Bob and Shawn discuss the 10 common traits that they often see in their Christian millionaire clients. These traits aren't what you think! Surprisingly, only about 2-3 directly involve finance and investments. Most of the traits that we see here at Christian Financial Advisors involve deeper characteristics and traits, like consistency in their career and/or exemplify Godly values like integrity and honesty. Above all when it comes to financially successful Christians, Bob and Shawn have noticed that most believe that God owns it all. It is his money to begin with, and we are just His earthly stewards of these blessings.

Integrative financial planning is a huge part of Christian Financial Advisors through primarily a tool called eMoney. We try to make your investment and financial planning as easy as possible through online tools that are easily accessible 24/7. So, what exactly makes eMoney so great? Bob and Shawn go step by step through an eMoney profile to break down exactly how the program is used and how Christian Financial Advisors uses this platform to create and show clients a financial plan.

Whether you are planning on saving college money for kids and grandkids, or you just need a place to start with creating retirement funds, integrative financial planning is a great place to start. We are here to help clear up any confusion or questions surrounding this process!

Bob and Shawn cover an array of tools that you should always have readily available in your financial toolbox. Most of you listening probably have the essential tools at home for basic tasks – a hammer, screwdriver, drill, pliers, and a level. Just like there are essential tools that aid in 90% of tasks around the home, we also have essential “tools” that should be readily available when it comes to finances. Some of your financial toolbox essentials include having a safety net (i.e. savings) in case of emergencies. Other fundamental tools might be having the right life insurance for your family size, lifestyle, and current expenses. All of these and more are covered in this important episode on the tools needed for your financial toolbox.

Bob and Shawn discuss the many types of financial advisors that exist in our world today. Not all financial advisors are the same, just like not all doctors are the same. And just like with doctors, financial advisors can be all encompassing (like a general practitioner), or they can focus on one area like a podiatrist would (for example, financial planning). It is important to know the type of financial advisor you are working with, understanding their limitations, knowing their specialties, and finding one that hits all the checkboxes for your financial and investment needs.

Along with being all encompassing or having a more generalized focus, there are also different ways that financial advisors are paid. This is an important feature to consider when choosing an individual or firm that has your financial future in their hands. Bob and Shawn discuss all of the above by breaking it down into a way that is easy to understand.

Part 3 of our three part series on Biblically Responsible Investing delves into the importance of investing with your values, especially as a Christian. Bob and Shawn present several Bible verses that go hand in hand with Faith Based Investing. If you wouldn't outright support certain anti-Biblical agendas with your money, then why would you want to support them secondhand through your investments in certain companies?

After all, if you truly believe that “God owns it all”, then investing your money with your Christian values in mind is something that you probably want at the forefront. Using BRI as a way of investing helps make a difference in the marketplace, and it can give Christian investors a peace of mind in that they are supporting the good in the world while avoiding the negative.

We are on to Part 2 of our three part series on Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) where we discuss screening technologies. BRI is a subset of Values Based Investing that caters to Christian and Biblical beliefs in an investment portfolio. It allows Christians, or whoever is interested, to invest in companies that do not go against Biblical values. It is also known as Faith Based Investing.

So, how is such a unique way of investing completed? Bob and Shawn go over just how a BRI investment portfolio is created through using modern screening technologies. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to creating a well diversified BRI (or Faith Based Investment) portfolio.

In Part 1 of 3 about Biblically Responsible Investing, Bob and Shawn delve into what exactly Biblically Responsible Investing - BRI - encompasses, how it works, and some of the companies that Christian Financial Advisors works with. What exactly is BRI? Well, Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) falls under the realm of types of Values Based Investing. BRI is the short term phrase for it, and it is something that is the core of Christian Financial Advisors and our investing methodology.

BRI is a great choice of investing for Christian investors, or even regular investors, who want their financial portfolio, mutual funds, and ETFs involved with companies that are supporting the good and filtering out the bad. Learn about how it got started and what makes it different from other values based investing choices.

Budgeting is a topic that commonly arises, and it is hard for most people to commit to it as budgeting can feel like bondage, not freedom. However, it is the lack of debt and ability to stick to a budget that brings so many of us financial freedom. Nobody likes debt or wants to be in debt. Even if you have the financial ability to buy anything you want, it isn't always beneficial to you.

There are many ways that you can save on money (and/or decrease your purchases) that don't have to directly deal with numbers. It just means having the right mindset. Some of the areas that Bob and Shawn cover include waiting before large purchases and methods to keep your emotions at bay when considering purchases.

We're back to the topic of “building or buying a house” that we covered last year around this time, but we are coming at it from today's ever-changing housing market. Buying or building a home is something that probably 100% of those listening have done, thought of, or plan to do. However, in today's economy and right at this moment, is this something that should even be considered?

Should you STILL wait to build or buy a home? Bob and Shawn delve into the math of this topic with statistics on financing percentages, past trends, and exceptions to the rule. So, if you were thinking about building or buying a house in the near future, this episode is definitely for you!

You've made it to the end of our three part series on Diversification! We've already talked about charts and sectors, and in this episode Bob and Shawn discuss putting everything together to build a properly diversified investment model. There's a lot that goes into being properly diversified, and it is not something that just happens over a day or two of learning. It takes time, education, and lots and LOTS of research.

If a properly diversified investment portfolio is truly something that you are wanting to achieve as a do-it-yourself investor, then these episodes are a great place to start. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything that goes into diversification within investments. Are you ready to get started on your own or find a fiduciary based financial advisor to help you along the way? This episode may just help you come to a decision.