Step 7: Ready for Matching?
Disclaimer: This is not financial advice, but rather a conversation starter to get you thinking about how to make a savings plan for your Blessing Offering.
Contributed by Benjy Uyama
As we mentioned in a previous lesson on “When am I Ready?”, having basic personal finance skills is helpful when beginning a relationship and starting your Blessed marriage.
However, not all sizes fit all when it comes to personal finance advice. Therefore, we only have one basic guideline that will help you:
Save $3000 for your Blessing Offering.
That’s it! If you can manage to save $3000, that means you have the basic financial sense to make a financial goal, make a savings plan, stick with the plan, and reach your goal.
Why $3000?
The Blessing Offering standard amount is $2000, plus $1000 for any other costs associated with your Blessing Ceremony. Other costs would include traveling to Korea to receive the Blessing or doing a local ceremony in your community.
You might need less than $3000, depending on your situation, but $3000 is a very solid milestone that is entirely accomplishable.
Make a Savings Plan Now
Regardless of when you might be receiving the Blessing, start making a plan now as to how you will save up $3000.
If you see yourself receiving the Blessing in the next 2–3 years, then you should start a Blessing Offering fund right now and put the appropriate amount into that fund every month.
For example, if you hope to receive the Blessing in 2 year from now, that means saving $125 per month. In one year from now, that would be $250 per month. You can do the math based on your own possible timeline.
Consider Fundraising for Your Blessing Offering
If you’re currently a student or don’t have the extra funds to save every month, fundraising is an excellent way to make the funds for your Blessing Offering, as well as make a meaningful condition for your Blessing.
Before my wife and I received the Blessing in Korea, I made it a goal to save $3000 through fundraising by going out every Friday afternoon for a few hours to sell homemade bracelets. I was able to raise my goal of $3000 within several months.
It was a fantastic experience the challenges and victories of fundraising, and then offering that up as a condition for my Blessing.
Even though I had a job at the time and could afford to pay the $3000, I wanted to make the $3000 offering just through fundraising as a condition.
Fundraising for your Blessing Offering is just a recommendation for you to consider.
Recommend Readings
If you need help with the details of making a savings plan, check out some of the helpful tips in these articles:
Nerd Wallet––How to Make a Savings Plan
Dave Ramsey––How to Save Money: 20 Simple Tips