Our family is seeking to save money in our daily living expenses. We are working on sticking to a tighter budget. Partly we want to save money for our adoption (in the immediate future), but also we've been convicted that we should live more simply and be able to give more to those in need on a regular basis. We are so rich in this country and depend on many things that are luxaries in other places. We recently were reading that a family in a poor country (I forget where) lives in a shack that is 8 ft. by 8 ft....smaller than our smallest bedroom! My husband has been challenging us for some time to give things away...we just had a big yardsale which motivated us to give up, to make money for Lacie's adoption. Friends from our homeschool group gave items for us to sell too which was a blessing. Boy though was it consuming to have to go through so much stuff! We were thankful for the opportunity--to raise money and let local people know what we are doing. Honestly, there seemed to be alot of disinterested people, and it can be disheartening, but we have to remind ourselves that God will move who He wants to care for His orphans and He can provide any way He chooses. He is good! We did raise $200 and will try selling a few things on ebay. Much of the remainder we gave toa local christian mission as at least for now, my husband says, no more yardsales! :)
If YOU have any good money saving ideas, please share them by leaving a comment!
OUr friend has a GREAT blog dedicated to sharing thrifty living ideas:
http://www.thethriftyhousewifeblog.blogspot.com/
We're enjoying trying natural and cheap recipes for laumdry detergent, diaper rash, and dishwashing soap, and she shares a lot of great ideas. Check it out and share with your friends.
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4 comments:
Hey Traci, thanks for the plug for my blog. I added Lacie to mine in place of the Reece's Rainbow advertisement I had, so hopefully it will make more people aware of what you all are doing.
I really think the Tightwad Gazette was one of my best purchases. Even thought it's older, the ideas are still very useful. We don't use convenience foods, keep the heat a little lower, no cable, etc.
Hi! I just found your blog through the RR after the rainbow group. Hope you don't mind that I stopped by:) We had a yardsale to raise adoption expenses also and got our whole church involved. Many people donated and the youth group sorted stuff and priced it- we made $1800!!!
I plan meals and don't use convenience foods and I do use coupons. Our grocery bill for our family of 7 (with two in diapers)is $450 a month- this includes cleaning supplies, toiletries, EVERYTHING.
We don't watch TV- so don't pay for cable or the digital box. We do OWN a TV for movies. We love movies:)
All family activities are free (hiking, picnics at a park, game nights, movie time) and our couples date nights have to be cheap.
You probably do all of this- but thought I'd add my two cents:)
have you read the book "red letters" by tom davis or "crazy love" by francis chan. when i read your post i thought you would benefit greatly from these books. your heart is in the right place to realize how rich we are compared to our brothers and sisters around the world. they are not money saving books but fantastic. were just finishing up crazy love and i will send it to you if you would like, same with red letters.
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