Be Romantic – Have a Money Date

How about doing something really romantic with your spouse—are you ready—schedule a weekly money date! Doesn’t sound too romantic does it? But nothing will ruin those romantic feelings faster than financial challenges – and every marriage eventually runs into some sort of financial challenge. These weekly money dates are vital because they establish the habit […]

Back to Basics: Food

Eating Out vs. Eating at Home Groceries have been a major topic for the Simple Steward because groceries tend to be a major “budget buster” for most households.  In fact, a fellow Compass colleague and I have a difference of opinion about the food category because he categorizes “groceries” under household expenses and “eating out” […]

The Seven Deadly Sins of Spending

From an early age, we are taught to recognize and to steer clear of the seven deadly sins: pride, greed, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth. These are known as the “capital” sins, because they can be the foundation for other sins (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1866). While committing the seven deadly sins can […]