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 get money from your U.S. bank to where you are on STINT.  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.

The responsibilities the financial assistant would assume are up to you.  It’s important to remember that the more of your finances that 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 (ECCU) 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.
• Assist you in getting Campus Crusade for Christ salary advances or reimbursements.
• Assist you in submitting any insurance claims you may need to file.
• Assist you in getting your money from the U.S. to you.  This will vary greatly, depending on where you are on STINT.

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.