Common cents and Christ

December 10, 2007 —

by Christina Dillbeck

Students listen as His House Campus Minister Troy Andreasen explains ways to ease the finances and have a secure future.

Tuition payments, car payments, housing payments, and credit card payments all have college students worried about their current finances and many don't think about their future money situations.

His House tried to ease some of this worry and get students thinking about their financial future with the Smart Money Seminar last Tuesday in the Multi-Purpose Room.

His House Campus Minister Troy Andreasen ran the seminar by sharing some of his financial advice with attendees.

Andreasen's advice is based on his own experiences and on information he received by attending financial workshops.

"Use money for your benefit," Andreasen said. He said that through his money saving tips, he and his wife have been able to buy their own vehicles, travel to Hawaii, and build their own house.

Andreasen used basic financial principles to show how easy it can be to save money.

"All these principles come from God's word." Andreasen said. He made reference to various parts of scripture that can be applied to finances throughout his seminar.

Andreasen said there are three main ideas that students should understand in order to be smart about money.

Andreasen said avoiding debt was the most important thing to remember.

t"If you can't pay off your credit card every month, you shouldn't be using it," Andreasen said. "If you want to be smart with your money, balance your checking account."

There are three situational exceptions to the no-debt rule: school loan, mortgage, and business loan.

"Borrowing now for a bigger pay out later," Andreasen said.

He said that putting money in the bank or investing in mutual funds or the stock market are ways to save and invest.

Andreasen also said that giving is beneficial because your gifts may be returned to you later.

"Return may be monetary or a blessing in another form," Andreasen said. "Everyone can be smart with their money by giving."

His House put on the Smart Money Seminar to reach out to campus.

"We think that finances are one of the biggest issues with college students," Haller said. "These are practical examples easy for college students to follow."

"To apply these principles, we need to learn the value of contentment," Andreasen concluded. "We have to be content with what we have and say no to some of our wants."