What is the number one stressor for missionaries? According to the results of a survey conducted by member-care trainer Brenda Bosch, the answer is “financial pressure.”
Not only can a lack of funds cause headaches, but so can keeping track of income and outflow, reporting to supporters, handling exchange rates, filing taxes . . . and the list goes on. I dare say that most missionaries don’t enter the vocation because of a love for bookkeeping, so any help on the financial-tracking front is welcome.
One such help is Money Management for Cross-Cultural Workers, written by Ryan Eidson, of Copper Coin Coaching. This workbook is targeted at missionaries who, for tax purposes, are considered self-employed, but it contains a wealth of information for all people working overseas—regardless of their particular financial situation.
Organized as a 90-day tutorial, Money Management leads the reader through a step-by-step process for understanding, organizing, and tracking funds, developed by Eidson and his wife while they served as missionaries in East Asia. The book also includes access to a spreadsheet template—with detailed instructions on using it—links to audio interviews with experts in the field, discussions of the Biblical principles guiding financial decisions, and links to and summaries of many applicable documents from the IRS.
While I and my family served as direct-support missionaries in Taiwan, we followed the financial guidelines of our missions organization, but Eidson’s book would have certainly been a valuable tool in helping us in answering questions that, at the time, we didn’t even know to ask. For me, one of the big stressors of our financial year was filing taxes. Not only was I sometimes confused by all the forms and schedules and rules, but it was tax time that often made me rethink my figures from throughout the previous year. About two-thirds of the way through his daily lessons, Eidson gives these encouraging words: “Remember, after you complete this entire workbook, you won’t have to fret when tax season comes. You’ll have all your records ready. Press on!”
Discounts for “Launch Week”
During this week’s launch of the second edition of Money Management for Cross-Cultural Workers, the Kindle version is available free at Amazon today and tomorrow (Nov. 13 and 14). Also, Eidson is giving away a set of free bonus digital goods to those who purchase the book this week. Details here.
(Brenda Bosch, “Summary of Missionary Survey Outcomes,” Global Member Care Network Conference, April 2012)
[photo: “Foreign Currency and Coins,” by Philip Brewer, used under a Creative Commons license]
Clearing Customs 
Thank you, Craig, for your review of my book. It is a tremendous resource for anyone living and working overseas.
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My pleasure. Hope this helps get the word out.
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This is really good stuff! I was a missionary for almost 16 years in Guatemala. I’m excited you discovered my blog because that way I discovered your blog!!!!
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Thanks for dropping by. I hope you find lots of useful stuff here.
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:D
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I picked up a copy of three copies based on your review. Ryan’s methods won’t fit everyone’s personalities but people who get into the detail will benefit.
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You’re right, Brian. Detail and task-oriented people will do well with this book on their own. Others will need more assistance from co-laborers or a forwarding agent to keep all the paperwork straight. It is still important for everyone to record his/her income and expenses, regardless of who compiles and analyzes the data later. Thanks for getting the book!
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Good point, Brian. As you distribute your copies, I’d be curious to hear how the readers—with their different personalities and needs—respond to the book.
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