Money. Spending money. Wants vs. needs. Yep, I’m going there. Are you cringing yet? I have always longed to be generous. To help people who need it. The problem is I want to spend and save the money we have. It is always: when we have more coming in, then I can bless others. Then when more comes in, it is still used mainly on us. Well no more! The VISA gravy train is leaving the station!
I just read a book on giving (I highly recommend I Like Giving) that got me all fired up and ready to quit spending cold turkey. For the next 3 months, I am not spending on my normal splurges: makeup and books (no judging). If I get weak, I will call one of y’all. The money I do spend will be recorded and I will write down the reason. For example, we just had lunch at Chick-Fil-A, and I wrote the amount and that we got to spend time with friends. The money I spend (except for essentials) should give me a return. No more impulse buys. Purchases will be thought out, and I will make sure I really do want it.
My girls are doing this too. The youngest can’t wait until her 6th birthday next month for a toy. She has been wanting it for a few months. She is paying for half, and I am paying for the rest. But no more cheap little toys that break on the way home! My 8 year old already gets it. This weekend she decided not to get the toy her sister wants. She said, “Mom, you know how you say we don’t play with the toys we already have?” Umm YEAH. “Well, I am going to save my money and play with toys I have.” I about fell over. She listens! What 8 year old says that? The younger my kids are when they learn about spending, the better they will be. Their future husbands will thank me.
For the next 3 months, as I think about where money goes, and think of reasons I am spending, I want this to become ingrained in me. Never again do I want to buy something and only use it once. Or forget where I put it before I use it. God gave my family money to use and share with others. I am responsible for instilling generosity, not greed, in my children. It starts with my example.
Once the three months are over, I am hoping our spending will be down for good and we can talk as a family. I want to give to charities that each of us feel strongly about. I want to have cash on me to give to someone. I want some of our giving to be planned and some spontaneous. We are all here to make a difference. We are here to help others as others have helped us. We are here on this earth to be a blessing. Let’s all start today!
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Sarah – I absolutely love this! I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds. And know that I’m cheering you on from the sidelines. With lots of admiration …
You go, girl!
It may be a challenge, but we are up for it! Love having you on my side! 🙂
Can’t wait to hear the stories that come from this. try your best to document the spending (or lack of) and the giving. It would be a great story to share with NSC! Praying for you guys
Yes it would be great to share! Thanks for your prayers!
Way to go, Sarah! This is a great discovery that will impact you, your family, and the world around you. We enjoyed a similar adventure of living purposefully with our funds that has led to a transformation in our finances. After 30+ years we have been able to do so much more through giving than I could have imagined. Surprisingly, both of our kids really GOT this and have entered their adult lives with a changed perspective. The rewards from changing your orientation about giving will be so much more than the junk that you miss along the way, and the side benefit is that this kind of living comes with a mental peace and joy that will confound your friends and family.
Can’t wait to confound the people around us. 🙂 having your support means so much! I will keep you updated!
This is SUCH a great idea! We need something like this in our house. It is way too easy to run to the store for the stuff we “need” without really thinking it through and wonder where the money goes. I can’t wait to hear how it turns out!
I will tell you what works well and what works not so well!
Good luck! I need to do the same. Just bought the Financial Peace book to read – ready to get started getting finances under control and more in line with God’s vision.
Thanks! Dave Ramsey knows what he is talking about-good luck to you too!
Wow – very timely for our family. My man-in-plaid were just discussing how to support a young new Crusade missionary. I actually was thinking: if i shopped less, this would be easier! I’ll need to get this book. Plus, our mostly grown girls have grown up w/ tithing, but they don’t know they will soon be gifted with a bit of an inheritance from my dad – we’re keeping it a surprise until the checks arrive – and I’m praying for how they will release it for God’s sake. Lots of options, always. I find that the more money I’m given, the harder to give the bigger gift. So it may be for them. Thanks for this encouragement and for hopping onto Welcomeheart. (:
Yes I agree that having more can make it harder to give big, even if just a little more. The book has many inspiring stories of giving and helps you see all kinds of possibilities. Spending less on us can sure free up money for others! 🙂
Sarah, great post! We are here to be a blessing and so many of us (including me!) take it for granted.
We sure do. It is so easy to take it all for granted, until you see other people’s needs.
This is a great idea! I definitely want to read how this went for you 🙂
I thought you would like it 🙂 I am taking notes and will probably post on here occasionally.
So glad you came over!