Tips for Saving Money: Household Budget Expenses

We're at the end of another year.  That means that, in our home, my husband's gathering all of the financial paperwork and doing a review of 2009 in preparation for tax time.  The end of the year is associated with reviewing and resolving.  The beginning of a new year is associated with new starts, change and improvement. Related to finances, I think it's a perfect time for Tips on Saving Money!
First, before we can go in a better direction, we have to know where we are, so:
I. Find out where your money's been going
     A. Look back at what you've spent this year
     B. Itemize expenditures by category, and then total
II. Look at the bills and see what ways, if any, you can cut costs
     A. Electricity: Turn off lights when not in the room; use energy efficient light bulbs; consider buying more energy efficient appliances; don't use the second fridge except when necessary; don't turn the oven on for just one thing; use a clothes line, instead of the dryer, etc.
     B. Gas: Use a set-back thermostat, and/or turn your heat down a few degrees and wear a sweater; (For you Southerners: turn your air conditioning up a few degrees); don't use your oven except when needed, and when you do, bake more than one thing, because the most expensive thing is heating it up in the first place!
     C. Phone: Do you really need all those features? What could you do to decrease this bill? Would bundling or using another provider save you money?
     D. Mortgage: Seriously look at this as a couple, if it's an expense that's more than 30% of your income. Savings options: Refinancing, 15-year loan instead of 30-year, paying a little extra against principle each month, moving to a smaller/cheaper home, renting.
III. Other Expenses: here are some of the ways that you can save some money:
     A. Auto
          1. Check around (call and compare) for the cheapest auto insurance
          2. Possibly bundle with your home insurance
          3. Check into Discounts for non-smokers, non-drinkers, good student, etc.
          4. Pay in full for the year to receive another discount
          5. Buy used, older model cars
          6. Don't speed or get any traffic violations
     B. "Toys": Sell the boat, 4-wheeler, snowmobile, camper, etc.
          1. Watch for future posts on inexpensive ideas for Vacations

Next week: Tips on Saving Money: Significant Savings for Stay-at-Home Moms

New Year's Resolutions

With New Year's coming in just a few days, many of you are thinking about plans for the upcoming year. I would like to make some suggestions as you "resolve" to do things differently, or better.

1. Pray and then pray some more.
2. Set Biblical goals: Will God be pleased or help you if your goal is to get even with someone who's hurt you in the past, or if you're selfishly setting a goal of making a million dollars to spend on yourself?
3. Don't be in a hurry to make a lot of resolutions. Take your goals seriously: you'll be much more likely to work to accomplish them.
4. Have a plan: I suggest setting goals under 4 main headings: Spiritual, Physical, Mental (or Intellectual/Academic), and Skills.
5. Choose just a few goals to start with (1 or 2 in each area): Succeeding in a few is better than being overwhelmed by too many and giving up in frustration.
6. Make your goals achievable. "Become an Olympic swimmer" is not achievable if you don't even know how to swim. Break your larger-than-life goals down into achievable smaller goals: "Sign up for swimming lessons." "Practice 3 times per week for 30 minutes," etc.
7. Make your goals measurable. For example, "Become a better cook" is not measurable. "Try 1 new recipe per week" is measurable and you will know if you have accomplished it or not.
8. Set goals first in the area where you need it most.
9. Write down your goals and look at them often.
10. Make a plan for how you will achieve each goal, and keep a record of daily/weekly achievement.

Below you will find a very simple list which has been handed out at my church the last few years, which I have found helpful in my goalsetting for the new year. This list gives some ideas for areas to think about, and plan for, which you may not already have on your list. (It came to me in a different format, but I give it to you in outline form for readability. You will want to change the format to one which will give you ample space to write out your ideas and goals.)
Just a note:  We all learn differently:  For some, color is very influential and important.  Try using bright-colored pens and markers, if you have never done so before, as you write out your goals. I find it amazingly helpful.

Name______________________

Goals For the Year __________

    I. SPIRITUAL

      A. Bible Reading:

      B. Verses to Memorize:

      C. Subjects to Study:

   II. FINANCIAL

      A. Where will I Give:

      B. How Much Will I try to Save:

      C. Spending I am Saving For:

  III. SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

  IV. LEISURE PLANS

  V. TRAINING I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE

  VI. BOOKS I WOULD LIKE TO READ

 VII. FAMILIES OVER FOR DINNER

VIII. PEOPLE TO MINISTER TO

 IX. MISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES

  X. MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

 OTHER PLANS

Habits are often the subject of resolutions--bad habits, that is. I ran across some excellent questions that may help you in overcoming yours.

• What sin or sins prevent me from reaching my goal?
• How do these sins hinder me?
• What are the Scriptures on this sin?
• What changes am I going to make to combat this sin?
• What positive things am I going to do to change this habit?

May God help us all to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Hebrews 12:1-4

At the Well: Scheduling

Today, At the Well, we're talking about one of my favorite subjects: planning and scheduling!  Next to becoming a Christian, I think this has changed my life the most.  I am naturally extremely spontaneous. Following a schedule is still a "flexible" event for me, and though I still like a little spontaneity in life, I have found that scheduling brings peace to my life and home, and that it advances my spiritual life.  Let me explain.

God is a God of order and gives commandments in His Word.  As a Christian, thinking about His priorities (His goals) for my life and my family, is necessary before I can really even begin to think about making a schedule. Thinking about His goals is a process which causes me to humble myself before Him and submit myself and my schedule to Him.  And attempting to follow a schedule causes me to be more consistent in reading His Word and memorizing it, in praying, and in doing those things involved in being the "keeper at home" and helpmeet that He designed me to be.  When I am more consistent, I experience less guilt, I am able to hear from the Lord more easily (after all, I'm spending time consistently with Him at the beginning of each day, when He has my undivided attention!) and I am a much more Christ-like representative to the world because when I and my life are exhibiting more peaceful order more consistently, it is totally opposite to what the world experiences. My wild fluctuations on a regular basis don't bring Him much glory!

This time of year is a great time to start scheduling, if you've never done it before, because no doubt you have already been thinking about what God might want you to change and some goalsetting and prioritizing may have already taken place in your mind.  I'm not going to share with you my present schedule, because I'm in the process of looking ahead to a new year and new goals, which will involve changing my schedule. When I have it all written out, I will plan on sharing it with you.

When planning a new schedule, the first priority must always be prayer and Bible Study.  Fasting, for a day, is helpful.  I prayerfully look at my life (the big picture and also the day-to-day) and ask God to show me the areas He wants to change.  I write down ideas in the major areas: Spiritual, Mental (Academic/Intellectual), Physical.  I take a look around at my home and my physical environment.  Does this prompt any ideas for change?  What's working? What's not?  Are there major areas of disorganization?  Cleaning needed?  Repair?  I think about relationships.  God comes first.  Then my husband and family. Then my church and friendships. What changes need to be made? Are there relationships He wants me to end? To start? Is there building, forgiveness, or restoration needed anywhere? I pray with a notebook and pen to write down the promptings He gives me.

Sitting down with a blank calendar and a blank lined sheet of paper, I place my life and schedule back on the altar.  I think about what God has spoken to me about: what He wants included in my life, and I schedule that first. The Spiritual goals come first: in my life, in my thoughts, in my schedule, in my day.  If you're having trouble getting everything done, it's probably because you're not spending enough time in the Word and prayer at the beginning of the day.  Some women, in order to find time in God's Word, have even set an alarm for the middle of the night, in order to have undistracted time with the Lord.  If you are serious about spending time with the Lord, He'll show you how to make it happen.  Don't set unrealistic goals in this area.  Start with a goal of small, consistent amounts of time: 15 minutes, rather than an hour a day--you can always work up to an hour, or spend longer when you have more time, but the goal that is important is to be with Him every day, and to hear from Him.

Then I think about pleasing my family (my husband first), and their needs.  If I'm not fulfilling my responsibilities at home, changes have to be made. The other things don't have to be done, no matter how much I think they do. My family is my first priority. If disorder in the home is a problem, I can schedule consistent times to work at cleaning and organizing--putting it on the calendar is an appointment I make with myself to do important things, and it helps to get it done.

I pencil in the approximate amounts of time needed for the different activities I know have to happen.  Then, what are my other responsibilities?  How much time do they require? I pencil that number in next to the activity.  I add in the travel time, the preparation time, everything.  Adding all the amounts of time together, am I trying to spend more time than there is in a day?  Are there any activities/responsibilities that God is prompting me to remove from my schedule?  I try to remember that the "good things" are the enemy of "The Best."

Also, it's wise to remember that there are "Seasons" in life!  You may not be able to do now that thing which is dearer than life to you--and you "just know" that it is the will of God for you!  Remember: when God called people in the Bible to do something for Him, often there was a long delay before they were able to accomplish it, while God took them through a "Preparation Period."  Think of Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and even Jesus!  The "thing" or "ministry" you so dearly desire to do may be years off, and having to obey God now in the humdrum day-to-day of dirty diapers and daily dying to self (or whatever training ground He's taking you through) is the training He knows you need to go through to make you ready to be used in a mighty way.  How can you do great things for the Lord without first learning to be obedient in the small things He's giving you now?

So, what are those things that God has spoken to you about?  Everyone has the same 24 hours every day.  If you are frustrated by not having time to do what you know He wants you to do each day, ask Him to show you where you're going wrong. Ask your husband to look at your schedule and offer suggestions.  Be prepared to be humbled.  A husband has a way of seeing, and ruthlessly slashing away at, a wife's "favorite" time-wasters, and wrong priorities.  See your husband as God's messenger to help you:)

Set goals.  Only set a few. Set them carefully, and prayerfully. Set them according to, and based on, what God has said to you in your time in the Word and prayer. Make sure they're do-able.

Finally, pencil into a seven-day calendar with days of the week at the top and time in 15-minute increments on the side, all the main categories of things that you have to do.  It takes me multiple calendars and many changes to finally come up with this rough-draft calendar.  I know that, once I begin to use this calendar, my week will not look exactly like it, but doing this exercise shows me two things:  It shows me if I'm trying to do too many things, and it shows me I need the Lord.  No one can accomplish, without the Lord's help, all that He wants them to be and do!  Isn't that great to know?!  With small children, you especially have to be flexible, and remember, no matter who you are, your schedule isn't written in stone!  We don't know what the Lord is going to surprise us with in the future, or what changes are going to take place in our lives.  Make "Lord-willing" a common phrase in your vocabulary.

The wonderful thing about a schedule is that you can change it and revamp it to solve problems that come up.  For instance, if you're finding your family is exhausted and too harried and hurried every Sunday morning, and it's causing you to miss church, or not to be able to worship Him properly, eliminate all activities on Saturday nights. (We very rarely planned anything on Saturday nights when our children were small. We still try to be at home or get to bed at a decent time every Saturday night, even now that our children are grown, so that we'll be ready for Sunday.)  You may want to plan an earlier bedtime for all of you, and block out half an hour, or whatever's needed, before bed to get the clothes and diaper bag, Bible, etc. ready for the next day.  Or, if your husband is upset every workday morning because you're ironing his shirt as he's walking out the door, plan 15 minutes, 3 times a week, to iron (or one hour once a week--you get the idea).

Look at your schedule as your friend.  Don't let it strangle you or handcuff you or make you its slave.  It is a valuable tool.  Let God use it--it may just change your life!

Majestic Gift: Jesus

Majestic Gift
by Marion Olmon Lien and Robert Wetzler

Majestic gift now giv'n in infant form
to hold the long awaited hope of man by prophet's writ foretold;
for us the Son is born!
The Christ, the living Word, Redeemer, Healer, Prince of Peace,
blest Master, Savior, Lord.


Majestic gift!  The whole of God's redemptive plan before all worlds
and through all time to be now comes to man.
Leap up, my waiting soul, on soaring wings take flight.
To men who long in darkness walked is come eternal light.


Majestic gift!  What love from God the Father's throne can give His Son
that truly I might claim Him as my own?
A pathway clearly laid; from earth to heav'n its span;
the glory of almighty God made visible to man.


Angelic voices shout ecstatic, wild acclaim
until all heav'n resounds with joy.  All glory to His Name!
In antiphon now sing the hearts of men on earth.
The King! The King is come embodied in this holy birth!

Sufficiency of Scripture Conference 2009

Sufficiency of Scripture Conference 2009

Click on the link above to read about the conference and the amazing speakers, (such as Paul Washer, Voddie Baucham, Ken Ham, and Doug Phillips) which is going on right now in Cincinnati, OH (I so wish I was there:) and how you can order audio sets.

But also, go to Life in a Shoe's giveaway of 3 audio sets of the Sufficiency of Scripture Conference! for a chance to enter the giveaway--wow, 3 free audio sets of the Conference being given away...that's amazing and almost as good as being there to win one.  

Thanksgiving 2009

We've been a little busy! No time for blogging...

So here are a few photos of what we've been up to!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Mom, Kelsey, Dane, Di, Ron and Jerry

"Sisters, Sisters--

There were never such devoted Sisters!"

"Time-honored Thanksgiving Traditions"

were observed, of course

...reading the sales ads...

...and watching the football game...

Friday's Family Project:

Painting Kelsey's Bedroom

"Chaos Central"

Thankful Thursday: Top Ten Thanks

Thankful Thursday:

Thanksgiving Day Top Ten Thanks Today

(To participate and read other thanks-giving, go to Grace Alone )

• Salvation
• His Marvelous Grace and Mercy to Me, the Worst of All Sinners
• My Family: Jerry, Dane and Kelsey
• My Home and Everything That It Means To Me
• My Church: Everyone Who Is A Part of It and All That God Is Doing There
• Health and Life:  Cancer-free for 7 years
• Godly Friends Who Encourage and Love Me
• God's Provision Through A Job and My Husband's Faithful Work
• Health for All our Family and Safety Through Another Year
• God's Faithfulness to His Promises; His Presence; and The Hope of Heaven, nearer every day

Thanks be to God!

Ps. 95:1-3--"O Come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise tot he rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."

Ps. 26:7--"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works."

Ps. 29:1-2--"Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.  Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

Psalm 100:1-2--"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's...

Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion:

Bless the Lord, O my soul."

5 Steps to Overcoming Discouragement

1. Pour out your heart to the Lord. Psalm 62:8:  "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." Have yourself a good cry, if you need to.
2. Sing hymns to the Lord:  hymns of Truth, Conviction and Commission such as: Count Your Blessings, Make Me A Blessing, Love Lifted Me, Must I Go Empty-handed, I Surrender All, His Eye is on the Sparrow, I am Trusting.
3. Read the Word Every Day--Follow a Reading Schedule--Do the Next Thing
4. Determine to do the Important Things Today.  Eliminate Guilt-producers.
5. Be Grateful.  Speak, to the Lord--out loud, if possible--five to ten things for which you're grateful.  If you can't think of any, or don't feel grateful, remember feelings follow actions.  Here are a few ideas to thank God for to get you started:  "Thank You, Lord, for life, salvation, the Bible which is freely available, the ability to think, the sun rising every day and God's faithfulness."

Appalling

     I feel angry, sad, sick.  I just watched a video on YouTube (click here ) of a speech given by the leader of our country to a group, the largest group, of those who believe sin is a right. He spoke to them in supportive words and tones, and would have us not only accept the enactment of sin, but he called for "admiration" of sin.

Violation of Scripture, deviant called normal, right called wrong, wrong called right. Appalling.

     I share this with you, ONLY because you must see and hear it for yourselves directly from him.

Romans 1:22-27, 32:
     "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:

 Who changed the truth of God into a lie,

and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
     Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

"Joshua Harris is Eaten by a Beanbag"

I think you'll enjoy and be challenged by this video!

The God of all Comfort

It is of the LORD's mercies
that we are not consumed, because
his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

These are very precious promises and words we can depend on. For the Lord is faithful to His Word. I have become aware this past year of the great comfort to be found in the Scriptures! I always knew that God would speak to me and direct me through them--that they were His thoughts and Truth.....but I have found in them a deep and abiding peace in the midst of uncertain times and circumstances. God comforts His children through His Word.

I also find great encouragement in singing hymns, especially during my quiet time with the Lord in the morning! I have at home a dilapidated copy of our church hymnal (it will open up and lay flat on the piano, which is very helpful especially for my kids who accompany the hymn-singing at church). I haven't memorized hundreds or thousands of hymns as Elisabeth Elliot says she did as a child, but phrases will repeat in my head through the day, which is very pleasant and helpful to my faith :)

Yesterday, the hymn "Count Your Blessings" kept running through my head! Here are the words:

"Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, Name them one by one;

Count your many blessings,

See what God hath done."

It may not be that "every doubt" will immediately "fly away" or that you will feel like bursting into song, but the combination of applying the Truth of God's Word to the wounds of your heart, and thanking the Lord for His many blessings will eventually work as salve to your soul and healing to your heart.

One of my favorite hymns when I am discouraged is:

How Firm a Foundation ye saints of the Lord,

is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said,

To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid;

I'll strengthen thee, help thee,

and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand."

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,

For I will be with thee, thy trials to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to his foes;

That soul,

though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake!"

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Blessed be God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort;

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to

comfort them which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith we ourselves

are comforted of God."

Video of Mexico Missions Trip 2009

From our Mexico Mission Trip Presentation given at church March 22, 2009.

(Scenes from our Mission Trip taken Jan. 23-Feb. 2, 2009)