He is risen! – Matthew 28:6

Holy week is upon us and soon we’ll be celebrating the good news on Easter, that Christ is risen! If you’re like most Christians, you’ve spent the past six weeks of Lent reflecting on your life, your faith and your commitment to God and your church. It’s the season of spiritual rebirth, of cleansing and of hope. You can apply this feeling to most any aspect of your life, including your financial affairs. If you’re looking to rebuild and reinvigorate your finances, below are a few things you can do to easily enrich your financial health this Easter season.

1. Start or Add to an Emergency Fund

It’s easy to get into financial difficulty when unexpected expenses arise. Things like your car breaking down, medical bills or a major home repair can wreck havoc with your finances, causing you to reach for that credit card and end up paying double digit interest rates for years to come. Having even a few thousand dollars stashed away for emergencies can help you avoid such situations. Even setting aside $50 per month for your fund can add up over time.

2. Contribute the Maximum to Your 401k

Contributing to your 401k plan at work can help you save painlessly for the future. Such contributions are tax-deferred, which will help you reduce your tax obligation or get a larger refund. Many employers also match some or all of the money you contribute. It’s like getting a raise without even having to ask.

3. Pay Down Your Debt

Paying 12 to 25 percent interest on credit card balances is like throwing money out of the window. Make it a priority (after your emergency fund) to pay down and eliminate those high interest loans.

4. Add a “Side Gig”

There are so many opportunities in this digital age to make a little extra money. You can write articles for companies that need content for their websites. You can design website and/or logos. You can open an eBay or Etsy store to sell your home-made craft items or art. All of these endeavors can add hundreds of dollars to your family budget and mean the difference between just making it and thriving.

Sometimes bills pile up due to situations beyond your control, such as an illness in the family or getting laid off from a job. These scenarios can seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to face your creditors alone. At Faithworks Financial, our Christian debt counselors can assist you in consolidating your bills, so that you only have one debt payment each month. We share your values and we want to help. To see if Christian debt consolidation is right for you, call Faithworks Financial at 877 232-5109.