Do you ever feel like your money just slips through your fingers?

You work hard, even maybe make a decent income, but you're still stuck in that

cycle of living paycheck to paycheck?

Well, guess what?

It's not always about how much money you make.

So today we're gonna go deep into the hidden reasons why you're feeling stuck.

We're gonna have a frank discussion about the sneaky habits and those

difficult mindsets that keep us trapped.

We're going way beyond the surface.

We're moving beyond just budget more.

So if you're ready to uncover the real root causes and finally break

free, you're in the right place.

Let's get real on today's show.

Hey everyone, and welcome to the Ask Ralph Show.

Ralph, your financial evangelist, and this is the show where we tackle real financial

challenges with a faith centered approach.

This show is all about helping you break that cycle of financial shame

with confidence, and today we're digging deep into the root causes of why we

live paycheck to paycheck, even when we think we shouldn't live this way.

Mark asked this really great question.

He said, Ralph, I make decent money, but I'm still broke.

Where's it all going?

Well, mark, that's the million dollar question, isn't it?

So Mark, let's find the answers together on today's show.

Lemme start by saying something bold.

it's not always about your income.

Now, that's sometimes part of it.

But often it's what I call lifestyle creep, and yes, I chose

the word creep intentionally.

That new car, that bigger house, all those things add up over time.

It's also the lack of budgeting and that emotional spending.

All of this plays a big role many times.

The truth is we spend to feel better, not because we need something.

How about you?

I'd have to say that I'm certainly guilty of that.

How many times have you found yourself making that purchase just to feel

better, just to feel some joy?

Maybe you're feeling a little bit depressed, or maybe you're feeling a

little sad and all of a sudden that new purchase, that'll be the answer.

Some retail therapy, that's gonna be the answer to your low

feeling, but think about it.

Do you find yourself buying things to relieve stress or, or maybe

to keep up with what others have?

That fear of missing out?

And let me just tell you, this isn't about judgment.

We've all been there.

It's about honesty and it's about recognizing patterns.

These patterns that trap us.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 2117, and I love this, it says, whoever

loves pleasure will become poor.

Whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

That is certainly direct, isn't it?

And listen, it's not saying pleasure is bad, but it's warning us about letting

our desires control our finances.

That's really the critical point.

Are you letting your desires control your finances?

And I know that's a tough question, right?

Have you ever thought about it?

Have you ever thought about how your emotions keep you trapped in the

very cycle you're trying to escape?

And how are these emotional decisions, how are they making you feel even worse?

But the good news is I've got a solution.

So let me just ask you, are you ready for a solution?

Well, let's get real practical.

That's what this show is all about, practical solutions.

So here's your actionable item for today.

I want you to create a needs versus wants list.

Start by writing down everything you spend money on and categorize it.

Categorize it either as a need or as a want.

It's really that simple.

But you gotta be honest with yourself.

You're not gonna get anywhere.

If you're not honest.

Ask yourself, do you need that daily fancy coffee, or is it a want?

Do you need that new electronic gadget?

Or is it a want?

Do you need that subscription to, well, whatever you subscribe to, or is it

a want you See, this list will help you see where you're overspending.

You gotta be very strict with yourself.

Ask yourself this very difficult question.

Does this purchase honor God's provision for me?

Ask yourself, does it keep me trapped in that cycle of shame?

And hear me on this?

It's okay to admit we've made mistakes.

We are all learning, and God's grace is abundant and he is ready to help us grow.

I want you to remember that small changes accumulate into huge, large results.

Just like the parable of the mustard seed, small acts of

obedience can lead to great growth.

So let's get back to your question Mark.

You're not alone in that question.

Many of us fall into these traps.

But by identifying the root causes, you're already moving forward.

Remember, financial freedom isn't just about numbers, it's about

stewardship, and it's about aligning our spending with God's purpose.

Mark, you can do this, you can break free from the cycle of financial shame.

It starts today with really asking yourself that tough question.

Is this a need or is this a want?

Well, let's pray together.

Lord, we ask for your wisdom to see the hidden causes of our financial struggles.

Help us to be honest with ourselves and to make those changes for the better.

Lord grant us the strength to resist temptation and resist

that emotional spending.

Help us to focus on our needs and be good stewards of what you've given us.

Help us to see the provision you've already provided, Lord, and help us to

truly find that financial peace and help us to break that cycle of financial shame.

We ask this in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

So your challenge today is pretty simple.

Identify those root causes and start making changes.

Is it a need or is it a want?

Tomorrow we're gonna talk about the emotional side of this.

So make sure you join me tomorrow and thank you for listening

today because I know your time is valuable and I appreciate you.

I appreciate you choosing to spend a few minutes with me

today, and I want to encourage you to visit our website at graph

podcast.com/newsletter and subscribe.

I'd love for you to be part of our community.

As I always say, I wanna encourage you today stay financially savvy out there.

Let's keep moving forward in helping you break the cycle of

financial shame with confidence.

And may God bless you.