Welcome to The Simple Nickle!

Clueless about your money? Do you want financial security, but don't know where to start?

The Simple Nickle is a free web-based program to help you easily understand and control your finances in less than 15 minutes a day! We'll guide you step-by-step; it's as easy as checking your email! We'll also give you easy-to-understand financial education starting with the most basic aspects.

'Tis the Season to Give Service and Time

At this time of year, along with the hustle and bustle of the shopping world, we are often particularly aware of the needs of others. There are campaigns for toy and food drives, the Salvation Army is ringing away on street corners, and many churches make an extra push for donations for those less fortunate. Now is a good time to give of very valuable gift: yourself. And it won't cost you a dime!

Give the gift of Service. Let the holiday spirit open your eyes to the many opportunities to serve those around you. Perhaps a neighbor needs assistance around the house with a project, or you just realized that the local food bank is closer to your house than you thought. Find and commit yourself to some service this season, whether a one-time event or something that lasts throughout the year to come.

Give the gift of Time. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but how we spend it makes all the difference. Use your precious hours to bless the lives of others. Think about taking just an hour of your leisure time and devoting it to someone else(by the way, this can be spent doing something fun!). If you spend more time with your spouse and with your children, the results will amaze and bless you, as well.

The holidays certainly have a special spirit about them. Indeed, 'tis the season to give...but what will you give?

'Tis the Season to Give Forgiveness, Praise and Love

More valuable than the latest tech gadget, more important than finding the most sought-after toy are the gifts last a lifetime. This Christmas, consider shelving the materialism of the season by giving just a present or two(or maybe none at all), and instead give a gift more precious than the rest in a heartfelt letter. What, you ask, should be in this letter? Write down those things that are often the hardest to say:

Give the gift of Forgiveness. Nothing is more devastating to a relationship than withholding forgiveness, and nothing heals a relationship faster than giving it. Are you clinging to a grudge or past wrong? This Christmas, let it go and make amends...it will be one of the most valuable gifts you'll give.

Give the gift of Praise. It's easy to overlook how important this gift is. For children, this gift is essential and can change their life. This season, begin to give this gift freely and often. And if it's written down, the receiver will have something to buoy them during life's hard moments.

Give the gift of Love. It's often the hardest thing to say to someone, but it's so vital. Humans need love, we crave and are drawn to it. Why are we often so stingy with it? Give it more to those you love by saying and showing it, and start by putting it in a letter.

A Christmas to remember might be one where you decide as a family to bypass the presents and each write a thoughtful letter to one another. It will be one gift that will be cherished for a lifetime.

'Tis the Season to Give Truly Valuable Gifts

'Tis the season to give...but 'tis also the season for rampant materialism. We are assailed on every side with commercials, radios spots, billboards, and flyers demanding that we WANT, GET, DESERVE, etc. Even friends and family constantly ask, 'What do you want for Christmas?' Naturally, this steady stream of materialism will eventually wear us down if we let it, and then invade our wallets.

The last thing we need when we are trying so hard to gain financial security and control is a yearly wallop from the holidays to set us back. This means that instead of caving to the commercial pressure to get more material things, we should look inward at the values that make life precious. This means that more stuff won't bring you happiness and peace, but will add to your financial stress. This means that even though it is better to give than to receive, even that mantra can lead to money mayhem if we go overboard trying to prove how much we care about our loved ones.

Instead, let's consider giving gifts of true and lasting value. We'll spend the next few days figuring out exactly what those gifts are, and how they can actually lead to happiness, peace, and even greater financial security. Stay tuned!