Money Management

Managing money has been quite the challenge for me to learn and understand. I've been talking a little about how I've had to seek the Lord for guidance in being a godly keeper of my home.  

Let's call this Part Two ~ Money Management

Well let me re-phrase that first sentence, IT HAS BEEN A HUGE BURDEN FOR ME not having learned how to responsibly handle money growing up. I never knew how to budget, let alone did I understand the importance of being a good steward of what I have. It led to lots of poor spending habits, for all of the wrong reasons.. Can anyone say Retail Therapy? 

It's said as a joke, but in the end I'll be judged for what I did with my portion, and that encourages my heart to be wise with my purse strings.

Here is where I am today. After many years of spending foolishly on things that I have probably given away by now because I dislike clutter very much, I am finally winding down. I still buy books that I don't necessarily need, I spend on monthly trips to Panera, and every chance I get I buy candles. Now those may seem like small purchases, but first, as far as books go, I could spend thousands in one order! And you know how little purchases add up. But more importantly I am saving to move.. Am I the only wanting to live in a smaller house? That's definitely another post.. {smiles}

And let me share with you the biggest lie that I've been told: "You deserve these things, and you should get them NOW" It's an outright lie. I deserve to work and save responsibly for the things that bring me little bits of pleasure. I shouldn't be able to spend on wants on any given whim that I'm experiencing. 

But that's what the world says.. Buy now, pay later! But we have to know that is a trap, and to be in debt is an evil snare, truly.

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. ~ Proverbs 22:7

Now, thankfully I don't have any credit cards {anymore} however I haven't been great with my debit card.  So I've given it up. Yes, I gave it to my husband to hold, and will only use cash for my spending. I've also taken up a little habit of documenting my purchases in a ledger.

Housewives, whether you work outside of the home or not, how I want to encourage you to do this if you are presently spending without a plan. We can all benefit from this.. First, if we see where our money is going we can really tell from a list before our eyes if we are indeed being frivolous. My husband keeps track of our account with the bank statements, but this practice is for me, as keeper of my home, to see where most of my spending lies, and with shopping with cash only, I will most certainly be careful with my spending! My husband is very lenient with me; he would give me the world if he could, {smiles} but I have asked that he decide what the household portion will be every week. If I need more, he would never deny me. What I am doing here is keeping myself accountable. Since he is the frugal one, I am depending on him to make that sound decision. I will also be more frugal as I budget, and compare shop with what I have to spend.

I am in no way poor. I have more than I need, I am not in debt {except for my mortgage} and truly when I make more money, it will be so that I can give more. 

These are little things I am working on as keeper of my home. May my daughters learn the value of a dollar and grow to be prudent women.. Also, may they be inspired to live, to give. To work for their portion and save wisely, blessing their households, causing their husbands to trust in them. May they be competent women of God.

Blessings,

Linked up at: Deep Roots at Home, Time Warp Wife