You'll hear from financial counselors, read on the Internet, and see in magazines that if you only solved your spending problem your finances would improve and you'd be on the path toward financial freedom. But is overspending really your most pressing financial problem? Let's do a little checkup that will determine where your financial struggle really lies.

I've never been a missionary, but I've known a few. I've seen missionaries come to churches asking for money . . . some of them polite and others coming off as a little demanding. While I understand that missionaries need money to travel and spread the gospel, there is sometimes a clear lack of training when it comes to fundraising. How do you as a missionary be respectful but get the funding you need?