This Week's Money Talking Points
This week’s Money Talking Points come straight from my conversation with Scott Maderer, and honestly, I left the interview feeling both inspired and challenged. We dug deep into what it means to truly live your calling, how to identify it, and why setting up financial systems can completely change your life. Here’s a closer look at our three talking points this week:
1. Does everyone have a calling?
I’ve gone back and forth on this for years. There were times I thought, “Maybe I don’t have a calling,” especially when I was working a big corporate job that didn’t exactly light me up every day. But Scott reframed it for me on the podcast: your calling isn’t necessarily your job. It’s the purpose and “why” behind the things you do, how you show up for others, and the impact you want to make. Once I understood that, I realized yes, we all have a calling. It’s there in the ways we invest in our relationships, handle our responsibilities, and chase the things that energize us.
So if you’ve ever felt like you “missed” your calling because your 9-to-5 doesn’t feel magical, you’re not alone. Your calling might be showing up in how you serve your family, volunteer in your community, or share your talents. The key is to pay attention to where you feel most aligned. Hit reply and let me know; do you feel like you’ve discovered your calling yet, or are you still searching? I’d love to hear your story.
2. How do you identify a ‘calling’?
Scott shared one of the most practical exercises I’ve ever heard for discovering your calling, and I think it’s worth trying this week. First, look backward. Make a three-column list: (1) things you’ve done in life, (2) the parts of those things that gave you energy, and (3) the parts that drained you. Seeing your life laid out like that makes it easier to spot patterns. What actually lights you up versus what just feels like an obligation.
Then, look forward. Imagine it’s five years from now and you run into an old friend at the airport. They ask, “How have the last five years been?” and you get to say they’ve been the best five years of your life. Write down what’s true in that vision: your relationships, your money, your time, the things you accomplished. That exercise gives you a filter for future decisions. My wife and I are starting to try this ourselves, and it’s already sparking some new ideas for how we want to spend our time. Screenshot this talking point and share it with a friend, then ask them to do the exercise with you. It’s a powerful conversation starter.
3. How do financial systems help you focus on other areas of your life?
One of the biggest takeaways from my own journey is that once you build a financial system that works, money takes up way less mental space. My wife and I used to spend so much energy stressing about bills, tracking every credit card purchase, and manually paying everything. Now, with autopay, a simple budget meeting system, and a clear plan for upcoming expenses, our money practically runs itself. That frees us up to focus on the fun stuff like planning vacations, working on projects we love, and having more intentional family time.
When your finances are humming in the background, it’s like creating a buffer between you and all that stress. Emergencies become minor inconveniences because you’ve already planned for them. And the best part? You start thinking about life goals instead of just monthly bills. Imagine what it would feel like to go a whole month without a single money fight or worry because your system had your back. Go ahead and start small this week, set up one autopay, schedule one budget check-in, or open a simple emergency fund. Those 1% steps add up fast!
This week's Money Buddy
In 2011, Scott and his wife Carrie took Inspired Stewardship as a business to serve Christian men and couples who are struggling to live out their calling. They work to help align the way you use your time, your talent, and your treasures so that you can identify and live a fully authentic life that allows you to authentically live your calling, serve others, and provide for your family. As certified Human Behavior Senior Consultants and members of the John Maxwell Team, they focus on helping you understand yourself, understand others, and through that understanding build the Kingdom. In 2017, they took the business full-time, offering assistance through one-on-one coaching, speaking, and workshops. His book Inspired Living: Assemble the Puzzle of Your Calling by Mastering Your Time, Your Talent, and Your Treasures was published by Morgan James on July 2nd, 2024.
Enjoy your week and get out there and have a money talk!
