Gilbert Wealth Articles

Budgeting Terminology You Should Know

Budgeting guidelines use all sorts of terminology. Here are the most important ones you should be aware of as you start crafting your own budget. Essential Expenses Essential Expenses are those you cannot reasonably live without. What does that include? That’s where money is more of an art than a science and is different for everyone.For example, most agree that your mortgage payment falls within the essential category. What if your mortgage payment is from an 8,000-square-foot home with a pool and private tennis court? Essential or not?Generally essential expenses include the following: Housing Anything related to maintaining a residence.Mortgage…
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A Guide to Popular Budgeting Methods

Choosing a budgeting method can feel overwhelming given the many strategies available. Each budgeting style offers a different way to approach spending, saving, and giving, depending on your goals, habits, and personality. Below is a detailed overview of some of the most popular budgeting frameworks used today.1. Backward Budgeting (Reverse Budgeting)Backward Budgeting, also known as Reverse Budgeting, is a powerful strategy grounded in the principle of "paying yourself first." Instead of allocating money toward expenses and saving whatever is left over, you first determine the amount you want to save or invest. Once your future goals are secured, the remainder…
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Building Up Your Heavenly Bank Account – How to Store Treasures in Heaven

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offered a profound invitation: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” These words challenge us to rethink what we value, what we pursue, and where we place our hope. Earthly treasures fade—subject to rust, theft, and the passage of time. But heavenly treasures are eternal, seen and remembered by God, even when no one else notices.So what does it look like to live for heavenly treasure? How do you do that exactly?Scripture gives us a beautiful roadmap through the life and teachings of Jesus.…
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Biblical View of Saving

The Bible offers a rich perspective on saving—both for emergencies and long-term goals such as retirement. While it doesn't directly mention modern financial concepts like "retirement accounts" or "emergency funds," it offers principles that provide guidance for godly stewardship.Saving Is a Mark of Wisdom Scripture consistently presents saving as an act of wisdom, not selfishness. Proverbs 21:20 says, “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” The wise person doesn’t consume all they have today—they think ahead, setting aside a portion for tomorrow. This principle is illustrated beautifully in Proverbs 6, where the ant…
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What Does the Bible Say About Investing?

The Bible doesn’t tell you which funds to buy or whether to use a Roth IRA. But it does provide rich wisdom for both the mindset behind investing and its practical execution. A biblically faithful investor seeks not only financial fruit, but also alignment with God’s purposes. The Investing Mindset: Heart, Stewardship, and Eternal Perspective Diversify Your Investments“Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.” – Ecclesiastes 11:2This is essentially an ancient endorsement of diversification. Because the future is uncertain, spreading out your investments reduces risk.Be Patient and Think Long-Term“Dishonest…
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What the Bible Says About Budgeting: A Key to Faithful Stewardship

Budgeting isn’t just a modern financial tool—it’s a deeply biblical practice that reflects wisdom, responsibility, and faithfulness. While the Bible doesn’t use the word “budget” in the way we do today, it consistently speaks to the heart of budgeting: planning, managing, and stewarding resources well. In fact, budgeting is an essential expression of Christian stewardship—our call to manage everything God has entrusted to us for His glory. Our Role as Stewards of God's Resources At its core, stewardship is the belief that everything belongs to God—our time, talents, money, possessions, and even opportunities. Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the…
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Is It Ever Okay to Have Debt? A Biblical Perspective

Debt is an ever-present reality in modern life. From student loans to mortgages, credit cards to car payments, few people live entirely debt-free. For Christians seeking to live according to biblical principles, this raises an important question: What does the Bible say about debt? Debt In the Bible The Bible talks a great deal about debt in various forms. There are many examples and illustrations across Scripture that can help us paint a picture of how to think about debt. One of the first references to debt is in Exodus 22, just two chapters after the 10 Commandments were given, “If…
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The Easiest Way to Make Estimated Tax Payments

For self-employed individuals, retirees with investment income, or anyone whose tax withholdings are not sufficient throughout the year, making quarterly estimated tax payments is essential to avoid penalties and interest. Fortunately, the IRS provides a convenient and secure method to schedule, view, and adjust these payments through its online portal at IRS.gov. Step-by-Step: Setting Up a Full Year of Estimated Payments on IRS.gov Step 1: Create or Log in to Your IRS Online AccountVisit www.irs.gov.Click “Sign in to Your Account” at the top right of the page.If you already have an account, log in using ID.me or your IRS credentials.If…
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What Can You Really Use Your HSA For? A Deep Dive Into Eligible Expenses

An HSA (Health Savings Account) is a special savings account available to individuals with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). Contributions are tax-deductible, earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals are also tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses.This triple-tax benefit makes HSAs a powerful way to save for both current and future healthcare costs—especially in retirement. To learn more about the benefits of HSA's, see my article A Healthy Investment: Discover the Surprising Benefits of Health Savings Accounts – Gilbert Wealth. What Can You Use the HSA for? HSA funds can be used for a wide range of qualified medical expenses, as defined…
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What Does the Bible Say About Retirement? A Biblical Perspective on Aging and Purpose

Retirement, in the modern sense, is a relatively new concept—stepping away from paid work to spend your later years in leisure. The Bible doesn’t speak directly about retirement the way we do today. There are no verses that lay out a formal age to stop working, no discussions about pension plans or travel goals. And yet, Scripture speaks profoundly to what it means to grow older, to transition into a new season, and to live each remaining day with purpose. You may have finished the rat race—early mornings, long meetings, pressing deadlines. But if you’re reading this, you haven’t finished…
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