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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Jordan Cove LNG project gets final environmental approval ... Sex offender accused of trying to take cellphone video in Old Navy dressing room ... St. Vincent holds annual Collectible Show ... Jordan Cove LNG project gets final environmental approval ... Sex offender accused of trying to take cellphone video in Old Navy dressing room ... St. Vincent holds annual Collectible Show ... Marketta Gregory: Remind yourself what really matters Comment By Marketta Gregory More Content Now MailTribune.com By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Dec. 29, 2014 at 12:35 PM Updated Dec 29, 2014 at 12:36 PM By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Dec. 29, 2014 at 12:35 PM Updated Dec 29, 2014 at 12:36 PM » Social News I made a novice mom mistake a few years ago. I was out shopping with my sons and had the grand idea of stopping by a pet store just so the little guy could see some birds and look at the fish. Maybe we’d pick up some dog biscuits while we were out, I thought. Instead, my oldest son picked up a huge interest in a gerbil, an animal I have absolutely no interest in touching, let alone inviting into my home. Still, in a moment of insanity, I made a deal with Jessie: If he wanted the gerbil badly enough to save his allowance and do some research on how to care for one, I’d let him have it. He saved for about a month before he caved and bought several cheap toys — thank goodness. For his birthday, he got a battery-operated hamster and I got a furry reminder about budgeting, just in time for the new year. I’ve always made sure our bills were paid on time, but I’ve often traded our money for things I don’t even remember, instead of using it for what I really want, which is to live a generous, debt-free life. A life where my money choices are respectful of God, not wasteful. I know it can be done. One man paid off a $25,000 home equity loan in six months, said Mark Janosky, who taught people about finances at Hope Lutheran Church in Greece, New York. Another couple in his class got rid of credit card debt while living only on disability checks. “God talks more about money in the Bible than he does about faith,” said Janosky, who believes he should be a good steward of the money God has entrusted to him. “He teaches us through money how we need to be disciplined.” David Palermo, a certified financial planner, has taught the same Financial Peace University classes at Northridge Church in Rochester, New York. Time after time, he has seen debt go down and savings go up. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. Here’s hoping it happens in all of our homes this year. Marketta Gregory is a former religion reporter who now shares her own journey of faith with readers. She lives in Rochester, New York, with her husband, their three young boys and one very vocal Pomeranian. To contact Gregory, email [email protected] or write to her at P.O. Box 12923, Rochester, NY 14612. You can also visit the Simply Faithful page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter at @MarkettaGregory. By Marketta Gregory More Content Now MailTribune.com By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Dec. 29, 2014 at 12:35 PM Updated Dec 29, 2014 at 12:36 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501