toward the life we desire.  The first mark on your fuel gauge is simple. Spend less than you make. This second step is challenging, and for many, counterintuitive.  Give 10% of your income away.  What?! If the ob