Friday, September 10, 2010

Living Within Our Means

"Imagine what this world would be like if everyone lived within their means."  Those were the words I heard coming from my husbands mouth while we were driving this past weekend.

I have to say, they have stuck with me all week! We know of a lot of people who are in huge amounts of unnecessary debt. When I say unnecessary, I mean they used credit to buy things that they just did not need to buy! Thankfully, my husband and I are not in crazy debt, but we do have a few unnecessary bills for things that we could have lived without. {we are working on being debt free by March 20, 2011...my hubby's 30th b-day!}

I believe that there are some debts that are necessary and are, in some instances, hard to avoid.

Mortgage
Car
School Loans

We need those things and, unless you are a billionaire, usually do not have the cash to buy it outright. So, you have to finance. Those are necessary debts.

And, sadly, sometimes we run into health situations where insurance does not cover all the expenses and you are left with a bill. That is necessary debt.

I just can't understand the debt people put themselves into when they spend and spend and they need to work and work just so they can spend and spend more and more on things that they just do. not. need! Then, they are working so much to pay for all these things, that they should not have bought in the first place, that they are never home to even enjoy them!!

What will it take for people to find happiness in the simplest of things?

Being a stay-at-home-mom and living on just one income, my husband and I have had to make some sacrifices. I can't tell you the last time I bought myself a new pair of jeans or a handbag! But, these decisions were the right ones for us. And, I have to say, we are happier. We are spending more time, together, as a family! And, we are having fun discovering new places to go that are either cheap, or free! Yes, some months go by and it gets a little frustrating when the bank account is bare {i am human afterall!} but I wouldn't trade my life in for anything.

I will never understand the need for more stuff that you can't afford. I am appreciative of the things God has blessed me with.



I have a warm, cozy, safe, roof over my head.
I am always able to put good, healthy, meals on the table to feed my family.
I have a safe, reliable, car to drive.
We always are dressed in clothing that fits and is clean and not old and dirty. Grant it, the clothes we wear may not be the latest style, but they are clothes none the less and I think we are rockin' in our own style!
My husband has a job that he loves and that provides for us and allows for me to stay home and be a mama to my children full time.
We are healthy and free of any awful, life threatening, disease! {that is enough right there!} 

Would I be lying if I said I never coveted something that a friend of mine or someone I have known has gotten? Yes! Of course I would love to go on fancy vacations and have a beautiful, new home, or a pricey handbag. My husband would love a new motorcycle! But, these are all just things. And we are learning, slowly, to humble ourselves and be thankful for the things we do have. God has a plan for our life and I know the blessings are going to be abundant. We just need to wait on him! I have faith that it will all come in His perfect time!

So, try living within your means and being thankful for all the things He has already given to you. I bet you will come up surprised at just how much you already have! Once we start to appreciate the little things that is when I believe He will bless us with bigger things!

A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. ~ Proverbs 28:25


A kind-hearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. ~ Proverbs 11:16


6 comments:

  1. I support you! It's not easy to live on one income, but it can be done.

    Blessings on your weekend,

    e-Mom @ Chrysalis ღ

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Amy. I found you through Charissa. I have to agree with most of what you said. As Dave Ramsey always says, "Debt is dumb! Cash is king!"

    Thankfully, my husband is in complete agreement with me on this. He comes from an incredibly humble background (I mean no running water) so he knows what it means to go without. His mother instilled a strong work ethic and constantly reminded him and his siblings that "if you have your health, then you have everything. Thank God for His blessings."

    Because of this mentality, I can gratefully say that as of a few weeks ago, we are 100% debt free! Yes, we are in our 30's, our cars are paid off, and we have paid his way through undergrad. We are doing the same for his MDiv in Biblical Counseling.

    God has richly blessed us with far more than we could ever need. And it is a blessing to be able to give back. If you ever need a reality check, I highly recommend sponsoring a child through Compassion International. We don't know what it means to go without!

    "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!"

    ReplyDelete
  3. e-Mom...thanks for your support. It is not at all easy, but with God's grace, we have been doing it...and doing it well.
    I know my place is in the home...raising my children and caring to the needs of my home. I wouldn't trade my "job in for anything. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. @ Jen Hurst...{i hate how blogger doesn't have a "repply" button!} Thank you for your comment and how awesome to be completely debt free! I would love to have no car payment and no mortgage. How did you do it?

    We have just one car that we are paying on...hubby's car is a company car. Our mortgage will be paid off in 10 years, but we are hoping to move before that! :)

    God is so good and He provides us with far more than we deserve!

    It is so crazy...actually, no it's not! It's God! You mentioning Compassion...that has been on my heart for months!!! I was just sitting here...last night...tears streaming down my face...reading Ann Voskamps blog about getting to meet her Compassion child this past week. How amazingly awesome is that? I would love to sponsor a child. I know that this is something that my husband and I need to come to an agreement on and pray about. But, I have a feeling that God is calling me in that direction.

    Again, thanks for your kind words! God Bless!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Definitely agree with you on this one. God has blessed us to be debt free, and it is definitely not something I take for granted!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a good post. We are on one salary and I have so many people say they're a little jealous that I get to stay home but there are sacrifices! And if more people would be willing to make those sacrifices they might be able to stay home too. We have a tiny home, one car, no cable, no fancy vacations or shopping trips to the mall. It's SO worth it!!!

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from my readers! Thanks for stopping by and saying "Hi"!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Living Within Our Means

"Imagine what this world would be like if everyone lived within their means."  Those were the words I heard coming from my husbands mouth while we were driving this past weekend.

I have to say, they have stuck with me all week! We know of a lot of people who are in huge amounts of unnecessary debt. When I say unnecessary, I mean they used credit to buy things that they just did not need to buy! Thankfully, my husband and I are not in crazy debt, but we do have a few unnecessary bills for things that we could have lived without. {we are working on being debt free by March 20, 2011...my hubby's 30th b-day!}

I believe that there are some debts that are necessary and are, in some instances, hard to avoid.

Mortgage
Car
School Loans

We need those things and, unless you are a billionaire, usually do not have the cash to buy it outright. So, you have to finance. Those are necessary debts.

And, sadly, sometimes we run into health situations where insurance does not cover all the expenses and you are left with a bill. That is necessary debt.

I just can't understand the debt people put themselves into when they spend and spend and they need to work and work just so they can spend and spend more and more on things that they just do. not. need! Then, they are working so much to pay for all these things, that they should not have bought in the first place, that they are never home to even enjoy them!!

What will it take for people to find happiness in the simplest of things?

Being a stay-at-home-mom and living on just one income, my husband and I have had to make some sacrifices. I can't tell you the last time I bought myself a new pair of jeans or a handbag! But, these decisions were the right ones for us. And, I have to say, we are happier. We are spending more time, together, as a family! And, we are having fun discovering new places to go that are either cheap, or free! Yes, some months go by and it gets a little frustrating when the bank account is bare {i am human afterall!} but I wouldn't trade my life in for anything.

I will never understand the need for more stuff that you can't afford. I am appreciative of the things God has blessed me with.



I have a warm, cozy, safe, roof over my head.
I am always able to put good, healthy, meals on the table to feed my family.
I have a safe, reliable, car to drive.
We always are dressed in clothing that fits and is clean and not old and dirty. Grant it, the clothes we wear may not be the latest style, but they are clothes none the less and I think we are rockin' in our own style!
My husband has a job that he loves and that provides for us and allows for me to stay home and be a mama to my children full time.
We are healthy and free of any awful, life threatening, disease! {that is enough right there!} 

Would I be lying if I said I never coveted something that a friend of mine or someone I have known has gotten? Yes! Of course I would love to go on fancy vacations and have a beautiful, new home, or a pricey handbag. My husband would love a new motorcycle! But, these are all just things. And we are learning, slowly, to humble ourselves and be thankful for the things we do have. God has a plan for our life and I know the blessings are going to be abundant. We just need to wait on him! I have faith that it will all come in His perfect time!

So, try living within your means and being thankful for all the things He has already given to you. I bet you will come up surprised at just how much you already have! Once we start to appreciate the little things that is when I believe He will bless us with bigger things!

A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. ~ Proverbs 28:25


A kind-hearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. ~ Proverbs 11:16


6 comments:

  1. I support you! It's not easy to live on one income, but it can be done.

    Blessings on your weekend,

    e-Mom @ Chrysalis ღ

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Amy. I found you through Charissa. I have to agree with most of what you said. As Dave Ramsey always says, "Debt is dumb! Cash is king!"

    Thankfully, my husband is in complete agreement with me on this. He comes from an incredibly humble background (I mean no running water) so he knows what it means to go without. His mother instilled a strong work ethic and constantly reminded him and his siblings that "if you have your health, then you have everything. Thank God for His blessings."

    Because of this mentality, I can gratefully say that as of a few weeks ago, we are 100% debt free! Yes, we are in our 30's, our cars are paid off, and we have paid his way through undergrad. We are doing the same for his MDiv in Biblical Counseling.

    God has richly blessed us with far more than we could ever need. And it is a blessing to be able to give back. If you ever need a reality check, I highly recommend sponsoring a child through Compassion International. We don't know what it means to go without!

    "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!"

    ReplyDelete
  3. e-Mom...thanks for your support. It is not at all easy, but with God's grace, we have been doing it...and doing it well.
    I know my place is in the home...raising my children and caring to the needs of my home. I wouldn't trade my "job in for anything. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. @ Jen Hurst...{i hate how blogger doesn't have a "repply" button!} Thank you for your comment and how awesome to be completely debt free! I would love to have no car payment and no mortgage. How did you do it?

    We have just one car that we are paying on...hubby's car is a company car. Our mortgage will be paid off in 10 years, but we are hoping to move before that! :)

    God is so good and He provides us with far more than we deserve!

    It is so crazy...actually, no it's not! It's God! You mentioning Compassion...that has been on my heart for months!!! I was just sitting here...last night...tears streaming down my face...reading Ann Voskamps blog about getting to meet her Compassion child this past week. How amazingly awesome is that? I would love to sponsor a child. I know that this is something that my husband and I need to come to an agreement on and pray about. But, I have a feeling that God is calling me in that direction.

    Again, thanks for your kind words! God Bless!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Definitely agree with you on this one. God has blessed us to be debt free, and it is definitely not something I take for granted!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a good post. We are on one salary and I have so many people say they're a little jealous that I get to stay home but there are sacrifices! And if more people would be willing to make those sacrifices they might be able to stay home too. We have a tiny home, one car, no cable, no fancy vacations or shopping trips to the mall. It's SO worth it!!!

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from my readers! Thanks for stopping by and saying "Hi"!

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