Jerm, the Finance Coach

06/17/2026

Money stress is REAL. Maybe you’re struggling with debt, living paycheck to paycheck, or feeling like you’ll never get ahead. I’ve been there. BUT, there’s a proven plan that works to turn things around. It's called the 7 Baby Steps.

These work 100% of the time when you follow them in order. No shortcuts.

Baby Step 1: Save $1,000 for your starter emergency fund.
You can’t build wealth if you’re constantly borrowing money every time life throws you a curveball. Get this quick win under your belt ASAP.

Baby Step 2: Pay off all debt (except the house) using the debt snowball.
List your debts smallest to largest, attack the smallest one with a vengeance, and roll those payments into the next debt. Keep the momentum going until you’re debt-free!

Baby Step 3: Save 3–6 months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund.
This is your cushion for when (not if) life happens. With this fund, a job loss, medical emergency, or car repair won’t send you back into debt. (A lot of people continue the savings momentum right after completing this step to save up a down payment on a home.)

Baby Step 4: Invest 15% of your household income in retirement.
You’re out of debt and have a safety net... now it’s time to build wealth! Max out your 401(k) match and invest consistently in good, growth stock mutual funds.

Baby Step 5: Save for your kids’ college fund.
You don’t have to take out student loans or saddle your kids with debt. Save early and let compound interest work for you!

Baby Step 6: Pay off your house early.
Imagine life without a mortgage payment. That’s financial freedom! Every extra dollar you throw at your mortgage gets you closer to complete ownership.

Baby Step 7: Build wealth and give generously.
This is where the real fun begins! You have no payments, no debt, and no financial stress. Now you can live and give like no one else!

06/17/2026

📖 Proverbs 17:18 📖

"A man lacking in judgement strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor."

That's a pretty direct warning.

In today's language, we would call it co-signing a loan.

When you co-sign, you're telling the lender: "If they don't pay, I will."

Many people co-sign because they want to help a friend or family member. Their intentions are good, but good intentions don't change financial reality.

If the borrower misses payments, the debt becomes your responsibility.

💡 A Better Question 💡

Before co-signing, ask yourself:

"If the bank doesn't trust them with this loan, why should I risk my financial future?"

That's not being selfish—it's being wise.

God calls us to be generous and help others, but He also calls us to be wise stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us.

Send a message to learn more

06/11/2026

📖 Proverbs 11:24-25

"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will be refreshed."

God's economy often works differently than the world's.

The world says, "Hold on tightly to what you have."

God says, "Be generous."

Giving isn't just about money—it's about having a heart that is willing to bless others. When we live with open hands instead of clenched fists, we become better stewards of the blessings God has entrusted to us.

Generosity doesn't make us poorer. It reminds us that God is our provider, not our bank account.

06/10/2026

📖 "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." — Proverbs 10:4

This verse teaches an important financial truth: Wealth is usually built through consistent hard work, not shortcuts.

In a world that promotes get-rich-quick schemes and overnight success, Proverbs reminds us that diligence matters. Showing up every day, working hard, developing skills, and being faithful with what you've been given are often the real keys to building wealth.

But here's the part many people miss...

💰 Making Money Isn't Enough

I've met people who earn $40,000 a year and are building wealth.

I've also met people who earn $150,000 a year and are living paycheck to paycheck.

Why?

Because earning money and managing money are two different skills.

You can work hard and build income, but if you don't have a plan for that income, it can disappear just as quickly as it comes in.

🔑 Wealth Requires Both

✔️ Work hard to increase your income
✔️ Budget every dollar you earn
✔️ Save consistently
✔️ Avoid unnecessary debt
✔️ Invest for the future

Hard work creates opportunity.

A budget turns opportunity into wealth.

💬 Final Thought

Proverbs 10:4 teaches us that diligence leads to wealth. A budget helps ensure that wealth stays around long enough to accomplish your goals.

Work hard. Spend wisely. Build intentionally.

06/08/2026

💰 Baby Step 1: Save $1,000 for Your Starter Emergency Fund 💰

Most people think they need to start by paying off debt.

Not quite.

The first step is saving $1,000 in an emergency fund.

Why?

Because life happens.

🚗 Car repairs
🏥 Unexpected medical bills
🔧 Home repairs
🐶 Emergency vet visits

Without an emergency fund, every surprise becomes a crisis—and often ends up going right back on a credit card.

Baby Step 1 isn't meant to solve every problem. It's meant to create a buffer between you and life's unexpected expenses.

Why $1,000?

Because it's enough to cover many common emergencies while still keeping you focused on attacking debt.

Think of it as your financial first-aid kit.

The Goal

✅ Stop relying on credit cards
✅ Create a small safety net
✅ Build momentum and confidence
✅ Start taking control of your money

Financial peace doesn't happen overnight. It happens one step at a time.

And Baby Step 1 is where the journey begins.

Send a message to learn more

06/03/2026

💰 What Is a Zero-Based Budget? 💰

A zero-based (or zero-dollar) budget is a method where you assign every dollar a job so your income minus your expenses equals zero.
This doesn’t mean you’re broke—it means your money is fully planned with purpose.

✅ How It Works
1️⃣ Start with your monthly income.
2️⃣ Assign every dollar to a category—bills, groceries, savings, debt, etc.
3️⃣ Keep adjusting until Income – Expenses = 0

Every dollar gets a job. Every dollar has a purpose.
That’s the power of zero-based budgeting.

Send a message to learn more

05/26/2026

I’ll be teaching a 9-week Financial Peace University (FPU) class starting June 2! The class is completely free and will meet every Tuesday at 6:00 PM at First Assembly of God Church in Lexington. If you’re ready to take control of your finances, pay off debt, and build a plan for your future, come join us!

05/14/2026

We can't stop time, but we CAN make the most of it. Seize the day and take control of your LIFE!

The 7 Baby Steps will help:

1. Save $1,000 for your starter emergency fund.

2. Pay off all debt (except for the house) using the debt snowball.

3. Save 3 to 6 months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund.

4. Invest 15% of your household income in retirement.

5. Save for your children’s college fund.

6. Pay off your home early.

7. Build wealth and give.

04/30/2026

I recently read the book "The Art of Spending Money" by Morgan Housel. In the end, he listed a few simple thoughts that guide how he thinks about money in his home. I thought they were too good not to share.

Spend less than you make.

Quietly compound.

Money serves you, not the other way around.

No one is thinking about you as much as you are.

Independence is wealth.

Health is wealth.

Aim to be a good ancestor.

Love your family.

Send a message to learn more

03/24/2026

💰 What’s a Personal Finance Coach? 💰

A personal finance coach helps you take control of your money — not by managing it for you, but by teaching you how to manage it yourself.

They guide you to:
✅ Create a budget that actually works
✅ Build healthy money habits
✅ Pay off debt strategically
✅ Save + invest with confidence
✅ Reach your financial goals faster

Think of them as your money accountability partner — part educator, part motivator, all about helping you win with money.

If you need a coach in your corner, send me a message or email [email protected].