Our budget is something we need to watch very carefully. Jesus showed a concern with His disciples about not being wasteful.
John 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost
John 6:12 When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted.”

We also saw evident in the book of Exodus when God provided manna from heaven.
Exodus 16:18, 19 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning
Exodus 16:18,19 Those who gathered more had no extra and those who gathered less weren’t short—each person hadgathered as much as was needed.  Moses said to them, “Don’t leave any of it until morning.

Our lifestyle budgets are 20% knowledge and 80% behavior. So many people think short term, believing that everything will work out okay with prayer and very little planning
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:17 Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Luke 14:28-30 Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’

Habits of successful people always  begin with the end in mind. You should tell your money where to go instead of wondering where it went. Some people spend more money on their stomach than their future with expensive eating habits. The ‘I want it now’ mindset can rob a promising future. People think debt is very much acceptable. Finance companies get richer and make financial slaves from people who spend money before they have it. This contributes to the billions of dollars in debt the U.S. is in now. Although the government tends to favor these
financial managers with a 700 billion dollar buyout and another 2 trillion to some undisclosed recipients (Nov 10) instead of helping out those who are taken advantage of, we have to take responsibility on ourselves. But debt is not a good tool. Having a habit of getting money for a check should never be considered.
Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender
Proverbs 22:7 The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don’t borrow and put yourself under their power.

Even co-signing to help someone out is a dangerous thing that only enables someone to carry on a have it before it’s paid for mentality with a higher percentage of these debts left to the co-signer. A popular ‘slavery capturing’
item is the 90 days same as cash. 88% of these turn into debt with interest rates swelling up from 27-38%.
Proverbs 17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
Proverbs 17:18 It’s stupid to try to get something for nothing, or run up huge bills you can never pay.

The best goal in life is to be debt free. Even companies like Harley Davidson, Walgreens and Cisco operate under this freedom. The best way to obtain wealth is to be debt free. Even 75% of the Forbes top 400 are that way. Even if you are not getting wealth for yourself, Jesus instructed us to feed and cloth needy people and would not leave us empty handed, but give us the knowledge and ability to do so.
Deuteronomy 28:12, 13 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season,  and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them…
Deuteronomy 28:12, 13 You will lend to many nations but you yourself won’t have to take out a loan. God will make you the head, not the tail; you’ll always be the top dog, never the bottom dog…

Home ownership is a transitional debt that makes you a landlord instead of a tenant. The key point is not getting in over your head. Fixed comfortable rates are always recommended. And as with any situation, you should make sure you have quick access to saving 3-6 months of income for emergency situations.
Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Luke 14:28-30 Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’

People don’t plan to fail, but fail to plan. A good amount to save each month is 15% of your pre-tax income. Even if you’re barely getting by, you should at least put away $5 a week to get in the habit of saving. You don’t want your future to be like 97% of people who are over 65 years of age and cannot write a check for $600. In Zimbabwe, failure to plan has gotten inflation over 1 trillion percent.
Proverbs 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Proverbs 21:20 Valuables are safe in a wise person’s home; fools put it all out for yard sales.

If you are still trying to manage your debt, make an effort to pay off the debts with the highest interest rates first or debts with smaller amounts that can be paid within a month. Don’t let it capture you, but you can use the gazelle and cheetah method and out maneuver your debt. A cheetah will only capture a gazelle 1 out of 19 tries and gets tired very quickly. Many gazelles go on to live long lives. Avoid lotteries and get rich quick schemes that prey on the poor and greedy.
Proverbs 23:4,5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselveswings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
Proverbs 23:4,5 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself!
Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder.
Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
Proverbs 15:27 A greedy and grasping person destroys community; those who refuse to exploit live and let live.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.

For the long term, mutual funds have also been a good investment with 95% making a profit in 5 years, and 100% making profits over ten. Fixed CD’s can add consistent earnings also. Bottom line: Pray about decisions with long term and eternal circumstances in mind. Let the Seed, or Word of God guide you.
Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22 The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.