God Bless America!
As the United States celebrates its birthday on July 4, use this as a time to launch weekly prayer for our nation. For those participating in this year’s National Day of Prayer, you may already be praying every Thursday for our nation’s elections. Continue doing so!
We are very blessed to have freedom to praise and worship our wonderful God, Jehovah! The Lord’s favor has been upon the United States for several centuries. May this continue! However as many in our country have violated God’s Word, the Bible, I believe we are under the Lord’s discipline at this time. Our nation is not flourishing because we are being judged and disciplined.
Pray for our nation’s leaders to turn their hearts back to God. Take time this summer, when schedules are often slowed, to write your national and local leaders to encourage them to obey the Lord. Tell them you are praying for them. I pray regularly with my children for our President, troops, and election. Now, my kids pray on their own for such important requests. What a blessing to see the benefit of freedom of religion. We don’t want to lose this valuable gift. Pray!
PS–Every time I see a flag, I try to pray for the U.S. President and our troops. Try this fun approach to prayer! Your kids will enjoy this, too!
QUOTE
For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.
–Benjamin Franklin
Memorial Day weekend, I threw one of my sons a birthday party and used a chunk of the remaining time to clean and organize. Oh! How wonderful it felt to tackle a few projects. Yes, I could tackle dozens more and not be close to completion. However, the point I’m making is “You have to start someone.” The only sure way to defeat is to never start!
ARE WE IN A RECESSION AND IF SO, WHAT DO I DO?
For more than a year, the liberal media has thrown out the word “recession” in their pre-election scare tactics. Some of today’s economic events have been self-fulfilling prophecies. We have responded to the media as if their word is supreme, when we should be looking to our Mighty God as supreme.
No doubt that many economic problems have been self-induced by those who spent more than they earned, bought larger homes than they could afford, and failed to save for “rainy days,” such as times when lay-offs occur. Many Americans have foolishly lived above their means, striving for a standard of living that will always allude them. For some people, “there is never enough!”
For God’s people, we know there are boundaries for our well-being. There is a limit we can comfortably call “enough.” We also know our Heavenly Father provides and controls all things. As believers, we have a responsibility to be good stewards and live a life that glorifies the Lord. Our pleasure is not in the accumulation of wordly toys, but in serving God faithfully. In doing so, I share boastfully of my God, “You cannot outgive the Lord.” We are called to give generously to the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are also called to steward what the Lord has entrusted us so we can give generously and serve faithfully.
Crown Ministries has long been a favorite ministry of mine because they teach Biblical principles and advocate for strong Christian stewardship. They promote the gospel and encourage generous giving to evangelistic causes. I highly recommend taking the Crown Ministries Bible study program because you learn timeless financial principles written by the God who created our financial system. Scripture memorization is part of the program and helps the student to hide God’s Word in his heart so that the Bible guides all financial decisions.
In the May 2008 issue of Crown’s “MONEY Matters” magazine, CEO Chuck Bentley has an article explaining how to respond to a recession. I will share a few of his thoughts now and conclude with a couple of my own.
First, Mr. Bentley shares that since 1930, there have been 11 recessionary periods in U.S. history. A recession is nothing more than two or more consecutive quarters of negative Gross Domestic Product growth. These economic corrections occur typically following when we have experienced a boom, or high economic growth. Second, Mr. Bentley shares the average recession is 10.4 months, with the worst lasting 16 months. Lastly, Crown shares that during recessions, opportunities are created for those who are financially prepared to take advantage of them. For example, the family who has saved for a home, can purchase one at a significantly lower price today than two years ago. Also, recessions are times for us to examine our lifestyles and cut out wasteful or careless spending. I loved the article’s conclusion, because it is where we need to focus—God is not in recession!
Sharing a few of my thoughts for readers…first focus on the boom you have enjoyed in the last 6+ years. We’ve had lower taxes and many family-friendly tax reforms. We have had so much “extra money” that many people walk around carrying $4 cups of coffee wherever they go. Thus, the economy has been very good until the last 6-8 months. Keep perspective and realize that any decline your investments may see is short-lived. Don’t panic. Pray and keep your course on investing and giving.
Next, you may not realize this, but when there is definite or potential for a U.S. President to change, the economy gets shaken. And I don’t just mean the U.S. economy. In 1999, when we knew Clinton was leaving office, the dot com bust occurred and real estate tanked then. This is deja vu! We know Bush is leaving office and most of us are nervous about future political changes. People are spending less in anticipation of tax reforms being repealed and facing the return of family unfriendly taxes. With the subprime mortgage collapse, society is “facing the music” that you cannot live above your means. For those good stewards, we are not facing housing losses, but we are getting hit with a variety of bail-out expenses. Thus, in a way, our society’s foolishness is hurting us all.
What do I recommend? Pray and ask God for wisdom. He knows YOUR specific circumstances. God can guide you through all trials. Second, make certain you tithe and try to give above the tithe. Third, develop a budget and live BELOW your income level! Fourth, if you have no debt, save at least 10% for retirement. Instead of spending, attempt to save for future needs like college educations, vehicles and esablishing an emergency fund.
If you have debt, have a family meeting and get everyone to agree to work “fast and furious” on getting out of debt. Eliminate your debt prior to ramping up your short-term savings. Better to cut the interest you pay lenders! Then, when debt is gone, build your emergency fund.
During all of these steps, find ways every week and/or monthly to reduce your lifestyle. Find ways to reduce dining out, using gasoline, minimizing utilities, reducing costs for vacations, wardrobes and groceries. This is hard work and requires a team effort. However, using websites, like this one, is a great way to start what can be a rewarding adventure.
I would suggest that if you are facing great financial trials to consider additional jobs/income as well as reducing expenses. This might mean a short-term commitment from one spouse to work an additional job to create income to devote to debt reduction. Have teens? Get them out in the workforce either in a retail or restaurant environment or at least working at a camp or babysitting. Everyone can contribute to reducing family debt!
Lastly, do not panic! A recession is not the end of the world. It’s a short-term period in economic history and God can carry you through its challenges if you seek Him first!
SAVING GAS MONEY
An article by Sean Tucker on yahoo.com cited the following tips for saving gas. My spin on saving gas is to consolidate or reduce errand trips and limit driving only to “necessities,” such as work, medical appointments, etc. When you shop, consider purchasing a month’s supply of items to reduce the number of return trips to the store.
Seans’ tips include
1-Maintain your vehicle by getting “check engine lights” addressed quickly, maintain tire pressure routinely, and regularly changing your air filter. Also, make sure you routinely change your oil (approximately every 3,000 miles).
2-Drive 60 on the Highway because most cars reach optimal gas mileage at about 60 miles per hour. Speeding increases wind resistance against the car and makes the engine work harder. Thus, speeding increases gas usage.
3-Turn Off the car’s air conditioner. While this saves money, this is a huge sacrifice to practice consistently. I find it’s easier to do on my way home from work!
4-Eliminate extra weight in your vehicle by removing excess items in your trunk. Government estimates say an extra 100 pounds in your car can reduce fuel efficiency by up to two percent.
5-Eliminate your luggage and bike racks when not in use. Better mileage is achieved with less wind resistance.
VIRGINIA RESIDENTS
Mark your calendars for August 1-3 for the back-to-school sales tax holiday. Computer-related items priced at $1500 or less are now included. Also, clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item as well as school supplies at $20 or less are included.
EXCURSIONS
With soaring gas prices, here are a few ideas to consider.
1-Before your family returns to school, why not have a community picnic or cook-out? We gather neighbors annually in our front yard and have everyone bring their own picnic. We provide location only. It’s fun and inexpensive night of fellowship. Also, this is a great way to share your faith with your neighbors by inviting them to a follow-up church event!
2-Have you used your deck lately? We used ours routinely whether we dine out or just eat watermelon outside on our deck! Have a family game night or dinner on your deck. Invite friends…or just keep it your immediate family. See if you can use your deck at least a half dozen times between Summer and late Fall. You could even start a supper club with a couple of families and rotate going to different decks! Do whatever seems fun for your family!
3-Picnic at your church. Take a picnic with you one Sunday, and after the service, enjoy a meal. You could invite families to join you or just see who stops by to say “hi.” Start a tradition even!
4-Visit as many schoolyard playgrounds as you can this Summer! See if you can visit 12 or even 20! Kids will love the new places to play and this costs you nothing!
5-Prayer walks. In the evenings, when the temp is not too hot, take a walk with some or all of your family. Use the time to chat and to pray. Pray for neighbors, friends, and family situations. You get exercise while teaching the importance of praying at all occasions.
6-Ice cream party! Looking for a fun activity with family that won’t blow your budget? Buy a couple of gallons of ice cream, when they’re on sale, and have an ice cream party. This is less expensive than a pizza party and you can add sprinkles or syrups you might already have in your cupboard. This is a good idea for play groups, birthday parties, or family gatherings (where you don’t want to foot the bill for feeding everyone dinner).
FRUGAL IDEAS
1-When you purchase school supplies in August, remember to buy extras to replace lost items throughout the year. I also use August sales as my time to annually build a stock of items I use at home, in ministry, and in the workplace. Back-to-School sales are ideal for purchasing pens and notebooks for next to nothing. These are great to keep in your van for those moments when you have a great idea and know “if I don’t write it down, I’ll never remember it.”
As I’ve previously shared, I fill Christmas stockings with crayons, magic markers, and other supplies. My daughter loves this idea!
2-Check out www.restaurant.com for coupons/deals where you can save on dining out.
3-When your children prepare for “back to school,” sit them down and explain how their supplies, such as backpacks, rulers, protractors, scissors, etc., must last more than one school year. I have had great success with my children when I explain my expectations “up fronT.” For example, my children only get a new backpack every two years, and only then if it’s needed. Yes, my children don’t have a shiny backpack every year, but they learn to take care of their supplies when they know that an item must last at least two years.
4-Borrow instead of buy! When you’re facing the need for a item for a school project or a costume or a one-time event, explore borrowing the item from a friend. Many of us are out of practice with borrowing and we’ve spoiled ourselves with buying new!
5-Traveling? Carry your food with you. We saved over $30 in a weekend by carrying our lunches with us to an amusement park. I’ve always tried to carry snacks and easy meal items with me on trips. With soaring gas prices, many restaurants have increased their prices. Thus, carrying a picnic on a trip has increased in it’s return of investment of your time.
6-Credit Card Rewards. Make your credit cards work for you. Last year when we adopted from Asia, we used Amex Rewards to purchase one of our tickets. Recently, we’ve enjoyed dining out using Amex Rewards to purchase gift cards. We’ve also redeemed points to purchase gift cards at Christmas.
7-Consider www.restaurant.com if you’re looking for a dining deal. Or if you’re picking up the full tab for dining out, consider dining at lunch time to enjoy less expensive entrees…skip dessert…and use coupons when available. Don’t be shy! Ask your waiter about savings opportunities. You might learn of a deal, like “kids eat free” evening.
8-My husband likes www.smartcircle.com for hunting local deals.
MISC TIPS
The following tips are from Mary Hunt’s e-zine, called “Everyday Cheapskate.” If you have not explored Mary’s books and her website, take time this quarter to do so! You can receive her wonderful Everyday Cheapskate email free.
-CUT FLOWERS. Mary recommends cutting off the ends of the flower stems and adding a dash of salt to the water to keep flowers fresher longer. As flowers start to droop, give them a second life by cutting the stems off near the blossoms and floating them in a bowl of warm water into which you have mixed a crushed half of an aspirin tablet. I, Michele, recommend that you place cut flowers in a vase with warm water and add about 1/4 cup of Sprite or Ginger Ale. The citric acid in these beverages preserves flowers beautifully and you have a bouquet to enjoy longer!
-SPROUTING DRIVEWAY. If your driveway or patio seems to sprout weeds through the slimmest of cracks: Pour boiling water on the cracks. Kills ‘em dead.
-GARAGE CLUTTER. For all those half-full bags of fertilizer, potting soil, kitty litter and pet food that can make a garage a real mess, repackage them into frosting buckets with lids. At most bakeries they’re free for the asking.
-DIRT CHEAP! Next time you are at the home improvement center or garden store, ask them about their “ripped bags” containing dirt, mulch and 3-in-1. Typically, when the bags become torn, contents are re-bagged and sold for half price.
-CHINA SAVERS. Instead of expensive china separators try using coffee filters. Place a large one between plates and a small one between items like cups and saucers.
-SAUCEPAN CLEANUP. For heavily soiled saucepans, after cooking, allow the pan cool down. Then add water with a little baking soda, or more for a really tough job. Cover the pan, bring to a boil for a few minutes, let the pan cool down again, and clean with soap and water using a scouring pad. Rinse well. The baking soda will release all the cooked-on mess. This process saves you a bit of time.
-NO MORE RUST. Cans with metal bottoms in the bathroom or kitchen can leave rust rings. To stop this from happening, use old fingernail polish to coat the edges of the can before placing on a counter or bathroom floor.
-SMOOTHING OUT THE BUMPS. When you have a knit sweater hanging on a hanger for a period of time, a lump can appear where the end of the hanger hits the top of the shoulder. Use a hairdryer and heat up the spot while smoothing it out with your fingers. No more lumps.
-INK CARTRIDGES–Check www.clickinks.com where they have compatible ink cartridges for less.
If you have a frugal idea, I’d love to hear from you. Please use the link at this website to share your thoughts.
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If your community or church group is seeking a speaker, please email me at michelebuschman@yahoo.com. I would love to share some encouragement and the love of Christ with your group! As many of you are familiar with my ministries, I speak not only on financial topics, but also on spiritual topics and about our family’s adoption experience.
And I also provide limited one-on-one financial planning and counseling by appointment. Contact me at michelebuschman@yahoo.com if you are interested in discussing your counseling needs.
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Joy! Michele