FSBCA is in a neighborhood of increasing poverty.  Sometimes, people are poor due to circumstances totally beyond their control.  Sickness or injury hits and destroys earning potential.  Medical bills destroy savings and lead to debt.  Layoffs hit and new jobs are hard to come by.

But many times (maybe even most of the times), poverty is a result of poor choices.  If you don’t want to be poor, make these choices beginning in your teen and early adult years:

• Work hard to get good grades. Stay in school until you get your diploma.

• Get a first job, show up on time every time, and work hard.

• Learn a trade or a career without going into debt.  This might mean working toward a degree that leads to a real job.  It might mean going to a trade school, enlisting in the military, or getting some on-the-job training.  If you can’t afford a private school (without borrowing), go to a state school.  If you can’t afford a state school (without borrowing), go to Community College.  If you can’t afford community college, get a job and save until you can.

• Don’t do drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes.

• Don’t have a child out of wedlock.

• Don’t get married until you know you’ve found the right person and you can afford it; then stay married.

• Don’t borrow or use credit cards.

• Drive an old car and take care of it.  If you can’t afford that, ride a bike and use public transportation. Keep your old phone. Use an old computer. Wear old clothes.  Live with your parents or in a dumpy apartment.  Do this until you’ve finished your education and you have a good paying job.  Once you have a decent job, purchase only the things you can pay cash for.

• Learn to cook your own meals instead of eating out.  Learn to enjoy inexpensive forms of entertainment.  (Hike, read books, play sports, watch movies from the library, etc.)

• Give to God, put money in savings, and pay your necessary bills.  And don’t spend another dime until you’ve done these things.

Those who follow these ten rules may not be rich . . . but they won’t be poor.  They won’t be a drain on the government or their families.  They will build a future.  They will be able to handle the unexpected financial challenges that come their way.  They will sacrifice early in life in order to be able to handle increasingly larger responsibilities later in life.  And they can expect God to take care of them, because they’re doing things God’s way.