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Post by chosen on Nov 14, 2007 0:48:22 GMT -5
So true Giant, Especially when you don't have much to work with in the first place and your barely making ends meet. Tithing has to be done by faith and it cannot be done from a position of fear. We have to know God's promises for obeying His word in this area. I do agree with ya Giant sir. It is a cammandment of the Lord, and it represents a covenant relationship between you and God. Its still so hard, Im praying so hard for God to help me to get my finances in order. I do believe in order to be in total financial freedom you must give your tithes otherwise you finacial situation is just going to get worse for neglecting your tithes. I am a living witness. You just dig youself in a deeper hole. Many Blessings jessica |
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Post by giantsdodie on Nov 14, 2007 9:37:28 GMT -5
Tithing has to be done by faith and it cannot be done from a position of fear. We have to know God's promises for obeying His word in this area. I do agree with ya Giant sir. It is a cammandment of the Lord, and it represents a covenant relationship between you and God. Its still so hard, Im praying so hard for God to help me to get my finances in order. I do believe in order to be in total financial freedom you must give your tithes otherwise you finacial situation is just going to get worse for neglecting your tithes. I am a living witness. You just dig youself in a deeper hole. Many Blessings jessica Unfortunately when people talk about tithes and offerings they tend to focus on the negative, which is the part about being cursed. Yet they somehow fail to see the part about where God gives seven covenant blessing because of ONE act of obedience Malachi 3 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. There is no other place in the Bible where I have found GOD to say.. PROVE ME.. TEST ME.. TRY ME...I DARE YOU to do this.. I have had numerous financial struggles but I cannot tell you how many times GOD has come through and brought me out of those very same struggles. I have had jobs come through RIGHT when I needed them. I have had people bless me just out of the blue with finances that I desparately needed. I have had debt cancelled that I had no hopes of paying. I have had people bless me with clothing when I had no money to buy it. God prepared peoples hearts to bless me and my wife when we got married, we didnt pay for a thing out of pocket for our wedding and we both werent working when we got married. I remember once I was in the shower.. and I was crying because I was struggling with finances. I had been out of work for nine months straight and had no income comin in, I was out of savings an it looked like I was going to lose my apartment and have to move back home with my mom and dad.. embarrasing for a 30+ year old man at that time. I was in the shower talking to the Lord about it and crying and praying when my spirit man began to quote the Word of God.. I said Lord.. I know how it looks right now.. but Im a tither and you KNOW Im a giver ( I will give whatever God tells me to give ), I have a covenant with you.. Your word says NEVER have I seen the righteous forsaken or His seed begging bread.. Well GOD I am the righteousness of GOD through Christ JESUS. Now the Word of GOD tells me that man that does not take care of HIS own house is worse than an infidel.. Now God I am not talking about me.. im talking about you.. I am in the Fathers house.. I am of the household of faith... If Im in your house and I KNOW you arent an infidel... so that means you have to take care of me !! I stopped crying and Blessed GOD and finished my shower... Two days later I had a job.... You know why.. FAITH... in GOD. GOD's WORD and GOD's PROMISES.... and guess who that faith comes from.. The Word declares that JESUS is the author and the finisher of our faith.. If I haveANY faith its because HE put it there.... Have faith in GOD.. and YES get a budget.. examine what you have going out and what you have coming in. Find places to make cuts.. I got rid of my cell phone and got a pay as you go phone.. Why pay 50-75 dollars a month,, I have basic cable.. thats it.. I dont need HBO.. SHOWTIME.. etc etc... I also combined my phone and cable together.. that saved me 50 per month which is 750 per year.. thats one rent payment.. I shop at Costco's now for many needs. I havent brought toilet paper since last year lol... Stop eating out.. thats a biggie.. brown bag it to work.... I dont buy brand spanking new anymore.. where is that clearance section?? I dont care if its last years pair of sneakers or jeans... STOP USING CREDIT CARDS !!!!!!! Until you can mamange your finances properly STOP USING THEM... Pay YOURSELF.. save some money.. open an IRA ( you get to write that off your taxes ) save for your future... I sat down with a piece of paper a calculator and the Holy Spirit.. and GOD showed me that even with all my bills and expenses and miscellaneous I should have at least 200-300 dollars left at the end of EVERY month.. I said GOD I dont have that.. He said.. Find what you are doing WRONG... last month I had 230.00 left at the end of the month.. Tithe and offernings accounted for... thats EVERY bill paid.. And I am the only person working in my house.. and I dont make a lot of money... and thats also accounting for money I am putting on the side for Christmas gifts.. With the excess I am paying of one credit card bill in full next week. One less bill.. Its doable.. and sometimes its tough.. sometimes this come that jack your budget... but remember.. HAVE FAITH IN JESUS !!!! |
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Post by stillfocused on Nov 14, 2007 10:36:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the testimony..Giants !! Help us with how to write off your IRA contributions.
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Post by giantsdodie on Nov 14, 2007 11:11:56 GMT -5
Thanks for the testimony..Giants !! Help us with how to write off your IRA contributions. Well you dont actually write them off your taxes per se. What happens with an IRA is that your contributions per year lower your taxable amount of income. So if you make 35,000 per year and you invest 3,000 into your IRA your taxable income is now 32,000. There is a cap on how much you can use to offest per year depending on the type of IRA you have. |
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Post by Rachel2 on Nov 14, 2007 13:06:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the testimony..Giants !! Help us with how to write off your IRA contributions. Well you dont actually write them off your taxes per se. What happens with an IRA is that your contributions per year lower your taxable amount of income. So if you make 35,000 per year and you invest 3,000 into your IRA your taxable income is now 32,000. There is a cap on how much you can use to offest per year depending on the type of IRA you have. Good advice Giants, As a single person with no dependents I am always looking for a way to pay less taxes!!! God knows I pay more than my share. The IRS, in my opinion, "rapes" single people when it comes to paying taxes. |
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Post by giantsdodie on Nov 14, 2007 13:24:56 GMT -5
Well you dont actually write them off your taxes per se. What happens with an IRA is that your contributions per year lower your taxable amount of income. So if you make 35,000 per year and you invest 3,000 into your IRA your taxable income is now 32,000. There is a cap on how much you can use to offest per year depending on the type of IRA you have. Good advice Giants, As a single person with no dependents I am always looking for a way to pay less taxes!!! God knows I pay more than my share. The IRS, in my opinion, "rapes" single people when it comes to paying taxes. Siingles can pay 24-34 percent in taxes depending on your tax bracket. There are excellent resources that teach about Money. Instead of spending money on pure garbage like XL magazine so I can see what the latest rapper is doing and stuff like Jet Magazine we should start buying Money Magazine, Black Enterprise, Smart Money etc etc... and learn how to get out of debt, reduce our expenditures, build businesses etc etc... We really need to stop living for the weekend. |
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Post by stillfocused on Nov 14, 2007 13:58:06 GMT -5
GDD..you're right ! I now receive offers for free magazines. I was too late doing the offer for Black Enterprise..yet, there are some others I have excepted. I will post the link later.
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Post by Jasmine on Nov 14, 2007 15:07:39 GMT -5
Well you dont actually write them off your taxes per se. What happens with an IRA is that your contributions per year lower your taxable amount of income. So if you make 35,000 per year and you invest 3,000 into your IRA your taxable income is now 32,000. There is a cap on how much you can use to offest per year depending on the type of IRA you have. Good advice Giants, As a single person with no dependents I am always looking for a way to pay less taxes!!! God knows I pay more than my share. The IRS, in my opinion, "rapes" single people when it comes to paying taxes. the IRS will always rape single people when it comes to deductions. They figure..you don't have dependants (depending on how you file), you aren't married so you cant have that "much" depending on your money. Now, you can have a own a house, car, make investments, and etc..but you will still always have more money being taken by the IRS, than that of a married person, or a single person with dependants. |
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Post by giantsdodie on Nov 14, 2007 15:19:23 GMT -5
Good advice Giants, As a single person with no dependents I am always looking for a way to pay less taxes!!! God knows I pay more than my share. The IRS, in my opinion, "rapes" single people when it comes to paying taxes. the IRS will always rape single people when it comes to deductions. They figure..you don't have dependants (depending on how you file), you aren't married so you cant have that "much" depending on your money. Now, you can have a own a house, car, make investments, and etc..but you will still always have more money being taken by the IRS, than that of a married person, or a single person with dependants. However you can reduce your taxable amount of income. Our problem as christians and as African Americans we are quite ignorant when it comes to money. As a single I paid a lot of tax, but you get your tax money back at the end of the year depending on how you file. The intelligent thing to do with that tax refund would be to invest it !!! |
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Post by Jasmine on Nov 14, 2007 15:22:54 GMT -5
the IRS will always rape single people when it comes to deductions. They figure..you don't have dependants (depending on how you file), you aren't married so you cant have that "much" depending on your money. Now, you can have a own a house, car, make investments, and etc..but you will still always have more money being taken by the IRS, than that of a married person, or a single person with dependants. However you can reduce your taxable amount of income. Our problem as christians and as African Americans we are quite ignorant when it comes to money. As a single I paid a lot of tax, but you get your tax money back at the end of the year depending on how you file. The intelligent thing to do with that tax refund would be to invest it !!! absolutely! great point to add on. |
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Post by stillfocused on Nov 14, 2007 15:35:33 GMT -5
Okay..please tell me how to reduce my taxable income...
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Post by kitty on Nov 14, 2007 15:35:34 GMT -5
Giants,
I too thank you for your testimonies... You have no idea how they have helped me over the years. I too operate without a cell phone period. I just can't afford it... in case of an emergency I have 1 credit card and a AAA card.
I don't have cable either...period. That money goes to me having a gym membership and a top health club that brand new and fabulous! I can watch tv while I walk on the treadmill.
Kitty
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Post by Jasmine on Nov 14, 2007 15:42:32 GMT -5
I do agree with ya Giant sir. It is a cammandment of the Lord, and it represents a covenant relationship between you and God. Its still so hard, Im praying so hard for God to help me to get my finances in order. I do believe in order to be in total financial freedom you must give your tithes otherwise you finacial situation is just going to get worse for neglecting your tithes. I am a living witness. You just dig youself in a deeper hole. Many Blessings jessica Unfortunately when people talk about tithes and offerings they tend to focus on the negative, which is the part about being cursed. Yet they somehow fail to see the part about where God gives seven covenant blessing because of ONE act of obedience Malachi 3 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. There is no other place in the Bible where I have found GOD to say.. PROVE ME.. TEST ME.. TRY ME...I DARE YOU to do this.. I have had numerous financial struggles but I cannot tell you how many times GOD has come through and brought me out of those very same struggles. I have had jobs come through RIGHT when I needed them. I have had people bless me just out of the blue with finances that I desparately needed. I have had debt cancelled that I had no hopes of paying. I have had people bless me with clothing when I had no money to buy it. God prepared peoples hearts to bless me and my wife when we got married, we didnt pay for a thing out of pocket for our wedding and we both werent working when we got married. I remember once I was in the shower.. and I was crying because I was struggling with finances. I had been out of work for nine months straight and had no income comin in, I was out of savings an it looked like I was going to lose my apartment and have to move back home with my mom and dad.. embarrasing for a 30+ year old man at that time. I was in the shower talking to the Lord about it and crying and praying when my spirit man began to quote the Word of God.. I said Lord.. I know how it looks right now.. but Im a tither and you KNOW Im a giver ( I will give whatever God tells me to give ), I have a covenant with you.. Your word says NEVER have I seen the righteous forsaken or His seed begging bread.. Well GOD I am the righteousness of GOD through Christ JESUS. Now the Word of GOD tells me that man that does not take care of HIS own house is worse than an infidel.. Now God I am not talking about me.. im talking about you.. I am in the Fathers house.. I am of the household of faith... If Im in your house and I KNOW you arent an infidel... so that means you have to take care of me !! I stopped crying and Blessed GOD and finished my shower... Two days later I had a job.... You know why.. FAITH... in GOD. GOD's WORD and GOD's PROMISES.... and guess who that faith comes from.. The Word declares that JESUS is the author and the finisher of our faith.. If I haveANY faith its because HE put it there.... Have faith in GOD.. and YES get a budget.. examine what you have going out and what you have coming in. Find places to make cuts.. I got rid of my cell phone and got a pay as you go phone.. Why pay 50-75 dollars a month,, I have basic cable.. thats it.. I dont need HBO.. SHOWTIME.. etc etc... I also combined my phone and cable together.. that saved me 50 per month which is 750 per year.. thats one rent payment.. I shop at Costco's now for many needs. I havent brought toilet paper since last year lol... Stop eating out.. thats a biggie.. brown bag it to work.... I dont buy brand spanking new anymore.. where is that clearance section?? I dont care if its last years pair of sneakers or jeans... STOP USING CREDIT CARDS !!!!!!! Until you can mamange your finances properly STOP USING THEM... Pay YOURSELF.. save some money.. open an IRA ( you get to write that off your taxes ) save for your future... I sat down with a piece of paper a calculator and the Holy Spirit.. and GOD showed me that even with all my bills and expenses and miscellaneous I should have at least 200-300 dollars left at the end of EVERY month.. I said GOD I dont have that.. He said.. Find what you are doing WRONG... last month I had 230.00 left at the end of the month.. Tithe and offernings accounted for... thats EVERY bill paid.. And I am the only person working in my house.. and I dont make a lot of money... and thats also accounting for money I am putting on the side for Christmas gifts.. With the excess I am paying of one credit card bill in full next week. One less bill.. Its doable.. and sometimes its tough.. sometimes this come that jack your budget... but remember.. HAVE FAITH IN JESUS !!!! I can attest here. For the last 6-7 months my husband and I were on one income. and I tell you it was rough but we never went lacking. we stayed current on everything. I did have to reduce some of the bills quite bit like changing our cell phone plans, and I made a significant decrease in our power, because we stopped using the air...man the power bill went from $300 range to $35.00 dollars. Still payed tithes faithfully and gave in special offering to YES! Now that I am back in operation (Job)...everything I bring is..is really extra, because we know how to budget. Even though the amount I am making is significantly less than that of my other job...I manage money a whole lot better. |
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Post by stillfocused on Nov 14, 2007 15:47:11 GMT -5
I do have a cellphone and a home phone...because my family is cross country and they need a way to contact me in case of emergencies. I cut off the cable and I getting ready to check into cheaper car insurance and refinancing as well. I cut out the birthday club and potlucks at work..and somehow the potluck at work has been replaced by the potluck at church  . I was a supplement to my own income from my son..yet, because he has has found himself cutting back on some things I don't have that any longer. My thing is finding the right kind of gas that does burn too quickly in car. |
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Post by Rachel2 on Nov 14, 2007 17:11:27 GMT -5
Siingles can pay 24-34 percent in taxes depending on your tax bracket. There are excellent resources that teach about Money. Instead of spending money on pure garbage like XL magazine so I can see what the latest rapper is doing and stuff like Jet Magazine we should start buying Money Magazine, Black Enterprise, Smart Money etc etc... and learn how to get out of debt, reduce our expenditures, build businesses etc etc... We really need to stop living for the weekend. I agree....I don't live for the weekend. I don't make very much money either and by the time I'm through paying living expenses, there is nothing left to budget. I own a home and a car. I have a cell phone as my only telephone. I have basic cable and internet service with the cable provider because I am a student and I need the internet at home. It was cheaper to buy the package than the internet service alone. I have cut back as far as I can go. I am not a compulsive shopper. 99% of my income goes to living expenses and tithes and offering and that's the truth. Where I live, I pay mortgage, trash bill, water bill, sewer bill, gas, electric, car insurance, deductions for health, dental, vision, etc. There is no money left to be compulsive with in my case  It makes me angry that I cannot file as head of household because I have no dependents. Yes, I am single, but I am struggling harder to live than someone with a spouse or children. At least they have an extra income or they can get a tax credit for having children. |
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. I was a supplement to my own income from my son..yet, because he has has found himself cutting back on some things I don't have that any longer. My thing is finding the right kind of gas that does burn too quickly in car.