Frugal Friday: Being Creative

I don't know about you, but we've always been frugal...but with the current state of the economy there is a sudden urge for more frugality. Even though we have basic debt (just our home mortgage), I continue to look at how we can shave our budget. We are getting creative.

Drew and I both have been reading a great book (of course, not purchased...borrowed from the public library) by Dave Ramsey called The Total Money Makeover. The book gives valuable tips on how to pay off all debt...meaning cars, houses, everything and securing a big, fat nest egg for emergencies and retirement.

We are well on our way, but after ready the book we realize that we need to get more aggressive on saving for our retirement and are confident that with a bit of readjusting we could pay our home off in 15 years. Drew and I don't make much, but we are planners and are faithful in remembering stewardship in everything we do.

Does it make us cool? Not really... Are we what the neighbors refer to as "The Jone's"? No. We are simple people...we grow our own vegetables, own one car and a modest home, have chickens in the back yard, and hang our laundry on the line. (Hardly the case for classy...)

But, we do own our car, the chickens, the laundry line...and not living on a line of credit.

We are creative. Instead of buying cards for $3-4 we make our own. Instead of buying bedding for our chickens we use shredded credit card applications. (Ironic...isn't it?) Instead of having cable we borrow library videos and read books. Instead of using paper napkins we reuse cloth napkins. And on and on and on...

We are comfortable with who we are and confident in our financial goals. Instead of worrying about our bills, we have fun getting creative even if it means shredding credit card applications for the chickens to sit on. (Smile.)

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24