20 Years of Helping People Have More So They Can Give More

Despite market upheavals, financial crises, and recessions, tens of thousands of Christian investors have been able to improve their financial stability and accelerate their charitable giving with help from Sound Mind Investing, the nation's premier newsletter for Christian investors, now celebrating 20 years of monthly publication.

Financial teacher and author Larry Burkett envisioned such a newsletter in the late 1980s, and he encouraged his friend, investment professional Austin Pryor, to launch it. After a time of prayer and reflection, Austin took up the task and published the first issue of SMI in July 1990.

"I saw the need for an experienced source of information written in a 'user-friendly' way," Austin says, "one that could guide Christians step-by-step toward building their own fully diversified portfolios." Today, the SMI newsletter helps thousands of subscribers make the most of what God entrusts to them.

One of SMI's core investing strategies, known as Fund Upgrading, gained 79.2% over the 10 years ended March 31, 2010, while the U.S. stock market as a whole was up a scant 0.6% during that same period (as measured by the Wilshire 5000).

"SMI allows me to keep my perspective, with God as my focus and not bigger profits," says long-time reader Jeff Carr in Ohio. "I find it easy to get greedy when working on my portfolio - SMI helps me remember who really owns the money."

Reader Cate Brizzell in New York says her family has "developed a workable budget, paid off debt, started a contingency fund, opened college savings accounts, and went from negative returns in our retirement accounts to positive returns" by following the advice in SMI.

SMI's monthly newsletter, available in print and online, is focused on timely do-it-yourself advice. Each issue also includes suggestions regarding specific mutual fund investments and recommendations on when to buy or sell. Web members have access to additional resources, such as online tools for tracking retirement investments and running various "what if" scenarios that can demonstrate how small allocation changes can make a big difference in outcomes.

Sound Mind Investing has long been lauded for its clarity, objectivity, and biblical perspective. "Austin Pryor writes without vested interests in any specific plan or fund," comments Randy Alcorn, author of Money, Possessions & Eternity. "This means great candor and objectivity."

Financial author Ron Blue, president of Kingdom Advisors, noted that Austin's investment counsel "has proven to be extraordinarily wise and discerning over a long time period."

In addition to its monthly newsletter, SMI also publishes the Sound Mind Investing Handbook, a step-by-step guide to managing money from a biblical perspective. The Handbook, with more than 100,000 copies in circulation, is now in its Fifth Edition.
About Sound Mind Investing

SMI was founded in 1990 by former investment manager Austin Pryor. The mission statement of Sound Mind Investing is "to help individuals understand and apply Biblically based principles for making spending and investing decisions in order that: 1) their future financial security would be strengthened, and 2) their giving to worldwide missionary efforts for the cause of Christ would accelerate. In other words, we want to help you have more so you can give more."

Sound Mind Investing is celebrating their 20th anniversary by offering a Free 30-Day Trial Membership.
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Matthew Pryor in his 8th year with Sound Mind Investing, now serving as Director of Operations. Learn more about Christian investing and finances at the Sound Mind Investing website.