our family has been experiencing a little more financial pinch lately. i quit my job after graham was born and we do not regret that decision at all, but the few month span until adam starts residency is just a bit tight. with an expensive car repair, expensive health insurance, and two kids, we are trying to make our money stretch. we are so thankful for a wonderful deal of a renting situation, and no debt or payments to make on anything except for adam's student loans (which we will most likely begin to pay back next year). our good friend introduced us to this wonderful online budgeting tool that has really helped us get a visual of where our money goes every month. we are excited about becoming more disciplined with our money and being good stewards of what God has given to us. regardless of whether we have a lot or a little, we want to be faithful to use our money well-to live simply so that we might give generously (who coined that phrase?). some things we have been doing lately to help us make it to the day (july 1st) when adam has a real job, albeit relatively lowpaying:
*selling things we don't need or use on craig's list; this has proven to be especially profitable for baby gear and toys that just didn't work for us. it's a great place to get used furniture and such as well
*we started a used books business of sorts-selling any medical books we can get from adam's classmates and those in other schools on amazon.com for a cut of the profits from the sales. so far, this has proven to be really time-consuming and we have made about $30, but hey, that's a lot more than nothing.
*we sent char to get milk for us from the store for the week and otherwise have just been trying to use up our groceries that we have in the freezer and cupboards. my mother-in-law noticed our meager fridge and called to make sure we were ok (thoughtful, eh?)
*we have a very lean budget for anything that is not absolutely necessary. i really enjoy shopping for clothes and things for the whole family, but right now we are just trying to see how far what we have can last us. we really have so much compared to most people in the world!
*i'm going to make more things homemade like bread and oatmeal
*we still make things like dates for me and adam a priority. we need time away from the kids, but we don't go out for swanky dinners or anything (not that we ever did or will!)and we are still going to visit family some this spring/summer, and take marit to the zoo...these kind of things are built into the budget
*it's actually been kind of fun to see what we can cut back on, where we can save or earn.
we really are so thankful that i am able to be home with the kids, that adam has a few months off before the insanity of residency begins, that we have more than we need even in this season that is a little more simplified. most of all, we are thankful that "God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory"
we welcome any money-saving tips that have worked for you as well. i know, lauren, cloth diapers...just can't get adam on board for it and don't know if we can make the up-front financial commitment...
2 comments:
Hahahaha. :o) I was actually going to tell you that one of our cousins recently told us that she discovered that she spent about the same amount of money at the grocery store whether she went every week or every other week. I usually go to the store every Monday, but I've been trying to figure out how I can menu plan 2 weeks at a time and go to the store less often (although, of course, we'll still have to do a fruit and milk run on the off-weeks).
there is such freedom in simplicity and what a blessing that you have the opportunity to learn to value that before Adam goes off and gets rich as a doctor one day - totally kidding! Seriously though, you guys are such a sweet example of living humbly before the Lord and being faithful in the little things. we consider it a privilege to be the receivers of your generosity - you know your hearts are big when you can give out of your poverty. thanks for loving us in that way...
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