Being overseas can make managing your own finances a challenge.  Often STINTers have ongoing financial obligations in the U.S. but must also take care of their finances in their host country.  It can be a challenge to keep track of the money being withdrawn from your U.S. bank account when it’s happening from two different continents. Having someone assist you with your personal finances can help.  Unless you’re in a security-sensitive country, you are not required to have a financial assistant, but we strongly encourage you to consider this.

Managing Your Staff Account: This is something you’ll be able to do almost entirely on your own.  As a STINTer you’ll be setup on the staff services website and the campus ministry’s website where you will be able to look at your CCC account online. That means, each month, you’ll be able to track:

• How your monthly support level is doing
• Your staff account balance
• Who has given any special donations so you can write them thank you notes
• When reimbursements and advances have cleared

This will be extremely helpful for you in managing your ministry funds and making sure your support is doing well throughout the year.

Responsibilities of a Financial Coordinator: The responsibilities the financial assistant would assume are up to you.  It’s important to remember that the more of your finances  you’re able to handle on your own, the better off you’ll generally be.  As much as is possible, try to handle your own finances yourself while overseas.  Delegate only those things to your financial assistant that you are unable to do yourself.  You will need to figure out an arrangement between yourselves.  Some potential ideas of what your Financial Assistant can do, if necessary:

• Become a check-signer on the bank account you usually pay bills from.
• Become a signer on your Evangelical Christian Credit Union account that you set up.  This may be very useful to you in emergencies when you need money quickly.
• Be a bill-payer for you on some of your financial obligations (school loans, car payments, etc).
• Assist you in submitting any insurance claims or tax forms you may need to file.
• Mail tithe checks or send money to Christian organizations/churches.

We suggest that in selecting an assistant you look for someone who you think is capable of handling your finances where necessary, someone who is organized, efficient, and on-time in their own obligations.  Also, it would be wise to have someone whom you trust with your money and with whom you are comfortable discussing your finances.

It will be essential that your assistant understand both—what you are expecting them to do to assist you, and how to do those things.  Simple, specific instructions are a must.