Wasted Money and Words of Wisdom
This is a picture of a to do list packet I just HAD to have. I was going to a doctor appointment and didn’t have anything on which to write my astute thoughts while I waited impatiently for the doctor to see me. I hurried into the closest pharmacy and spent $3.49 on what should have been less than a dollar. I just HAD to have paper right that minute! I got to the doctor’s, and they got me in before I had time to even open the package. What a waste. And what a reminder about impulse buying.
This may be the best Grammie Rant ever. If followed, it will make a difference in your day-to-day stress level, improve your marriage, and help you raise your children. If you are already committed to being a godly steward of your finances, move to another blog. With Christmas shopping on the horizon, many of us can use this timely reminder.
We all need to get control of our attitudes about money and set a lifestyle of godly stewardship. Crown Ministries and Dave Ramsey have numbers of free articles and other helps online as well as books and courses. Take advantage of the teaching that is out there. There are some churches that have special classes on finances.
This is a bunny trail. One of our friends who is a pastor’s wife says that those classes were always filled with responsible people. Those who really needed the help didn’t bother to attend. Silly, huh?
I wish I had known some of this stuff earlier in my life. Let me rephrase that. I wish I had been faithful to what I knew was true. All we have are gifts from God. It is our responsibility to be stewards of what God gives us. As an old lady, it is my Biblical responsibility to pass on the hard-learned lessons to the next generation – which is the justification for my Grammie Rants!
There was one thing we did right. I am thankful that Ronald and I were raised in godly, tithe-paying homes. It was a natural part of our lives from the day we were married. I’ve heard many say they can’t afford to tithe. I am of the belief that you can’t afford not to. Is God going to crush you for your neglect in this area? I don’t think so. But will you be blessed when you do tithe faithfully? Absolutely.
For many years, we were a one income with one car family. We seldom went out to eat but had healthy meals at home. There was always money for music lessons and books. Ronald worked extra jobs to provide the opportunity for us to travel in the summer when he was not teaching. We prioritized what was important to us.
Though Ronald tells me I did an okay job with managing our money, I knew at the time and certainly in retrospect that I was and am an impulse spender. My girls did not need expensive dolls that sat on the shelf. I fell into trouble more often than I like to recall at the fabric store. I often succumbed to the ‘gimmies’ at Walmart or McDonald’s. Seriously! If I had a quarter for every junk toy (expensive ones too) I bought for my girls, I’d be a whole lot richer! And that doesn’t even consider the stuff I needed for the house. Ronald and his painting partner used to tease me about shopping for ‘necessities’ while they worked. Thank the Lord that Amazon did not exist back in the day!
Today, I keep a pretty strict budget. Because there are some things in the near future that we want to do, we have cut back on going out to eat. Keep track of what you are spending on eating out, and you will be shocked! At the end of the month I look over my expenditures. There are other areas of everyone’s budget that need examination.
Anyway, I’m being a bossy, nosy old lady. I guess you’ll have to deal, ‘cause that’s who I am. Final rant (for this time anyway) – Get your financial house in order and watch God bless!
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Matthew 6:23
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Grammie aka Kara Beth
