1 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:11,719 S1: Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions 2 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:14,280 S1: and the power to enjoy them, and to accept his 3 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:17,400 S1: lot and rejoice in his toil. This is the gift 4 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:21,760 S1: of God. Ecclesiastes 519. Hi, I'm Rob West. What a 5 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:24,880 S1: true joy doesn't come from gaining more, but from gratefully 6 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:29,240 S1: receiving what God has already provided. Today, John Cortinas joins 7 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:32,680 S1: us to explore what he calls the cycle of grateful 8 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:36,600 S1: living and how it transforms our approach to money and contentment. 9 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:40,919 S1: And then it's on to your calls at 800 525, 7000. 10 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:44,480 S1: This is faith and finance. Live biblical wisdom for your 11 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:51,680 S1: financial journey. I always enjoy having John Cortinez in the studio. 12 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:55,480 S1: He serves as director of grantmaking at the MacLellan Foundation, 13 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,880 S1: and he's the co-author of God and Money and True Riches. 14 00:00:59,050 --> 00:01:01,770 S1: He's also the author of Faith V study on the 15 00:01:01,770 --> 00:01:05,770 S1: book of Ecclesiastes titled Wisdom over Wealth. John, great to 16 00:01:05,770 --> 00:01:06,809 S1: have you back with us. 17 00:01:06,970 --> 00:01:08,090 S2: Thanks for having me, Rob. 18 00:01:08,569 --> 00:01:11,890 S1: Today we're going to explore something you talk about in 19 00:01:11,890 --> 00:01:15,730 S1: wisdom over wealth called the Cycle of grateful Living and 20 00:01:15,730 --> 00:01:19,090 S1: how embracing it can truly be life changing. So as 21 00:01:19,090 --> 00:01:21,210 S1: we begin, give us a little context. 22 00:01:21,930 --> 00:01:23,729 S2: Well, Sherry, you know, it's such a joy to dig 23 00:01:23,730 --> 00:01:26,650 S2: into Ecclesiastes. And as I was studying that book and 24 00:01:26,650 --> 00:01:31,090 S2: reading commentaries, especially with an eye toward faith in our finances, 25 00:01:31,090 --> 00:01:34,610 S2: I kept coming back to Ecclesiastes 518 through 20. You 26 00:01:34,610 --> 00:01:37,450 S2: just read verse 19. After a lot of study, I've 27 00:01:37,450 --> 00:01:41,610 S2: really come to view these as critically important verses. Ecclesiastes 28 00:01:41,610 --> 00:01:43,770 S2: has so much to say about our search for meaning 29 00:01:43,770 --> 00:01:46,650 S2: and contentment in life, and these verses come right in 30 00:01:46,650 --> 00:01:49,770 S2: the middle of the longest meditation on money, and they 31 00:01:49,770 --> 00:01:52,090 S2: reflect on what it means to enjoy the life that 32 00:01:52,090 --> 00:01:54,810 S2: God has actually given us. So we're told that it's 33 00:01:54,810 --> 00:01:57,770 S2: good and fitting to eat and drink and find satisfaction 34 00:01:57,770 --> 00:02:00,090 S2: in our work. But the key is that even the 35 00:02:00,090 --> 00:02:02,930 S2: ability to enjoy what we have, that is a gift 36 00:02:02,930 --> 00:02:05,450 S2: from God too. So just to look at those three 37 00:02:05,450 --> 00:02:08,850 S2: verses very quickly at an overview level, verse 18 shows 38 00:02:08,850 --> 00:02:11,610 S2: us what's good for everyone if I'm rich. If I'm poor, 39 00:02:11,850 --> 00:02:15,210 S2: finding joy in my everyday life and labor is good. 40 00:02:15,730 --> 00:02:18,850 S2: Verse 19 introduces the idea that wealth is a gift, 41 00:02:18,889 --> 00:02:21,690 S2: not just the possessions and the money, but even the 42 00:02:21,690 --> 00:02:25,210 S2: power to enjoy that gift. If we're alive and mentally 43 00:02:25,210 --> 00:02:28,090 S2: present enough to enjoy something, then that's a gift from 44 00:02:28,090 --> 00:02:31,450 S2: God during our short life on earth. And verse 20 45 00:02:31,490 --> 00:02:34,250 S2: gives us the result of this mindset. If I'm living 46 00:02:34,250 --> 00:02:37,530 S2: this way, God will keep me occupied with joy, not 47 00:02:37,530 --> 00:02:39,049 S2: with worry or regret. 48 00:02:39,650 --> 00:02:43,169 S1: Yeah, John, I think this is such an important idea. 49 00:02:43,250 --> 00:02:45,329 S1: You know, the, the idea that money is a good 50 00:02:45,330 --> 00:02:49,530 S1: gift from God. It's something he created. And it's for 51 00:02:49,570 --> 00:02:53,170 S1: in part, our enjoyment. I think we can miss that 52 00:02:53,490 --> 00:02:57,419 S1: in our understanding that money is dangerous, which it is. 53 00:02:57,460 --> 00:02:59,380 S1: And so we have to be on our guard. But 54 00:02:59,380 --> 00:03:02,660 S1: this enjoyment factor, I think, is often overlooked. Do you 55 00:03:02,660 --> 00:03:03,260 S1: see that? 56 00:03:03,540 --> 00:03:06,740 S2: I do. You know, it's, it's something that, uh, you know, 57 00:03:06,780 --> 00:03:09,380 S2: all of Scripture is there for our edification and benefit. 58 00:03:09,380 --> 00:03:12,740 S2: And Ecclesiastes provides such a powerful witness to that, that 59 00:03:13,060 --> 00:03:15,500 S2: of course, wealth is a temptation and a danger that's 60 00:03:15,500 --> 00:03:18,060 S2: clear in Scripture. But also, just like you said, it's 61 00:03:18,060 --> 00:03:21,460 S2: a gift from God and he loves to bless his children. Yeah. 62 00:03:21,500 --> 00:03:23,500 S2: So I'd love to, uh, walk through that cycle of 63 00:03:23,500 --> 00:03:25,020 S2: grateful living, if that sounds good. 64 00:03:25,060 --> 00:03:25,940 S1: Let's do that. 65 00:03:25,980 --> 00:03:28,139 S2: So, um, you know, when we look at that verse 19, 66 00:03:28,180 --> 00:03:30,660 S2: it gives us a pattern that I have an acronym 67 00:03:30,660 --> 00:03:32,780 S2: for that we use in the study, which is to 68 00:03:32,820 --> 00:03:35,660 S2: E a T, which of course spells eat. That seems 69 00:03:35,660 --> 00:03:38,220 S2: appropriate in a book that tells us to remember joy 70 00:03:38,220 --> 00:03:40,980 S2: in our eating and drinking. But in this case, we're 71 00:03:40,980 --> 00:03:44,940 S2: we're saying that stands for enjoy, accept, toil. E a 72 00:03:44,940 --> 00:03:49,100 S2: t okay. Um, and so e is enjoy God's provision, 73 00:03:49,100 --> 00:03:51,780 S2: just like we're saying. We begin by recognizing that everything 74 00:03:51,780 --> 00:03:54,270 S2: we have is a gift, not just our wealth, but 75 00:03:54,270 --> 00:03:57,030 S2: even the ability to enjoy it. If we have health 76 00:03:57,030 --> 00:04:00,430 S2: or freedom or relationships, these are a gift from God 77 00:04:00,430 --> 00:04:04,070 S2: that makes enjoying his gifts and creation and provision possible. 78 00:04:04,270 --> 00:04:08,670 S2: So that's to enjoy a is accept life's brevity. The 79 00:04:08,670 --> 00:04:11,270 S2: second step is to accept our lot, our few days 80 00:04:11,270 --> 00:04:14,430 S2: of life, our current season of life. Even the limitations 81 00:04:14,430 --> 00:04:18,350 S2: that we face. Ecclesiastes meditates on death a whole lot 82 00:04:18,630 --> 00:04:21,950 S2: because it's wanting us to recognize that life is short. 83 00:04:22,110 --> 00:04:24,430 S2: And when we recognize this, it gives us a greater 84 00:04:24,430 --> 00:04:27,029 S2: sense of purpose in the precious few years that we 85 00:04:27,029 --> 00:04:30,950 S2: get on earth. And then finally, T is to toil 86 00:04:30,950 --> 00:04:34,670 S2: with joy, because Ecclesiastes does call us to rejoice in 87 00:04:34,670 --> 00:04:38,310 S2: our work, and we often dream of escaping work through wealth. 88 00:04:38,670 --> 00:04:41,950 S2: But Ecclesiastes tells us that proper joy is found in 89 00:04:41,950 --> 00:04:44,190 S2: our toil, not escaping from it. 90 00:04:44,790 --> 00:04:46,590 S1: That is so good, John. Well, I can't wait to 91 00:04:46,630 --> 00:04:49,550 S1: unpack this a bit more as we begin to talk 92 00:04:49,589 --> 00:04:53,270 S1: about this cycle of grateful Living, specifically, what gets in 93 00:04:53,270 --> 00:04:56,390 S1: the way. And for those of us who have been 94 00:04:56,390 --> 00:04:59,030 S1: blessed with much, and I would say everyone listening to 95 00:04:59,070 --> 00:05:02,550 S1: this broadcast and the most prosperous nation in the history 96 00:05:02,550 --> 00:05:04,830 S1: of the world, if we have more than we need, 97 00:05:04,870 --> 00:05:08,310 S1: we've been blessed with much. But why does Joy get 98 00:05:08,310 --> 00:05:12,349 S1: choked out so often in that prosperity? We're talking today 99 00:05:12,350 --> 00:05:15,470 S1: with John Cortinas. He's the author of Faith by Study 100 00:05:15,470 --> 00:05:19,750 S1: on Ecclesiastes, Wisdom over Wealth. We're talking the cycle of 101 00:05:19,750 --> 00:05:33,349 S1: grateful living and will continue just around the corner. So 102 00:05:33,350 --> 00:05:34,870 S1: glad to have you with us today on Faith and 103 00:05:34,870 --> 00:05:38,150 S1: Finance Live. Joining me in the studio is John Cortinas. 104 00:05:38,150 --> 00:05:41,790 S1: He serves as director of grantmaking at the MacLellan Foundation. 105 00:05:41,830 --> 00:05:45,430 S1: He's also the co-author of God and Money and True Riches. 106 00:05:45,630 --> 00:05:49,070 S1: He's also the author of Faith Buys Ecclesiastes study called 107 00:05:49,070 --> 00:05:52,919 S1: Wisdom Over wealth. You can pick up a copy@faith.com slash. 108 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:59,200 S1: That's faith.com slash. Today we're diving into one part of 109 00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:02,880 S1: that study, what John calls the cycle of grateful living. 110 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:07,240 S1: And he unpacked that around an acronym eat to enjoy 111 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:13,760 S1: God's provision. Accept life's brevity and toil with joy. And John, 112 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:16,360 S1: it's safe to say that most of us wrestle at 113 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:20,520 S1: times with feeling truly grateful or joyful in the rhythms 114 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:22,840 S1: of daily life. What do you think tends to get 115 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:24,160 S1: in the way for most of us? 116 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:27,800 S2: Well, you know, if Ecclesiastes calls us to enjoy provision, 117 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,720 S2: accept life's brevity, and rejoice in our toil, I think 118 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:32,920 S2: it's interesting to say what would be the opposite. I 119 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:36,040 S2: could take God's provision for granted, forgetting to be content 120 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:39,000 S2: and grateful. I could never think about how precious and 121 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,080 S2: short life is. And I just trudge along day by 122 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:43,279 S2: day and not give it much thought. And I can 123 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:46,000 S2: complain and bicker about my toil and my work. Dreaming 124 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:48,730 S2: about some far off day when I can escape the 125 00:06:49,050 --> 00:06:52,849 S2: rat race. Yeah, but really, how miserable is that compared 126 00:06:52,850 --> 00:06:56,690 S2: to the positive vision that scripture gives? The big idea 127 00:06:57,050 --> 00:07:00,330 S2: is that this biblical financial vision is not about a 128 00:07:00,330 --> 00:07:04,170 S2: someday that I should achieve with good planning, but about today, 129 00:07:04,170 --> 00:07:06,890 S2: where I'm in the presence of Christ, content and joyful 130 00:07:06,890 --> 00:07:09,369 S2: as I'm toiling along in the life he's given me. 131 00:07:09,930 --> 00:07:12,570 S2: You know, there's this really popular idea out there called 132 00:07:12,570 --> 00:07:17,130 S2: fire or financial independence. Retire early. And, um, there's some 133 00:07:17,130 --> 00:07:19,650 S2: interesting ideas there. But also, I think there's a real danger. 134 00:07:19,650 --> 00:07:22,090 S2: I used to really think this way and it's if 135 00:07:22,090 --> 00:07:25,290 S2: I can slave away hard enough, live frugally enough, stockpile 136 00:07:25,290 --> 00:07:28,010 S2: enough money for 10 or 20 years, someday I'll own 137 00:07:28,050 --> 00:07:30,130 S2: my own time. I'll just kick back and do whatever 138 00:07:30,130 --> 00:07:33,770 S2: I want. It sounds attractive, but really it's a mirage 139 00:07:34,130 --> 00:07:37,250 S2: because the human condition is to be oriented to a purpose, 140 00:07:37,250 --> 00:07:40,050 S2: to work. Now, am I saying you should stay? You know, 141 00:07:40,130 --> 00:07:42,650 S2: stay in a job that's miserable with an abusive boss 142 00:07:42,650 --> 00:07:45,130 S2: or whatever? No, of course not. But look, even if 143 00:07:45,170 --> 00:07:47,410 S2: you're retired, it's not. So you can sit on the 144 00:07:47,450 --> 00:07:50,210 S2: beach for 20 years. We're all made by God to 145 00:07:50,250 --> 00:07:53,490 S2: toil in a wholesome way, to work at accomplishing something 146 00:07:53,490 --> 00:07:55,970 S2: good and beautiful. And as we do that, to be 147 00:07:55,970 --> 00:07:59,330 S2: content and rejoice with gratitude as we do it. So 148 00:07:59,330 --> 00:08:01,930 S2: that vision of getting away from work forever, that's a 149 00:08:01,930 --> 00:08:04,290 S2: dream that ultimately won't satisfy our hearts. 150 00:08:04,570 --> 00:08:06,970 S1: Oh, wow. Yeah. That is such a big idea. I'm 151 00:08:06,970 --> 00:08:09,850 S1: glad you called that out, John. In the study, you 152 00:08:09,850 --> 00:08:13,890 S1: offer another powerful insight that while many people today are 153 00:08:13,890 --> 00:08:19,210 S1: wealthy by historical standards, very few actually experience joy in 154 00:08:19,250 --> 00:08:22,970 S1: their prosperity. It's a striking observation, isn't it? 155 00:08:23,010 --> 00:08:25,570 S2: It really is. And in the context of human history, 156 00:08:25,570 --> 00:08:28,410 S2: like you point out, especially in the developed world, we 157 00:08:28,410 --> 00:08:32,329 S2: live like royalty, an upper middle class family today. If 158 00:08:32,330 --> 00:08:34,969 S2: we've got air conditioning and cars and clean water and 159 00:08:34,970 --> 00:08:39,050 S2: food and an annual vacation and good housing. We're living 160 00:08:39,050 --> 00:08:42,610 S2: like European royalty from just 300 years ago, and yet 161 00:08:42,650 --> 00:08:46,420 S2: we're often anxious and stressed and unsatisfied. I was talking 162 00:08:46,420 --> 00:08:48,660 S2: with someone recently and the word billionaire came up and 163 00:08:48,660 --> 00:08:51,020 S2: he said, oh, I know lots of billionaires and I 164 00:08:51,020 --> 00:08:54,660 S2: wouldn't trade places with him. They're as unhappy as anyone else. 165 00:08:54,980 --> 00:08:58,380 S2: So clearly money isn't the answer in its own. And 166 00:08:58,380 --> 00:09:00,780 S2: I'd say that's why this cycle of grateful living from 167 00:09:00,780 --> 00:09:03,820 S2: Scripture is so needed. It teaches us how to engage 168 00:09:03,820 --> 00:09:07,060 S2: with our wealth rather than just chase after more endlessly. 169 00:09:07,300 --> 00:09:11,060 S1: Yeah. That's right. And the preacher in Ecclesiastes, I think 170 00:09:11,059 --> 00:09:14,300 S1: we believe at least was King Solomon. So he speaks 171 00:09:14,300 --> 00:09:15,860 S1: with authority on this, doesn't he? 172 00:09:16,140 --> 00:09:18,580 S2: That's right. He had plenty of of wealth and the 173 00:09:18,580 --> 00:09:21,540 S2: opportunity to enjoy it, but didn't find satisfaction there. 174 00:09:21,580 --> 00:09:24,260 S1: Yeah. That's right. Now, John, you also draw a connection 175 00:09:24,260 --> 00:09:29,020 S1: between the wisdom of Ecclesiastes and Jesus teaching in Luke 12. 176 00:09:29,020 --> 00:09:30,980 S1: I'd love for you to spend a minute or so 177 00:09:30,980 --> 00:09:32,220 S1: unpacking that for us. 178 00:09:32,620 --> 00:09:35,460 S2: Sure. Well, in Luke 12, it's a great financial chapter. 179 00:09:35,460 --> 00:09:38,140 S2: And Jesus reminds us there of the birds and the flowers. 180 00:09:38,140 --> 00:09:40,540 S2: They don't worry and yet their needs are met. And 181 00:09:40,540 --> 00:09:42,630 S2: he points out that we're so much more valuable than 182 00:09:42,630 --> 00:09:46,109 S2: they are. And it's interesting because this is very comforting, 183 00:09:46,110 --> 00:09:49,790 S2: but also sobering. It's comforting because God is our provider 184 00:09:49,790 --> 00:09:51,829 S2: and he cares for us in the days that he's 185 00:09:51,830 --> 00:09:55,030 S2: ordained for us on this earth. But it's also sobering 186 00:09:55,030 --> 00:09:57,910 S2: because like flowers and birds, we have a short life 187 00:09:57,910 --> 00:10:00,670 S2: on God's earth. Our time here is brief and it's 188 00:10:00,670 --> 00:10:03,829 S2: going to pass by. James actually says this in chapter 189 00:10:03,830 --> 00:10:06,110 S2: one of his letter. The rich will pass away like 190 00:10:06,110 --> 00:10:09,990 S2: a wild flower. So God provides for that wild flower generously, 191 00:10:09,990 --> 00:10:13,270 S2: but the time to bloom is short. So therefore, again, 192 00:10:13,270 --> 00:10:16,590 S2: let's enjoy God's provision while we're here, accept our limitations 193 00:10:16,590 --> 00:10:19,590 S2: and the brevity of life, and rejoice in our toil. 194 00:10:19,830 --> 00:10:22,910 S2: And let's walk with Christ faithfully for each precious short 195 00:10:22,910 --> 00:10:24,030 S2: day that he gives us. 196 00:10:24,270 --> 00:10:26,870 S1: Yeah. That's right. John, let's go back for a moment 197 00:10:26,870 --> 00:10:29,189 S1: to verse 20. I'm going to read it for us. 198 00:10:29,190 --> 00:10:31,910 S1: It says he will not much remember the days of 199 00:10:31,910 --> 00:10:35,630 S1: his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy 200 00:10:35,630 --> 00:10:39,110 S1: in his heart. What does that kind of life look 201 00:10:39,110 --> 00:10:41,470 S1: like in your view? In practical terms? 202 00:10:41,590 --> 00:10:43,590 S2: Well, I love this verse and it's a challenge to 203 00:10:43,590 --> 00:10:46,230 S2: me personally, but I think it looks like presents like 204 00:10:46,230 --> 00:10:49,189 S2: a low anxiety life. Remember that image of the birds, right? 205 00:10:49,230 --> 00:10:51,790 S2: They're not anxious about tomorrow. They're just living their happy 206 00:10:51,790 --> 00:10:54,950 S2: little bird lives, trusting in God's provision. So I have 207 00:10:54,950 --> 00:10:57,870 S2: a grateful heart. It's too full and happily busy to 208 00:10:57,910 --> 00:11:00,790 S2: obsess over regrets or compare to others, or get anxious 209 00:11:00,790 --> 00:11:05,190 S2: about financial uncertainties. So personally, whenever I get too spun 210 00:11:05,190 --> 00:11:08,750 S2: up over the geopolitical environment or a work deadline or 211 00:11:08,750 --> 00:11:11,350 S2: where my retirement account balance is, I try to step 212 00:11:11,350 --> 00:11:13,510 S2: back and say, no, no, let's invite Jesus Christ into 213 00:11:13,510 --> 00:11:16,190 S2: this moment. I want to ask his help to help 214 00:11:16,190 --> 00:11:19,110 S2: me do that. E a t cycle again to enjoy 215 00:11:19,110 --> 00:11:23,750 S2: God's gifts, accept life's brevity, and rejoice in my toil, 216 00:11:24,030 --> 00:11:27,270 S2: because it's a remarkable privilege to be alive in this moment, 217 00:11:27,429 --> 00:11:30,590 S2: to have even the opportunity to toil. Ecclesiastes points out 218 00:11:30,590 --> 00:11:33,510 S2: that every previous generation, their turn has come and gone 219 00:11:33,510 --> 00:11:36,070 S2: on this earth. But we're still here. It's our turn 220 00:11:36,070 --> 00:11:38,510 S2: right now to honor God as we look to an 221 00:11:38,679 --> 00:11:41,880 S2: eternity of hope in Christ up ahead. So let's not 222 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:44,840 S2: spin our wheels in stress. Let's be content like those birds, 223 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:47,880 S2: like those flowers in the precious moment, sustained by the 224 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:50,920 S2: generous hand of God and able to joyfully engage in 225 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:53,360 S2: the tasks that he puts in front of us. That's 226 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:55,360 S2: the kind of life that God longs for us to live. 227 00:11:55,559 --> 00:11:58,440 S1: Yeah. John, as we begin to wrap up here, I'd 228 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:01,720 S1: love for you to share just kind of any practical 229 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:06,360 S1: rhythms you've put in place in your life. Um, as 230 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:09,680 S1: you've obviously done a deep dive into Ecclesiastes and really 231 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:13,400 S1: processed this at a philosophical level, is there anything that 232 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:16,480 S1: kind of comes to mind that you've done that has 233 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:17,560 S1: been helpful to you? 234 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:20,599 S2: You know, one thing that's really struck me is contentment, 235 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:23,280 S2: not just on the level of here's the amount of 236 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:25,640 S2: financial provision I have. Let me be content with it. 237 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:29,120 S2: But actually contentment in a much larger, almost call it 238 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:32,640 S2: a whole life sense. You know, I'm part of the generation. 239 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:36,000 S2: I'm a millennial. And we grew up being told, work hard, 240 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,689 S2: dream big. You can do anything. You can be anything. 241 00:12:38,690 --> 00:12:41,730 S2: You can be president. You can be an astronaut. And 242 00:12:41,730 --> 00:12:45,929 S2: part of the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, in embracing our lot 243 00:12:45,970 --> 00:12:49,250 S2: or embracing the limits of our life, is to really 244 00:12:49,250 --> 00:12:53,770 S2: recognize that there's a smallness to our life. And and 245 00:12:53,770 --> 00:12:57,089 S2: that's different to think in those terms. But Christ is 246 00:12:57,090 --> 00:13:00,450 S2: the one who's big and great and eternal and glorious. 247 00:13:00,610 --> 00:13:03,090 S2: I'm actually really small, and I'm not going to be 248 00:13:03,090 --> 00:13:05,490 S2: here on this earth for long. But in the days 249 00:13:05,490 --> 00:13:08,850 S2: he's given me, let me glorify him and live in 250 00:13:08,890 --> 00:13:12,610 S2: that kind of contentment. And that actually helps me avoid, uh, 251 00:13:12,610 --> 00:13:14,890 S2: kind of that discontentment of, well, my life should have 252 00:13:14,890 --> 00:13:17,370 S2: turned out for more. I could have accomplished more and 253 00:13:17,370 --> 00:13:20,970 S2: been more. Say no, actually, Christ has accomplished it all. 254 00:13:21,250 --> 00:13:23,170 S2: And if he's put me here, I'm going to glorify 255 00:13:23,170 --> 00:13:25,050 S2: him and let that be enough for me. 256 00:13:25,090 --> 00:13:27,370 S1: Well, yeah, that's well said. And I guess the bottom 257 00:13:27,370 --> 00:13:30,449 S1: line is, John, when we choose to be grateful, we 258 00:13:30,450 --> 00:13:33,890 S1: can enjoy God's provision and accept life's brevity and then 259 00:13:33,890 --> 00:13:35,650 S1: rejoice in our toil, right? 260 00:13:35,690 --> 00:13:37,850 S2: That is that cycle of grateful living. 261 00:13:38,050 --> 00:13:41,210 S1: Wow. Yeah. That's powerful. Well, unfortunately, we're out of time, 262 00:13:41,210 --> 00:13:42,770 S1: so we're going to have to have you back. But 263 00:13:42,770 --> 00:13:45,450 S1: I really appreciate your time today and for the work 264 00:13:45,490 --> 00:13:49,570 S1: you put into wisdom over wealth. What an incredible resource. 265 00:13:49,570 --> 00:13:51,730 S1: And I hope our listeners will pick up a copy. 266 00:13:51,770 --> 00:13:52,770 S1: Thanks for your time today. 267 00:13:52,809 --> 00:13:54,050 S2: Thanks for having me on, Rob. 268 00:13:54,090 --> 00:13:56,650 S1: That was our friend and author, John Martinez. If you'd 269 00:13:56,650 --> 00:14:00,010 S1: like to explore the joy of grateful living more deeply. 270 00:14:00,050 --> 00:14:01,689 S1: Be sure to check out our study on the book 271 00:14:01,690 --> 00:14:05,890 S1: of Ecclesiastes called Wisdom over Wealth. It's a resource that 272 00:14:05,890 --> 00:14:09,930 S1: can truly reshape the way you think about money and stewardship. 273 00:14:10,090 --> 00:14:17,370 S1: You'll find it at viktorwrites.com. That's faith.com. We'll be right back. 274 00:14:29,770 --> 00:14:32,610 S3: The opinions offered during this program represent the personal or 275 00:14:32,700 --> 00:14:36,700 S3: professional opinions of the participants given for informational purposes only. 276 00:14:36,940 --> 00:14:40,220 S3: Any information provided is not intended to replace advice from 277 00:14:40,220 --> 00:14:44,020 S3: a financial, medical, legal or other professional who understands your 278 00:14:44,020 --> 00:14:45,420 S3: specific situation. 279 00:14:53,380 --> 00:14:55,100 S1: Great to have you with us today on Faith and 280 00:14:55,100 --> 00:14:57,780 S1: Finance Live. I'm Rob West. We're taking your calls and 281 00:14:57,780 --> 00:15:02,900 S1: questions today. That number to call 800 525 7000. That's 282 00:15:02,900 --> 00:15:07,300 S1: 800 525 7000. We want to dive into those things 283 00:15:07,300 --> 00:15:09,980 S1: you're wrestling with in your financial life today. See if 284 00:15:09,980 --> 00:15:13,300 S1: we can apply biblical wisdom, starting with God owning it all. 285 00:15:13,300 --> 00:15:16,780 S1: You and I are stewards were managers of God's resources. 286 00:15:16,780 --> 00:15:19,540 S1: If God is our ultimate treasure and money is a tool, 287 00:15:19,540 --> 00:15:22,460 S1: then it's a good gift from a good God that 288 00:15:22,460 --> 00:15:25,140 S1: allows us to use it to enjoy. That's clear in 289 00:15:25,140 --> 00:15:28,940 S1: First Timothy, among other places in God's Word to save appropriately. 290 00:15:28,940 --> 00:15:33,510 S1: Remember Joseph, he set aside 20% for leaner times, and 291 00:15:33,510 --> 00:15:35,950 S1: that prepared him well for the famine. We see that 292 00:15:35,950 --> 00:15:39,590 S1: in the book of Proverbs as well. To invest strategically, 293 00:15:39,590 --> 00:15:42,150 S1: the Bible talks about the welfare of the city. And 294 00:15:42,150 --> 00:15:46,550 S1: when we invest God's capital into productive ventures that are 295 00:15:46,550 --> 00:15:49,470 S1: blessing and serving others well, we're a part of bringing 296 00:15:49,470 --> 00:15:53,110 S1: about God's redemptive purposes in the world. We also enjoy it. 297 00:15:53,110 --> 00:15:55,310 S1: Jon Cortina spoke to that. What does it look like 298 00:15:55,310 --> 00:15:59,750 S1: to enjoy God's resources in a way that is appropriate, 299 00:15:59,750 --> 00:16:02,950 S1: and that involves a conversation between you and the Lord 300 00:16:02,950 --> 00:16:06,670 S1: about how much is enough to give it generously, because 301 00:16:06,710 --> 00:16:09,750 S1: as an overflow and an acknowledgement of the grace that 302 00:16:09,750 --> 00:16:13,590 S1: we've received, the recipients of the unmerited favor that we 303 00:16:13,590 --> 00:16:18,190 S1: had bestowed upon us through, ultimately the death and resurrection 304 00:16:18,190 --> 00:16:21,270 S1: of Jesus, taking upon himself the sins of the world. 305 00:16:21,510 --> 00:16:24,590 S1: We then have the opportunity, those who have, who have 306 00:16:24,590 --> 00:16:27,510 S1: seen what Christ has done on our behalf, out of 307 00:16:27,510 --> 00:16:31,190 S1: an overflow of gratitude to the grace to be, among 308 00:16:31,230 --> 00:16:35,590 S1: other things, generous people live generously, and that includes taking 309 00:16:35,590 --> 00:16:37,990 S1: a portion of what God has entrusted to us to 310 00:16:38,030 --> 00:16:41,510 S1: give it away and to meet the needs of others, 311 00:16:41,510 --> 00:16:45,630 S1: including supplying capital to our local church. So all of 312 00:16:45,630 --> 00:16:47,990 S1: those things are very biblical, but we want to see 313 00:16:47,990 --> 00:16:50,430 S1: how they intersect with the things going on in your life, 314 00:16:50,430 --> 00:16:54,150 S1: the very practical issues and questions you're wrestling with. So 315 00:16:54,190 --> 00:16:56,510 S1: if you have a question today on debt repayment or 316 00:16:56,510 --> 00:17:00,550 S1: Social security or preparing for the future, investing wisely, giving 317 00:17:00,550 --> 00:17:03,470 S1: generously call right now we've got lines open that won't 318 00:17:03,470 --> 00:17:08,470 S1: last for long. The number 800 525 7000 again, that's 319 00:17:08,470 --> 00:17:12,990 S1: 800 525 7000. And we'll dive into those questions here 320 00:17:12,990 --> 00:17:15,630 S1: in just a moment. In the news today, gas prices 321 00:17:15,630 --> 00:17:20,469 S1: may soon ease after oil markets reacted to the temporary 322 00:17:20,470 --> 00:17:24,750 S1: ceasefire between the US and Iran. The agreement, at least 323 00:17:24,990 --> 00:17:29,240 S1: for the most of today, has allowed for the reopening 324 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:33,200 S1: of the Strait of Hormuz to tanker tanker traffic. That is, 325 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:38,119 S1: of course, going to boost supply. Oil prices dropped sharply today, 326 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:43,159 S1: with U.S. crude falling from about $113 a barrel to. 327 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:47,600 S1: At last check, I saw $95 a barrel. Analysts expected 328 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:51,240 S1: gas prices could decline by 10 to $0.20 per gallon 329 00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:54,719 S1: in the coming weeks, offering, we'll call it modest relief. 330 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:58,800 S1: This outlook, of course, depends on the ceasefire holding. The 331 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:04,119 S1: national average gas price currently sits at around $4.16 a gallon. 332 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:08,440 S1: That's up from under $3 before the conflict began. While 333 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:12,840 S1: prices have been higher in recent years, uncertainty remains. Even 334 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:17,560 S1: with improved supply, seasonal factors. And we're talking about the 335 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:21,600 S1: shift to more expensive summer gasoline and increased travel demand 336 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:25,890 S1: that may slow the price declines back to levels that 337 00:18:25,890 --> 00:18:29,930 S1: we became accustomed to. Experts warn that geopolitical risks in 338 00:18:29,930 --> 00:18:33,730 S1: the Middle East could keep oil prices elevated, and any 339 00:18:33,730 --> 00:18:38,610 S1: renewed conflict could quickly send gas prices higher again. In 340 00:18:38,650 --> 00:18:42,290 S1: times of global uncertainty, we're invited to turn our attention 341 00:18:42,290 --> 00:18:44,570 S1: to the Lord in prayer. We can ask God to 342 00:18:44,609 --> 00:18:46,970 S1: guide leaders with wisdom. I hope you're doing that. I 343 00:18:46,970 --> 00:18:49,250 S1: did that just this morning as I was with a 344 00:18:49,250 --> 00:18:51,810 S1: group of people praying for our leaders. We can ask 345 00:18:51,810 --> 00:18:54,810 S1: him to protect lives and to bring about lasting peace 346 00:18:54,810 --> 00:18:59,690 S1: in this region. Even as tensions fluctuate, our hope remains 347 00:18:59,690 --> 00:19:02,890 S1: steady in the Lord, who sees every need and holds 348 00:19:02,890 --> 00:19:07,810 S1: every nation in his hands. He reigns supreme. He is 349 00:19:08,250 --> 00:19:12,010 S1: the ruler, the creator of everything. We can trust him 350 00:19:12,170 --> 00:19:14,010 S1: in the midst of the uncertainty. We live in a 351 00:19:14,010 --> 00:19:16,930 S1: fallen world, but God is our rock and our strength 352 00:19:16,930 --> 00:19:19,889 S1: and our refuge in time of need. Hopefully that's a 353 00:19:19,890 --> 00:19:22,610 S1: good reminder for you today. I know it something I'm 354 00:19:22,650 --> 00:19:25,330 S1: talking to myself at the same time. Hey, we want 355 00:19:25,369 --> 00:19:27,209 S1: to take your calls today. The lines are filling up. 356 00:19:27,210 --> 00:19:28,930 S1: We've still got room for you at the moment. Call 357 00:19:28,930 --> 00:19:33,250 S1: right now. 800 525 7000. Let's dive in. Today we'll 358 00:19:33,250 --> 00:19:35,010 S1: begin in Florida. Dave. Go ahead. 359 00:19:35,890 --> 00:19:38,169 S4: Yes. Hi, Rob. Thanks for taking my call. I appreciate 360 00:19:38,170 --> 00:19:40,610 S4: your show. God bless you and the work you do 361 00:19:40,609 --> 00:19:45,450 S4: for Faith financial. Um, I have a question that I 362 00:19:45,450 --> 00:19:48,010 S4: think I think you already answered, but I just really 363 00:19:48,010 --> 00:19:52,850 S4: want to know why. Um, the other day about, um, 364 00:19:53,210 --> 00:19:56,690 S4: continuing work in their 65 continue, they're going to continue work, 365 00:19:56,690 --> 00:20:00,370 S4: but you suggest that they do apply for Medicare. 366 00:20:01,570 --> 00:20:02,010 S1: HMM. 367 00:20:02,290 --> 00:20:06,250 S4: Just want to know why you, um, would, would do that. 368 00:20:06,290 --> 00:20:10,409 S1: Yes. Good question. So, uh, this comes up a lot, uh, 369 00:20:10,410 --> 00:20:13,290 S1: at age 65, and it really depends on the size 370 00:20:13,290 --> 00:20:16,890 S1: of the employer and your current coverage. So if someone 371 00:20:16,890 --> 00:20:21,290 S1: has coverage from an employee with 20 or more employees, 372 00:20:21,619 --> 00:20:25,139 S1: then you can certainly delay enrolling in Medicare Part B 373 00:20:25,180 --> 00:20:30,419 S1: and D without penalty. Uh, your employer insurance remains primary, 374 00:20:30,660 --> 00:20:34,460 S1: and Medicare would be secondary if you enroll. So often 375 00:20:34,500 --> 00:20:38,100 S1: the best choice is if the employer plan is good 376 00:20:38,100 --> 00:20:41,659 S1: and affordable. Um, you know, or if you're contributing to 377 00:20:41,700 --> 00:20:45,300 S1: a health savings account, um, enrolling in any part of 378 00:20:45,300 --> 00:20:49,700 S1: Medicare stops HSA contributions. So you certainly would want to 379 00:20:49,740 --> 00:20:53,740 S1: delay if that's the case. Um, but you could certainly 380 00:20:53,740 --> 00:20:57,180 S1: still enroll in part A, which is the hospital insurance 381 00:20:57,180 --> 00:21:00,780 S1: because that's free. Uh, but only if you're not contributing 382 00:21:00,820 --> 00:21:03,980 S1: to an HSA because again, as soon as you enroll, 383 00:21:04,020 --> 00:21:06,739 S1: even with that free part A, you would not be 384 00:21:06,740 --> 00:21:10,179 S1: able to contribute any longer. If you though have coverage 385 00:21:10,180 --> 00:21:12,820 S1: from a small employer, less than 20 employees or no 386 00:21:12,820 --> 00:21:16,220 S1: employer plan, then absolutely you need to enroll in Medicare 387 00:21:16,220 --> 00:21:21,910 S1: at 65 because Medicare becomes primary and delaying leads to 388 00:21:21,950 --> 00:21:26,630 S1: the the permanent late enrollment penalty and gaps in coverage. 389 00:21:26,670 --> 00:21:27,550 S1: Does that make sense? 390 00:21:28,470 --> 00:21:31,790 S4: Yes, you answered that question. I do contribute to HSA. 391 00:21:31,830 --> 00:21:34,350 S4: I don't want to stop that. I don't want to enroll. 392 00:21:34,630 --> 00:21:35,830 S1: Yeah, that's exactly right. 393 00:21:36,590 --> 00:21:39,350 S4: When I do come time to enroll, when do I 394 00:21:39,350 --> 00:21:42,150 S4: stop HSA to be not penalized? 395 00:21:42,350 --> 00:21:44,870 S1: Ah. Got it. Yeah, that's a good question. Let's do this. 396 00:21:44,869 --> 00:21:47,790 S1: Hang right there, Dave, and I'll tackle that part. Uh, 397 00:21:47,790 --> 00:21:51,230 S1: just on the other side. Doug. Antoinette. Coming your way 398 00:21:51,230 --> 00:22:01,350 S1: as well. We'll be right back. Thanks for joining us 399 00:22:01,350 --> 00:22:04,070 S1: today on Faith and Finance Live. I'm Rob West. We're 400 00:22:04,070 --> 00:22:08,869 S1: taking your calls and questions today 800 525 7000. Uh, 401 00:22:08,869 --> 00:22:11,189 S1: before the break, we were talking to Dave in Florida. 402 00:22:11,190 --> 00:22:14,910 S1: He is continuing to work even though he's 65, has 403 00:22:14,990 --> 00:22:19,030 S1: an employer plan that involves an HSA. And he's just wondering, 404 00:22:19,030 --> 00:22:22,470 S1: how do I coordinate my Medicare enrollment when I do 405 00:22:22,910 --> 00:22:26,510 S1: plan to retire so that I don't inadvertently, you know, 406 00:22:26,550 --> 00:22:29,510 S1: get caught with any penalties or anything like that? And 407 00:22:29,510 --> 00:22:32,550 S1: the key role that I shared before the break, Dave, 408 00:22:32,550 --> 00:22:35,590 S1: which I think is really the key idea, is that, 409 00:22:35,950 --> 00:22:38,230 S1: you know, you don't want to enroll in any part 410 00:22:38,230 --> 00:22:41,750 S1: of Medicare, even something that doesn't have a premium like 411 00:22:41,750 --> 00:22:46,030 S1: part A, because that would eliminate your ability to contribute 412 00:22:46,030 --> 00:22:48,750 S1: to an HSA. Now, one of the things most people 413 00:22:48,750 --> 00:22:52,510 S1: miss is that when you enroll in Medicare after 65, 414 00:22:52,550 --> 00:22:56,950 S1: your part A is retroactive up to six months, but 415 00:22:56,950 --> 00:23:01,310 S1: not earlier than 65. So if you sign up at, say, 416 00:23:01,350 --> 00:23:05,230 S1: age 68 because you've got other coverage that includes an 417 00:23:05,230 --> 00:23:09,030 S1: HSA and you're still working, and then you apply for Medicare, 418 00:23:09,070 --> 00:23:12,430 S1: they'll backdate your part a six months and you're not 419 00:23:12,430 --> 00:23:17,679 S1: allowed to have made HSA contribution contributions during those six months. 420 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:19,760 S1: So typically what you'd want to do is stop the 421 00:23:19,760 --> 00:23:24,160 S1: contributions six months before you plan to enroll in Medicare. 422 00:23:24,160 --> 00:23:28,160 S1: So you don't have any excess contributions and penalties. Then 423 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:32,560 S1: enroll in Medicare using that special enrollment period, which is 424 00:23:32,720 --> 00:23:36,320 S1: allows you to do so without any penalty from Medicare 425 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:39,760 S1: because you still had coverage. Um, but once you separate 426 00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:42,520 S1: from service, then you'll want to enroll in that special 427 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:45,560 S1: enrollment period. And at that point, you'll sign up for A, 428 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:50,000 S1: B and D or a Medicare Advantage plan. Um, so 429 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:51,880 S1: that would be kind of the way you coordinate that. 430 00:23:51,880 --> 00:23:55,040 S1: And then obviously, even though you're not contributing anymore, then 431 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:59,480 S1: you could use the HSA balance, whatever you've accumulated for 432 00:23:59,520 --> 00:24:03,560 S1: qualified medical related expenses, that could be an additional source 433 00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:08,040 S1: of tax advantaged resources in retirement. Does that make sense? 434 00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:10,600 S4: Yes, yes. Thank you very much for letting me know. 435 00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:12,840 S4: I just wanted to coordinate, like you said, when I 436 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:14,000 S4: when I'm ready to leave. 437 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:16,960 S1: Live? Excellent. Thanks for your call, sir. Call any time. 438 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:19,240 S1: We're glad to have you on the program today. Let's 439 00:24:19,240 --> 00:24:21,600 S1: go to New York. Doug, how can I help you? 440 00:24:21,880 --> 00:24:24,879 S5: Hello, Rob. It's always a pleasure and appreciate your expertise 441 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:25,639 S5: and wisdom. 442 00:24:25,800 --> 00:24:26,399 S1: Thank you. 443 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:29,800 S5: I'm looking at buying an older, permanent trailer in a 444 00:24:29,800 --> 00:24:34,200 S5: senior citizen trailer park for winter residence in Florida. And 445 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:36,800 S5: I'm familiar with stick built homes, but I'm new to 446 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:42,720 S5: trailer construction other than thorough inspection, including termites. Anything else 447 00:24:42,720 --> 00:24:46,240 S5: I should be aware of? Yeah, okay to use majority 448 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:47,760 S5: of savings for my purchase. 449 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:51,120 S1: Yeah. Great questions. Let's take these one at a time. 450 00:24:51,119 --> 00:24:54,760 S1: So I would categorize this as a lifestyle purchase. Not 451 00:24:54,760 --> 00:24:59,320 S1: really a great investment in the traditional sense. Um, you know, 452 00:24:59,359 --> 00:25:02,800 S1: so if you get an affordable entry point, which, you know, 453 00:25:02,840 --> 00:25:05,320 S1: often would be far cheaper than a condo or a 454 00:25:05,359 --> 00:25:08,520 S1: single family home, which is, you know, ideal for, let's say, 455 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:11,840 S1: a snowbird or part time living. Um, you know, many 456 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:15,250 S1: of these parks offer some nice amenities, and then you 457 00:25:15,250 --> 00:25:18,209 S1: can have lower taxes and maintenance costs. So it's a 458 00:25:18,330 --> 00:25:21,449 S1: great way to enjoy Florida at a lower cost, a 459 00:25:21,450 --> 00:25:25,850 S1: lower entry point. It's not a great investment because most 460 00:25:25,890 --> 00:25:30,970 S1: of mobile homes depreciate over time. And so the real 461 00:25:30,970 --> 00:25:33,650 S1: value is in the land and in a trailer park. 462 00:25:33,690 --> 00:25:37,650 S1: You don't own it. So you're likely paying a lot rent, 463 00:25:37,650 --> 00:25:40,570 S1: which could be, you know, 500 to 1000 a month. 464 00:25:40,850 --> 00:25:45,450 S1: And if the lot rents are rising over time, that 465 00:25:45,450 --> 00:25:49,689 S1: could erode some long term value. Um, and so, you know, 466 00:25:49,730 --> 00:25:53,290 S1: real estate typically builds wealth because of the land. And 467 00:25:53,330 --> 00:25:56,730 S1: in this case, you don't own it. And in terms 468 00:25:56,730 --> 00:25:59,770 S1: of whether they hold their value, you know, it really depends. 469 00:25:59,770 --> 00:26:04,330 S1: As I said, they often depreciate, um, a newer manufactured 470 00:26:04,330 --> 00:26:08,010 S1: home could appreciate some, um, but it's going to be 471 00:26:08,010 --> 00:26:11,660 S1: certainly less reliable than a traditional home, and it's far 472 00:26:11,660 --> 00:26:15,260 S1: more dependent on your location, the condition, the quality of 473 00:26:15,300 --> 00:26:18,020 S1: the of the park where it's located. So it doesn't 474 00:26:18,020 --> 00:26:21,580 S1: always behave like a house. Um, what would you consider? 475 00:26:21,580 --> 00:26:24,500 S1: I think the lot rent and increases are the biggest 476 00:26:24,500 --> 00:26:28,100 S1: hidden risk. So I would be asking how often has 477 00:26:28,100 --> 00:26:32,340 S1: rent increased? Is the park corporate owned which is more 478 00:26:32,340 --> 00:26:36,660 S1: likely to raise rents or is it, you know, privately owned? Uh, 479 00:26:36,660 --> 00:26:39,460 S1: you'd want to understand, is it land ownership versus leased 480 00:26:39,500 --> 00:26:42,020 S1: land own owning the land is going to be a 481 00:26:42,020 --> 00:26:46,060 S1: much better investment. Um, are there any rules and restrictions, 482 00:26:46,060 --> 00:26:49,020 S1: either age or rental restrictions? Do you have the ability 483 00:26:49,020 --> 00:26:52,020 S1: to rent it out? What's the financial health of the, 484 00:26:52,060 --> 00:26:55,300 S1: of the park you're in? Um, you want to in 485 00:26:55,300 --> 00:26:58,700 S1: Florida always understand the weather risk, hurricanes and flooding and 486 00:26:58,700 --> 00:27:03,340 S1: wind damage. Obviously the premiums on the insurance can vary wildly. 487 00:27:03,340 --> 00:27:06,580 S1: And then, um, you know, what about your exit strategy? 488 00:27:06,619 --> 00:27:10,180 S1: How easy are they to sell? What do similar units 489 00:27:10,180 --> 00:27:14,139 S1: sell for? Is the demand strong? And then finally, you know, 490 00:27:14,180 --> 00:27:18,180 S1: what's the quality of the community or the HOA. I think, 491 00:27:18,220 --> 00:27:19,980 S1: you know those would be the biggest factors. 492 00:27:21,340 --> 00:27:23,179 S5: This is a unique part because we do own the 493 00:27:23,180 --> 00:27:24,420 S5: land when you buy the trailer. 494 00:27:24,580 --> 00:27:28,140 S1: Okay. Yeah. So that's obviously, um, you know, a key 495 00:27:28,140 --> 00:27:31,419 S1: piece here, um, which would give you the ability to 496 00:27:31,460 --> 00:27:36,140 S1: have some appreciation, uh, with regard to something that acts 497 00:27:36,140 --> 00:27:40,660 S1: maybe closer to a traditional real estate investment because now 498 00:27:40,660 --> 00:27:44,260 S1: you own an appreciating asset. There's no lot rent risk. 499 00:27:44,380 --> 00:27:49,220 S1: You got greater control and flexibility. Um, and so, you know, 500 00:27:49,260 --> 00:27:52,659 S1: will it hold its value with the land? Should. Yes. 501 00:27:52,660 --> 00:27:55,940 S1: And could even appreciate over time. The mobile home structure 502 00:27:55,940 --> 00:28:00,220 S1: itself could still depreciate. But I would say, you know, 503 00:28:00,260 --> 00:28:03,300 S1: with you owning the dirt underneath, you could certainly hold 504 00:28:03,300 --> 00:28:05,540 S1: value or even see some appreciation. 505 00:28:05,580 --> 00:28:07,909 S5: You think about using majority of my savings for the 506 00:28:07,910 --> 00:28:09,750 S5: purchase if it meets my expectations? 507 00:28:09,790 --> 00:28:13,149 S1: Yeah. What? So give me a little breakdown on what 508 00:28:13,150 --> 00:28:15,429 S1: will you have left and how many months worth of 509 00:28:15,430 --> 00:28:17,790 S1: expenses in your emergency fund when you're done? 510 00:28:18,350 --> 00:28:20,109 S5: Um, well that's right, the other part of it too. 511 00:28:20,150 --> 00:28:23,670 S5: I've got a 401 K and a conventional IRA. So 512 00:28:23,950 --> 00:28:28,670 S5: is that like emergency funds to you that you would, uh, 513 00:28:28,710 --> 00:28:29,870 S5: clarify as or. 514 00:28:29,910 --> 00:28:33,469 S1: No, because I would look at that as an asset 515 00:28:33,470 --> 00:28:37,550 S1: that can be income generating with the proper investment strategy 516 00:28:37,710 --> 00:28:42,510 S1: to supplement social Security. Uh, as your base income, but 517 00:28:42,510 --> 00:28:45,870 S1: just like during your working years where you have W-2 income, 518 00:28:45,910 --> 00:28:48,830 S1: I'd look at your 401 K and your IRA as 519 00:28:48,830 --> 00:28:53,310 S1: the replacement for that income. Uh, to cover your living expenses, 520 00:28:53,310 --> 00:28:56,510 S1: you still need an emergency fund for the unexpected. And, 521 00:28:56,550 --> 00:28:59,790 S1: you know, typically I want six to even 12 months 522 00:28:59,790 --> 00:29:04,070 S1: worth of emergency funds that's liquid and safe in that 523 00:29:04,070 --> 00:29:05,080 S1: season of life. 524 00:29:05,560 --> 00:29:08,520 S5: Looking at 3 to 6 months. Okay, I got the 525 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:10,719 S5: possibility maybe borrowing a little bit from my dad. 526 00:29:10,920 --> 00:29:13,160 S1: Yeah. Okay. For the purchase? 527 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:14,200 S5: Yes. 528 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:17,960 S1: Okay. Yeah. I mean, you know, that's where I might 529 00:29:17,960 --> 00:29:21,200 S1: just take a hard look at that in terms of, uh, 530 00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:24,640 S1: you know, even though owning the land makes the purchase better, 531 00:29:24,920 --> 00:29:27,160 S1: you know, only having 3 to 6 months, I think 532 00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:30,360 S1: is a little too thin in retirement. Liquidity matters. I mean, 533 00:29:30,360 --> 00:29:33,720 S1: you could have unexpected medical bills. You could have home repairs. 534 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:38,200 S1: Now you're maintaining two properties. You've got insurance increases that 535 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:42,200 S1: could come out of left field. Um, and so, you know, 536 00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:44,360 S1: if you've got all of the 401 K and the 537 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:46,719 S1: IRA invested in a way that's going to generate income, 538 00:29:46,720 --> 00:29:49,280 S1: you don't want to have to be forced to withdraw 539 00:29:49,280 --> 00:29:51,320 S1: at a bad time if we got into a recession 540 00:29:51,320 --> 00:29:54,320 S1: or something like that. So I would say, you know, 541 00:29:54,360 --> 00:29:56,440 S1: I'd give it the green light if you could work 542 00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:59,480 S1: it in such a way where you're not taking on, uh, 543 00:29:59,560 --> 00:30:03,440 S1: you know, debt that would squeeze you, um, but where 544 00:30:03,440 --> 00:30:07,080 S1: you would still have 6 to 12 months of expenses 545 00:30:07,080 --> 00:30:11,960 S1: in cash for repairs, insurance spikes and unexpected events. 546 00:30:12,840 --> 00:30:14,600 S5: Yeah, it makes a lot of sense. Thank you so much. 547 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:18,160 S1: All right. Lord bless you. Doug, we appreciate your call today. 548 00:30:18,160 --> 00:30:21,080 S1: Thanks for being on the program. Well, folks, uh, this 549 00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:23,840 S1: is what we do. We help God's people manage God's 550 00:30:23,840 --> 00:30:26,600 S1: money God's way. Not because I have anything to say, 551 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:30,840 S1: but because God's Word is our source of truth when 552 00:30:30,840 --> 00:30:33,040 S1: it comes to being wise stewards. We're going to take 553 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:36,480 S1: a break when we come back. Uh, Antoinette in Antoinette 554 00:30:36,640 --> 00:30:39,920 S1: wants to talk about calculating Social Security, and we'll talk 555 00:30:39,920 --> 00:30:43,000 S1: to Gina in Ohio. And perhaps your question, call right 556 00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:54,160 S1: now 800 525 7000. Stick around. Well, as a listener 557 00:30:54,160 --> 00:30:57,520 S1: supported ministry here at Faith and Finance Live, we rely 558 00:30:57,520 --> 00:31:01,040 S1: on givers like you who love the ministry, who come 559 00:31:01,130 --> 00:31:03,890 S1: alongside us to help support this work to bring you 560 00:31:03,890 --> 00:31:08,490 S1: the broadcast. Our studies, our devotionals, our magazine, our app, 561 00:31:08,530 --> 00:31:12,090 S1: our website, all the resources we produce to help God's 562 00:31:12,090 --> 00:31:15,370 S1: people manage God's money God's way. We call them partners. 563 00:31:15,370 --> 00:31:18,930 S1: When you give at $35 a month or more or 564 00:31:18,930 --> 00:31:22,130 S1: $400 a year, and when you become a faithful partner 565 00:31:22,130 --> 00:31:26,650 S1: by May 31st, you'll receive our first ever Faith five 566 00:31:26,690 --> 00:31:29,690 S1: Field guide. That's right, a new product category for us 567 00:31:30,210 --> 00:31:34,010 S1: exploring a must answer question through a biblical lens. Our 568 00:31:34,010 --> 00:31:38,050 S1: very first one is how much is enough? Helping you 569 00:31:38,050 --> 00:31:41,969 S1: answer that question around setting a lifestyle finish line. And 570 00:31:42,010 --> 00:31:44,410 S1: of course, if you're a partner, you'll then receive all 571 00:31:44,450 --> 00:31:47,930 S1: of the ongoing benefits. A quarterly ministry update from me. 572 00:31:48,290 --> 00:31:51,650 S1: For issues of our magazine, faithful steward all of our 573 00:31:51,650 --> 00:31:55,210 S1: new resources, studies, devotionals, and pro access to the Faith 574 00:31:55,210 --> 00:31:58,400 S1: VI app, it'd be a huge blessing, especially before May 575 00:31:58,400 --> 00:32:01,940 S1: the 31st. looking for a couple of hundred additional faith 576 00:32:01,940 --> 00:32:04,459 S1: five partners to help us stay on track for the year. 577 00:32:04,580 --> 00:32:07,980 S1: You can learn more when you go to faith.com/give. That's 578 00:32:07,980 --> 00:32:13,220 S1: faith fi.com/give thanks in advance. And tonight has been holding 579 00:32:13,220 --> 00:32:14,660 S1: in Illinois. How can I help you? 580 00:32:15,980 --> 00:32:19,100 S6: Yes, I have a well it's a two part question 581 00:32:19,100 --> 00:32:23,620 S6: about the same thing. Um I have an off quarters 582 00:32:23,620 --> 00:32:28,660 S6: work for social Security to be eligible for the benefits. Um, 583 00:32:28,660 --> 00:32:33,500 S6: but also I have, uh, stopped. Um, I started another 584 00:32:33,500 --> 00:32:37,100 S6: job and this job does not pay into social Security 585 00:32:37,100 --> 00:32:41,100 S6: because it's a pension. It's a county pension for so 586 00:32:41,100 --> 00:32:44,460 S6: many years. Um, but my question is now I know 587 00:32:44,500 --> 00:32:50,020 S6: that Social Security, from what I understood, they calculate the 588 00:32:50,020 --> 00:32:55,860 S6: benefits based on the highest income you had throughout those years. 589 00:32:56,540 --> 00:33:01,260 S6: And the second part, second part of the question is, 590 00:33:01,700 --> 00:33:04,340 S6: if I go back to work and I go back 591 00:33:04,340 --> 00:33:09,820 S6: to contributing into Social Security again, how many years do 592 00:33:09,820 --> 00:33:15,340 S6: I need to work for for that income or pay 593 00:33:15,380 --> 00:33:18,340 S6: pay rates for them to calculate? 594 00:33:18,660 --> 00:33:23,940 S1: MM. Yes. Good question. Um, so social security is, is, uh, 595 00:33:23,940 --> 00:33:29,340 S1: basically determined, um, based on a formula that starts with your, 596 00:33:29,380 --> 00:33:32,940 S1: what are called high 35. So your highest 35 years 597 00:33:32,940 --> 00:33:37,300 S1: of earnings. So they take your top 35 earnings years. 598 00:33:37,500 --> 00:33:40,740 S1: And if you worked fewer than 35 years where you 599 00:33:40,740 --> 00:33:44,300 S1: paid into Social Security, they fill in zeros for the 600 00:33:44,300 --> 00:33:47,580 S1: missing years, which lowers your benefit. If you work more 601 00:33:47,580 --> 00:33:51,660 S1: than 35 years paying into Social Security, they'll take your 602 00:33:51,660 --> 00:33:56,710 S1: highest 35. And then those earnings are indexed for inflation. 603 00:33:56,710 --> 00:34:01,350 S1: So what you earned years ago is adjusted for today's dollars. 604 00:34:01,710 --> 00:34:04,870 S1: And then they look at the average monthly earnings to 605 00:34:04,910 --> 00:34:10,230 S1: determine the benefit formula. So they calculate your average monthly 606 00:34:10,230 --> 00:34:14,830 S1: earnings indexed for inflation. And then they apply a formula 607 00:34:14,830 --> 00:34:19,070 S1: to determine your primary insurance amount your benefit at full 608 00:34:19,070 --> 00:34:21,910 S1: retirement age. So if you were to go back to 609 00:34:21,950 --> 00:34:27,029 S1: work and you earn anything more than any of your 610 00:34:27,030 --> 00:34:30,870 S1: high 35, regardless of whether you've started collecting or not, 611 00:34:31,110 --> 00:34:35,430 S1: you could replace one of those lower earnings years with 612 00:34:35,430 --> 00:34:39,430 S1: a higher year even now. And that would cause your 613 00:34:39,430 --> 00:34:43,390 S1: benefit to be recalculated at a higher level. If you 614 00:34:43,430 --> 00:34:46,390 S1: come in lower than your high 35, then it will 615 00:34:46,390 --> 00:34:49,310 S1: have no bearing on it whatsoever. Does that make sense? 616 00:34:49,710 --> 00:34:52,030 S6: Yes, it does, very much because there were so many 617 00:34:52,030 --> 00:34:55,960 S6: years even, you know, any even part time, even minimum 618 00:34:55,960 --> 00:35:00,000 S6: wage when, uh, more higher than before because. I'm talking 619 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:05,120 S6: about almost 27 years. Um, so that's what I was thinking, 620 00:35:05,120 --> 00:35:07,759 S6: but I wasn't sure. That, but how many years do 621 00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:11,800 S6: you have to actually be on that, that pay rate 622 00:35:12,480 --> 00:35:14,760 S6: for them too? Do you have to be like two years, 623 00:35:14,760 --> 00:35:15,440 S6: one year? 624 00:35:15,719 --> 00:35:18,640 S1: No. Every year you pay in. They're going to. Take 625 00:35:18,640 --> 00:35:21,040 S1: a look at it at the end of that year 626 00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:24,319 S1: and see whether they have replaced or whether they can 627 00:35:24,320 --> 00:35:28,760 S1: replace any of those high 35. So your benefit theoretically, 628 00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:32,160 S1: you know, could be adjusted annually as you add an 629 00:35:32,160 --> 00:35:36,240 S1: additional year of earnings where you paid into Social Security 630 00:35:36,280 --> 00:35:37,520 S1: through FICA taxes. 631 00:35:38,040 --> 00:35:40,120 S6: I see. So it doesn't it's not like two years. 632 00:35:40,120 --> 00:35:40,719 S6: You got to be. 633 00:35:41,320 --> 00:35:45,960 S1: Know every year of additional earnings will be evaluated in 634 00:35:45,960 --> 00:35:48,400 S1: light of your current high 35. 635 00:35:49,280 --> 00:35:53,080 S6: Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you very much. And God 636 00:35:53,080 --> 00:35:53,640 S6: bless you. 637 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:56,200 S1: Thank you. Antonietta. Thank you for calling. Lord bless you 638 00:35:56,200 --> 00:35:58,920 S1: as well. To Ohio. Gina, how can I help you? 639 00:35:58,960 --> 00:35:59,840 S7: Hi, Rob. 640 00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:00,400 S1: Hi. 641 00:36:00,920 --> 00:36:05,080 S7: Your show is such a blessing. You give good information. 642 00:36:05,200 --> 00:36:06,160 S1: Thank you very much. 643 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:09,640 S7: I do have a question. Okay. Can you recommend a 644 00:36:09,640 --> 00:36:14,439 S7: way to trace old stock certificates that the companies no 645 00:36:14,440 --> 00:36:15,920 S7: longer operating? 646 00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:19,480 S1: Yeah. So here's the way you'd go about that. Um, 647 00:36:20,040 --> 00:36:24,440 S1: you know, if you, uh, have an old stock certificate, um, 648 00:36:24,440 --> 00:36:27,960 S1: even if the company has gone out of business, uh, 649 00:36:27,960 --> 00:36:31,720 S1: a lot of times it's merged or been acquired or 650 00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:37,200 S1: maybe has changed names. Um, do you know the, the status, um, 651 00:36:37,360 --> 00:36:42,280 S1: you know, was by virtue of it going under. Did 652 00:36:42,320 --> 00:36:45,640 S1: you know that actually become shares in another company? 653 00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:51,450 S7: I have no way of knowing. I've inherited them through 654 00:36:51,489 --> 00:36:55,890 S7: a family death. Okay. And I've never even heard of 655 00:36:55,890 --> 00:36:59,730 S7: these companies. I see they're old, like from back in 656 00:36:59,730 --> 00:37:00,730 S7: the 50s. 657 00:37:00,930 --> 00:37:04,210 S1: I see. And do you have the paper certificates? 658 00:37:04,210 --> 00:37:04,890 S7: I do. 659 00:37:05,090 --> 00:37:07,210 S1: Okay. Yeah. So what you're going to want to do is, 660 00:37:07,250 --> 00:37:11,410 S1: is first just do a search for the company name 661 00:37:11,810 --> 00:37:14,730 S1: and what's called the Cusip number, which is a number 662 00:37:14,730 --> 00:37:18,730 S1: that should be listed on those certificates and find out 663 00:37:18,730 --> 00:37:24,650 S1: what happened to the companies and find out, you know, whether, uh, again, 664 00:37:24,650 --> 00:37:28,290 S1: they merged, they were acquired, maybe they changed names even 665 00:37:28,290 --> 00:37:32,529 S1: if they went under, uh, you know, oftentimes shareholders get 666 00:37:32,530 --> 00:37:35,490 S1: shares in another company and then you want to contact 667 00:37:35,489 --> 00:37:40,490 S1: what's called the, the transfer agent. The transfer agent keeps 668 00:37:40,489 --> 00:37:45,050 S1: shareholder records. And if the company still exists in some form, 669 00:37:45,050 --> 00:37:48,820 S1: they'll know. Um, so that would be one step. Second 670 00:37:48,860 --> 00:37:52,620 S1: is you could check what's called the unclaimed property databases, 671 00:37:52,980 --> 00:37:56,299 S1: because if dividends or shares were abandoned, they may have 672 00:37:56,300 --> 00:37:59,219 S1: been turned over to the state. And so you could 673 00:37:59,219 --> 00:38:01,460 S1: go if you're comfortable on the internet, just go to 674 00:38:01,500 --> 00:38:06,140 S1: missingmoney.com and you could do a search there. Um, that 675 00:38:06,140 --> 00:38:10,700 S1: would be one possible situation. The best case scenario is 676 00:38:10,700 --> 00:38:14,660 S1: the company, if it's no longer in existence, it merged 677 00:38:14,820 --> 00:38:19,060 S1: and the shares were converted to another company and it 678 00:38:19,060 --> 00:38:23,980 S1: still has value. In other cases the company may have dissolved, 679 00:38:23,980 --> 00:38:28,300 S1: but assets were distributed. The worst case is the company 680 00:38:28,300 --> 00:38:32,940 S1: went bankrupt and the shares are worthless. Um, but I 681 00:38:32,980 --> 00:38:35,259 S1: would say, you know, I would start by just doing 682 00:38:35,260 --> 00:38:38,219 S1: a little bit of research, either on missing money or 683 00:38:38,219 --> 00:38:41,860 S1: just trying to chase down the status of the companies 684 00:38:41,860 --> 00:38:45,859 S1: where you have shares to find out what happened to 685 00:38:46,020 --> 00:38:49,820 S1: them if they're no longer operating today? Was there some 686 00:38:49,860 --> 00:38:52,859 S1: event that occurred that may allow for you to still 687 00:38:52,860 --> 00:38:56,460 S1: have value in those shares, and the transfer agent could 688 00:38:56,460 --> 00:38:57,300 S1: help with that? 689 00:38:57,980 --> 00:39:03,060 S7: Awesome. I you've given me a direction to go and 690 00:39:03,180 --> 00:39:07,540 S7: let's hope it's productive. If not, I may keep them 691 00:39:07,540 --> 00:39:09,780 S7: just for the sentimentality. 692 00:39:10,020 --> 00:39:13,299 S1: There you go. Yes, ma'am. Maybe. Yeah. Just hang on 693 00:39:13,340 --> 00:39:16,740 S1: to them and and pass them on. I will say 694 00:39:16,780 --> 00:39:20,180 S1: on many older stock certificates, you're going to find the 695 00:39:20,180 --> 00:39:24,060 S1: transfer agent printed in small text. So it could be 696 00:39:24,060 --> 00:39:28,180 S1: on the bottom edge or near the signature line. Look 697 00:39:28,180 --> 00:39:34,259 S1: for words like transfer agent, registrar countersigned by. It may 698 00:39:34,300 --> 00:39:38,620 S1: be a bank or a company name. Um, now that 699 00:39:38,620 --> 00:39:42,340 S1: that transfer agent may no longer handle the stock. Um, 700 00:39:42,660 --> 00:39:45,989 S1: but they would be, you know, you could look them 701 00:39:45,989 --> 00:39:51,310 S1: up and contact them with the company name, the certificate number, and, 702 00:39:51,590 --> 00:39:53,469 S1: and perhaps they could give you a little bit more 703 00:39:53,469 --> 00:39:56,310 S1: information on on where to go from here. Gina, thanks 704 00:39:56,310 --> 00:39:58,870 S1: for your call today. Lord bless you. Uh, quickly to 705 00:39:58,910 --> 00:40:00,470 S1: New York. Michelle. Go ahead. 706 00:40:03,030 --> 00:40:05,589 S8: My call. Um, I wanted to find out if you 707 00:40:05,590 --> 00:40:11,190 S8: could help me prepare for, um, retirement. I'm supposed to 708 00:40:11,190 --> 00:40:14,670 S8: retire at 67. I'm a person with a disability, and 709 00:40:14,670 --> 00:40:17,230 S8: I don't really have a lot. I have a 401 K. 710 00:40:17,469 --> 00:40:20,310 S8: What suggestions could you give me to help me prepare 711 00:40:20,670 --> 00:40:22,270 S8: for retirement? 712 00:40:22,910 --> 00:40:27,190 S1: Yes. Um, so you're 60 now. You've got seven years 713 00:40:27,190 --> 00:40:29,310 S1: to work. Tell me a little bit about just your 714 00:40:29,310 --> 00:40:31,790 S1: income and expenses. Do you have anything left over at 715 00:40:31,790 --> 00:40:32,670 S1: the end of the month? 716 00:40:34,790 --> 00:40:37,870 S8: I a little bit, I have a little bit. Not 717 00:40:37,870 --> 00:40:40,670 S8: a whole lot. A couple of hundred, but that's about it. 718 00:40:40,910 --> 00:40:45,239 S1: Okay. Yeah. And so the key would be, I think 719 00:40:45,280 --> 00:40:48,640 S1: just trying to keep it simple. Let's build a sustainable plan, 720 00:40:48,640 --> 00:40:50,920 S1: even if it's not perfect, because what we're going to 721 00:40:50,920 --> 00:40:55,040 S1: want to try to do is maximize, you know, guaranteed 722 00:40:55,040 --> 00:40:59,760 S1: income in the future. Um, so are you on, um, 723 00:40:59,960 --> 00:41:02,520 S1: any kind of SSDI or anything like that? 724 00:41:03,719 --> 00:41:04,400 S8: I am. 725 00:41:04,560 --> 00:41:09,399 S1: Okay. So at 67, SSDI is going to convert to 726 00:41:09,440 --> 00:41:13,359 S1: regular social Security. And so you can go ahead and 727 00:41:13,360 --> 00:41:18,480 S1: estimate your benefit at 67, um, at Social Security, at 728 00:41:18,719 --> 00:41:23,359 S1: SSA at the website, the Social Security Administration's website, and 729 00:41:23,360 --> 00:41:26,200 S1: find out what that benefit is going to be. Um, 730 00:41:26,480 --> 00:41:28,719 S1: and then you're going to want to try to eliminate 731 00:41:28,719 --> 00:41:33,160 S1: any debt between now and retirement. So prioritize really paying 732 00:41:33,160 --> 00:41:37,920 S1: off even minor balances because a fixed income plus debt 733 00:41:38,440 --> 00:41:40,799 S1: equals stress. So we want to try to eliminate the 734 00:41:40,800 --> 00:41:43,200 S1: debt and get you to a place where you've got 735 00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:49,320 S1: as lean of, of monthly required expenses as possible. And then, 736 00:41:49,360 --> 00:41:52,080 S1: you know, one of the biggest levers you have is 737 00:41:52,080 --> 00:41:57,120 S1: if you can find affordable housing, utilities, transportation, and food, 738 00:41:57,120 --> 00:42:00,240 S1: the lower your fixed expenses, the more secure you'll be. 739 00:42:00,760 --> 00:42:05,440 S1: And then plan carefully for healthcare. You'll start Medicare at 65. 740 00:42:05,800 --> 00:42:09,280 S1: You'll want to look at perhaps a Medicare Advantage plan, um, 741 00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:14,280 S1: and a and prescription coverage, and maybe you qualify for Medicaid. Um, 742 00:42:14,640 --> 00:42:17,200 S1: and then just try to build up that emergency fund, 743 00:42:17,239 --> 00:42:19,640 S1: even a couple of hundred dollars a month at a time. 744 00:42:19,760 --> 00:42:21,759 S1: Let's do this. I want to get you connected with 745 00:42:21,760 --> 00:42:25,080 S1: one of our certified financial counselors to walk with you 746 00:42:25,080 --> 00:42:27,239 S1: and help you put a plan together. We'll pay for it. 747 00:42:27,280 --> 00:42:29,719 S1: Won't cost you anything. Stay on the line. We'll get 748 00:42:29,719 --> 00:42:34,000 S1: you connected with someone right now. Thanks for your call today. Taylor, Tara, 749 00:42:34,000 --> 00:42:37,200 S1: Josh and Omar serving us today. What an amazing broadcast. 750 00:42:37,200 --> 00:42:38,640 S1: Thanks for being with us. See you tomorrow.