A new season of frugal living

Once upon a time, both John and I both worked outside the home. We had pretty much matching paychecks. We bought pretty much whatever we wanted when we wanted it. We didn't budget. Once I calculated how much money we spent on eating out in a month, and it was several hundred dollars. Ridiculous. 

When I got pregnant with Emelie, I knew that I wanted to raise her myself. It didn't make sense to me to pay someone else, when I didn't have a career that paid big bucks. I liked my job, and found fulfillment in helping the community, but I knew that God was calling me to quit my job and be a fulltime mother.

Going from two paychecks down to one was very difficult. Duh. Suddenly I had to cook a lot. Even that seemed to cost a lot of money at first. There were even a few times we had a leave whole grocery cart of food at the register because we'd (and I mean I- I'm the money manager) miscalculated our funds and were broke. You only do that once before you really obsess over making sure you've done the math right!

I complained several times on Facebook about how broke we were. And a few people told me to start babysitting during the day to bring in some extra money. So I did that for 4 years. 

Recently the little girl I've watched for 3 years moved away. I asked God what he wanted me to do. Since we homeschool, I've found that the extra children distract me from our school time. I felt like God was telling me not to take in any extra kids for this season. I'm learning obedience is soooo much better than convenience.

I think that in today's society, we put so much emphasis on getting ahead financially. It's like going without something is super frowned upon. If something's broken, instead of fixing it, we buy a new one. We (American society) have disposable incomes. I once had a super disposable income. It didn't make me happier! If anything, it set me up for failure when we didn't have extra money! It took time to learn to be frugal. I'm still learning! 

I think the hardest thing about this life we've chosen is that few understand why we've chosen it! I'm always afraid people will assume I'm a lazy woman who wants to sit home and eat Bon Bons while watching soaps. We've chosen this life because it's what God has called us to.

So now that we're down to one income again, I've had to "find" money in John's paycheck!  My pay (about $100 a week) went towards our groceries. No more eating out when we feel like it. We're eating more beans made from scratch. No buying clothes just because it's cute. We're strategic with our spending. If we have enough gas for John to get to work and back, but no extra, I might not be able to go across town to see a friend. If we're invited to do something that costs money, and we don't have it- oh well! Everyone thinks that going without is such a horrible thing. We should be trying to make more money so we never have to tell ourselves or our children "No, we can't afford that". I think all that is teaching, is a self centered lesson. My pleasure is what matters. Me me me.

Our world may be teaching that through hard work, you can buy it all. But our family is choosing to live frugally. To work hard, yet live simply. For me, to work a job that is really belittled nowadays- not to mention doesn't pay cash- only kisses! To live under our means. To make it stretch and last. And to still be generous, knowing that we are blessed! 

"Gratitude makes what you have more than enough" (or something like that!)

I suspect that we will become less popular with friends and family as we may have to say no frequently. But true friends will be up to chicken tostadas at Jens! I am excited to see how God will make what he's provided us, to be more than enough! I look forward to planning ahead. To using up. Going without. Fixing things that are mend able. I look forward to Emelie learning how to be a good steward of what she has- and far less concerned about the things she doesn't have. I'm excited about this new phase in life!

"He always provides, sure as the sunrise. So I sing Him songs of praise, cause He keeps me in his gaze" Caedmons Call