5 Simple Financial Wins to Start This Week
It’s Monday evening, and your week is probably already in full swing. Sermons to prep, calls to return, maybe a hospital visit or a staff meeting before lunch. Retirement planning and money management? It’s easy to push that off until "later."
But here’s the truth: small financial wins now can lead to big peace of mind later. You don’t need a complete overhaul of your finances today. You just need to start.
Here are five easy, actionable steps pastors can take this week to gain momentum:
1. Open a High-Yield Savings Account (Start Your Emergency Fund)
You don’t need thousands to begin. Open an online savings account and transfer $100 into it today. Set up a recurring transfer of $25 a week. Dave Ramsey recommends starting with $1,000 because most emergencies fall under that amount. You can get there one week at a time.
2. Cancel One Subscription You Forgot About
Take five minutes and look at your bank statement. Is there a streaming service or subscription you don’t use? Cancel it today. That’s an immediate $10–$20 back in your budget. Small wins matter.
3. Automate a Small Retirement Contribution
If your church offers a 403(b) plan, increase your contribution by just 1%. Or set up a $50 monthly transfer into a Roth IRA. You’re not committing to forever. You’re building a habit. And you can adjust as you go. Want to see what kind of difference a small increase can make? Try this Increased Contribution Impact Calculator.
4. Put a Financial Goal in Writing
What do you want your finances to look like in 3 years? Do you want to be debt-free? Fund a sabbatical? Put it on paper. Goals that are written down become real. You don’t need all the steps today—you just need to know where you’re going.
5. Read One Article to Get Smarter About Money
Take five minutes tonight and invest in your financial understanding. Here's a great place to start: Navigating the Clergy Housing Allowance: Best Practices and Pitfalls to Avoid. It’s packed with practical insights for pastors like you.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to do all five of these today. But pick one. Take action. These aren’t just financial moves—they’re acts of stewardship.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. And the sooner you start, the better equipped you’ll be to serve with peace and confidence.
