5 Things to Splurge On

According to USAA's Summer 2011 edition, there are five things to splurge on when you buy to get the best value for your money.  Buy the best that you can afford.  Surprisingly, a "great deal" may not be your best buy.  Check websites for advice on particular brands.

.   Interior paint - $10 - $50/gal (usually about $25)
.   Estate planning - $800 - $1800+.  The more complex your issues, the more the cost.
.   Mattress - check coil count, coil guage and filling maerials.  A decent queen size with innersprings = $700
.   Kitchen knives - premium knife has high-carbon steel blade forged out of a single sheet of metal and a         handle made out of hard, crack-resistant material.  A full set may be about $400
.   Running shoes - entry level may be as low as $50

ANOTHER use for baby wipes

When I paint a wall, I also paint myself.  I came home from helping paint the church nursery with both hands and arms a lovely shade of green.  We found that baby wipes were the answer for paint spills.  They are inexpensive, sturdy, moist and disposable.  After multiple drips, swipes and puddles, we were able to quickly mop up the messes and leave the nursery without disaster.  (The green walls are the background for our artist to paint figures and murals - the kids will love it!)

I WANT A NEW CAR!

In your mind, you might think that a new car says who you are: wealthy, in control, good looking...I have arrived!  In truth, most people are signing for a huge loan that will be their master for the next five years.  If you can delay this pleasure and repair your present vehicle (or purchase a low cost, preowned one), you can put money aside into savings every month and pay cash and avoid the interest rates or the "repo man".  Remember, everything you own outright cannot be repossessed.  Most financially strong people never buy a brand new car as they lose great value as soon as you drive it off the showroom floor. This doesn't mean that you can never have a brand new car, you just can't have one right now.  Get your cash together and totally enjoy your purchase with no strings attached!

Christmas is coming!

If you haven't begun to set aside money for Christmas gift buying and giving, you must do so now.  You only have the remaining months to "get it together".  Compute what you will be spending and divide it with the number of months you have left to have it ready for Christmas.  The longer you wait, the fewer months you have to spread the expenses over IF YOU HAVE DETERMINED THAT CHRISTMAS ISN'T GOING TO FOLLOW YOU INTO NEXT YEAR!  Everyone wants to be generous at the wonderful time of year that God showed us His Ultimate Gift of JESUS.  Begin to concentrate on what people are saying as to their desires - often just a passing comment.  Then look for sales and ideas to accomplish their wish for as little cost as possible.  In everything, plan ahead.  As Dave Ramsey says, "Christmas comes in December every year."     It's a big step to a Merry Christmas.

You have to do this!!

A word to the wise:  You must have an emergency fund ($500-$1000).  Life happens and you will look to anyone or anything to help you out.  Credit cards will catch your immediate slack, but in the end it will cost you in payments and interest.  As an aside, when you charge, you are commiting next month's (or next year's) money that you haven't even earned yet?  Keep your budget on a "pay as you go" basis.  If you order online or can't use your debit card, put the cash to cover the amount in an envelope and set it aside.  When the statement arrives, deposit the cash into your checking account and then write the check or transfer the funds.  You have still paid the bill within that month's money.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

You've read the account in Matthew 14:15-21 concerning the feeding of the 5,000 and again in Matthew 15:32-38 of the feeding of the 4,000.  God sets many events as a pattern for us to follow concerning multiplication.  "JESUS took the loaves and fishes and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left 12 baskets or 7 baskets full." 

My husband and I decided that we would follow this example concerning our income from any source.  For every check or statement, we hold it in our hands and lift it up to the Lord, GIVE THANKS and ask JESUS to break it and then we take the money and distribute it to bills or savings, etc.  Does it go farther?  Yes, but that's not the point!  Being thankful is more important than anything else.  You will be acknowledging that God is your source and that He is caring for you.  We have seen checks in from unusual sources.  Experience the blessings that God has waiting for you.  He's not obligated, but it's a special way to give Him honor in your life.

Wealthy Millionnaires

There are many suggestions floating around about getting, spending and saving your money.  One very good article is published at http://www.yahoo.com./  It is called, "Financially Fit - Saving smart and living well".  It has many suggestions about getting and keeping your money.  Go take a look - you don't have to have a yahoo account as it is on their home page.  Just scroll through the news items and it will be there.  Like so many things, "it is hard by the yard but a cinch by the inch".  Get some good ideas and put them to work!