Paradox: a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true. The Bible contains many truths that at first glance may seem to be at odds with each other: humility is the way to exaltation, lose your life in order to find it,  when we are weak then we are strong, etc. That brings us to the paradox of the day: why should I save money when Jesus tells me to trust Him to provide for my needs?  Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

On a recent trip to New York City, I got to witness two groups of street performers in Times Square. Both were incredibly talented and had almost identical skill sets, but one group walked away with 10x as much money after their performance.  In this episode, I'll share 4 subtle techniques these street performers use to make hundreds of dollars a night and explain how successful businesses utilize the same tactics. 

Pastors may feel hesitant about tackling the topic of money from the pulpit. And understandably so! No one wants to alienate their audience or be perceived as greedy or self-serving.  But when pastors fail to communicate what the Bible says about money, they are actually doing their congregation a huge disservice.  In this episode, I talk with Josh Teis about how he approaches the topic of money from the pulpit. He gives a wealth of practical tips on how to prepare messages, lead giving campaigns, disciple new believers, apply money principles, and more.  Josh Teis:  https://www.facebook.com/joshuateis https://twitter.com/joshteis Idea Network:  https://www.ideanetwork.church Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Concerns are growing over how long the US stock market can sustain its current pace. US stock returns were strong for a full decade, were briefly halted by the Coronavirus, and now have continued to surge forward to new record highs.  In this episode, we'll consider both sides of this argument and the common objections raised. We'll conclude by giving you three specific actions to take to set yourself up for long term investing success.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

We've made it to episode 50 which means it's time to do another special "ask me anything" episode! Thanks everyone for listening and submitting these great questions: Saving taxes in retirement (2:15) Pastoral finances (11:12) Minimizing taxes as W-2 employee (not self-employed) (12:47) Biggest mistakes people make in retirement (19:23) High yield dividend stocks (25:04) How much house can I afford (32:45) Cryptocurrency (37:32) Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Bryan Samms joins me to discuss some important considerations regarding pastoral pay such as... What does the Bible teach about pastoral pay? How should pastors communicate with their church about their pay/benefits? When should a church add additional paid staff?  What resources should a church use to determine fair compensation for a particular role? Connect with Bryan Twitter: @bryansamms Facebook: @pastorbryansamms Podcast: Bryan Samms Podcast Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Many people assume that being frugal and being cheap are the same thing. They are not! There's a key difference that separates someone being financially savvy from someone being downright stingy.  In this episode, we'll talk about why it's admirable to be frugal and why you never want to be cheap.  Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Only about 1/3 of Americans say they either are or will be adequately prepared for retirement. And no wonder! It's a complicated business. So how do your retirement savings stack up to the average American your age? In this episode, we'll share the research on how much the average American has saved and how much the experts recommend you have saved based on your age.  Remember, that there is no magic number needed to retire successfully. How much you need depends on many factors. Start saving as early as possible, use tax advantaged accounts whenever possible, and build multiple streams of income for retirement.  Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Consumer debt in America is closing in on $15 TRILLION dollars (personal mortgages, car loans, student loans, credit cards etc. combined). Everywhere you turn, you're bombarded with advertisements and offers to borrow more money. So how is a Christian supposed to approach this question of debt? Is it ever ok to borrow money or should Christians avoid debt entirely? In this episode, we'll take a closer look at what the Bible has to say on this important issue and offer some helpful guidelines when making  borrowing decisions.  Email: [email protected] Website: nateskelly.com Facebook: facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Email: [email protected] Website: nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

You've probably heard of the "Debt Snowball" but have you heard of the "Debt Avalanche"? Find out how to rapidly pay down debt and create margin in your financial life using this simple technique.  In this episode, we'll explain how the Debt Avalanche works and how it can help you pay your debt faster and pay even less in interest than using the Debt Snowball method.  Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Myth: Trusts are only for the super wealthy Truth: Trusts are helpful estate planning tools that benefit millions of Americans and can serve a wide number of purposes. In this episode we'll explain the basics of trusts including... The two basic types of trusts The three roles involved in setting up a trust The difference between a will and a trust Five important benefits of setting up a trust Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

According to a recent poll by Ladder, consumers spend an average of $1497/month on non-essential items. A big reason many people aren't able to make progress on their savings goals is because their monthly spending is crowded with non-essential purchases. In this episode, we'll discuss how you can save money in six different areas of your budget. Some may only save $20-30/mo while others could mean savings of $500+/mo! Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Lifestyle creep: the tendency to continue increasing your spending as your income grows.  A higher income is often accompanied by more spending. Typically, the majority of the increased spending is on non-essential items (eating out, entertainment, activities, shopping, travel, household amenities, etc.). Over time, these luxuries come to be seen as essential to your way of life. If/when income decreases (such as in retirement) it can be very difficult to adjust.  In this episode, we'll talk about how to recognize lifestyle creep, and we'll offer 5 tools to fight the pull of lifestyle creep in your own finances.  Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Cary Schmidt is the Lead Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newington, Connecticut. He hosts the "Leading in the Gospel" Podcast and recently published his newest book "Stop Trying: How to Receive Not Achieve Your Identity".  In this episode, we talk about how your identity can shape your view of finances for good or for bad. Cary explains how he as a pastor approaches teaching and preaching on the sensitive topic of money.  Cary also takes some to share his advice for younger pastors on how they should approach their compensation, retirement, and handling their personal finances.  Leading in the Gospel Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-in-the-gospel/id1411948813 Stop Trying: https://www.moodypublishers.com/stop-trying/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

It's the question of the hour: are we headed for a big jump in inflation?  Price increases in housing, gas, lumber, and more, have many Americans worried about how inflation may lead to an economic recession.  In today's episode, we'll explain some of the factors contributing to recent price increases and add some context to the inflation discussion. We'll also offer three important tips for how you can combat the effects of inflation in your personal finances.  Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Whether you have a lump sum of money or you have extra monthly cash flow, is it smarter to invest that money in the market or pay off your mortgage as soon as you can? We talk through some important questions to ask yourself as well as some common pitfalls to avoid. We also offer some hypothetical situations to help compare and contrast the benefits and drawbacks of each option.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Our guest, Andrew Smith is the founder and director of Orphans in Asia. He shares the story of why he started Orphans in Asia and how he's able to run the ministry without taking a paycheck from it.  We discuss some of the important work Orphans in Asia is doing to feed and house needy children, teach them real life occupational skills, facilitate grants for adoptions, and more. We also talk about what Andrew's missions experiences have taught him about finances, generosity, and contentment.  Be sure to connect with Andrew on social media and consider supporting his ministry.  Andrew Smith: https://www.facebook.com/AndrewSmithpurpleheartvet https://www.instagram.com/purpleheartvet/ Orphans in Asia: https://www.orphansinasia.org https://www.instagram.com/OrphansInAsia/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc Website: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

This episode is the first in a series of episodes from the "Managing God's Money" sessions that I teach for churches. It's an opportunity for us to take a deeper dive into specific passages to better understand what the Bible teaches us in the areas of giving, saving, and spending.  The Parable of the Talents is one of the most important passages in the entire Bible on the subject of stewardship. In today's episode we'll explore three important truths about money that Jesus taught in this passage.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

The IRS recently extended the 2020 IRA contribution deadline. Instead of April 15th, you can now make a 2020 contribution to an IRA up until May 17th, 2021. With so many Americans receiving a stimulus check or tax refund (or both!) now might be a great time to invest excess cash in an IRA.  In this episode we'll break down some of the key differences between Traditional and Roth IRAs and give you four key questions to ask that will help you determine which type of IRA is right for you. Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

We've all been guilty of being over-budget from time to time. Maybe we spent an extra $50 last month on restaurants or we went $200 over our price limit on Christmas gifts. However, there's a big difference between occasionally being over-budget and a harmful pattern of overspending. So how do we know if we're overspending? And more importantly what motives are at the core of our decisions to spend more than we know we should?  In this episode, we'll talk through five rationalizations people use to justify their unhealthy spending habits. We'll follow up with eight practical ideas you can use to guard against this destructive habit of overspending. Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Buying a house is one of the most stressful experiences of your life. It's understandable considering that your home is probably the biggest purchase you'll ever make and it's place you will spend the vast majority of your time! And now that spring is here and the weather is warmer, that usually means there will be an increased number of home buyers on the market.   In today's episode we'll highlight some important mistakes to avoid in the home buying process. So whether you're a first-time homebuyer or you're on your tenth home, these are some helpful tips that bear repeating.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Here's a question I've gotten a lot recently: what should I do with my old 401k? Many Americans opt to roll over their 401k into an IRA after they've separated employment, but is this the best option for you? This is one of the most important decisions you will need to make regarding your retirement savings so I decided to dedicate a whole episode to it. In this episode we'll outline your 4 available options for your old 401k: leave it, cash it out, move it into your new plan, or roll it over into an IRA. We'll also discuss some of the biggest pros and cons of rolling over your 401k vs leaving it where it is.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Multi-level marketing (otherwise known as network marketing or direct sales) is a massive industry boasting millions of distributors and billions of dollars in annual sales. These companies sell a wide variety of products including clothing, essential oils, cosmetics, vitamins, shakes, insurance, jewelry, and much more. MLM enthusiasts claim that their unique structure empowers each member to: "Escape the 9-5", "Be your own boss", and "Enjoy unlimited earning potential". Even if you've never worked in multi-level marketing, you very likely know people who do. And depending on who you ask, you'll get strikingly opposite opinions either for or against MLMs. In this episode, I'll explain how the MLM business structure operates and offer 3 reasons why I'm not a fan of this business model. Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Proverbs 13:22 says that a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children. Saving for you children's future is a noble goal and one that requires careful thought and planning.  Before you decide on how you want to save money for your children's or grandchildren's future, consider these six options and their unique pros and cons.  Links mentioned in the episode: https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/how-does-your-states-529-plan-income-tax-benefit-work https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/what-you-can-pay-for-with-a-529-plan Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Unless you've been living under a rock this last year, I'm sure you've heard about Robinhood. It's the new investment app that's revolutionized the investment world by empowering individual retail investors to compete with the big Wall Street firms. Except, this week, many of Robinhood's own users turned against them in a surprising twist. Also, what's been going on with these stocks like Gamestop, AMC, and others that have gone through the roof? In this episode, we'll talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Robinhood app and explain in simple terms what happened that caused a stock like Gamestop to shoot up over 10,000% of its price this time last year.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

This is an excerpt of a longer conversation I had with Luke Clayton on his podcast Church Media HQ. Luke runs Must Increase Media and provides a variety of media solutions to churches. We talked about of variety of topics including church, politics, finance, faith, and more. Most of our conversation deals with expectations of a Biden presidency and how it may affect churches and church leaders. You can hear the full conversation over on the Church Media HQ podcast.  Must Increase Media: https://mustincrease.com Church Media HQ podcast: http://churchmediahq.com/podcast/ Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

Gold has been a valuable commodity for thousands of years. Even when markets have collapsed and monetary systems have failed, gold has retained its value.  With gold prices rising ~24% in 2020, maybe you've heard commercials or been advised by someone you know to invest in gold. Is now a good time to buy gold? When does it make sense and when does it not? In this episode, we'll talk about the potential benefits and drawbacks of investing in gold and help you understand how gold has performed compared to other investment alternatives.  Email: [email protected] Website: nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

What changes can you expect to your finances under a Biden Presidency? Should you expect to pay more in taxes next year? Is now the time to make changes to your investments?  In this episode we break down some of Biden's major campaign proposals regarding tax rates, healthcare, students loans, and more.  We'll talk about the likelihood of these proposals becoming law and what changes (if any) you should consider making.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

With open enrollment season in full swing, it's a good time to talk about employee benefits. Every year there are employees that miss out on hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of dollars by not simply signing up for the benefits available to them.  In this episode, we'll share some tips on how to understand and navigate common employee benefits like health insurance, 401Ks, life insurance, HSAs, and more.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

In this episode, we discuss the vital role that insurance plays in our financial lives. Appropriate insurance coverage (whether it's auto, home, life, health, or more) is an essential foundation for building wealth.  Our guest, John Gall, is a commercial insurance broker for Security First based in the Denver, CO, area. He shares some helpful tips on how to get proper auto and home insurance coverage at the best prices.  We also take some time to discuss important steps that churches need to take to protect their members/attendees.  You can connect with John here:  https://www.facebook.com/john.gall.549  https://twitter.com/jonathanaugust Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/financialpathwayllc

We're getting back to the "fund"amentals. You've probably heard of mutual funds and index funds, but what are exchange traded funds (ETFs)? And why are many investors and advisors opting to use ETFs instead of mutual funds?  Investing your money in funds can be a great way to diversify and reduce risk, but not all funds are created equal.  In this episode, we'll break down 3 common types of funds and help you understand how they can benefit you as investor.   Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

On this episode, we take some time to answer some more questions sent in by listeners.  How do I choose the right funds inside my 401k (1:40)  With the election coming up, should I be looking at making changes to my investments (7:12) Is it better to invest my money all at once or spread it out over time (11:52) When's should you refinance your home (14:00) Roth vs Traditional IRA (16:34) Tips for tracking your spending (20:06) Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

At some point, almost everyone will have to decide whether they want to buy a house or rent. If you rent are you just "throwing money away" each month? Is buying a home a "good investment"? How many years do you need to live in a house before it' s better than renting? We'll answer these common questions and more on this week's episode on buying vs. renting.  Plus, we'll give you 4 crucial questions to ask when deciding whether it's better to buy or rent. We also share an easy formula to help you gauge whether it's better to buy or rent a particular house.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

In this multi-part series, we'll teach you how to become a better investor by learning to avoid these common mistakes. Part 5: Getting Bad Advice - Not every piece of financial advice is helpful, and not every piece of financial advice applies to your situation. Unfortunately, there are a lot of voices in financial media and financial industry that are not worth listening to. And sometimes, bad advice can even come from the people who love us the most.  In this episode we talk about different possible sources of bad advice including stock "gurus", co-workers, uncles, or even financial advisors themselves.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

In this multi-part series, we'll teach you how to become a better investor by learning to avoid these common mistakes. Part 4: Confronting Biases - A bias is a way of thinking that causes you to be wrong. Learn to recognize your limitations and blindspots as an investor. Sometimes our biggest challenge is trying not to get in our own way. In this episode we talk about five specific biases that every investor is vulnerable to and how to avoid them.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

In this multi-part series, we'll teach you how to become a better investor by learning to avoid these common mistakes. Part 3: What to Expect When You're Investing - any time you step into a new experience with unrealistic expectations you are bound to end up frustrated and disappointed. Sometimes, investors have unrealistic expectations of the market's behavior, their investments' returns, or even their own ability. When things don't go according to plan, these investors are left wondering where they went wrong. In this episode, we'll talk about how to have manageable expectations and keep yourself focused when others start to panic.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

In this multi-part series, we'll teach you how to become a better investor by learning to avoid these common mistakes. Part 2: Market Timing - No one knows where the market is headed in the short term, no one. But many investors think they know what will happen in the next week/month/year and make short-term investment decisions accordingly. The research shows that the vast majority of these market timers underperform the market. In this episode, we explain why that is and how you can protect yourself from falling for this common investing mistake.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

In this multi-part series, we'll teach you how to become a better investor by learning to avoid these common mistakes. Part 1: Fear and Greed - We explain about how our emotions often betray us in the arena of investing. These two emotions drive most of our investment decisions and often propel us to do the opposite of what we should. Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

HSA's are one of the best kept secrets in the finance world. They have some exceptional upsides including a "triple tax benefit" but the majority of Americans aren't using them. In this episode, we'll discuss how to contribute to an HSA, how HSA's have more robust tax benefits than your 401k or IRA, and how you can even use an HSA as an additional retirement savings account! Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

Before you enlist help from a financial advisor, it's imperative that you understand how they are paid and the value they are bringing to your situation.  Many investors are unsure what fees they are paying or are unaware that they are paying fees at all! In this episode, we explore the 5 most common compensation methods for financial advisors and discuss the benefits and limitations of each. We also explain which methods we've chosen to use at Financial Pathway and why we've chosen not to use others. Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

On this episode, I sit down with Ben Schettler of The Center for Truth in Love to discuss the American church and a Christian worldview on finances. We talked through a variety of questions related money and the Bible including: why is money a difficult topic to discuss in the church? Is it wrong for a Christian to pursue wealth? Is "retirement" a biblical idea? Why is giving on the decline in America?  Ben gives some great insight into these issues and I think you will enjoy hearing his answers to these questions. For more info on Ben and his ministry visit https://www.thecenterfortruthinlove.org or https://www.facebook.com/BenSchettler Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

On this episode, we take some time to answer questions sent in by listeners. We cover a wide variety of topics including life insurance, mutual funds, annuities, credit cards, retirement accounts, and more. If you've got more questions, send them in and we may answer them in a future part 2 episode! Should I get rid of my credit cards or keep them and pay them off every month? (1:48) Should I invest first or pay off debt? (5:16) When do I need life insurance and how much coverage should I get? (8:32) Retirement plan options for self employed individuals (13:10) How much money do I need to get started investing? (16:50) What is a mutual fund? (20:27) Understanding important features of annuities and 401k plans (23:52) CPAs, Financial Advisors, and Financial Planners (32:38) Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

Will Social Security be out of money in 2034? Do you need $1 million to retire? Are good grades the key to a successful career? A continuation of Ep. 06, Debunking Money Myths (Part 1). In this episode, we tackle 7 new money myths and why you shouldn't fall for them.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

What's the difference between a health sharing plan and health insurance? Are there any downsides that I should know about before choosing a health sharing plan? Your health care coverage is an important decision. So make sure you understand all your options. In this episode, we break down where most Americans get their health care coverage and the important features you should understand about your policy. We give a side-by-side comparison of health insurance vs health sharing and highlight some important advantages and disadvantages.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

This simple four-word phrase has cost investors billions of dollars over the years. Though it's often misunderstood, it is a vital lesson for the long-term investor. Given the recent events in our world, this episode is a timely reminder of what separates the average investor from the successful one. Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

Our guest, Anthony Weatherbee, is the assistant pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Gulf Breeze, Florida. He is also the owner and founder of Cherith Home Inspections. In this episode, we discuss how Anthony turned a side hustle of inspecting homes into a full-time business. We discuss the unique challenges of starting a business from scratch and lessons that he's learned along the way. We also talk about how Anthony handles wearing multiple hats: pastor, business owner, husband, and father, and what advice he would share with those doing bi-vocational Christian ministry.  Cherith Inspections: https://www.facebook.com/cherithinspections/ Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

"The book you don't read won't help" - Jim Rohn If you want to take control of your finances, you need to spend time educating and improving yourself. Reading great books on finance is a great place to start. In this episode, we recommend five finance books that can help you regardless of your life stage or financial status.  Email: [email protected] Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc