This past week there has been a lot of discussion regarding our current economic crisis. News of automakers needing bailouts, stock markets dropping and unexpected significant rise in unemployment rates have dominated the airways, and internet. As we approach what is normally the years best season of retail performance, we are hesitant if not incapable to spend little, if any extra money we may have. It's a hard reality that we are all facing this season. During my time writing for the blog, I did not want to focus on this subject as I wanted things to be kept light, uplifting, and upbeat. I had to adjust that mindset today.
The past few days have been spent working on a bible study I am writing and thinking, praying and listening for the next topic here on our blog. What occured to me this morning was that the topic of financial woes does not have to be depressing at all- so why avoid it? As a full time realtor and single mother, I know all too well how difficult it is to keep afloat financially. Though we are now officially (according to the government) in a recession, I have been feeling the impact financially for nearly two years. And for well over two years I have been provided for faithfully, experienced more personal growth than I ever could have imagined, and been blessed with amazing opportunities I never thought possible. I want to take this opportunity to share with you a few things that could help your family enjoy your times through the season of a tight belt...
-Meal share with friends and neighbors. Take turns cooking and cleaning and keep it simple. We do this twice a week in our house and between the food, fellowship, and financial benefit, this is a great way to enjoy a tight budget.
-Entertainment is expensive. Go to the park with your family... Play ball, throw a frisbee, have a picnic, enjoy the time with eachother. Too cold to go outside? Make game night a priority. Use Google to look up new games that you have not tried before and enjoy learning something new. Have movie night with a group of friends and family, microwave that popcorn and add a few skittles for a little extra fun! Kids love it (so do I).
-Books are wonderful, and I love to buy them because having to part with them is sad to me... But, I have learned that the library has some too, so now I go there (amazing what you'll discover when you are forced to! lol). Give it a try. Most children love going to the library as well. You can check out music, movies, books, magazines all for FREE!
-Cable TV is a luxury, not a necessity. We went without it for a full year, and are ready to do it again. Kids do not need it, and when you are in the mood to veg out, rent a movie, or buy a cheapie from a discount store. It's amazing all the things you will find time for if you eliminate the biggest source of distraction in our lives. Missing your favorite show? Catch them online... -Try a neighborhood swap instead of a garage sale. You would be amazed at what you can accomplish by simply offering what you have for someone else.
-Gym memberships are very expensive, but keeping fit is essential to a healthy life. We are blessed with many options for fitness in and around our daily enviornment. Go for a walk, bikeride or run. Find a routine that you could do at home- invite your family to participate! -Trade services. Mow eachothers grass, take turns. Home repairs, babysitting, cleaning, laundry, editing, painting, etc. We all do something for a living, try doing it for someone else that may need it.
-Christmas gifts are costly and though retailers are offering huge discounts right now, they are still selling what boils down to being "stuff". Who needs it? I know I don't. and I know my kids don't. I have already sat down with them and let them know that it will be tight this year, but we are still going to have a lot of fun. You know what? They are okay with that. I asked them to make a list of three things they would want, and that I would get them one. This is an opportunity for our children to learn- don't deny them that! It won't always be like this!
-Church budgets are tight right now and they will continue to be. It's time to step up and help out. Help clean the grounds, pull weeds, offer help in the office, reduce the size of your bulletins, etc. We need our churches to stay open, so we can help eachother get through this season in life.
In a time that is easy to become selfish in terms of pinching pennies, and keeping everything we have, just incase- I think it is best to do the opposite. Start giving. Start sharing. Start loving, and really LIVING! The blessings bestowed on you for doing what God has called us to do is worth a lifetime of JOY! And that is HIS PROMISE!
Addie Owens-Donovan
Author
The past few days have been spent working on a bible study I am writing and thinking, praying and listening for the next topic here on our blog. What occured to me this morning was that the topic of financial woes does not have to be depressing at all- so why avoid it? As a full time realtor and single mother, I know all too well how difficult it is to keep afloat financially. Though we are now officially (according to the government) in a recession, I have been feeling the impact financially for nearly two years. And for well over two years I have been provided for faithfully, experienced more personal growth than I ever could have imagined, and been blessed with amazing opportunities I never thought possible. I want to take this opportunity to share with you a few things that could help your family enjoy your times through the season of a tight belt...
-Meal share with friends and neighbors. Take turns cooking and cleaning and keep it simple. We do this twice a week in our house and between the food, fellowship, and financial benefit, this is a great way to enjoy a tight budget.
-Entertainment is expensive. Go to the park with your family... Play ball, throw a frisbee, have a picnic, enjoy the time with eachother. Too cold to go outside? Make game night a priority. Use Google to look up new games that you have not tried before and enjoy learning something new. Have movie night with a group of friends and family, microwave that popcorn and add a few skittles for a little extra fun! Kids love it (so do I).
-Books are wonderful, and I love to buy them because having to part with them is sad to me... But, I have learned that the library has some too, so now I go there (amazing what you'll discover when you are forced to! lol). Give it a try. Most children love going to the library as well. You can check out music, movies, books, magazines all for FREE!
-Cable TV is a luxury, not a necessity. We went without it for a full year, and are ready to do it again. Kids do not need it, and when you are in the mood to veg out, rent a movie, or buy a cheapie from a discount store. It's amazing all the things you will find time for if you eliminate the biggest source of distraction in our lives. Missing your favorite show? Catch them online... -Try a neighborhood swap instead of a garage sale. You would be amazed at what you can accomplish by simply offering what you have for someone else.
-Gym memberships are very expensive, but keeping fit is essential to a healthy life. We are blessed with many options for fitness in and around our daily enviornment. Go for a walk, bikeride or run. Find a routine that you could do at home- invite your family to participate! -Trade services. Mow eachothers grass, take turns. Home repairs, babysitting, cleaning, laundry, editing, painting, etc. We all do something for a living, try doing it for someone else that may need it.
-Christmas gifts are costly and though retailers are offering huge discounts right now, they are still selling what boils down to being "stuff". Who needs it? I know I don't. and I know my kids don't. I have already sat down with them and let them know that it will be tight this year, but we are still going to have a lot of fun. You know what? They are okay with that. I asked them to make a list of three things they would want, and that I would get them one. This is an opportunity for our children to learn- don't deny them that! It won't always be like this!
-Church budgets are tight right now and they will continue to be. It's time to step up and help out. Help clean the grounds, pull weeds, offer help in the office, reduce the size of your bulletins, etc. We need our churches to stay open, so we can help eachother get through this season in life.
In a time that is easy to become selfish in terms of pinching pennies, and keeping everything we have, just incase- I think it is best to do the opposite. Start giving. Start sharing. Start loving, and really LIVING! The blessings bestowed on you for doing what God has called us to do is worth a lifetime of JOY! And that is HIS PROMISE!
Addie Owens-Donovan
Author
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