I promised to write soon about my current journey on learning to be a resourceful, effective and frugal stay-at-home wife and mom. There is so much I want to say, it will take many posts and the very thought of organizing my thoughts and ideas has kept me stalling. So here's a start...
Recently, I had the chance to speak to a group of ladies for a few minutes on what I've learned about saving money in the home. If I narrowed it down to the 5 things that help keep me on track the most when it comes to saving money and trying to steward it well, this is what it would be:
{1} Live like no one else so you can live like no one else. I'm pretty sure this is a Dave Ramsey saying, although probably not word for word. Women are naturally given to comparisons and if you are constantly letting yourself notice what others have and do that you don't, you will always be unsatisfied and unhappy, no matter how much money you have. But if you focus on your personal season in life, as a young family, young marriage, whatever it may be; and decide to be ok with not having certain "normal" luxuries in order that you may save money and be better off in the future, you will be able to be content and move ahead. It requires a change in perspective and priorities, really.
{2} Always keep your goal in sight. Not only in mind, but in sight: on your fridge, your mirror, your car. You will need a strong goal to begin with, for example, to stay at home with your kids so you can be their primary influence and coach them through their growing years. Or to help your husband pay off debt. Or to save up for something specific. Or to set apart money to be able to bless missionaries or a specific ministry. Or to save up for adoption. Or simply to change the atmosphere of your home by being more pro-active in your homemaking. These are all goals that require money, but the answer isn't always to go out and get a job. There is so much you can do at home while not giving up the incredible blessing it is to be at home.
{3} Plan, plan, plan. Yes, I am a planner/organizer addict. But I've been able to convince my husband, who isn't as much of a planner as I am, that planning saves money. The best example is going to the grocery store without a specific list and meal plan in mind. Without a fail, we always end up spending more money that way than if we had planned our grocery list. This applies in everything, though. Look at your last month's budget and spending and you will probably notice that most money "leaks" occurred when things were unplanned: an unplanned meal out in the middle of a long day of errands, an unplanned last minute birthday gift, an unplanned purchase when walking past a great sale. You get the picture. Plan ahead and stick to the plan!
{4} Discover what motivates you. Some people are motivated merely by their goals. They won't rest until they have reached them. Not me. I'm motivated by rewards! Nothing huge. Just little things I use to help myself accomplish tasks. For example, if I get everything done on my to-do list, I can make brownies and watch a movie with my husband at the end of the day. Or if I can save $20 from our grocery budget, I can use $5 of it for whatever I want. Little rewards help me a lot. But for you it may be something else. Discover what that is. If competition motivates you, for example, team up with a girlfriend to see who can reach their goal first. Loser gives winner a free babysitting night, or whatever you can think of!
{5} Don't forget about generosity. When we get all caught up in struggling finances and working hard to reach certain goals, it's easy to forget everything God has to say about it in His Word! The Bible is packed with wisdom on finances and promises of God's never ending faithfulness and provision for His children. Just because you have a goal to reach doesn't mean you should ignore the needs around you. In fact, the more you faithfully learn to be the wife and mom God created you to be, the more you will see His incredible provision in your life, and the more you should be inspired to go above and beyond in caring for and giving to others who need it. Yes, even when it means dipping into your grocery budget or delaying something you've been working hard for. I'm still trying to learn how to work with that very fine line between wise management and joyful generosity. It is very fine indeed! But the minute my feelings start to look like selfishness or fear, I know I'm not doing it right because those things do not blend with gratitude, faith and loving my neighbor.
Oh so much to say and learn. This is one area where I feel I've been on an intense hands-on course, where I see myself growing and struggling and learning so much. I'm so excited to share what I'm trying to learn with other wives and moms because I've seen God moving in our marriage and family through all this and I want every amazing woman out there to experience the same! I keep using the word "learning" because it's a process and I'm just starting out! Many out there know way more than me but I'm just excited to learn and grow and bless my family and those around me.
More on this topic coming soon...
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