Slaying The Debt Dragon

Are your finances getting out of control? Have you made mistakes with your money? Are you in more debt than you’d like to admit? Cherie Lowe has been there. She and her family found themselves $127,482.30 in debt (did your jaw drop?). They hadn’t bought a yacht, blown it on designer clothes, or purchased a mansion. The small, everyday expenses of living just added up—until suddenly, the Lowes were being threatened by one dragon of a debt. But through hard work and with God’s help, Cherie’s family vanquished this foe, one bill at a time. And you can too! In Slaying the Debt Dragon, Cherie shares how her war on debt made her financially free, strengthened her marriage, taught her children valuable money-management skills, and brought her whole family closer to God and one another. As you read her battle tales, you’ll be armed with the weapons you need to fight your own financial foes. With God, all things are possible—and your inspired happily ever after can begin today.

Dungeons & Dragons. It’s the fantasy role-playing game first conceived over fifty years ago by the now-legendary company TSR ,which has enthralled millions of devoted gamers around the world for generations. It’s a test of skill, intelligence, audacity, and survival. But no D&D game ever played could compare to the stunning behind-the-scenes melee for power and dominance that was the true story of TSR. Slaying the Dragon chronicles the rise and fall of TSR (Tactical Studies Rules), how the brilliant and wild minds of the legendary Gary Gygax and his co-creator Dave Arneson gave birth to a game that would capture the imagination of outsiders and underdogs throughout the world. From its humble beginnings in the small town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to its emergence as a cultural phenomenon, TSR soon spawned an unlikely empire of games and geekdom—with Dungeons & Dragons leading the way—that was decades ahead of its time, inviting both hyper-devoted fans as well as hysteria surrounding the game’s supposed corrupting influence on America’s youth. TSR was in the news, in the money, and on top of the world. But success soon took its toll, with creative control and rivalries within the firm threatening the stability of TSR. Former allies grew apart personally and professionally, and the formerly fun, freewheeling firm founded by a band of misfits collapsed into a desperate struggle for survival. Despite attempts to grow in a changing market, setbacks and management decisions put TSR in a downward spiral in the 1990s which resulted in the company's death and then resurrection by the most unlikely of saviors. With author access to previously unreleased documents and insider stories, and interviews with former TSR employees and associates who witnessed the high-stakes machinations and maneuvering that would eventually seal the company’s fate, Slaying the Dragon is a fascinating, revealing tale of friends turned enemies, success and failure, and loyalty and betrayal that no roll of the die could predict... "Riggs has written a fascinating and dishy account of the business hits and whistling misses of a band of dreamers, writers, artists, and geeks... A must-read for fighters, magic-users, and even bards -- and everyone else, too." — Brad Ricca, Edgar-nominated author of Mrs. Sherlock Holmes and True Raiders"Far from a fluff piece on a beloved hobby, this book goes behind the GM's screen to take a hard-nosed look at the people and circumstances that first gave rise to D&D, then nearly killed it -- twice. Riggs takes you on a roller-coaster from boom to near bankruptcy, but never loses sight of the individuals involved, the good, the bad, and the geeky." — Marie Brennan, Hugo-Award nominated author of the Memoirs of Lady Trent series

A bold declaration of faith, 41 Will Come is a shot of encouragement and hope for everyone who desperately needs to hear “God is with you. Your story is not over. You are not defeated.” In the Bible, it rained for forty days and forty nights. Day 41 came and the rain stopped. The people of Israel wandered the wilderness for forty years. Day 41 came and a new generation entered the Promised Land. For forty days, Goliath bullied Israel and dared anyone to fight him. Day 41 came and David slew Goliath. Do you see the theme? Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Perhaps you’re stuck in a downpour or lost in one of life’s deserts. Maybe you’re facing someone or something that could take you down. You might feel stuck on your journey, but 41 will come—it’s on its way. No matter how long your battle—days, weeks, or years—Chuck Tate offers you seven keys to help you hang on to the promise and truth that God will come through for you.

In How to Kill a Dragon Calvert Watkins follows the continuum of poetic formulae in Indo-European languages, from Old Hittite to medieval Irish. He uses the comparative method to reconstruct traditional poetic formulae of considerable complexity that stretch as far back as the original common language. Thus, Watkins reveals the antiquity and tenacity of the Indo-European poetic tradition. Watkins begins this study with an introduction to the field of comparative Indo-European poetics; he explores the Saussurian notions of synchrony and diachrony, and locates the various Indo-European traditions and ideologies of the spoken word. Further, his overview presents case studies on the forms of verbal art, with selected texts drawn from Indic, Iranian, Greek, Latin, Hittite, Armenian, Celtic, and Germanic languages. In the remainder of the book, Watkins examines in detail the structure of the dragon/serpent-slaying myths, which recur in various guises throughout the Indo-European poetic tradition. He finds the "signature" formula for the myth--the divine hero who slays the serpent or overcomes adversaries--occurs in the same linguistic form in a wide range of sources and over millennia, including Old and Middle Iranian holy books, Greek epic, Celtic and Germanic sagas, down to Armenian oral folk epic of the last century. Watkins argues that this formula is the vehicle for the central theme of a proto-text, and a central part of the symbolic culture of speakers of the Proto-Indo-European language: the relation of humans to their universe, the values and expectations of their society. Therefore, he further argues, poetry was a social necessity for Indo- European society, where the poet could confer on patrons what they and their culture valued above all else: "imperishable fame."

God’s vision for your marriage is far more than mediocre, and money and sex are two of the most common tension points. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In Your Money, Your Marriage, Brian and Cherie Lowe offer straight talk and power principles for getting your finances back on track so you can get back to your romance. Take it from them—the Lowes worked off $127,000 in debt in just four years, and emerged not only financially free but better together. Join Cherie, personal finance blogger at Queen of Free, and Brian, family law attorney who’s seen it all when it comes to marital money struggles, in this journey to help you and your spouse go from different books to the same page. Through candid and hilarious stories, fresh ideas and practices, and a few winks along the way, Brian and Cherie reveal the secrets to “financial foreplay” able to help every couple thrive together in finance and romance alike. You’ll learn how to: Develop “passionate patience” with each other toward a shared financial goal Identify unhealthy financial habits Save smart on date nights Sort through misaligned expectations as a couple Beat the comparison game Cultivate a stronger relationship on a budget of zero dollars Couples share much more than a bank account or even a bedroom—they share a sacred union. Imagine what your marriage could be if you could put cash conflict behind you. Your Money, Your Marriage is an invitation to find out, and to thrive together.

"The journey to financial freedom begins with a single budget." Take the reins of your financial future with 'The Flexible Budget Blueprint: A Guide to Fluid Financial Planning.' This comprehensive guide underscores the benefits of crafting a flexible budget that seamlessly adjusts to your changing needs, allowing you to maintain financial stability without sacrificing your life's goals. Begin your journey by understanding what budgeting is, its importance, and the various types of budgets you can employ. Master the art of devising a flexible budget that integrates fixed, variable, and semi-variable costs, as well as revenue. A step-by-step guide provides a practical approach to collecting relevant data, setting budget goals, allocating funds, and continuously revising your budget to keep it relevant and effective. Discover how to meticulously track your expenses and revenue, using various methods and tools, which are crucial to ensuring that your budget aligns with your actual financial situation. Learn how to earmark funds for short-term and long-term goals, control your expenses by identifying unnecessary costs, and find cheaper alternatives. Preparing for the unexpected is crucial. This guide shows you how to budget for unexpected expenses, create an emergency fund, and plan for irregular and seasonal expenses. It also introduces strategies for effective debt repayment and budgeting with an irregular income. Furthermore, 'The Flexible Budget Blueprint' extends its scope beyond personal finances. It provides practical advice on creating a family budget, planning small business finances, and budgeting for non-profit organizations. Complete with key takeaways and words of encouragement, this book is more than just a guide—it's your companion on the journey to financial stability and freedom. Take the first step today towards a more flexible and fluid financial future.Table of contents: Introduction Why create a flexible budget? Benefits of using a flexible budget Understanding Budgeting What is a budget? Types of budgets Advantages of budgeting Elements of a Flexible Budget Fixed costs Variable costs Semi-variable costs Revenue Creating a Flexible Budget Step by Step Collecting data Setting budget goals Identifying fixed and variable costs Allocating funds Revising the budget Tracking Expenses and Revenue Importance of tracking expenses and revenue Methods of tracking expenses and revenue Tools for tracking expenses and revenue Budgeting for Short-Term and Long-Term Goals Setting short-term goals Setting long-term goals Budgeting for short-term goals Budgeting for long-term goals Controlling Expenses Identifying unnecessary expenses Reducing expenses Finding cheaper alternatives Budgeting for Unexpected Expenses Importance of budgeting for unexpected expenses Creating an emergency fund Planning for unexpected expenses Budgeting for Irregular Income Challenges of irregular income Strategies for budgeting with irregular income Creating a variable income budget Budgeting for Seasonal Expenses Identifying seasonal expenses Planning for seasonal expenses Budgeting for Debt Repayment Importance of debt repayment Strategies for debt repayment Creating a Family Budget Getting everyone in the family on board Identifying family expenses Revising the family budget Budgeting for Small Businesses Importance of budgeting for small businesses Creating a business budget Tracking business expenses and revenue Budgeting for Non-Profit Organizations Importance of budgeting for non-profit organizations Creating a non-profit budget Tracking expenses and revenue for non-profits Conclusion Recap of key takeaways Encouragement to create a flexible budget ISBN: 9781776848058

“The most wonderful time of the year”? We dream of Christmas as a season of family, celebration, and worship—but too often we get burdened with stress, busyness, yelling, and overspending. Cherie Lowe, author of Slaying the Debt Dragon, knows what it’s like to feel frazzled as the holidays draw near. A family of four trying to defeat their debt monster, the Lowe family had to get creative and intentional about keeping the happy in their holidays. These 21 tips—on budgeting, the items you should buy on Black Friday, and much more—will help you save money, time, and your sanity this holiday season. You’ll be able to enjoy the holidays without worry and stress—and celebrate a Christmas filled with wonder and joy. (Includes bonus printables!)