The main thing some youth ministry workers say about money is that they don’t have enough.
According to the latest salary survey in Group Magazine, the average base salary for a U.S. youth worker is $32,500. That’s less than the average substance-abuse counselor earns, but it’s more than the average preschool teacher or library technician takes home. And it’s way more than the estimated 16 million Americans living below the poverty line have.
In Fall 2007, we asked readers of the YouthWorker eJournal how they felt about what they earned. Many said: “I don’t get paid a lot, but I’m in this for the ministry, not the money; so I am satisfied with what I get paid.” But some said: “I don’t get paid enough, and that causes problems for me and my family.”
Dissatisfaction is normal in a country whose Declaration of Independence honors “the pursuit of happiness.” But even many wealthy Americans feel they don’t have enough. “A million dollars isn’t what it used to be,” moaned one of America’s 7.5 million millionaires.
Some of you may wish you had such problems! But our challenges are to be faithful with what we have and to teach the kids we work with to do the same. We hope some of the articles in this section will help you meet these challenges.
The love of money may be a root of all evil, but Dave Ramsey and Humberto Cruz say it sure comes in handy sometimes.
Ramsey and Cruz are two of the nation’s best-known experts in personal finance. Ramsey, a syndicated radio personality and best-selling author, believes the secret to financial security is staying out of debt.
A Christian, Ramsey caused a stir when he blasted Family Christian Stores for giving away copies of his book The Money Answer Book if they applied for a store credit card. Ramsey’s Web site, www.daveramsey.com, doesn’t even accept credit cards.
Cruz, a syndicated newspaper columnist for Tribune Media Services, earned the nickname “Robosaver” by squirreling away $3 million on a middle-class income. Cruz spent 30 years as a writer and editor for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel before retiring from full-time journalism in 2000. He still writes his popular column, “The Savings Game,” for newspapers nationwide.
The wisdom these two writers share should help both youth workers and the kids they serve.
YouthWorker Journal: If you could give youth one financial goal for their lives, what would it be?Dave Ramsey: It’s simple: If you start making smart choices now—and avoid stupid ones—you’ll reap the benefit of wise financial decisions 30 years from now. Live like no one else now, so later you can live like no one else.
Humberto Cruz: There are three concepts young people should grasp. How much does it cost to get the money you make? What is the tradeoff you’re making when you spend now versus when you save for later? And they should understand the cost of credit.